CHAPTER V.
TREACHERY IN THE AIR "Hugh, it looks to me like there's a hen on," was what Thad Stevens said, as he joined his chum.
"That's a queer remark for you to make, Thad," the other chuckled; "after seeing what's been happening here on our athletic field this afternoon, I'd be likely to say there were a good many score of hens setting, each hoping to hatch out one of our dandy prizes next Saturday." "Oh! you understand that I mean something crooked going on, Hugh," Thad hastened to add.
"That sounds serious enough.

What do you know, Thad?
The chances are ten to one if anything in the way of trickery is contemplated I can put my hand on the fellow who's guilty of the same." "Sure thing, Hugh, and his name is Nicholas in the bargain.

They call him Young Nick, to distinguish him from his father who's dead and gone; but sometimes people say he's a regular Old Nick when it comes to playing mean jokes, and getting into trouble of all kinds." "What's Nick Lang been up to now, Thad ?" "Oh! just spying on you, for one thing!" exclaimed the other angrily.
"He's welcome to chase around after me as often as he pleases," said Hugh; "much good will it do him, I'm thinking.

But tell me, why should he go to all that bother, when my going-out and coming-in don't interfere with his happiness a whit ?" "Hugh, Nick is on to your scheme for making use of that short-cut across by way of the old deserted quarry!" "You don't tell me ?" Hugh observed.

"Well, I came near speaking to him about it myself, Thad.