"I had the lead."
"Yes, and he could not have recovered and overtaken you in a week! But that makes no difference. Allee samee, I rather fancy Yates will not fool anybody very much."
The knot of fellows now approached the station, where there was a great throng of Yale lads who had seen the race.
Yates was very pale, but there was a burning light in his eyes. He advanced straight to Frank, and distinctly said:
"Mr. Merriwell, you beat me this time through an accident; but I will run you again, and I'll win."
Frank bowed with the utmost courtesy.
"Mr. Yates," he said, "you will find me willing and ready to run with you any time."
"Whoopee!" squealed Danny Griswold, turning a handspring. "That's business straight from headquarters!"
"Here comes the train!" was the cry.