Part 3 (1/2)
Nick Lang was there with the rest, watching Hugh out of the tail of his eye, as if he considered that in the other he would find his chief compet.i.tor; possibly he hoped to be able to pick up valuable points by keeping watch and ward on Hugh. Hugh had even consulted Mr. Leonard with regard to making use of his knowledge concerning that ”cut-off.”
In fact, he wanted to lay any doubt that may have arisen in his own mind concerning its being perfectly legitimate that he should profit by such knowledge.
The athletic instructor a.s.sured him he was keeping fully within the conditions of the race in so doing.
”It is any compet.i.tor's privilege to go over the route as often as he pleases,” was the way Mr. Leonard put it; ”and so long as he conforms to the rules, such as keeping on his own feet every yard of the way, accepting no lift from wagon or car, and registering faithfully at the several stations provided, he has done all that is expected of him. If by crossing a field he thinks he can cut off fifty feet or more he is at liberty to make the attempt, although it may cost him dear, through his meeting with some unexpected obstacle in his progress, which would not have occurred had he stayed by the road.
Some fellows might believe they could do better than trying to cross by way of that overgrown quarry road. Yes, you are keeping well within the letter of the law in choosing your own way of going, Hugh.
Have no fears on that score, my boy.”
Mr. Leonard liked Hugh Morgan exceedingly; though that was not to be wondered at, because Hugh was one of those boys who would never stoop to do a tricky thing, no matter what allurements it held out; he always ”played square,” and even won the high regard of his rivals in many cases. When the October sun had reached the horizon the mult.i.tude of contestants and spectators commenced to string back to town, for it would soon be getting near supper time; and no fellow likes to be late at the table, especially when he feels as hungry as a bear, after exercising so violently for hours.
Hugh was starting off alone, when Thad Stevens called out that he'd like the other to ”hold up a minute,” until he could overtake him; because it happened he had something to communicate which he thought Hugh ought to know.
CHAPTER V
TREACHERY IN THE AIR
”Hugh, it looks to me like there's a hen on,” was what Thad Stevens said, as he joined his chum.
”That's a queer remark for you to make, Thad,” the other chuckled; ”after seeing what's been happening here on our athletic field this afternoon, I'd be likely to say there were a good many score of hens setting, each hoping to hatch out one of our dandy prizes next Sat.u.r.day.”
”Oh! you understand that I mean something crooked going on, Hugh,”
Thad hastened to add.
”That sounds serious enough. What do you know, Thad? The chances are ten to one if anything in the way of trickery is contemplated I can put my hand on the fellow who's guilty of the same.”
”Sure thing, Hugh, and his name is Nicholas in the bargain. They call him Young Nick, to distinguish him from his father who's dead and gone; but sometimes people say he's a regular Old Nick when it comes to playing mean jokes, and getting into trouble of all kinds.”
”What's Nick Lang been up to now, Thad?”
”Oh just spying on you, for one thing!” exclaimed the other angrily
”He's welcome to chase around after me as often as he pleases,” said Hugh; ”much good will it do him, I'm thinking. But tell me, why should he go to all that bother, when my going out and coming-in don't interfere with his happiness a whit?”
”Hugh, Nick is on to your scheme for making use of that short-cut across by way of the old deserted quarry!”
”You don't tell me?” Hugh observed. ”Well, I came near speaking to him about it myself, Thad. You see, Nick is entered for the Marathon, just the same as a number of other Scranton High boys are. If K.K., Just Smith, and several other fellows are to have the benefit of that cutoff, if they choose to avail themselves of it, why shouldn't Nick be included, I've been asking myself? Yes, and I'd about concluded it was my duty to let him know; but if, as you say, he's found out for himself I'll be saved all the bother of telling.”
”He followed you across yesterday, Hugh. By a mere accident I heard him telling Tip Slavin, and he seemed to think it a good joke, because you never once suspected he was spying on you from behind trees and bushes. Why, he says he followed you clear across to the road again.”
Hugh shrugged his shoulders.
”Then I give Nick full credit for carrying out a clever piece of business. I never once remember suspecting that anybody was around.
But, Thad, what's worrying you? There isn't anything about that discovery to excite you.”
”Hugh, that boy means to do something mean, and it's got a connection with the short-cut quarry road in the bargain!”
Hugh turned and looked at the speaker a little gravely.