Some one stamped up the steps and entered the front door. Foster looked questioningly at Neil.
"Cowan?" he whispered. Neil nodded.
Foster sprang to the study door and threw it open. The light from the room fell on the white and angry countenance of the right-guard.
"Cowan," said Foster, "for heaven's sake, man, tell us about it! Is it all right?"
But Tom Cowan only glared as he passed on up the stairs.
CHAPTER XVII
A PLAN AND A CONFESSION
Robinson's protest set forth succinctly that Cowan had, three years previous, played left tackle on the football team of a certain academy--whose right to the title of academy was often questioned--and had received money for his services. Dates and other particulars were liberally supplied, and the name and address of the captain of the team were given. Altogether, the letter was discouragingly convincing, and neither the coaches, the captain, nor the athletic officers really doubted the truth of the charge.
Professor Nast, the chairman of the Athletic Committee, blinked gravely through his glasses and looked about the room.