Mariedetta took the message and turned silently, but as she went she flashed a look at Glass which caused that short-waisted gentleman to wink at his companion. "Some frill! Eh? I'm for her! She's strong for me, too." "How do you know?" "We talked it over. I gave her a little kiss to keep for me." "Careful, Larry! She may have a cowboy sweetheart." Glass grunted, disparagingly. "Them ginnys is jokes to me." As Speed talked he clad himself in his silken uniform, donned his spiked shoes, and pinned the medals upon his chest. "How do I look?" he queried. "Immense! If she likes athletes, it's a walk-away for you." "Then give me the baby-blue bath robe with the monogram. We'll go out and trot around a little." But his complacency received a shock as he stepped out upon the veranda. Not only Helen Blake awaited him, but the other girls as well, while out in front were a dozen or more cowboys whom Fresno had rallied. "Goin' to take a little run, eh?" inquired Stover. "We allowed we'd lay off a few minutes and watch you." "Thanks!" "Yes," Fresno spoke up. "I told the boys we'd better hold a stop- watch on you and see what shape you're in." "A stop-watch?" said Glass, sharply. "Yes. I have one." "Not to-day," said Speed's trainer. "No!" he admonished, as his protege turned upon him. "Some other time, mebbe. You're just off a long trip, and I can't risk gettin' you stove up." "To-morrow, perhaps," urged Fresno. "I wouldn't promise." "Then the next day. I've timed lots of men. The watch is correct." "Let's see it." Glass held out his hand. "Oh, it's a good watch. It cost me one hundred and twenty-five dollars." As Glass reached for the timepiece an unfortunate accident occurred. Speed struck his elbow, and the watch fell. Fresno dove for it, then held it to his ear and shook it. "You've broken it!" he cried, accusingly. "Oh, I'm sorry! My fault," Speed apologized. "If it was your fault, maybe you'll fix it," suggested the tenor. "Gladly!" Speed turned to his trainer. "Buy a new alarm-clock for our little friend." He stripped off his bath robe, and handed it to his trainer. "Is she looking at me?" he whispered. "Both eyes, big as saucers." Speed settled his spikes into the dirt as he had seen other sprinters do, set himself for an instant, then loped easily around the house and out of sight. To the cowboys this athletic panoply was vastly impressive. With huge satisfaction they noticed the sleeveless shirt, the loose running-trunks, and, above all, the generous display of medals. With a wild yell of delight they broke out upon the trail of their champion, only to have Glass thrust his corpulent body in their path. With an upflung arm he stemmed the tide. "It's no use, boys," he cried, "he's a mile away!" CHAPTER VI