set on fire as a lark; and quads of curious boys and girls even
circulated long its entire length, bent upon ascertaining if such a
thing could really be true.

When they failed to find any evidence of a fire, they were still
unconvinced; for, of course, it would be policy on the part of the
management to conceal all traces, so as to save the good name of the
town.

These rumors could not be traced to any particular source, but there
are always a certain number of persons who delight to circulate such
stories, and, perhaps, add a little to the same with each and every
additional telling, until a trivial happening becomes a colossal thing.

That the committee in general charge of the great undertaking cherished
some sort of fear that some daring outrage might be attempted by boys
who were not connected with the high school was evident from the fact
that they had had warning notices printed at the office of the _Weekly
Courier_, notifying all boys who might contemplate playing any sort of
practical joke during the holding of the carnival that Chief Adolph
Wambold, the head of the local police, would have his entire force on
the grounds, and such offenders would be harshly treated, if detected.

The afternoon was well along when Hugh was approached by "Just" Smith,
one of the candidates who meant to try for the Marathon prize.

"Several of the boys are meaning to start off on that seven-mile spin,
Hugh," the other announced as he came up; "and they want you to come
along. We can start together, and then separate, as we feel
disposed;" and, as this suited Hugh, he agreed.