the two cronies sat and talked in the structure, which Noddy had fixed up as a resort where he might smoke cigarettes, a practice his father had forbidden him.
"Going in the club races?" asked Jack at length. "I hear there will be some fine prizes, and a little chance to make money."
"You mean on the winners?"
"Sure. I got the tips straight from one of the trainers. There'll be a pretty penny in it for us."
"It's worth looking into," decided Noddy. "But about my racing. I hadn't thought of that. I suppose I could go in."
After some further talk both Jack and Noddy decided they would enter their names for several events in the bicycle class. When they parted that night they agreed to meet the next evening to discuss details.
Not long after dusk the following night Jack and Noddy were in close consultation in "the coop."
"I hear Ned, Bob and Jerry are going to enter the races," said Jack, after a short conversation.
"Why, you're not afraid of them, are you?" asked Jack.
"I know I can beat either Ned, Bob or Jerry. The only thing is I'm not in good training and I can't spare the time. I'm faster than either of them for a short sprint," which he was. "But in a long race they might down me."
Jack did not think it wise to comment on the bully's change of ideas.
"If the races were hundred-yard dashes I wouldn't worry a bit," said Noddy. "I could win hands down. But the best race is for three miles, and that... that's rather a long distance for me. If we could fix things..."
"How fix?" inquired Jack.
"Well," proceeded Noddy boldly. "I mean to win that race. There's a first prize, worth three hundred dollars, and I want it. I'm going to get it. That's all. If I can't win by fair means..."
"I see," whispered Jack softly.
"I'm glad you do," retorted Noddy, lighting a cigarette. "I may need your help. We must beat them, Jack. I hate them!"
Thereupon the two cronies resumed their whisperings, talking in low tones, for they were fearful of being overheard in their plotting.
Within the next few days arrangements for the races of the athletic club went rapidly on. Bob, Ned and Jerry entered their names, Ned finding that he had no permanent lameness from his "spill." Noddy and Jack also had their names entered. Then all the boys, including many others who had decided to try for the prizes, began training.
There were several events on the race card. There were ten and five mile races, but none of the boys thought of trying for them. There were also short distance trys for girls, and also a three mile race, for boys and young men between fourteen and nineteen years of age. The first prize was a three hundred dollar piano, or any other article of that value, and the second and third prizes were of one hundred and fifty and one hundred dollars value respectively. Of course each of our heroes hoped to win big prizes, and there was a keen but friendly rivalry among them.
Chapter III
A DAY OF THE RACES.
At last came the day for the races. It was early in July, and the weather though warm, was not oppressive. Early in the morning a big crowd started out toward the grounds of the Cresville Athletic Club, which were about a mile outside of the town proper.
Ned, Bob and Jerry reached the track about ten o'clock, and found it pretty well occupied.
"It will give us good practice in wheeling in a crowd," observed Jerry as he stripped off his sweater and, in regular racing costume, began to make the circuits.
His two friends soon followed his example. A little later Noddy and Jack arrived. The two cronies kept to themselves and spoke no word to our three heroes.
About noon-time there was a general stopping and all the contestants who were warming up went to get something to eat. Under Jerry's advice Ned and Bob ate and drank sparingly.
The races were to begin at two o'clock. Long before that hour most of the best seats were filled, and there was a crowd on the way to the athletic grounds that would tax the capacity of the bleachers.
About half-past one o'clock a rather gaunt individual might have been seen making his way toward the athletic grounds. He wore a pair of patched trousers and a green coat, with a red patch on either elbow.
"Hi there?" called some boys. "Look at the hobo going to enter the races."
"Oh, I may be a hobo, but I'm not a dodo, put that in your pipe and smoke it till night. That ain't a good rhyme, but it'll do this time," recited the man in a sing-song tone.
"Ha! Ha! Isn't he funny!" laughed some small boys.
Hearing
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