"The result of boasting," declared Doris cheerfully, as the sub. dismounted and examined the outer cover.
"A nail," he announced. "That's good. It will save me from searching for a small puncture. I'll mend the inner tube in less than ten minutes."
Once again his optimism was at fault, for the cover was an obstinate one to remove. The tube, a butted one, was then patched and replaced. By the time they were ready to resume their journey it was lighting-up time.
For nearly ten minutes Tressidar attempted to get the head-light to burn. It stubbornly refused duty. Examination showed that the carbide was already saturated and useless for illumination.
"We'll risk it," declared the sub. "It's a hundred to one chance that we meet anyone on this unfrequented road, especially a policeman."
"I should not like to see our names figure in a police-court report," remarked Doris.
"No; but they might appear in a very different sort of document," added Tressidar boldly.
Doris made no reply. It was now too dark for her companion to notice the expression on her face. Vaguely he wondered whether he had bungled again.
"What's that glare over there?" asked the girl as they emerged from a little wood on the crest of the hill.
"Only the munition works at Sauchieblair," replied Tressidar. "It's rather strange that a Government factory should show such an amount of light."