y idea is," Fred began, modestly, yet firmly, "that Colon has been
abducted by some of those Mechanicsburg fellows, who know they haven't a
ghost of a chance to win the three shorter running events on the
schedule, with him in line. They've got a college man for a coach, you
see, sir, and like as not he's been telling them of the tricks that are
played among all the big universities; so they've just thought to spoil
our game for us by holding our best man a prisoner till after the
meet."

CHAPTER VIII

A CLUE IN THE DITCH

Judge Colon looked keenly at Fred as he made this suggestion.

"I don't suppose now, my boy," the gentleman remarked, "you have any
reason to suppose that what you say is the actual fact; that is, proof
positive?"

"No sir, I haven't," replied Fred. "It is only an idea that came into my
mind."

"Based upon what, might I ask?" the judge continued.

"Well, I've known that a good many Mechanicsburg boys have been down
here lately, curious to see what sort of a showing Riverport would make
in the meet."

"Yes, quite natural that they should want to know; because these must be
anxious and trying times for the young people of the three towns," the
judge remarked.

"And," Fred went on, "of course they've heard a lot about our sprinter;
for Riverport boys are like all other boys, and like to brag,
especially when they've really got a phenomenon of a runner, like our
Colon, to boast about."

The judge smiled at that; for was not that same wonder a member of his
family--a Colon?

"And you think then, Fred, some of those up-river boys, convinced that
if Christopher ran in the meet he would easily capture all the prizes in
his class, made up their minds that something must be done to prevent
such a wholesale delivery? You suspect, Fred, that they got up a bold
little scheme to actually abduct the boy on one of the two nights
preceding the tournament?"

"Do you believe it impossible, Judge?" asked the boy, quickly.

"Well, to be frank with you, I don't," answered the gentleman, gravely.
"Indeed, while my knowledge of boy nature is not so extensive as that of
some persons, I've got one myself who can think up more schemes in a
minute than I could solve in an hour. And, Fred, I should be pleased if
your supposition turned out to be true. It would at least relieve my
mind with regard to graver things; however unpleasant the absence of
Christopher might prove to the school that believes in hi