"Look at this thing from Hammond, will you, Jack," he said. "They've challenged us to a skating race on the river. Any time and any distance we like, they say; hang their cheek!" Jack stopped and read the letter. "Well, I guess they've got us there," he said. "I don't know of any fellow who would stand the ghost of a chance against that chap Schonberg." "Well, I hate to refuse," replied Horace importantly. "It seems to me we ought to accept the challenge even if we get beaten." "I suppose we ought," said Jack, "but you'll find it pretty hard to find a fellow willing to try conclusions with Schonberg." "I'd try it myself," said Horace carelessly, "but I'm terribly out of practice; haven't been on the ice more than two or three times this winter." "You be blowed!" answered Jack impolitely. "Why Schonberg would leave you standing! Me, too, for that matter. I'll talk the thing over with Roy Porter." "Think he would stand any show?" asked Horace. "Roy? I don't know. He's a pretty good skater on the rink, but I don't know what he can do at any distance." "Well, if he likes to try, he may," said Horace magnanimously. "I'll tell him so," replied Jack dryly. "You needn't send any answer for a day or so, and meanwhile we'll see what can be done. It seems too bad not to even try; I'd hate to have Hammond think we were afraid of her or that we weren't willing to risk a defeat. Yes, I'll speak to Roy and see what he suggests." "Well, of course you understand," said Horace, "that the matter is in my charge. If you can find anyone, all right; only you'd better let me know about it before you call the thing decided; I might not approve of the fellow." "Oh, that's all right. Maybe, after all, you'd better find a chap yourself. I'm rather busy just now with exams--" "No, you go ahead," interrupted Horace quickly. "What I was trying to get at was--well, you understand, Jack; Porter doesn't like me, you know, and I don't know what he might do; you spoke of consulting him, you know." "Well, if we find any fellow he'll probably be one of the hockey men, and as Roy's the captain it seems to me--" "Oh, all right. You see what we can do." Half an hour later Jack was talking it over with Roy. "I don't know what you can do at racing," he said, "but if you think you'd make any sort of a showing I think you'd ought to try. But you can do as you like." "I wouldn't stand any chance with that Dutchman," answered Roy, "but if you can't find anyone else I'll race him. I don't mind being beaten."