“Because Wallace wouldn’t tell,” was the reply. “He said he’d make formal charges to-morrow, and he intimated that we might post a notice, without saying who it was, stating that some one would be protested. His idea was that the fellow or fellows might withdraw of their own accord, and so save a scandal.”
“Are you going to post the notice?”
“I am not!” declared Holly decidedly. “I’m going to bed, and that’s where all you fellows ought to go if you want to be in shape for the meet.”
It was an unpleasant night for many at Randall, and anxious faces were noted on all sides at chapel the next morning. Wallace, and some of his fellow committee members, came over from Exter early, and soon all who could, by hook or crook, “cut” a lecture, were in the gymnasium.
“Fellows,” began Holly, who took the chair, “I guess you all know what we’re here for. Mr. Wallace, of Exter, has an announcement to make, I understand.”
Wallace arose, rather pale, and began at once.
“Fellows of Randall,” he said, “I’d give a good deal not to have to do this, but I believe it to be my duty. You all know that your college and ours, and two others are in a four-sided league for some games. The games are strictly amateur contests, as you all know, and amateur rules prevail. That is, no professionals are to be allowed.”
There was a gasp of surprise at this, and Tom, who was looking across the room, saw a movement among some lads seated near Shambler.
“None but amateurs are to be allowed to compete, under the rules,” went on Wallace, “not only for the sake of the colleges themselves, but for the contestants too. We don’t any of us want to lay ourselves open to charges by the A. A. U. of competing with professionals, and so be barred out of future games.
“I am deeply sorry to do what I have to do, but certain information has been laid before me, affecting the standing of two members of Randall who are on the lists to compete in the games soon to be held. I got the big list yesterday.”