“Who, me? Confess? Why, no, sir,” answered Joe. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Then I must tell you. You have been accused of putting the red paint on the steps, and, unless you prove yourself innocent you can take no further part in athletics, and you may be suspended.”
[CHAPTER XXVIII]
VINDICATION
Joe fairly staggered back, so startled was he by the words of the Dean—and, not only the words, but the manner—for the Dean was solemn, and there was a vindictiveness about him that Joe had never seen before.
“Why—why, what do you mean?” gasped Joe. “I never put the red paint on the steps!”
“No?” queried the Dean coldly. “Then perhaps you can explain how this pot of red paint came to be hidden in your closet.”
“My closet!” cried Joe, and at once a memory of the crimson stain on his coat came to him. “I never——”