“Mr. Merriwell was speaking in strict confidence to me,” he declared. “He did not intend that any one should overhear.”
“And,” said Frank, “I had no thought that any one would come up behind us with such pantherish steps that we could not know he was listening to conversation not intended for his ears.”
The red face of Hollingsworth took on a deeper tinge.
“I ’ave seen these gents who go round offering secret criticisms!” he exclaimed warmly. “They think to do more ’arm that way than by speaking hout with courage; but hoften it is the case that they hinjure no one, as they seldom know what they are talking habout.”
This was meant as another deep thrust at Merry.
“You’ll get what’s coming to you if you keep it up!” thought Hodge. “If Merry doesn’t deliver the goods, I will!”
Frank knew Bart would smart under such conditions, and he gave the quick-tempered fellow a glance of warning.
Merriwell was the guest of the Ashport A. A., and he wished no encounter with the trainer.
“I have not the least desire to say anything to injure you, Mr. Hollingsworth,” he declared calmly. “On the contrary, I am inclined to give you Englishmen all the credit you deserve in long-distance and cross-country work, and that is a great deal, for you stand at the head.”
This seemed to quiet the trainer a little, although it did not wholly satisfy him.