Part 23 (2/2)

”I should think I would, after what I've done for you,” retorted the other. ”Come on now, fork over. I'm in a hurry.”

”I'll have to get it. It's in my clothes in the gym. Wait here for me.”

Tom changed his mind about going out just then, as he felt that he might meet Shambler. He slipped into one of the shower bath compartments and waited there until he heard the runner enter and leave again. Then came the jingle of coins through the open window, and the sound of retreating footsteps.

”That sure was queer,” mused Tom, as he slipped from the gymnasium, and went back at his shot putting. ”I wonder what sort of a hold that fellow had on Shambler, to get money out of him? It looks bad, and yet I can't say anything.”

”I didn't mean to listen, but, since I did, I can't tell anyone that I did. But it sure is queer. I wonder how he expects to make any money off the games, unless he bets on Randall? Of course, that's legitimate enough, if one believes in betting.”

Tom shook his head. It was too much for him. And, as he thought of how Shambler had, of late, crossed his path in more ways than one, the tall pitcher was more and more puzzled over the growing mystery.

”I wish I could tell the fellows, and talk it over with them,” he went on, as he made an extraordinary good put. ”But it's out of the question.

I'll have to puzzle it out by myself. But I'll keep my eyes open for that shabby looking man.”

The fellow was not in sight when Tom came out of the gymnasium, and Shambler had resumed his training, while Tom went back to the seven foot circle.

”Well, I guess we've had enough for to-day,” called Holly Cross to the various contestants, a little later. ”No use overdoing the thing, and going stale. Knock off, everybody!”

”And glad enough we are to do it, too!” gasped Dutch, who was in a perspiration from his efforts. Everyone was in a healthy glow, and as Holly and Kindlings looked at the notes of some of the records made that day there was a look of satisfaction between them.

”If this keeps up we'll be all right,” remarked Holly.

”That's right. Everything seems to be going well, but, of course, we want all the points we can get. I think the new hurdles are an improvement. There's no danger of a fellow getting hurt, and it gives him more confidence as he approaches them. We must insist on them in the games.”

”Think the others will agree to 'em.”

”Oh, yes. We've given in to them on lots of points, and it's no more than fair that they should concede something to us.”

”Do you think they'll all decide on Tonoka Park as the place to hold the games?”

”I'm almost sure of it. It's big enough, and will hold a good crowd.

That's what we want so we can get plenty of admission money. Boxer and Fairview are in favor of Tonoka, and so are we. Exter will have to agree with three against her.”

”They had rather stiff nerve to want the contests to come off on their grounds.”

”Yes, but I don't antic.i.p.ate trouble there.”

And the two managers walked on, talking over many points yet to be settled.

”Well, Tom, how goes it?” asked Sid as the four chums entered the gymnasium for showers.

”Pretty good. I didn't strain myself to-day, but I'm coming on.”

”That's good. Say, I hear that Shambler is doing well on the mile run.”

”Yes,” admitted Tom shortly. ”He's a good runner.”

”Tom's still sore,” murmured Sid to Frank.

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