Page:Baseball Joe on the School Nine.djvu/196

182 coach quietly. "Call a meeting of the Athletic Committee, Shell."

"What for?" asked the bully.

"To discuss the situation. There has got to be a change if Excelsior Hall is to have a chance for the Blue Banner. If you don't call the meeting, Shell, I will."

It was perhaps the best thing that could have happened, and to save friction among the students, many of whom were still for the manager, Hiram knew he had to give in to Dr. Rudden.

"All right," he growled. "The meeting will take place to-night."

Quickly the word went around through the precincts of Excelsior Hall.

"There's going to be another hot meeting."

"Hiram's on his last legs."

"His game is up now."

"This means that Joe Matson will pitch, sure, and we'll win some games now."

"If Hiram goes, Luke will, too, and there'll be a new captain."

These were only a few of the comments and predictions made by the players and other students as they got ready to attend the session.