"The only explanation I can give," spoke up Hugh, and, of course,
every one lent a willing ear, because, as a rule, his opinions
carried much weight with his chums; "is that while Julius may have
seen something move, it was only a long, feathery plume of grass,
nodding and bowing in the wind. I've been fooled by the same sort of
object many a time. But let it pass, boys. We've turned our back on
the old quarry now, and are headed for the road again, two miles
above Hobson's mill-pond. I only hope we find it better going on
this end of the abandoned trail. This jumping is hard on the springs
of the car, and also on our bones."

"For one," said Julius, "I hope never to set eyes on the place again."

"Oh! that's silly talk, Julius," commented K. K. "Here's Hugh, who
means to take a run out this way again as soon as he can, so as to
time himself, and learn just what he can save by cutting across
country in the big race. And I wouldn't be surprised if he put
'Just' Smith up to the dodge, in addition to Horatio here and myself,
all being entered as contestants in the big Marathon race."

"I certainly feel that way, K. K.," admitted Hugh firmly. "It
strikes me this is going to be worth trying. If one of our crowd can
save time by taking this route, while the other fellows go all the
way around by road, that same thing may give Scranton High the
clinching of the prize. It's all fair and square, too, for the
conditions only demand that the runners refuse all sorts of lifts
while on the road, and register at each and every tally place
designated. If they can cut a corner they are at liberty to do so."