The Motor Boys | Page 9

dressing in the height of fashion, and liked to be thought a sport. He had a small income, did not work, and spent most of his time at the athletic club.
"I'll give you odds of two to one against the favorite in this race," said Noddy to Paul.
"And who's the favorite?" asked Paul.
"Jerry Hopkins," replied Noddy. "Come, what do you say? Two to one he doesn't win."
"You're on. For how much?"
"I'll lay you one hundred dollars to fifty dollars," said Noddy.
"Done," assented Paul, and he made a memorandum of the wager.
At last, after several events had been run off, during which our heroes had been busy undoing the mischief worked to their wheels, the time came for the race that meant so much to them. The announcer gave the word. Ned, Bob and Jerry hastened around to the track entrance. Noddy and Jack, with their wheels, were a few seconds behind them.
"Well, they're on hand, I see," whispered Noddy.
"Yes, they'll start, and that will be about all," replied Jack, with a meaning smile.
For a few minutes there was considerable work getting the dozen riders correctly placed. Finally they were all lined up on the white mark, and the starter raised his revolver.
"Bang!"
Off in the air lazily floated a little puff of smoke. Then the cyclists were off like the wind. My! how they did go!
Noddy Nixon, who, to give him the credit he deserved, was not a bad sprinter, was in the lead. He was pedaling at top speed, for he knew only by acquiring a big lead could he hope to win.
There was an excited shout from the spectators as they saw the start of the race, and realized that the favorite was left in the lurch. But if Jerry was disconcerted, or if either Ned or Bob was, not one of them showed it. After a few seconds Noddy glanced back. He was surprised to see Jerry rather closer to him than he hoped to find him.
"I thought you said the wheels would lag behind," said Noddy to Jack, who was riding furiously beside him.
"They must have discovered the trick and fixed things up," panted Jack.
But there was no time to talk. It was to be a race to the finish.
"I'll fix them, though," muttered Jack, letting up on his speed, which had kept him beside Noddy, and dropping back a little to the rear.
Aside from the three chums, and Noddy and Jack, there was no interest in the race, for the other seven contestants were hopelessly in the rear. Bob and Ned were on even terms, with Jerry somewhat ahead of them.
"Go on, Jerry!" called Ned. "Beat the big bully!"
"Don't either of you fellows drop out!" pleaded Jerry. "Try to win. You've as good a chance as I."
And then Jerry gave his attention to the task before him. It was no light one. However, he, as did the other two boys, felt the bicycles to be in good order in spite of the attempts at foul play. They were all riding well.
Noddy's advantage in age, his better muscular development, gave him a big lead, however, and for the first mile the gap between him and Jerry was scarcely shortened. Jack still hung on to his comrade's rear, ready to play another dastardly trick when opportunity offered.
During the second mile it was plain to all that Noddy was petering out. His head bent lower over the handle bars, and foam, like white cotton, could be seen on his lips.
"I'm almost all in!" he gasped to Jack.
"Keep up a little longer!" entreated Jack. "You'll win! Why, you've got to win!"
And, to save himself in more ways than one, Noddy felt he must succeed. But how to do it was the question. His heart was beating like a trip-hammer, and his head felt as if it would burst.
He tried to develop another burst of sped, but, as he had said, he was "all in." Slowly he felt, rather than saw, Jerry creeping up on him. He knew that Jack was between him and his rival, however, and he hoped something might happen.
The crowd on the bleachers and on the grand stand nearly went wild as they looked at the most exciting race so far that day. The favorite was slowly but surely creeping up on the leader, and crowding him.
"Go on Jerry!" cried hundreds who wanted to see the plucky lad win. "Go on! Go on!"
"Peg away, Noddy!" shouted one or two of the bully's friends, who had, thanks to his tips or those of Jack, put their money up on him. "Keep going!"
But it was no use. The gap between Jerry and Noddy lessened. Ned and Bob were close behind Jerry, and stood excellent chances of being at least third and fourth. But there was Jack to be reckoned