"Why, this is abominable!" exclaimed the young college man, stiffly. "I--I can't stand for this, it's getting too serious." "There ain't nothin' to fear," said Willie, soothingly. "Remember, I told you at the start that we'd see there wasn't no crooked work done. Well, I'm goin' to ride herd on you, constant, Mr. Speed." He smiled in a manner to reassure. "If there's any shootin' comes off, I'll be in on it." "S--say, what's to prevent us being murdered when we're out for a run?" queried Glass. "Me!" declared the little man. "I'll saddle my bronc' an' lope along with you. We'll keep to the open country." Instantly Speed saw the direful consequences of such a procedure, and summoned his courage to say: "No. It's very kind of you, but I shall give up training." "_What!_" "I mean training on the road. I--I'll run indoors." "Not a bit like it," declared Stover. "You'll get your daily run if we have to lay off all the punchers on the place and put 'em on as a body-guard." "But I don't want a body-guard!" cried the athlete desperately. "We can't let you get hurt. You're worth too much to us." "Larry and I will take a chance." "Not for mine!" firmly declared the trainer. "I don't need no mineral in my system. I'm for the house." "Then I shall run alone." "You're game," said Willie admiringly, and his auditor breathed easier, "but we can't allow it." "I--I'd rather risk my life than put you to so much trouble." "It's only a pleasure." "Nevertheless, I can't allow it. I'll run alone, if they kill me for it." "Oh, they won't try to _kill_ you. They'll probably shoot you in the legs. That's just as good, and it's a heap easier to get away with." Speed felt his knee-caps twitching. "I've got it!" said he at last. "I'll run at night!" Stover hesitated thoughtfully. "I don't reckon you could do yourself justice that-away, but you might do your trainin' at daylight. The Centipede goes to work the same time we do, and the chances is your assassin won't miss his breakfast." "Good! I--I'll do that!" "I sure admire your courage, but if you see anything suspicious, let us know. We'll git 'em," said Willie. "Thank you." The two men went out, whereupon Glass chattered: "W--what did I tell you? It's worse'n suicide to stick around this farm. I'm going to blow." "Where are you going?" "New York. Let's beat it!" "Never!" exclaimed the college man, stubbornly. We'll hear from Covington before long. Besides, I can't leave until I get some money from home." "Let's walk." "Don't be a fool!" "Then I've got to have a drink." Glass started for the living- quarters, but at the door ducked quickly out of sight. "She's there!" he whispered tragically. "She seen me, too!" Mariedetta was squatting in the shade opposite, her eyes fixed stolidly upon the training-quarters. "Then you've got to lay low till she gives up," declared Wally. "We're in trouble enough as it is."