Mr. Tarbox having now communicated all his own business, naturally felt a degree of curiosity about that of his young companion.
"Are you goin' to the Paris Exhibition?" he asked.
"I suppose so. It depends upon Colonel Sharpley."
"The man you're travelin' with? Yes; I saw him at the table—tall man, black hair, and slim, ain't he?"
"Yes, sir."
"So he's a colonel, is he?"
"Yes."
"Did he fight in any of our wars?"
"No, he's an Englishman."
"Oh!" exclaimed Mr. Tarbox, with a slight contempt in his voice. "He wouldn't be no match for an American officer."