“Who are they?”
“Name ’em!”
“It’s not true!”
These cries were heard, among other confusing ones, as the Exter manager paused.
“I’ll name them now,” shouted Wallace. “I formally charge that Jacob Shambler is a professional ball player, that he has played in a number of games for money, and that he has taken part in other sports as a professional. I claim that he was asked to leave Harkness college for that reason, and if he is to take part under the colors of Randall, then every Exter man will refuse to compete. I can prove what I have said, and if Mr. Shambler is present I challenge him to stand up and refute what I have charged!”
If a cannon had been fired in the room, it could not have produced more of an effect, nor brought about a more stunning silence following Wallace’s charge. Every eye was turned toward where Shambler had been observed to be sitting.
“Is it true?”
“It can’t be!”
“There’s some mistake!”
“Shambler, answer him—tell him it isn’t so!”