e among the trained runners in the Atalanta race was
indeed sufficient to cause the most unbounded astonishment. Her general
dislike of active exercise was proverbial. It was well known that she
only played games under the strictest compulsion, and throughout her
school course she had earned the not unmerited reputation of a
"slacker". That she, the most unathletic and altogether unlikely girl
in the College, should have calmly taken her place as the sole champion
of St. Chad's in so difficult a race seemed nearly incredible.

"I wonder Miss Young let her!" gasped Ruth Latimer in horror. "She's
bound to fall out immediately."

"And it will bring more discredit on the house than if no one had
tried," added Chatty Burns. "I'd have gone in for it myself, only
Vivian begged me not to."

"I call it a regular swindle!" said Maisie Talbot. "Honor, did she tell
you of this mad scheme?"

"Not a word!"

There was a curious expression on Honor's face as she answered, a look
of mingled surprise and enlightenment. She had not forgotten the talk
at St. Kolgan's Abbey, and she alone of the whole school knew the
motive that had prompted Janie to such an amazing action, and could
account for this apparent inconsistency of conduct.

"I never dreamt of her really doing it!" she murmured, under her
breath.

"Someone ought to stop her in time!" exclaimed Lettice indignantly.

So far, however, from placing any hindrance in the way of Janie's
attempt, Miss Young, on the contrary, appeared to be giving her a few
words of encouragement and final advice.

The course was to be three times round the cricket ground, an apple to
be picked up in each circle. Heaps of early green codlins from the
orchard had been disposed at regular intervals, and competitors might
select from which pile they wished, so long as they took neither more
nor less than the one required specimen in every round, the object
being to prevent a general scramble. There were to be no handicaps, so
the twelve girls were drawn up in even rank, each girl with one foot on
the white line, and her eyes fixed on Miss Young, in readiness for the
signal to start. It was an anxious moment.

"One! Two! Three--off!"

They were gone, a row of young athletes, each bounding forward in the
ardent hope of outstripping the rest, and gaining the coveted silver
cup of victory. The race was always a great feature of the Chessington
sports, but to-day, to the members of one house at any