Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/258

228 dential act, Harry," Clark said, as they walked along.

"No, not to-day," Harry answered.

Clark glanced at him with a puzzled inquiry in his eyes, but Harry did not explain. And the next moment they were at the carriage, and Rupert Ormsby and Clark Harding were shaking hands. Joe Herrick and Francis Stoddard and the other boys who had been hanging round the carriage modestly withdrew. Harry took Herrick and Stoddard to one side, and whispered with them while his brother and Rupert talked.

A pistol-shot sounded across the field, and five white-clad figures leaped forward in the start of the mile run, the last race on the programme. "I think we'd better tell him now," said Harry. With grave faces the committee of three returned to the carriage. They stood by, waiting until the runners had passed on the first lap. Then Harry spoke.

"Rupert," he said, "we three have been