“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.