“That’s just it,” agreed Ned and Bob, and they complimented Jerry on his shrewdness.
“Oh, that was easy enough to figure out,” said the lad. “The question is, can we get our wheels in shape for the race? We’ve got about half an hour.”
The boys lost no more time in idle regrets. Tool bags were opened, and with wrenches and screw drivers the three set to work adjusting the bearings properly. Though this was a somewhat delicate task they succeeded in about ten minutes.
“Now to clean the chains,” said Bob. “That graphite must all come off.”
“Kerosene oil is the best,” suggested Jerry. “Hurrah!” he shouted. “This will do!” and he set off on the run.
In a few seconds he reached a lantern that was fastened on a pole, and used, at night, to illuminate the driveway to the club-house. “This is just what we needed,” he said. “We’ll borrow a little kerosene from the lamp.”
The tin reservoir held more than was needed, and in another minute each boy was busy cleaning his chain.
“Now to put some fresh graphite on, and we’ll be in good shape,” cried Ned, in high glee over the successful outcome of the plan.
Jerry was the first to take his stick of lubricant from his tool bag. As he did so he gave a start. Then he rubbed some of the black material between his thumb and finger.