The Motor Boys | Page 4

the rest of us. And I haven't any use for his chums, Bob and Jerry."
"Same here," Agreed Noddy, lighting another cigarette. "But I'll get
even with 'em. My father has as much money as any of their fathers has.
They needn't think they can down me."
"Bully for you," cried Jack, hoping to curry favor. "I'd like a chance to
get even too."
"Maybe it will come before you think it will."
"What do you mean?" asked Jack in a whisper.
"Never mind," replied Noddy. "I'll tell you when the time comes."

For some time 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