“You’ve gone an’ done it now!” exclaimed Bill.
“What if I have?” snapped Noddy. “It’s my machine, ain’t it?”
“An’ it’s my neck you’re tryin’ to break,” replied Bill. “What’s the trouble, anyhow?”
Noddy got out to look. Something had gone wrong with the sliding gear and he had to crawl under the machine to fix it, while Pender held a light. Bill obstinately refused to lend a hand, as he said it was all Noddy’s fault.
“I’m goin’ to walk on to the next town,” declared Berry. “You can stop an’ pick me up on your way through. I’ll be at the hotel.”
He went off in the darkness, while Noddy and Jack continued to work at the auto. It took more than half an hour to fix the break, but at last the machine was ready to start. Noddy was about to crank it up when he heard the sound of some persons coming along the road, voices mingling with the footsteps.
He looked up, and was much surprised to see, in the glare of the lamps, Jerry, Bob and Ned.
“Oh!” said Noddy, faintly, for he did not know what else to say.
On their part the Motor Boys were as much startled as was Noddy at the unexpected meeting.