e."

"I certainly feel that way, K.K.," admitted Hugh firmly. "It strikes
me this is going to be worth trying. If one of our crowd can save
time by taking this route, while the other fellows go all the way
around by road, that same thing may give Scranton High the clinching
of the prize. It's all fair and square, too, for the conditions
only demand that the runners refuse all sorts of lifts while on the
road, and register at each and every tally place designated. If they
can cut a corner they are at liberty to do so."

"Oh! well," said Julius; "I'm not entered in the Marathon, luckily
enough, so you see there's no need of my prowling around this spooky
place again. I haven't lost any quarry, that I know of; and Scranton
is a good enough place for me to do my athletic exercises in. But,
Hugh, if you should happen to find out about the thing that emitted all
those frightful squawks, I hope you'll promise to let us know the
particulars."

"I can promise that easily enough, Julius," the other told him; "though,
just at present, my only concern is to gain time by this cut-off, and
so win the big event for our school. Now suppose we drop this subject,
and return to something pleasant."

They continued to bump along the rocky road with its deep ruts. At
times K.K. had to make little detours in order to navigate around
some obstacle which could not be surmounted; for time had not dealt
lightly with the quarry road, and the rains and wintry frosts had
played havoc with its surface.

But, eventually, they sighted light ahead. Steve was the first to
glimpse an opening, and announce that the main highway leading down
to Scranton must be close at hand. His words turned out to be true,
and soon afterwards they issued forth from the covert and found
themselves upon the turnpike, headed for home.

Hugh turned around to mark the spot well in his mind, though he knew
that it was to be the exit, and not the entrance, to the short-cut, in
case he concluded to utilize the quarry road when the great race was on.

CHAPTER IV

IN TRAINING FOR THE GREAT TOURNAMENT

It was an afternoon on the following week, after school hours, and the
athletic field bordering the outskirts of the town of Scranton afforded
a pretty lively spectacle. Indeed, it could be readily seen that the
approaching tournament had taken a great hold upon the young people of
the town.

Scores of boys were busily engaged in various exercises, und