"It was all a set-up game to knock one of us out of the race, I tell you.
If you'd been leading at the time, why, that shower of rocks must have met you." "Rocks, did you say ?" exclaimed Hugh, looking dark.
Just then the sound of footsteps was heard.

A runner went past them on the full tear.

It was Nick Lang, and when he turned his face toward the two on their knees the wicked look on his grinning face told more eloquently than words how his brain had been the one to hatch up this miserable trick whereby he hoped to gain an advantage over one of his schoolmates who might happen to be leading him in the race.

He vanished down the road, still running strong.

"Just" Smith almost howled, he was so furious.
"That's the chap who engineered this rotten game, I tell you, Hugh!" he snapped.