Perhaps he can--ah--explain." When, however, Cowan faced the group of grave-faced men it was soon evident that explanations were far from his thoughts.

He had heard enough before the summons reached him to enable him to surmise what awaited him, and when Professor Nast explained their purpose in calling him before them, Cowan only displayed what purported to be honest indignation.

He stormed violently against the Robinson authorities and defied them to prove their charge.

Mills listened a while impatiently and then interrupted him abruptly.
"Do you deny the charge, Cowan, or don't you ?" he asked.
"I refuse to reply to it," answered Cowan angrily.

"Let them think what they want to; I'm not responsible to them.