“I’ll take all the chances, Arthur. I never forget a friend and a countryman. Rely on me.” “I hope you may succeed, but I assure you that I have my doubts. I shall try to find a method of making sure Merriwell does not defeat me if you fail to keep him from running. In the meantime, go ahead and do your best.” “That I will, sir.” Although Hollingsworth claimed Huntley as a friend, it was plain from his manner of speech that he recognized the man as one of higher caste than himself. “Yes, go ahead and do your worst!” mentally exclaimed Bart Hodge. “This plot will fizzle. I wish I knew what other method Huntley will seek as a last resort.” But this he was not to learn, as the rascals how became fearful that they might be seen together, and decided to separate, which they soon did. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXI TOM BRAMWELL. Frank Merriwell and Bart Hodge were walking back to their hotel in town after the visit to the club, when the latter related to Merry all that he had heard while in the grand stand. “What do you think of it?” cried Hodge, as he finished. “I think you have unearthed some crooked work that ought to put an end to the career of Arthur Huntley as an amateur athlete and Herbert Hollingsworth as a reputable and honest trainer.” “Just what I think, Frank. We’ll expose the plot. Huntley will be barred and Hollingsworth kicked out of his position in disgrace.” Merry meditated a little as he walked, his head slightly bowed. After a few moments he slowly shook his head. “It won’t do,” he declared. “What won’t?” “Your plan.” “I’d like to know why not!” “I’ll tell you. In the first place, the proof is not sufficient.” “Why, Merry, I heard their plot!” “No question about that, but you have no one to back you up. You are the only person who overheard it.” “That’s true,” admitted Bart reluctantly; “but then——” “If you were to accuse them, both men would deny it and demand corroborative evidence, which you could not produce. It would be two against one, and their word would be just as effective as yours under such circumstances. Merely on your statement of the truth you could not have Huntley barred.” Hodge saw the force of this, but he rebelled against it. “It isn’t right, Frank!” he cried. “It’s wrong! It’s outrageous!” “It may be wrong, but that makes no difference.” “What can we do?” “Try to obtain evidence that will accomplish the result.” “I doubt if we can do it in time.” “So do I,” Frank confessed. “Well, then——” “The plot must be frustrated. Huntley must be defeated in his ambition to secure the trophy.” “You can do that,” asserted Bart eagerly and confidently. “I can try.” “But after that—is he to continue to be an amateur athlete in good standing?”