Dan stopped abruptly as Walter and Gus at that moment joined the three boys. Had Carlton’s words been heard? Dan was unable to determine from the expression on the face of the player who had taken his place in the pitcher’s box. Even the thought, however, was forgotten in the words which Gus spoke. CHAPTER XXIX THE ANGER OF THE NINE “Do you fellows believe I meant to hit Dan?” asked Gus, as he joined the boys and walked beside them on the way to the dressing-room. “What makes you think we do?” asked Ned. “Do you think I intended to hit you, Dan?” asked Gus, turning to the young pitcher. “You did hit me,” said Dan quietly. “I know I did; but you can believe me or not, I didn’t mean to. I’ll own up that I threw the ball hard, but I thought, of course, you saw me.” As Dan did not reply, Ned said to Gus, “Have you any idea what made Walter sick?” “Why do you ask me that?” retorted Gus. “He seemed to be suffering from a peculiar trouble. He was deathly sick and then, in a little while, he was all right again. He put up a good game after he went in at short.” “Do you think I had anything to do with his being sick?” “I didn’t say you did. I just asked you if you knew what made him sick?” “I suppose I’m to blame for that error Hodge made in the fifth inning too,” said Gus gruffly. “If anything goes wrong, then I’m the one to blame. I don’t know why all the fellows are down on me. I pitched my prettiest after Dan was――after he gave out. I’m to blame for losing the game too, I suppose.” “We haven’t ‘blamed’ you for anything, Gus,” said Ned warmly. “You’re getting away off the track. All I asked you was whether or not you could give a guess about what made Walter sick. You have switched off on to something else and haven’t said a word about that.” “What do you want me to say?” “Whatever you choose.” “I don’t see why you suspect me of making Walter sick. What earthly reason would I have for wanting to get him out of the game?” “Was there anyone you wanted to put out of the game?” Ned’s face was flushed and, as he looked straight at Gus while speaking, the latter was unable entirely to conceal his uneasiness. “Here comes Walter. Ask him if he thinks I tried to poison him,” said Gus. “Feeling better?” inquired Ned, as the short-stop walked beside him. “I’m all right now,” said Walter quietly. “Walter,” said Ned, “we were just asking Gus if he had any idea what it was that made you sick just before the game.” “Did he tell you?” inquired Walter, as he looked half angrily at Gus. “He didn’t say you had too much ipecac in the apollinaris.” “He didn’t say what?” interrupted Walter aghast, staring first at Ned and then at Gus. “He didn’t say that you got the wrong glass, but――――” “I wish you’d say right out just what you’ve got to say,” broke in Walter peevishly. “I’m not good at riddles.”