While they stood, thus-minded, Dick said rather timidly, "May I ask you a question, Hank?" There were only a few boys in the Club who could call Frank by that name. Dick was one of them.
"Certainly, kid, fire away."
"Did you have anything to do with this racket?"
"No."
"I knew it," said Dick. "That's why I asked you. Now another question. Do you know anything about it?"
"That's another matter," said Frank.
"We know it's another matter," shouted several, "and we've got a right to know. It concerns the bunch."
"The bunch doesn't make wrong right," fairly yelled Frank. "The bunch doesn't make a mean thing honorable. Yes, I know about it, and that's why I can't go. I can't say more because I have said all I can say, in honor."
"Honor!" hissed one of the boys, "it's queer honor that will distress Father Boone and queer a whole crowd."
By this time the racket had grown into a half riot. The voices were loud and raucous. Their echoes reached Father Boone above. He closed his door as he did not want to hear what was not intended for his ears. But he had caught enough to let him know that there was a deepening mystery about the affair, and that most of the boys were not a party to it.