"
"Let me take a look," proposed the lad, and he was soon busy
peering into the interior of the machine. At first he could not
find the trouble, but being a persistent youth, Tom went at it
systematically and located it in two places. The clutch was not
rightly adjusted and the carburetor float feed needed fixing. The
young inventor was not long in making the slight repairs and then
he assured Mr. Damon that his automobile would run properly.
"Bless my very existence, but what a thing it is to have a head
for mechanics!" exclaimed the odd man gratefully. "Now it would
bother me to adjust a nutmeg grater if it got out of order, but I
dare say you could fix it in no time."
"Yes," answered Tom, "I could and so could you, for there's
nothing about it to fix. But you can go ahead now if you wish."
"Thank you. It just shows how ignorant I am of machinery. I
presume something will go wrong in another mile or two. But may I
ask what you are doing here? I presume you are in your motor-
boat, sailing about for pleasure. And didn't I understand you to
say you were after those chaps again? Bless my watch charm, but I
was so interested in my machine that I didn't think to ask you."
"Yes, I am after those thieves again."
"In your motor-boat, I presume.
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