Glass glowered at the cause of the interruption. "It's a nerve- centre, of course!" Then to the others, he ran on, glibly: "The treatment was simple, but it took time. You see, I had to first trace his bedildo to its source, like this." He thrust a finger into Wally's back and ploughed a furrow upward. "You see?" He paused, triumphantly. "A fore-shortened bedildo! It ain't well yet." "Can a man run fast with one of them?" inquired Willie. "Certainly, cer-tain-ly--provided, of course, that the percentage of spelldiffer in the blood offsets it." Both cowboys came closer now, and hung eagerly upon every word. "And does it do--that?" they questioned, while Fresno suggested that it was not easy to tell without bleeding the patient. "No, no! You can hear the spelldiffers." Glass motioned to Willie. "Put your ear to his chest. Hear anything?" "Hearts poundin' like a calf's at a brandin'." "Which proves it!" proudly asserted the trainer. "Barrin' accidents, Mr. Speed will be in the pink of condition by Saturday." The cow-men beamed benignantly. "That's fine!" "We are sure pleased, and we've got something for you, Mr. Speed. Come on, Mr. Fresno, and give us a hand. We'll bring it in." "It's a present!" exclaimed the athlete, brightly, when the three had gone out. "They seem more friendly this morning." "Yes!" Glass laughed, mirthlessly. "They think you're going to win." "Well, how do you know I can't win? You never saw this cook run." "I don't have to; I've seen you." "Just the same, I'm in pretty good shape. Maybe I could run if I really tried." "Send yourself along, Kid. It won't harm you none." The speaker fanned himself, and took a seat in the cosey-corner. "Ah! Here they come, bearing gifts." Speed rose in pleased expectancy. "I wonder what it can be?" The three who had just left re-entered the room, carrying a tray- load of thick railroad crockery. "We've brought your breakfast to you," explained Stover. "We'd like you to eat alone till after the race." Still Bill began to whittle what appeared to be a blood-rare piece of flesh, while Willie awkwardly arranged the dishes. "You want me to _eat_ as well as sleep here?" "Exactly." "Oh, I can't do that! I'm sorry, but--" "Don't make us insist." Willie looked up from his tray, and Glass raised a moist hand and said: "Don't make 'em insist." With fascinated stare Speed drew nearer to Stover and examined the meat bone. "Why--why, that's _raw_!" he exclaimed. "Does look rar'," agreed the foreman. "Then take it out and build a fire under it. I'll consent to eat here, but I won't turn cannibal, even to please you." "I'm sorry." Stover did not interrupt his carving. "Your diet ain't been right," explained Willie. "You ain't wild enough to suit us." Speed searched one serious face, then another. Fresno was nodding approval, his countenance impassive. "Is this a joke?" "We ain't never joked with you yit, have we?" "No. But--" "This breakfast goes as she lays!"