ing to bank my cash on you, Merriwell! If you win,
I'll--I'll--why, hang me! I'll make that trip across the continent with
you!"

It was Bruce Browning, who advanced into the room.

"Are you in earnest about that, Bruce?" asked Frank.

"You bet I am in earnest!" was the assurance.

"You will try to pump a bicycle from New York to San Francisco?"

"Try it! Confound it! I tell you I'll do it if you win the mile run for
Old Yale!"

"Then," said Frank, "I have a double object to work for, and I am going
to win if it is in my body to do so!"

Rattleton was astonished to see Browning show so much animation.

"Why, you actually appear like your old self!" he exclaimed.

Bruce sat down.

"Tell me about it," he invited, speaking to Frank. "Some of the fellows
said they saw you and Pierson chasing yourselves, and I caught what
Rattleton was saying just as I came in."

Frank told Bruce all about the night run, and a lazy smile spread over
the fat lad's round face as he listened.

"That's one on Pierson!" he exclaimed. "He thinks he is unequalled when
it comes to a long-distance run, and I'll wager something that you have
fixed him so he will fight to get you into that race. I can see him
bidding you farewell! Ha! ha! ha! And then I can see him when you took
your turn! Ha! ha! ha!"

Bruce laughed in a hearty manner, and, for some time they talked over
the events of the evening.

"What sort of a fellow is Yates?" asked Frank. "I've never met him to
have a talk with him."

"Oh, he isn't half bad," answered Bruce, in a somewhat noncommittal
manner.

"I presume he will feel injured if I am chosen to run, instead of him?"

"What if he does? That's none of your business."

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE RUN TO THE STATION.

The final ball game of the series between Harvard and Yale was to take
place at Springfield. The day of the game arrived, and there was an
exodus from Yale.

There was a rush for the last train by which the college lads could
reach Springfield in time to witness the whole of the game.

On their way to the station, Frank and Harry fell in with Jack Diamond
and Danny Griswold.

"We've got to hurry," said Diamond, glancing at his watch. "There is no
time to waste if we want to catch the train."

They soon overtook Flemming, Emery and Yates. These fellows were in the
company of several other lads, among whom were two of the committee of
arrangements for the tournament.

"You fellows seem to