It was a fact that I searched in vain for any definite news concerning the serious military and diplomatic situations. Always the same system of brief, touched-up telegrams. One would so much have liked to be certain of England's attitude. However, the theory of Italian neutrality seemed to be confirmed; one good point!
"What will the flying machines do?" I asked suddenly.
The subject interested me. I had visions of raids and fantastic combats à la Wells.
"Nothing at all!" Laquarrière broke in. "They haven't a ghost of a chance against Zeppelins."
He embarked on the praises of these Dreadnoughts of the air, one of which had gone two thousand kilometres without a stop, a few months before.
"I shouldn't be surprised to see them over Paris to-night!"
I tossed my head. He continued:
"Besides, as regards aeroplanes, you mustn't imagine that we're in any way superior to them in that line. They've beaten all our records lately, distance and height."
It was only one detail among many. He did not hide from me the fact that he had an extremely poor opinion of our state of preparation. Cipollina's tone and mistrust were repeated in him. I ventured to remark: