"Well, may I be kicked!" growled Duncan Yates, as he started after the two lads, who had passed and were scudding along the street at a steady trot. "Flem seldom makes a mistake," murmured Tom Thornton. "But Merriwell is not in his rig," said Andy Emery, the fourth one of the group. "That doesn't make any difference," declared Flemming. "He is taking a run with Pierson, and that proves what I told Yates. You all know how that chap undermined me on the crew. I don't say that he can't row, mind you--I do not claim that I could have done any better than he did; but I do claim that he is full of such sneaking underhand tricks, and I knew he was trying for something when I saw him stop Pierson on the campus to-day." Yates was silent, staring along the street, down which the two runners had disappeared. "Come, old man!" cried Flemming, slapping Yates on the back, "let's go into Morey's and sit down, where we can have a drink and talk this matter over." Duncan shook his head. "I won't go in there," he said. "Why not?" "I am in training, you know, and somebody would see me drinking there. That would kick up some talk." "Well, will you go anywhere?" "Yes, I'll go somewhere that we can sit down in a quiet room, where there is no chance that fellows who know me will drop in. I feel just like having something." "I know the very place," declared Flemming. "Come on." Then the quartet moved away, Flemming leading. In the meantime Merriwell and Pierson had continued on their way. As had been agreed, Pierson set the pace. At first he ran along at a gentle trot, but by the time the outskirts of New Haven were reached he had begun to increase his speed. "Now," he thought, "I'll put Merriwell to the test, and I do not fancy he will be in condition to make a very hot run on the return." Faster and faster went Paul, and still the lad at his side kept there with apparent ease. With their clinched hands held close to their breasts and their heads thrown back, they ran on and on. There was a slice of a moon in the western sky, shedding a thin white light over the world. From far to the south came the shrill whistle of a locomotive, cutting through the air like a keen knife. The road which Pierson had selected was one over which there was considerable travel, and it was in very fair condition. Without appearing to do so, Paul slyly kept watch of Merriwell, wishing to see just how Frank stood the strain. He was forced to acknowledge that, for a time at least, Merriwell was standing it very well. "Oh, he is endeavoring to show me how easy he can do it!" mentally exclaimed Paul. "Wait--wait a bit! I think I will give him a hot push for a bit." Faster and faster ran Pierson, and soon he was rather gratified to hear Frank beginning to breathe heavily. Yes, although Paul had hoped that Merriwell would show up well, he did feel a momentary sense of satisfaction when it seemed that he was making the pace a hot one for his companion.