"King's our man for the fight with Prescott; and if anything happens that he doesn't show up, we'll use Perry. That will be all for to-day. Will you ride home with me, Jack?"
The major was trying bluffly to appear at his ease, but it was quite clear that his mind was far from serene.
"My man is here with the horse and buggy, major," replied the governor, "and I've got some important business awaiting me at the office. I think you've picked a winner for the race with Prescott," and he gave the major a significant look as he turned away.
Mike was coming up with the major's motor-car, and the proprietor reached out and took Matt by the arm.
"I want you to ride back with me, King," said he, and in another minute Matt was in the tonneau with the major beside him.
"Get the wheel fixed up, Splinters," called Matt; "I'll stand the damage."
"No, you won't, old chap," answered Splinters. "You've stood enough damage as it is."
"Home, Mike," said the major, and the car moved off across the track and toward the wagon-road.
Matt waved his hand to Chub, Susie and Perkins; and members of the club and some of the high-school boys stopped their heated discussion of the cause of the accident long enough to give a rousing cheer.
"What's your candid opinion, King?" asked the major when the car had left the park and was spinning along the highroad. "You're talking to a friend, understand, and I want to get to the bottom of this."