As they drove down the street their attention was attracted by a large notice posted on the door of the auditorium. “Another patriotic meeting?” asked Jerry. “Wait until I get out and see what it is,” suggested Ned. He sprang from the car and ran up the steps. When he came back there was a queer look on his face. “What is it?” asked Bob. “A rotten pro-German meeting!” was the righteously angry answer. “It’s a meeting at which Mr. Schaeffer is going to preside, and it is called for the purpose of protesting against any person being sent to fight outside of the boundaries of the United States!” “Do you know, fellows, they oughtn’t to allow ’em to hold that meeting!” exploded Bob, who, now that he had made his decision, was as enthusiastic as his chums. CHAPTER IX A FIGHT IN THE DARK Jerry and Bob got out of the automobile to go up to read the notice for themselves. As Ned had informed them, a meeting was called, on whose behalf was not stated, to protest against the reported action of the military authorities in sending recruits to do battle on foreign soil. “We will defend our own country to the last ditch,” was one of the statements made, “but we will not send our youth of the land abroad to fight for foreign kings!” “Bah, that makes me sick!” declared Jerry. “What do they want to do? Wait until the foreign Kaiser comes over here to kill our women and children before they’re willing to fight?” “Looks so,” admitted Ned. “Well, it won’t look so long!” announced Jerry. “I agree with you, Bob, that this meeting ought not to be held. It’s encouraging sedition. The military authorities ought to know about it.” “Let’s tell Colonel Wentworth!” suggested Ned. “Yes, we’ll tell him and also let the recruiting officer in Richfield know about it,” agreed Jerry. “The military authorities may want to have a representative present to listen to the talk. If some of these pro-Germans get too rambunctious they may get sat on.” “And I’d like to do some of the sitting!” added Ned. “I’ll help,” offered Chunky. “And that will be some aid,” laughed Jerry, as he looked at his stout friend. “Yes, that’s what we’ll do--tell the colonel and the recruiting officer,” went on Jerry. “I’ve read about some of these meetings being held in other places. They are started, financed and encouraged by German agents here, the same agents that sent out the warning against sailing on the _Lusitania_! The wretches! Boys, this meeting ought not to be held!” And there were peculiar looks that passed back and forth among the three chums. “Do you remember,” asked Ned, reminiscently, as they motored onward, “that the seniors were going to hold a meeting at Boxwood Hall, once, and that we broke it up?” “I should say I do remember!” exclaimed Jerry. “Well--” Ned spoke suggestively. “Oh,” said Jerry. Bob’s eyes showed interest. “Something doing?” he queried. “Better hang around a bit and watch,” advised his tall chum.