For the Honor of Randall Part 38

"And wasn't the first prize for that contest fifty dollars in gold?"

"It was, but----"

"Didn't you win, and get the prize?"

"I won, but I did not get the money!" fairly shouted Frank. "I never had a cent of it. I did win the race. The prize was fifty dollars, but I never got it. I turned it over, without even taking it into my possession, to the charitable committee. If that's professionalism, make the most of it!"

He sat down, and every lad in the room was on his feet in an instant.

"Of course that's not professionalism!"

"Never heard of such a thing!"

"That's a silly charge!"

"The A. A. U. rules don't make that professionalism!"

"Not by a long shot!"

Everyone seemed to be shouting something, and Holly managed to hear the above expressions, amid the babble of others.

"Silence! Silence!" he cried.

"That's our case," Wallace managed to say.

Once more came hisses, that were not so easy to silence.

"We claim that is professionalism, and we won't compete if Frank Simpson represents Randall," said Pendleton, who stood beside Wallace.

"It seems like splitting hairs," spoke Kindlings, "but----"

"Perhaps it does," admitted Wallace calmly. "But we claim that Simpson is a professional under the rules. It's up to you fellows, but----"

"Mr. Chairman, I move that the athletic committee of Randall go into executive session at once, consider this matter, and let Exter have our answer as soon as possible," shouted Tom above the din.

"Second the motion!" cried Sid.

It was put and carried at once.

"Will you make yourselves comfortable until after our session?" asked Holly of the Exter committee. "I'll have you taken to our chapter house," and he called some lads, who were not members of the committee, to act as the hosts of the visitors.

CHAPTER XXVI

FRANK WITHDRAWS

Tense and anxious faces looked into those of Holly and Kindlings as the athletic committee drew closer to the platform in the gymnasium. The doors were closed. The Exter lads had been taken in charge by some Randall fraternity members, but it could not be said that there was a spirit of gaiety observable. Only those of whom it was absolutely required attended lectures. The others, not charged with the extending of courtesies to the Exter lads, hung about the gymnasium, waiting for any news that might leak out.

"Well, boys, what's to be done?" asked Holly, rather helplessly, as he faced his committee. Tom, Sid, Phil and Frank, of course, were present.

"Who's got anything to suggest?" asked Dan Woodhouse.

It seemed that the two trainers and managers were all at sea, as, indeed, were most of the others.

"I suggest that Frank tells us all he knows about this case," said Tom, finally. "We're with him to the last. I guess I needn't say that, though," he added.

"That's right," chimed in several others.

Frank arose, all eyes turned toward him.

"Fellows," he began, "I can't tell you how sorry I am that this thing has come to you. It's like a bolt out of a clear sky to me, and I needn't say that I never dreamed of such a charge being brought."

"We know it," said someone.

"If I was surprised when the charge was made against Shambler--and he admitted it was true," went on the Big Californian. "I was completely astounded when they named me as the second man. I hardly know what to say."

"Did you really take part in those games?" asked Holly.

"I did, but there was not the least hint of professionalism. No one dreamed of such a thing. As I recollect it, a number of college fellows were asked to compete. I was at Stanford University at the time. I entered. It was for some charity. I've forgotten just what now, but a hospital, I think. A business men's committee was formed, and I was told there were to be several prizes offered for contestants. We didn't care about them, for we only thought of doing our best and winning. We all supposed the prizes would be medals, cups, or something like that.

"Then there was some talk of money prizes being offered. But I don't believe any of us thought anything about it being professional to compete for money, but I know we college fellows held a meeting.

"We decided unanimously that whatever prizes we won we would donate to the charity for which the contests were run off. None of us wanted them.

Then came the meet.

"I don't know just how many events I took part in. I think I won the pole vault, as well as the mile run, but I'm not sure. Anyhow, I know that after the games a man came up to me, and some of the other winners, with envelopes. I realize now that they must have contained money--the prize money.

"Everyone of us waved him aside, and the general order was: 'Give it to the hospital,' if it was a hospital for which the meet was held. I know I never accepted a cent, and none of the other college fellows did.

That's all there is to it."

There was a short period of silence following the statement by the Big Californian. Then Tom arose in his seat.

"Mr. Chairman," he said, "I move you that we take a vote of confidence in Frank, first of all, and then that we send word to Exter and Boxer Hall and Fairview, that the charges of professionalism are groundless in this case, and that Frank will take part in the games."

"Second it!" yelled Joe Jackson.

"One minute," began Holly calmly. "I appreciate the spirit in which that motion was made, and I'll put it at the proper time. But, before I do, I'd like to know if anyone here has a copy of the A. A. U. rules bearing on professionalism. If he has will he see if they bear on this case?"

"I've got a copy!" said Dan Woodhouse, "and I know 'em pretty much by heart. I don't believe that Frank would be barred under the rules. They make the 'acceptance' of money a bar, I think, and by his own evidence Frank didn't accept it."

"Not that I want to seem to believe for a moment this charge, but because I think we ought to be very sure of our ground, I make this suggestion," spoke Phil Clinton. "Of course Frank didn't take, or accept, the money. But might it not be said that by tacitly turning it over to the charity after winning it, that he had it? I'm afraid they'll say--the committee I mean--that when he competed for a money prize he became a professional."

"No! No!" cried several.

"Well, that's one way of looking at it," said Holly Cross. "That's what we're here to decide. Shall we fight this case, and have it threshed out in a general meeting, or----"