as in a rig for
running, and he immediately said:

"Come, come! get out of those duds, Merriwell. You are to run with me
to-night."

"How far?"

"From one to five miles, as I take a fancy."

"Oh, well, I won't change my clothes for a little thing like that," said
Frank, carelessly.

"You'd better," declared Paul. "I'm going to give you a hustle, and
you'll find you can keep up better if you are in a suitable rig."

"I'll take the chances of keeping just as I am."

Pierson's teeth came together with a click. He did not like that,
although he tried not to show it.

"The fellow thinks he can outrun me on a long pull, as he happened to do
so for a short distance once on a time," he thought. "I'll see if I can
fool him."

Pierson considered himself an excellent long-distance runner, although
he seldom took part in races, realizing that, good though he was, there
were still better men.

Frank had on a loose thin shirt, and a light-weight suit of clothes. He
caught up a cap, and announced that he was ready to go with Paul.

They went out, and soon were crossing the campus. Having arrived at a
point quite outside the college grounds, Paul paused and said:

"We will start from here and make a run out into the country. I will set
the pace going out, but when we turn to come back, it will be a case of
the best man gets home first. The termination of the run will be your
room."

"That is satisfactory," nodded Frank.

Far away a band of jolly students were singing "Stars of the Summer
Night," their melodious voices making sweet music beneath the great
elms. The soft breath of June came across the campus, seeming to gently
bear the words of the beautiful song to their ears.

"Are you ready?" asked Pierson, sharply.

"All ready."

"Then here we go."

They were off, shoulder to shoulder.

Although Frank had not seemed to prepare for the run, he had put on his
running shoes, feeling that he might absolutely need them.

Along the streets of New Haven they went, attracting but little
attention, as it was not an uncommon sight at that season to see some of
the college lads taking a night run in that manner.

They passed a group of fellows who were standing beneath a street light
near a corner.

"Here!" softly exclaimed one of the group; "who are these chaps?"

The entire party turned to take a look at the runners.

"It's Pierson----"

"And Merriwell!"

"What did I tell you, Yates!" exclaimed Fred Flemmin