Dan cranked up again and they were getting in when the car run by Chance Avery and Burton Poole passed them slowly. The former was at the wheel; the Speedwells could see his wide grin as he turned his begoggled face toward them.
“Want a tow?” shouted Burton.
Dan waved his hand. He knew that there wasn’t an ounce of meanness in Burton Poole.
“Let’s show those fellow——” began Billy and then—to their amazement—their engine stopped again.
“Well, isn’t that the limit?” cried the younger Speedwell. “She never acted so before.”
“That’s no reason why she shouldn’t begin,” said Dan, grimly. “We’ve been lucky heretofore.”
“But what’s the matter with her?”
“If I knew I’d tell you,” returned Dan, and went to cranking again.
But this time the engine wouldn’t start at all. It was dead.
“Do you suppose anybody got at this machine while we were away from it?” cried Billy.