Dan glanced quietly at Ned while Gus was speaking and saw an expression on his face that caused the young pitcher to rise and say, “Well, it’s time for me to go to bed. You fellows can go right on with your talk, but a good long sleep does more for me than all your patent methods put together.” “There goes the warning bell anyway,” said Smith, as the chapel-bell rang out. “We’ll all try Dan’s cure for nerves.” And the visitors at once departed from the room. * * * * * If Dan, in his heart, believed any reliance was to be placed on what Ned had said to him concerning the plot, he did not betray his fear in any way. There was an air of only partly subdued excitement in the school the following morning, but if Dan was watchful not even Ned was aware of his friend’s caution. The game was to be called at three o’clock. At luncheon-time Ned stopped at Dan’s room and the two boys went together to the dining-hall. “You see,” said Ned lightly, “I’m sticking to you like a brother. I don’t intend to let you get out of my sight one second between now and the game. I hope you’ll appreciate my oversight.” “Glad to have you, though you’ll have your trouble for your pains,” replied Dan. “I hope so,” was all that Ned said in response. The excitement of the morning was more manifest as the boys entered the dining-room. There were many glances of curiosity at the long table where the boys from the Military Academy were seated as the guests of the Tait School. “A fine-looking team,” said Gus Kiggins, as he seated himself beside Walter, whose place at the table was next to Dan’s. Opposite them sat Ned and Smith and Hodge. “They’ll make us know we’ve been playing a game before we’re done,” said Hodge in response to the statement of Gus. “You’re right they will,” joined in Smith. “Dan, we’re all looking to you to uphold the honor of the school,” he added, as he looked across the table at the school pitcher. “Oh, say something nice to Dan,” growled Walter. “He’s got troubles enough of his own without rubbing it in. What’s the matter, Dan?” he added; “you look pale. Anything wrong?” “Not a thing,” replied Dan with a smile. “I never went into a game feeling better in my life. If I don’t do all that you want me to I sha’n’t be able to charge it up to the way I feel.” “That’s the way to talk!” growled Gus without looking up. “Say, fellows,” he added, “I’ve ordered some apollinaris lemonade for the nine. Samson won’t let us drink any water during the game, you know.” “You’re all right, Gus!” exclaimed Hodge. “I hope you’ll make an extra home run to-day.” The glasses were placed beside the plates, and as Ned looked keenly at Dan he shook his head slightly. “I’ll tell you what, fellows,” said Smith, “I’m never superstitious except before a ball game. Let’s all change glasses for luck.”