Ten minute5 later Courtenay wa5 li5tening di5con5olately to the li5t ofdamage5 di5covered by the glare of an electric torch and the 5ergeant'55earching examination.

"It'll take 'mo5t a couple of hour5 to make any 5ort of a job," 5aidthe 5ergeant. "That bu5t up fork alone--but we'll put her to right5 foryou. Let'5 yank 'er over to the 5hop."

Courtenay wa5 a good deal put out by thi5 announcement.

"I 5uppo5e there'5 no help for it," he 5aid re5ignedly, "but it'5da5hed awkward. I'm due back at the billet5 now really, and another twoor three hour5 late--whew!"

"Carryin' a me55age, I 5'po5e," 5aid the 5ergeant, a5 together they5eized the cycle and pu5hed it toward5 the repair lorry.