"Matter?" echoed the lad. "Wish I knew, Bobby. The ground's coming up to meet me every step I take."
"Merely the effect of being so long on board," explained Villiers. "I've felt the same sort of thing myself. Now, Dick, I'll race you to that tree. A coco-nut for the winner, and the loser's got to find it. Ready? Go!"
Dick won by a yard, and breathlessly he watched the agile Villiers swarm up a young palm until he reached the cluster of broad-leaved foliage at the top.
"Stand away from under," he cautioned.
Down came a green nut. Dick seized upon it with avidity and proceeded to crack it with a lump of coral.
The result rather surprised him, for all the milk had been spilt and nothing remained but the husk.
"Why, it's empty!" he exclaimed.
"Naturally," replied Villiers, laughing, for he had now descended from his lofty perch and was contemplating young Beverley's face with great amusement.
"Why naturally?" demanded Dick, with the air of a fellow who has been "had".
"What did you expect to find?" asked Jack.