There was a brief consultation, and several of the regular school coaches were called in. In the meanwhile it grew darker rapidly, and presently the contest was called off. "It's too bad we couldn't finish it," remarked Jack, as he shook hands with Dink Wilsey. "We'll have to finish it next year," said the rival pitcher, with a grin. There was a good deal of talk about the contest, but gradually the crowd dispersed, and many of the Colby boys started for the Hall. The Rovers and some of their chums rejoined the girls, and walked with them to the automobiles which were to take Martha and Mary and the others back to Clearwater Hall. "I'm so sorry you fellows didn't win that game," pouted May Powell, on the way. "Well, we did our best," answered Fred. "And believe me, it's something to hold down a school like Hixley with such a pitcher as Dink Wilsey." "You don't mean to say he can pitch any better than Jack!" put in Ruth quickly. "Oh, I'm not saying anything against Jack," answered Fred. "Just the same, Dink's a great pitcher, and Jack will say so himself." "He certainly is," was the reply from the oldest Rover boy. "He'll be on one of the professional teams one of these days. If Longley Academy has any such pitcher in Tommy Flanders, we've got our work cut out for us." Most of the boys and girls went on to where the automobiles were in waiting, but Jack kept to the rear until the whole crowd were out of hearing. "Now, then, Ruth, tell me what is troubling you," he said in a low voice. "Oh, Jack, I don't believe I ought to tell you! I should have torn it up and forgotten all about it," returned the girl. "Torn it up? What do you mean? Was it a letter?" "Yes, a letter that came yesterday. It is nothing but a scrawl, and it's unsigned. It was sent from New York." "What did the letter say? Did somebody threaten you, Ruth?" "No, Jack. Somebody threatened you. If it hadn't been for that, I wouldn't think of bothering you about it." "Humph! this is interesting. Have you got the letter with you?" "Yes. Here it is," and the girl brought forth the letter from her handbag. As she had said, it was postmarked New York City, and was addressed to her at the school. The envelope was a plain one, and inside was a single sheet of plain white paper. On this, evidently in a disguised hand, had been scrawled the following: "RUTH STEVENSON: If you know when you are well off you won't have much to do with Jack Rover or his cousins. They are a bum lot and some day you will be ashamed of every one of them. Jack Rover never treated anybody square, and some day you can take it from me that I intend to pound his handsome face into a jelly. Better listen to my warning, or you will be very sorry you had anything to do with that crowd. "A FRIEND." CHAPTER VII NEWS FROM ABROAD