“Why, that is the most extraordinary and unexpected summons I ever heard of,” I exclaimed. “Is that the first notification you have had?” “I knew nothing of the date of the meeting till I received this telegram. It was fortunate that I telegraphed Slade early this morning, for we might have missed the whole convention.” “What a stupid, blundering oversight!” cried Tony. “Just imagine a convention without any representatives from Belmont!” “Well,” responded Ray, “it would have been more serious for _us_ than the convention, for the other three colleges would have constituted a quorum, and they could have voted away our rights without our knowing anything about it. I fancy the Park College men would have been glad enough of a chance like that to secure an advantage over us.” “It was a contemptible trick, I believe,” burst out Tony, tossing the telegram upon the desk. I was inclined to be more reasonable. “I can’t see the trick,” I said. “Slade is known to be a very careful fellow. Had he been a Park College man, I might have suspected him of underhand work, but the Halford men have always been friends.” “I don’t know what to think of it,” remarked Ray thoughtfully, “but you may be sure I will sift the matter to the bottom, and if there has been any crooked work we’ll make things hum at that convention. If it was merely negligence on Slade’s part, it is too important to be overlooked. He would deserve an early dismissal from his office for such carelessness. Were we to miss the meeting, the damage to our interests might be very great――but come, we can talk about that on the train. Our business now is to get ready as fast as possible. You, Harry,” he continued, turning to me, “said you needed only a few hours’ warning, and it turns out that is about all you’ll get. Can you be ready for the 7:15 train?” “Easily,” I responded. “I have only to pack a small valise, and get my dinner.” “And how about you?” to Tony. “I’ll be at the station without fail,” was the reply. “All right, then. Don’t forget to draw the necessary money for expenses.” “Why, I can’t do that. You know, the bank closes at three o’clock,” answered Tony. “To be sure, I had forgotten that,” said Ray. “Well, then we will have to stand our own expenses, and charge it up to the baseball association. Remember to report your absence to Mr. Dikes. I have already done so, and you had better go at once, for the college offices close at six.” I went immediately to the college offices, which were on the first floor of Burke Hall, at the left hand side of the main entrance, and just opposite the large Latin room in which our meeting had been held the night before.