hat unless you really do
know something about engines."

It was Geoffrey's turn to feel a little irritated.

"I'm a competent mechanic," he said shortly.

"All right," said the girl, "don't be angry. I'm a competent mechanic,
too. At least I thought I was before this happened.

"Perhaps," said Geoffrey, "you didn't put the commutator back right
after you took it out. I've known people make mistakes about that."

His suspicion was unjust. The commutator was in its place and the wire
terminals correctly attached. He took it out again, cleaned it, oiled
it, and replaced it. Then he tried the crank handle again. The engine
was entirely unaffected.

"The feed pipe must be choked," said Geoffrey decisively.

"I didn't try that," said the girl, "but you can if you like. I'll lend
you a hairpin. The one I cleaned the plugs with must be lying about
somewhere."

It was getting dark, and a search for a lost hairpin would be very
little use. Geoffrey said he would try blowing through the feed pipe
with the pump. The girl, coming to his assistance, struck matches and
held them dangerously near the carburetter while he worked. The clearing
of the feed pipe made no difference at all to the engine. It was quite
dark and freezing hard when the job was finished. Geoffrey, exhausted
and breathless, gave up his final attempt at the starting crank.

"Look here," he said, "I'm awfully sorry; but I'll have to chuck it.
I've tried everything I can think of. The only thing to do is to send
someone out from the nearest town. If I had a rope, I'd tow you in, but
I haven't. Is there a motor man in Hamley?"

"Yes," said the girl, "there's a man called Jones, who does motors,
but----"

"Well," said Geoffrey, "you get into my car. I'll drive you home, and
then--by the way, where do you live?"

"In Hamley. My father's the doctor there."

"That's all right. I'll drive you home and send out Jones."

"The worst of that is," said the girl, "that Jones always charges the
most frightful sums for anything he does."

"But you can't stay here all night," said Geoffrey. "All night! It'll be
all day to-morrow too. As far as I can see it'll be always. You'll never
make that car go."

"If father was in any ordinary temper," said the girl, "he wouldn't
grouse much about Jones's bill. But just now, on account of what
happened to him----"

"Yes," said Geoffrey. "I understand. The sprained wrist makes him
irritable."

"It's not exactly that," s