The Scranton High Chums on the Cinder Path / Or, The Mystery of the Haunted Quarry

been fielders in the baseball nine that carried off the championship pennant of the three-town-high-school league the preceding sum

d feel disposed to, at least, be in at the start, though calculating to fall out after a few miles

no intention of finishing usually look the most confident during the preparations for making the grand start. Well, they have

Even on a trial run Mr. Leonard had advised the boys to separate as soon as possible, and keep some distance apart,

alone. Hugh had left the main thoroughfare, and was passing along a byroad that would t

r bound for Scranton. Hugh had an idea, however, that one of them was coming along the same road a mile or more behind, and that it would turn out to be "Just" Smith

uture, and see what it held for him. The coming of "Just" Smith would yet turn out to be

kely to be in condition for the gruelling finish that might become necessary, over the last half mile of the long course, could a visiting runner threaten to head t

ho wished to conserve their strength toward the close of the race; and that he was holding back a good reserve stock of energy. Yes, he b

rill. It was like a faint human cry for help, uttere

topped

meant to lure him into the brush and rocks, where he could, perhaps, be overpowered? But Nick, as well as his two satellites, Leon Disney and Tip Slavin, had been on the grounds at the time Hugh started hi

d had welled forth. The country was exceedingly rough just there, and he fancied that some sort of

nued to press hastily forward, he once more caught the beseeching cry. It

Oh! hel

the conditions of the rough surface of the ground permitted. He had taken pains t

e more received a reply,

before it gives w

caught in a trap whereby life itself was imperiled. He had been ascending all this time. From a single look, which he cast over hi

peed up considerable on the morrow if he wished to be anywhere near the head of the procession when the race neared its close. Hugh, somehow, fixed the fact of his comrade's presence on his mind.

h that represented the only hope of safety from a serious fall. He threw himself down and thrust his head out over the edge. What Hugh saw was enough to give any boy a thrill of horror. Some ten feet below the top a human figure sprawled, kicking with his leg

discovery; he could not understand for the life of him how Claude Jardine,

trying to solve that puzzle; it could be all made

perfectly still, Claud

way, and let me drop!" w

ply, with the tone of authority that one accustomed to command might use. "I'm c

! hurry, please!" cam

a false movement, for the precipice was all of forty feet in dept

e advantage of numerous projecting points of rock that offered

eat advantage to him just then. Had it been otherwise, he might ha

that were intended to build up the muscles, and give new power to the body. It seemed the irony of fate that the life of her precious boy wa

eas were, and experience a radical change of heart. The opportunity w

lipped, and had a thrill of alarm pass over him. Now he found h

ll his life, but he could not help compa

angling toes there was a narrow ledge. If only both of them could find lodgment upon this, and have some hold above for their hand

f only you keep your head about you. 'Just' Smith is coming along

to give way right off!"

to lower yourself along the bush, inch by inch, until you feel the ledge under you. Don't be afraid, because I mean to grab hold of you; but when you feel me

oor chap. Claude was already cold with as cold as an

olid little ledge under him. Indeed, had it been necessary, such an agile fellow

could continue to cling while he sustained much of the weight of th

h he allowed the bush to slip through his hands, looking down as well as he was able at the sam