All the same, it wouldn't surprise me if you took a spurt and came in across the line ahead of me." "Whatever makes you say that ?" demanded Hugh.
"Oh! I know you so well, that's all," laughed his chum, giving him a nudge in the side with his elbow.

"I wager the chances are ten to one you're beginning to turn over a little scheme in your mind right now.
How about that, Hugh ?" "If I am," retorted the other, "I don't intend telling you the first thing about it until there's some solid foundation for the theory to rest on." "Same here," chuckled Thad, with a wink that had a deal of significance about it, Hugh could see.

"Mebbe I've got a whiff of an idea myself that might turn out worth while; but wild horses couldn't drag a hint of the same from me so early in the game.

So we're quits on that score, you see, Hugh." The other jumped down off the wide-topped post, as though he thought he should be continuing on his way home.
"I must be going, Thad," he remarked.

"Supper-time, almost, you know; and besides I have some chores to do.