ting them understand we're on to their game. The advantage always
lies in catching the other fellow off his guard. Let's laugh while we
walk past, as if we'd been figuring out how a certain prize was already
dangling close to our fingertips."

So Thad managed to "take a brace," profiting by the sage advice of his
comrade; and, as they passed Nick and his two cronies, Hugh remarked
as pleasantly as he could:

"I've been watching you run to-day, Nick, and I honestly believe you
are right up with the topnotchers in the game. There may be some
surprises next Saturday for those who think they've got it all figured
out who's going to win the prizes. And Nick, as far as I'm concerned,
I'd like to see you take the long-distance prize, honestly and cleanly,
if I can't get it myself. You're a representative of Scranton High,
Nick, and we're all out to see the old school do herself proud."

Nick seemed taken aback by these hearty words on the part of the
fellow whom he had so long sought an opportunity to injure. He
shot a hasty glance, accompanied by the uplifting of his heavy eyebrows,
toward his companions, who, thereupon, catching a sly wink, perhaps,
both chuckled audibly as though amused.

"Oh! I've already as good as copped that Marathon prize," Nick went
on to say, at the same time thrusting out his chin in his customary
aggressive and boastful fashion. "I calculate to give the folks some
surprise by the ease with which I'll come in away ahead of the next
competitor. There'll be a wheen of those who also ran, bringing up
the tail of the procession. Long-distance is my best suit, and I've
waited a while to show up certain chaps in this town who think they
are just the thing. Don't worry about me, Morgan; Nick Lang generally
gets there when he throws his hat into the ring."

At that the other two laughed uproariously, as though they thought
the joke too good for anything. Possibly they took Nick's reference
to "those who also ran" to mean Hugh Morgan particularly; and in their
minds they could see him desperately trying to break his bonds; or
climb up out of the deep pit into which he had gone crashing when
the covered mattress, formed of slender twigs and dead leaves, had
given way under his weight.

Hugh and Thad walked on, the latter fairly boiling with ill-suppressed
anger.

"That fellow always gives me a pain, Hugh," he was saying, as they
increased the distance separating them from the still merry tr