“But I think he has the courage and endurance. It is endurance and heart that count in a contest of this sort, providing the runner has had something like correct training. You pressed me for my idea of your trainer’s methods, and what I said was spoken in confidence. I have no desire to injure Hollingsworth, who may be sincere and a very good fellow.” The chap in the sweater smiled disdainfully, continuing to listen, an expression of mingled anger and craft on his unpleasant face. “Of course if you will not enter that settles it,” said Proctor; “but I don’t believe Bramwell can defeat Pope, of Boston, or Huntley, of Buffalo.” “How about Neil?” “He is not the best man from his club.” “Well, I’d like to see one of your men take that trophy, Proctor. I don’t want it.” The fellow in the sweater laughed rather harshly and sarcastically, causing every one in the observatory to turn quickly and look at him. “Hollingsworth!” exclaimed Proctor. “Mr. Merriwell is very generous,” observed the laughing man cuttingly. “It’s an easy thing for ’im to be generous in such a manner, and no one will hever suspect ’im of timidness. He can travel on his record. I think he is hextremely wise in keeping hout of this race.” It was Hollingsworth, the English trainer, who betrayed his origin whenever excited in the least by the misuse of the letter “h” in his speech. In ordinary conversation he seldom did this. Proctor knew at once that the trainer had overheard some of their talk, which threw him into confusion. Merriwell did not seem disturbed. He surveyed Hollingsworth with quiet interest. Proctor hastened to introduce them. Hollingsworth did not remove his hands from his hips, but gave a little jerk of his bullet head in acknowledgment of the introduction. “I knew it was Mr. Merriwell,” he said. “No one helse would think of being so hextremely generous.” These words were meant to be very cutting. “Besides,” continued the Englishman, as Frank did not speak at once, “no one helse is so wonderfully wise.” Bart Hodge was frowning blackly. He had taken an instant dislike to Hollingsworth. He afterward confessed a desire to punch the fellow on sight. Proctor sought to mediate and pour oil on the waters. “Mr. Merriwell was speaking in strict confidence to me,” he declared. “He did not intend that any one should overhear.” “And,” said Frank, “I had no thought that any one would come up behind us with such pantherish steps that we could not know he was listening to conversation not intended for his ears.” The red face of Hollingsworth took on a deeper tinge. “I ’ave seen these gents who go round offering secret criticisms!” he exclaimed warmly. “They think to do more ’arm that way than by speaking hout with courage; but hoften it is the case that they hinjure no one, as they seldom know what they are talking habout.” This was meant as another deep thrust at Merry.