nodded gravely to the
company and followed.

Not a boy spoke, but all sat staring blankly at the doorway.

An hour later, both Richards and Chester appeared at the postoffice.
The former, by dint of much persistent circulation among his fellow
athletes, had found enough of them who were willing to pool their
funds in order to secure the necessary amount. The two young men had
witnesses, the wager was properly closed and the money deposited.
Neither spoke an unnecessary word during the meeting, but when Chester
started to leave, Richards turned facetiously to his friends.

"'Is bloomin' ludship will start training Friday; bet he has his wheel
in soak."

To which remark Chester paid not the slightest attention.

Whatever may be said to the contrary, six boys can no more retain a
secret than can six girls, and inside of an hour the story of the big
bet had spread over the town. In due course it penetrated to the city:
one day a reporter appeared and interviewed the principals, and on the
following Sunday their photographs adorned the pink section of a great
daily. This was nuts for the university--but it is getting ahead of
our own story somewhat.

Chester, naturally, was the centre of curiosity. He had not pawned his
"bike," as was demonstrated when Friday rolled around; but had it been
known that the last cent he owned in the world had been staked upon
the issue, no doubt the interest would have been greater.

Field Day opened bright and clear, and early in the afternoon Athletic
Park began to fill. A rumor had gone abroad that the two principal
competitors had actually come to blows, and that each had sworn to die
rather than lose the race. Long before the opening event the inclosure
was crowded with spectators, all eagerly discussing the Marathon, to
the exclusion of every other contest. The opinion was freely expressed
that Richards would "put a crimp in that chesty Chester," and that he
would "win in a walk." They made no bones about playing favorites.

It was a still, hot day, and if there is any advantage in atmospheric
conditions each contestant should have been inspired with that
absolute confidence of winning, without which the fastest race is but
a tame affair. At two o'clock the band commenced playing. The judges
tried to follow the programme, but the cries of "Marathon! Marathon!"
grew so insistent and clamorous that they finally yielded, and the
event was called.

Richards responded first. He was