"I fell off yesterday," replied Stacy Brown with a sheepish grin.

"That's no news," jeered Ned Rector. "I guess we'll have to get a net
for Chunky to perform over. However, fellows, as the notice stated, we
have some very, very important matters to talk over to-day. President
Brown will please take his chair and call the meeting to order. That
is, if he is able to sit down. If not, I think there will be no
objection to his standing up," announced Ned, amid a general laugh.

The president rapped sharply on the floor with his foot, and the
members of the club settled down to the keenest attention.
Anticipation was reflected on each smiling face. Tad instinctively
felt that there was something behind all of this that he knew
nothing about. But he bided his time.

"What is the pleasure of the meeting?" asked the president.

"I move," said Ned Rector, "that our friend and fellow member, Walter
Perkins, now take the floor and outline the plans which I understand
he has in mind. I think none of us know what they are, beyoud the fact
that some sort of a trip has been planned for us. We are all ears,
Mr. Perkins."

Walter rose with great deliberation, a smile playing over his thin,
pale features, as he looked quietly from one to the other of his young
friends.

"Fellow members," he began.

"Hear, hear!" muttered Ned.