at a certain turn on the way home. Then would come the final
three miles, with the pace increasing constantly, as those in the
lead vied with each other to get ahead, or to retain that proud
position.

Hugh quickly regained the mastery over his aroused feelings. He must
stay cool and collected so as to do exactly the right thing at the
right time. A little slip in the way of judgment was likely to lose
him the race, for he now learned as he gained the main road, that
there were not only one but two competitors ahead of him.

Yes, the fleet-footed Whipple had somehow managed to spin along over
the ground, and was now not far behind Nick Lang. Possibly the
fellow from Allandale had also secretly examined the course and
discovered a cut-off on his own account, through means of which he
anticipated gaining a great advantage over all the other runners
in the Marathon.

Hugh now set out to make steady gains. He must be within a certain
distance of those two fellows by the time the last stretch was reached,
or else all his hope of overtaking and passing them would be lost.

He found that his powers of endurance and speed had not been misjudged,
for they responded nobly when called upon for a further spurt. Now,
he was greatly lessening the distance separating him from Whipple;
who, in turn, seemed able to hold his own with Nick.

The latter began to show the first signs of distress when they were at
the beginning of the last two miles. He looked over his shoulder, and
no runner ever is guilty of such an unwise proceeding unless his
heart has commenced to be filled with grave doubts as to his being
a winner.

Again did Hugh notice Nick doing this, and he took fresh courage from
the circumstance. Yes, and looking more closely he also saw that Nick
was not running true to form any longer; he had begun to wobble more
or less, as though unable to continue on in a straight line. That was
another bad sign, since it causes the runner to cover unnecessary
ground; and also indicates a weakening heart.

Hugh let out another burst of speed. He was closing the gap rapidly;
and, apparently, Whipple also seemed to be gaining on the almost
played-out Nick.

They were now within less than a mile of the finish; the last turn
would soon be reached, with the gun booming out the fact of their
arrival. Hugh girded his loins for a Garrison finish, and gloried in
the conviction that he was in trim to do himself credit.

C