“Don’t say ‘was,’ say ‘am,’” broke in Ned sharply. “That’s a fine way to talk! You know what is the matter with you just as well as I do. And Gus Kiggins came down to the dressing-room talking in his charming way about somebody that had made you sick. Well, I guess somebody did give you a dose! It would have done you more good if he had doubled it. And you thought it was for Dan! Sometime, maybe, you’ll know enough to know that the cat which a monkey uses to pull his chestnuts out of the fire gets his paws burned. It would serve you right if I told the whole school about the dirty trick you and Gus planned to play on Dan. Now that you have a dose of your own medicine, you sit up here and whine and cry like a spanked baby.” “Come on, Ned, it’s time for the game,” broke in Dan as he grasped his friend by the arm. “Walter,” he added, “you heard what Ned said, that if you feel up to the mark a little later, you are to come on down and he’ll put you into the game. Come on, Ned!” Almost reluctantly Ned turned and without another word departed from the room. At the door Dan glanced back at Walter who, speechless, was staring at his departing visitors. Aware that Ned was almost beside himself with rage, Dan led the way hastily down the stairs. As the boys turned toward the athletic field, Dan said: “Now, Ned, you are in no condition to say anything. Don’t say a word about this to the boys.” “Why not?” demanded Ned fiercely. “It’s the worst thing I ever heard of!” “Don’t say a word about it.” “I shall! I’ll let the whole school know――――” “Not if I am to pitch,” said Dan quietly. CHAPTER XXVII THE LEAGUE GAME For a moment Ned stared blankly at his companion, and then said: “Dan, you certainly beat anything I ever saw or heard of. I don’t know which is the bigger fool, you or――――” “Is it a bargain?” broke in Dan with a smile. “Of course it is, if you say so. There isn’t anything else to be said.” “All right then. Now forget all about it, Ned. We’ll just go in to put the Military Academy nine where it belongs. You’re sure of the signals?” “I can put you easy on that score.” “I know it. Just look at the crowd,” Dan added as the two boys obtained their first view of the assembly. “I never played before a crowd like that!” “You don’t mind?” asked Ned a little anxiously. “I can tell you more about that a little later,” replied Dan quietly. “Go right in and begin to warm up. We haven’t much time to spare.” Both boys at once went upon the field――Ned to make certain that his players were ready, while Dan ran to one side of the diamond, where he began to pitch easily to Smith, who, for the time, was receiving the ball.