nodded Emery. "He told me over and over that
Merriwell would not be here to run."

"And you must know enough of Frank Merriwell to be sure he would be here
if he could get here, even if he had to crawl on his knees."

"That's right."

"Then what has happened to Merriwell?"

"You tell!"

"I can't. I know Flemming would go to any extreme to carry out his
desires. In fact, he is altogether too reckless and headstrong. I knew
he did not mean it when he told Merriwell he was ready to bury the
hatchet, and I have felt that he was not talking to hear his own voice
when he told us Merriwell would not be on hand to race to-night."

At this moment Fred Flemming entered the box. His face was flushed, and
there was a look of triumph in his eyes. He spoke to his mother, and
then addressed himself to the two boys, saying:

"It's all right."

Some event below attracted the full attention of all in the box save the
trio in one corner.

"Yates will run?" asked Emery, eagerly.

"You bet your filthy!" nodded Fred. "I told you he would."

"But where is Merriwell?"

Flemming smiled mysteriously.

"It is evident," he said, "that Mr. Merriwell decided not to attend the
tournament."

"Look here, Fred," said Thornton, nervously, "you haven't done anything
that will get you into trouble, have you?"

Flemming snapped his fingers.

"What is it to me if Merriwell sees fit to stay away?" he asked. "He
may tell some sort of a wild story, but it seems that he was afraid to
appear and run. All I ask of you fellows is that you keep your mouths
closed on one point."

"What is that?"

"I don't care to have you breathe to a living soul that I knew in
advance that Merriwell would not be on hand."

"We'll not say a word about it."

"Yates had no idea that he might be called on. I found it necessary to
keep with him all the time and see that he did not get geared up. Then I
had him where he could be found by the committee in case he was needed."

"And----"

"And he was found."

"He has gone to prepare for the race?"

"Sure."

"That settles it! Merriwell has failed to show up!"

A wild Yale cheer turned their attention to the arena at this moment.
Big Hickok was preparing to put the shot, and he had been greeted in
this manner by his admirers as he stepped out.

Hickok was a giant, and Yale had the utmost confidence in him. Thus far
the best record made by any other man was forty-one feet and five
inches. Hickok must do hi