was going to be an event long to be remembered in Scranton, and
the town dressed in gala attire in honor of the occasion. Flags and
banners were being displayed as though a great wave of patriotism had
overwhelmed the place. If a stranger had suddenly dropped down on
the town just then he must have believed American soldiers were on
the fighting line across in France, and that news had been cabled over
to the effect that they had met the enemy in their first engagement,
and won a decisive victory.

The fairly good town brass band had promised to be on hand, and play
during the best part of the afternoon. Then there would be a host
of refreshment booths at which Scranton's fairest daughters would
preside, accompanied in each instance by a matron of mature years,
to lend dignity to the occasion. Here the good folks from Allandale,
Belleville and other places, who honored the town with their presence
would always be warmly welcomed, and given a cup of delicious tea,
coffee or chocolate, as they preferred, accompanied with sandwiches
galore, and even cake.

Meanwhile it was planned that those who meant to take part in any of
the events on the long programme should have a last "workout" that
Friday afternoon. Saturday morning it was intended they should rest
up, so as to be in the pink of condition when the meet opened at one
o'clock.

That might seem to be an early hour, as some had argued, but the
programme was so extended at there was a possibility of darkness
creeping up on them before the fifteen-mile Marathon, the latest
event of the day, had been fully completed.

During that energetic morning at school, when boys and girls were
hustling to carry out the part of the work entrusted to them, Hugh had
managed to keep an eye on Leon Disney from time to time. He felt
pretty certain that the tricky boy had no intention of fulfilling
the promise he had made under duress, and while a threat of exposure
hung over his head, like the famous sword of Damocles, suspended by
but a single hair.

Leon watched Hugh also, and tried to act in a manner calculated
not to arouse suspicion; but Hugh understood from his actions how
matters probably stood. Leon had, of course, managed to see Nick
Lang before coming to school, and explain to him what a bad fix he
had managed to get himself in when caught in the act of breaking into
Hugh Morgan's locker at the athletic grounds building.

No doubt it had been artfully arranged bet