“Did you bring the carburetor parts?” asked Jerry.
“I did!” exclaimed Ned, as he passed them over.
“They’re all right,” announced Jerry, after an inspection. “From now on we must take care not to leave our machines out of our sight. But what did you do with Mr. Wakefield’s motor?”
Ned told where it was. Then he had a bath, and got ready for dinner. After the meal, which his chums ate with him, Ned went and told Mr. Wakefield what had happened to the motor. The latter was not alarmed for the safety of his machine, and it was arranged that one of the employees of the club could drive over for it on Monday. The rest of the day the boys spent quietly, anxiously waiting for the morrow when they might again try their motors.
Bright and early on Monday each boy was fitting the new carburetor parts to his cycle. The apparatus fitted perfectly and soon all three were spinning down the road at a good speed. They rode for several miles and were about to turn back, on Jerry’s proposal to go to the athletic track, when they heard the noise of an approaching motor.
The next instant a machine turned the corner of the road, and came toward them. All three of the chums started as they saw that the rider was Jack Pender. Hardly knowing what they were doing, Ned, Bob and Jerry spread themselves out across the highway so that Pender could not pass. On his part he was so surprised that he shut off the power of his machine and came to a stop, just as the three chums, who had done likewise, dismounted.
“Well?” observed Jerry quietly. “I’ve been wanting to meet you, Jack.”
“Don’t you dare to touch me!” exclaimed Jack. “If you do I’ll have you arrested.”
“You’re a nice one to talk about having people arrested,” went on Jerry. “I’ve a good mind to shake you!”