evenge, nothing
else. They tried to get me to go to them last September; offered me free
coaching, and guaranteed me a position on the team. I refused. And
here's the result."

Professor Nast brightened and a few of those present looked relieved.
But Mills refused to be touched by Cowan's righteousness, and asked
brusquely:

"Never mind what their motive is, Cowan. What we want to know is this:
Did you or did you not accept money for playing left tackle on that
team? Let us have an answer to that, please."

"It's absurd," said Cowan hotly. "Why, I only played three games--"

"Yes or no, please," said Mills.

For an instant Cowan's gaze faltered. He glanced swiftly about the room
and read only doubt or antagonism in the faces there. He shrugged his
broad shoulders and replied sneeringly:

"What's the good? You're all down on me now; you wouldn't believe me if
I told you."

"We're not all down on you," answered Mills. Professor Nast interrupted.

"One moment, Mr. Mills. I don't think Mr. Cowan understands the--ah--the
position we are in. Unless you can show to our satisfaction that the
charge is untrue, Mr. Cowan, we shall be obliged, under the terms of our
agreement with Robinson, to consider you ineligible. In that case, you
could not, of course, play against Robinson; in fact, you would not be
admitted to any branch of university athletics. Now, don't you think
that the best course for you to follow is to make a straightforward
explanation of your connection with the academy in question? We are not
here to judge the--ah--ethics of your course; only to decide as to
whether or no you are eligible to represent the college in athletics."

Cowan arose from his seat and with trembling fingers buttoned his
overcoat. His brow was black, but when he spoke, facing the head coach
and heedless of the rest, he appeared quite cool.

"Ever since practise began," he said, "you have been down on me and have
done everything you could to get rid of me. No matter what I did, it
wasn't right. Whether I'm eligible or ineligible, I'm done with you now.
You may fill my place--if you can; I'm out of it. You'll probably be
beaten; but that's your affair. If you are, I sha'n't weep over it."

He walked to the door and opened it.

"It's understood, I guess, that I've resigned from the team?" he asked,
facing Mills once more.

"Quite," said the latter dryly.

"All right. And now I don't mind telling you that I did get paid for
pl