aying with that team. I played three games and took money every time.
It isn't a crime and I'm not ashamed of it, although to hear you talk
you'd think I'd committed murder. Good-night, gentlemen."

He passed out. Professor Nast blinked nervously.

"Dear me," he murmured, "dear me, how unpleasant!"

Mills smiled grimly, and, rising, stretched his limbs.

"I think what we have left to do won't take very long. I hardly think
that it is necessary for me to reply to the accusations brought by the
gentleman who has just left us."

"No, let's hear no more of it," said Preston. "I propose that we reply
to Robinson to-night and have an end of the business. To-morrow we'll
have plenty to think of without this," he added grimly.

The reply was written and forwarded the next day to Robinson, and the
following announcement was given out at Erskine:

The Athletic Committee has decided that Cowan is not eligible
to represent the college in the football game with Robinson,
and he has been withdrawn. A protest was received from the
Robinson athletic authorities yesterday afternoon, and an
investigation was at once made with the result stated. The
loss of Cowan will greatly weaken the team, it is feared, but
that fact has not been allowed to influence the committee.
The decision is heartily concurred in by the coaches, the
captain, and all officials, and, being in line with Erskine's
policy of purity in athletics, should have the instant
indorsement of the student body.

H.W. NAST, _Chairman_.

The announcement, as was natural, brought consternation, and for several
days the football situation was steeped in gloom. Witter and Hurst were
seized upon by the coaches and drilled in the tactics of right-guard. As
Foster had said, Witter, while he was a good player, was light for the
position. Hurst, against whom no objection could be brought on the
ground of weight, lacked experience. In the end Witter proved first
choice, and Hurst was comforted with the knowledge that he was
practically certain to get into the game before the whistle sounded for
the last time.

Meanwhile Artmouth came and saw and conquered to the tune of 6-0,
profiting by the news of Cowan's withdrawal and piling their backs
through Witter, Hurst, and Brown, all of whom took turns at right-guard.
The game was not encouraging from the Erskine point of view, and the
gloom deepened. Foster declared that i