"What is it to me if Merriwell sees fit to stay away?"
he asked. "He may tell some sort of a wild story, but it seems that he was afraid to appear and run. All I ask of you fellows is that you keep your mouths closed on one point."
"What is that?"
"I don't care to have you breathe to a living soul that I knew in advance that Merriwell would not be on hand."
"We'll not say a word about it."
"Yates had no idea that he might be called on. I found it necessary to keep with him all the time and see that he did not get geared up. Then I had him where he could be found by the committee in case he was needed."
"And——"
"And he was found."
"He has gone to prepare for the race?"
"Sure."