"Oh!" she exclaimed.
"Well?" said Orissa.
"That chest that Steve loaded us with. It has broken away from its fastenings and is jammed edge downward against your gear."
Orissa thought about it.
"That's unfortunate," said she. "I suppose the bolts broke when we tipped so badly. But it hasn't interfered with our engines any."
"No," answered Sybil, still examining the conditions; "but it has interfered seriously with your control, I fear. Both your levers are thrown out of position and even the front elevator bars are badly bent."
For the first time a worried expression appeared on Orissa's face.
"If that is true," she said, "our best plan is to return at once."
"Do," urged Sybil, her dark eyes very serious.
Orissa tried to turn the wheel. It resisted. She applied more strength. Something snapped and the released wheel whirled so freely that the girl nearly lost her seat. Recovering instantly she turned a pale face to her companion and said: