“Well, if he isn’t going out with us,” said Bramwell, “I think I’ll start at once.” Hollingsworth stood in a window of the clubhouse and smiled grimly as he saw Merriwell and his two companions set off along the road that led toward the wild country to the west. “Go!” he mentally cried. “If things come my way this morning I’ll make a hundred dollars and fix you so you’ll take no part in the run.” He watched until Merriwell, Hodge, and Bramwell vanished, and then he sought Paul Proctor. “I have to go into town, Mr. Proctor,” he said. “I’ll be back soon as possible.” “Why, I supposed you were going out with our boys this morning,” said Paul, his face betraying displeasure. “How is it that you are not?” “Other business, sir. They don’t need me. I told them I would go out after noon.” “But you claim that morning is the time for the best work. I am afraid——” “Now I know what you’re going to say, sir; but you are wrong. They don’t need me this morning. I’ve given them complete instructions. It’s all right, sir, I assure you. Those boys are going to make some people open their eyes. They’re in fine form.” Proctor seemed anything but satisfied, although Hollingsworth added a great deal more. A few minutes later the treacherous trainer set off toward the village, making considerable haste. At the Ashport House, Hollingsworth lingered about until he found an opportunity to call one of the bell boys aside by means of a signal. “Charley,” said the Englishman, “do you want to earn a fiver?” “What doin’?” asked the boy, with a mingling of doubt and eagerness. “Something easy.” “What is it?” “Frank Merriwell is stopping here?” “Sure.” “Know his room?” “Number forty-three.” “Any one room with him?” “Chap named Hodge. Got it in for him. He gave me a call last night because I forgot to bring up a pitcher of ice water he’d called for.” “Both Merriwell and Hodge are out?” “Yep. They’ve gone over to the club.” “I want to get into their room,” whispered Hollingsworth. The boy looked alarmed. “You can’t do it.” “Now hold on, Charley. You have a passkey.” “But I can’t let no one into a room.” “It’s a fiver for you.” “I’d be fired.” “Nobody need know it.” “It’s too risky.” “I’m taking more risk than you.” “You want to swipe something, I know! Boy fired last week for swipin’. He came near goin’ to the jug. Stole a ring out of a room. Feller who owned the ring let him off when he coughed it up, but he got chucked. Boss says he’s going to have the next boy who swipes anything pinched.” “I’m no thief, Charley. You ought to know that.” “Watcher want, then?” “I want to see something Merriwell has in his room. You know he’s a great runner.” “You bet! They say he’s goin’ to come mighty near winning the cross-country race.”