And he had a streak of quick-witted audacity which made him an ornament to his chosen profession.

His method of work was simple.

Coming to a rural neighborhood, he would stop at some local hotel, and, armed with clever patter and a sheaf of automobile insurance documents, would make the rounds of the region's better-class homes.
At these he sold no automobile insurance; though he made seemingly earnest efforts to do so.

But he learned the precise location of each garage; the cars therein; and the easiest way to the highroad, and any possible obstacles to a hasty flight thereto.

Usually, he succeeded in persuading his reluctant host to take him to the garage to look at the cars and to estimate the insurable value of each.