“The men have just finished work for the day,” he said. “They are in the bathhouse. It will be thirty or forty minutes before they can be here.”
“We will wait until they can come before showing the trophy,” said Ashley. “How are our boys showing up?”
“Splendidly, sir. Prince and Clyde are in the pink of condition.”
“That is good. How about Sheldon and Bramwell?”
“Oh, they will be pretty sure to make a good showing, especially Sheldon. Bramwell is persistent.”
Proctor gave Frank and Bart a nod, upon which they approached and were introduced to Mr. Ashley, who shook hands warmly with both of them.
“Mr. Merriwell,” he said, “I am particularly glad to meet you. Are you going to enter?”
“Well,” smiled Frank, giving Hollingsworth a glance, “I have been persuaded to do so, although I did not contemplate it when I came here.”
“I persuaded him, sir,” the trainer hastened to declare. “To me it seemed an opportune time to demonstrate that Mr. Merriwell is not the only one in his class.”
Ashley was quick to catch something amiss in the manner of Hollingsworth.