Now it traveled so rapidly toward the Yale side that there was no measuring the distance; that did not matter anyway, for when a team is pulled squarely off the cleats, the tug is done. Frank, therefore, had the double satisfaction of seeing his college win the general trophy and of meeting successfully a serious emergency that had occurred in the special sport which he had undertaken to manage. It was a great evening for Yale, and one that all men who were students in the college at that time will never forget. "I tell you, I wouldn't have missed it for a good deal," said Rattleton, when they were on their way to Yale, the day following. "It's too bad Browning was hurt," answered Frank. "It's not serious," said the big fellow. "It will soon be all right, so the doctor says." And this proved to be true. Inside of ten days his wrist was as well as ever. "Another contest is on hand," said Rattleton, one morning to Frank. "Do you know we are up for admission to the Pi Gamma Society?" "Yes," answered Frank. "We'll catch it hot soon--when they initiate us." "Oh, I reckon we can stand it," came from Frank, with a quiet smile. He did not dream of all that was in store for them. CHAPTER XVI. BLACK MARKS. There were about twenty students in a room that would comfortably hold six; four of them, looking very solemn, were arranged along one side of the room with their backs to the wall; the others were seated on such chairs as there were or upon the floor. The study table in the middle of the room had been cleared of books, and a covering of newspapers had been put on top of it. The air was thick with smoke from pipes, cigars and cigarettes. The four who stood with their backs against the wall were not adding anything to the fumes; they were the only ones present who were not smoking. Every window was down and the transom was closed. It is the theory among students that the smoker can stand a thick atmosphere, but that if one is not smoking it soon becomes very disagreeable to him. One would have said that this theory was correct if he had taken but a glance into the room, for the four solemn persons looked far from well, while the others were evidently enjoying themselves to the utmost. Each one of the others had something in his hand besides his pipe or cigar; two or three had brooms, some horsewhips, some baseball bats, some canes, others umbrellas, and so on. The one who was apparently the leader had an iron poker. "Who is the next neophyte who wishes to become acquainted with the mysteries of Pi Gamma?" he asked. "It's Merriwell's turn next," answered one of the others. "Very well, then, fetch him in." At the mention of Merriwell's name the four solemn students against the wall glanced at each other. "Hi, there! Hi, there!" called several voices. "No talking to each other!"