Leon along with him, and they're
grinning as they look over this way. I warrant you Nick has been
elaborating on that fine scheme of his; and, in anticipation, they
can already see you held up in that lonely place, kicking your toes
at the bottom of a miserable pit, or else tied to a tree."

"Don't scowl so savagely, Thad," warned Hugh. "There's no need of
letting 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 top-notchers 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 cli