“Some of the cadets, beyond a doubt,” whispered Pepper. “Well, we’ve got no time for any initiations to-night.”
“Let’s pretend to submit,” answered Andy, in an equally low voice. “If I can only get this wheel pumped up it will be all right.” For the tire tape was now in place over the puncture.
“What say you?” demanded both figures, coming to a halt by the roadside, with clubs upraised.
“Let us mend this wheel first and we’ll do whatever you want,” answered Andy.
“It is well, proceed,” answered the leading masked person.
Andy already had his pocket-pump out, and he proceeded with all haste to pump up the tire. Then he put the pump back into his pocket.
“Take up your wheel,” he whispered. “Ride like mad when you get the chance. I am going to try to scare them.”
“The money!” roared one of the masked persons.
“Look! look!” screamed Andy, suddenly, and pointed into the woods. “The trees are on fire!”
The two masked figures wheeled around in fright. As they did this Andy and Pepper gave their wheels a push and leaped into the saddles. They pedalled with vigor and were soon fifty feet away.