"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."

"Oh! well," said Julius; "I'm not entered in the Marathon, luckily
enough, so you see there's no need of my prowling around this spooky
place again. I haven't lost any quarry, that I know of; and Scranton
is a good enough place for me to do my athletic exercises in. But,
Hugh, if you should happen to find out about the thing that emitted all
those frightful squawks, I hope you'll promise to let us know the
particulars."

"I can promise that easily enough, Julius," the other told him; "though,
just at present, my only concern is to gain time by this cut-off, and
so win the big event for our school. Now suppose we drop this subject,