With the ghost of a triumphant mile on his face, Paul again took his place at the starting point. The smile vanished, and a look of resolution took its place.
"He is going to try to beat your other jump!" said Bascomb.
"He can't do it," declared Snell.
"Wait and see."
Paul had really resolved to beat his last jump. As he ran, he gathered momentum, gauging the distance carefully, and reaching the mark exactly. The jump was a splendid one, and it was instantly seen that he had actually beaten his former record.
Quickly and carefully the tape was stretched.
"Nineteen feet, nine inches and three-fourths!"
Then there were exclamations of wonderment from all sides, and more than one declared Merriwell was badly beaten. There were not a few among Frank's friends who confessed that he had very little chance, and the faces of those who said nothing showed that they had lost heart to a great extent.
Hodge continued to talk excitedly to Merriwell, who shook his head, looking very grave.
Paul Rains was quietly triumphant, for he felt that he was safely the winner of this contest.