This time the machinist was entirely speechless. High-Pockets pointed to the plunger. Arturius worked on it but couldn't get it loose. He got a Crescent wrench. "Get hold of the first-elevator cam," he said, "and back her up while I twist the plunger."
His Honor stood by, waiting to take up the battle with High-Pockets.
High-Pockets got hold of the cam with a sardonic set to his lips. He yanked hard. No. 7 would find out who was boss.
But when he pulled, the screw holding the end of the second elevator starting spring came loose and the spring shot the screw into High-Pockets' ribs with the force of a bullet. High-Pockets merely grunted.
"Wait, I'll take the drive clutch," Arturius said, as if he was beginning to be concerned.
High-Pockets shut off the power, and Arturius took hold of the clutch, one hand on each end, and turned forward.
The plunger started to lift. It came halfway up, and then the machine suddenly rolled backward again, with the heavy plunger spring helping it. The clutch spun like a top.
Arturius backed away holding the fingers of one hand.
"Get hurt?"
Arturius bit his lip. "No," he said, "but pull that plunger pin before I try it again."