The machine was brought forth from the bushes. The lamp-glass had been smashed and the light had gone out. Andy stopped the flow of acetylene gas, and then his chums turned the rays of the other lamps on the disabled bicycle.
"Handle-bars loose and also nuts on the front wheel!" cried Andy, after an examination. "Say, I believe some enemy did this!"
"Who?" questioned the young major.
"I don't know. Maybe Ritter, or Coulter."
"Hurry up and tighten things," cried Pepper. "We don't want to be late."
"Better be late than have a nasty tumble," returned Jack. "While you are at it, Andy, better look the whole machine over carefully."
"I will, Jack. And maybe you had better look your machines over, too."
"Good advice."
While Andy was fixing his bicycle Pepper and the young major inspected their own bicycles.
"Well, I never!" gasped The Imp, as the light fell on his rear wheel. "Another quarter of a mile and I would have had a spill and no mistake!"