But he hoped now,
at any rate, to get the watch, and thought it prudent to say nothing.
The boys had now reached the shore.
"Hope you're not much hurt, Tom?" said Randolph, in a tone
of mild interest.
"I don't know but my skull is fractured," responded Tom, bitterly.
"Oh, I guess not. It's the fortune of war. Well, I got in first."
Randolph waited for congratulations, but none came. All the
boys looked serious, and more than one suspected that there
had been foul play. They waited for the teacher to speak.
CHAPTER III
RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH
"It is true," said the teacher, slowly. "Randolph has won the race."
Randolph's face lighted up with exultation.
"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would
not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke
Larkin and Tom Harper."
Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.
"I don't know about that," said Randolph. "At any rate, I
came in first."
"I watched the race closely," said the teacher, "and I have
no doubt on the subject. Luke had so great a lead that he would
surely have won the race."
"But he didn't," persisted Randolph, doggedly
"He did not, as we all know.
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