“You act as if you thought Dan was to blame,” said Ned.

“Well, what if I do?” demanded Walter testily. “He knows whether or not he had anything to do with it.”

“Yes, I guess we all know that without asking Dan,” said Ned quietly. “We’ll have to start the game, Walter, without you. If you feel better a little later——”

“Who’s going to play short?” broke in Walter.

“I’ll put Sam Ventnor in for a while.”

“It’s just a part of a trick to shut me out,” declared Walter fiercely.

“Let me tell you what will be good for you,” interrupted Ned in a low voice.

“Why don’t you say it?” asked Walter sharply as Ned waited.

“Have you ever thought of trying ipecac?”

“Have I what?” Walter was staring at Ned, and to the two boys it almost seemed that his pallor deepened.