"Of course. Why?"
"Well, I've been wondering whether--You heard what Brill said--that Cowan was feeling sore? Well, do you suppose he'd be mean enough to--to--"
"By thunder!" muttered Paul. Then: "No, I don't believe that Cowan would do a thing like that. I don't think he's a--a traitor!"
"Well, you know him better than I do," said Neil, "and I dare say you're right. Only--only I wish we could be certain."
"I'll find him," answered Paul determinedly. "You wait here for me; or, no, I may have to hunt; I'll see you at lunch. I'll find out all right."
He was off on the instant. As he had told Neil, he didn't believe that Cowan would reveal secrets to Brill or any other of the Robinson people; but--well, he realized that Cowan was feeling very much aggrieved, and that he might in his present state of mind do what in a saner moment he would not consider. At the drug-store he was told that Cowan had left a few minutes before. The only place that Paul could think of where Cowan was likely to be was his room, so thither he went. He found the deposed guard engaged in replacing certain of his pictures and ornaments which had been taken down.
"Hello!" he said. "Thought you'd cut my acquaintance too."
"Nonsense," answered Paul, "I've been trying to find you ever since last night. Where've you been?"
"Oh, just knocking around. I got back late last night."
"I was afraid you had left college. You know you said you might."