Wallace hesitated a moment, and then said:
“This case is not half as serious as the other, and we would not bring it up except that we feel that you would not want to enter a contestant against whom there was the least hint of professionalism. Am I right?”
“Exactly,” declared Holly grimly. “Out with it, I guess we can take our medicine. I hope it isn’t myself.”
Probably not a lad present was prepared for what followed.
“It is a sad duty, but one I feel I have to do,” went on the Exter manager, “when I say that Frank Simpson is also under the ban of professionalism.”
“Frank Simpson!” gasped a score of voices.
“The big Californian!” added others.
“What’s that?” cried Tom, as if he had not heard aright.
“It isn’t possible!” fairly yelled Phil Clinton, as he leaped to his feet and held out his hand to Frank, who sat beside him. “I’ll stake anything on Frank.”
“So will I!” cried Tom and Sid. Wallace remained calmly looking at the lad against whom he had brought the ugly charge.