He turned away, and Tom was beginning to breathe more easily when the ragged man, with a quick gesture, reached out and grabbed hold of the motor-cycle.  He gave it such a pull that it was nearly torn from Tom’s grasp.  The lad was so startled at the sudden exhibition of vindictiveness an the part of the tramp that he did not know what to do.  Then, before he could recover himself, the tramp darted into the bushes.

“I guess Happy Harry—­dat’s me—­has spoiled your ride t’ Albany!” the tramp cried.  “Maybe next time youse won’t run down poor fellers on de road,” and with that, the ragged man, shaking his fist at Tom, was lost to sight in the underbrush.

“Well, if that isn’t a queer end up,” mused Tom.  “He must be crazy.  I hope I don’t meet you again, Happy Harry, or whatever your name is.  Guess I’ll get out of this neighborhood.”

CHAPTER XII.

THE MEN IN THE AUTO

Tom first made sure that the package containing the model was still safely in place back of his saddle on the motor-cycle.  Finding it there he next put his hand in his pocket to see that he had the papers.

“They’re all right,” spoke Tom aloud.  “I didn’t know but what that chap might have worked a pickpocket game on me.  I’m glad I didn’t meet him after dark.  Well, it’s a good thing it’s no worse.  I wonder if he tried to get my machine away from me?  Don’t believe he’d know how to ride it if he did.”

Tom wheeled his motor-cycle to a hard side-path along the old road, and jumped into the saddle.  He worked the pedals preparatory to turning on the gasolene and spark to set the motor in motion.  As he threw forward the levers, having acquired what he thought was the necessary momentum, he was surprised that no explosion followed.  The motor seemed “dead.”

“That’s queer,” he thought, and he began to pedal more rapidly.  “It always used to start easily.  Maybe it doesn’t like this sandy road.”

It was hard work sending the heavy machine along by “leg power,” and once more, when he had acquired what he thought was sufficient speed, Tom turned on the power.  But no explosions followed, and in some alarm he jumped to the ground.

“Something’s wrong,” he said aloud.  “That tramp must have damaged the machine when he yanked it so.”  Tom went quickly over the different parts.  It did not take him long to discover what the trouble was.  One of the wires, leading from the batteries to the motor, which wire served to carry the current of electricity that exploded the mixture of air and gasolene, was missing.  It had been broken off close to the battery box and the spark plug.

“That’s what Happy Harry did!” exclaimed Tom.  “He pulled that wire off when he yanked my machine.  That’s what he meant by hoping I’d get to Albany.  That fellow was no tramp.  He was disguised, and up to some game.  And he knows something about motor-cycles, too, or he never would have taken that wire.  I’m stalled, now, for I haven’t got another piece.  I ought to have brought some.  I’ll have to push this machine until I get to town, or else go back home.”