“Then don’t. Don’t let a whisper of it get out.”
“I won’t,” promised Carlton. “But you’ll see that nothing happens to Dan, won’t you?” he added eagerly.
“Rest your infantile soul on that!” said Ned angrily. “Now, you’d better go. I shouldn’t want Gus to find you here. If he should ever hear that you have told me what you have, what do you suppose would happen to you?”
“Gus would——” The lad stopped with a shudder.
“Of course he would,” said Ned sternly. “You mustn’t let a word of this get out—not a word! Do you understand?”
“Yes,” replied Carlton; “but I don’t want anything to happen to Dan——”
“Didn’t I tell you there wouldn’t?” broke in Ned.
“Yes; but I’m afraid. My! if Dan couldn’t pitch to-morrow and the Military Academy should beat us——”
“Go home and lock yourself in your room, for fear you’ll let out something about this! I’ll look after it. Don’t you be afraid! If you’ve told me the truth——”
“I’ve told you just what I heard Gus say,” broke in the little fellow.