"Yes, sir."
"On your own hook?"
"It seems that I'm not able to go any other way."
"Egad, I like your spirit, anyhow! When do you start?"
"Just as soon as I transact a little business with Slocum, and a few others who need my attention."
"Well, good luck to you!" The colonel got up and took Matt's hand. "You've got a way of inspiring confidence, and I wish I could do something for you, but I'm afraid it's out of the question. Win that Kansas race, though, and you'll have more offers to drive motor-cars than you can fill."
Matt experienced a sense of great relief as he left Colonel Plympton's office. He felt that he had accomplished not a little in ranging the colonel on his side.
Carl was waiting impatiently for Matt, walking up and down the hotel office and keeping his eyes constantly on the windows that faced the street.
As Matt, in a quiet corner of the office, told about the treachery of Slocum, Carl's rage was so intense that it would have been ludicrous in any other circumstances.
"Ach, dot sgoundrel! dot fillian!" he wheezed. "Oof I hat him here I vould make him t'ink a brick house hat fell on him! Der plackguard! Der tinhorn! Led me go oudt und look for him!"