"Laboratory, eh? Well, that's a good one, Susie. Where's the reformed road-agent? Is he in the laboratory joint, too?"
"No, Welcome has gone into town, but I can call Mark if you——"
"No, don't call him, Susie," interrupted Perry. "I've got something to tell you about Matt King. Say, I thought that would make you open your eyes. I reckon you don't think much of Matt King, eh?"
Vivid color mantled the girl's cheeks.
"Matt is a chum of Mark's, and a good friend of mine," she answered, "and everybody says he's the best all-around athlete in the high school. Major Woolford has picked him to represent the athletic club in the bicycle races with Prescott and——"
"King has got to make good at the try-out first," scowled Perry.
"He'll do that, all right," averred Susie. "I guess there's no doubt about his being able to beat you."
"If what I've heard about him is true," continued Perry, "I reckon he won't have anything to do with the try-out, or with the race, either."
Sudden interest flashed in Susie's face. "What have you heard?" she demanded curiously.
So deeply concerned was she in this information about Matt King which Perry professed to have acquired, that she stepped eagerly to the gate.