"Oh, I guess not. It's the fortune of war. Well, I got in first."
Randolph waited for congratulations, but none came. All the boys looked serious, and more than one suspected that there had been foul play. They waited for the teacher to speak.
CHAPTER III — RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH
"It is true," said the teacher, slowly. "Randolph has won the race."
Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.
"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."
Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.
"I don't know about that," said Randolph. "At any rate, I came in first."