“Mr. Elder, there was a riot among the students last night, which resulted, as you know, in the destruction of college property. It was conducted in a spirit of open revolt against our laws. Horns were blown, and the old cannons on the front campus were loaded and discharged, breaking a number of windows. Such culpable infringement of our rules has not been known in some time past, and we are determined to sift the matter to the bottom, and punish the offenders to the fullest extent of our laws. Proctor Murray reports that you were one of these offenders. Have you anything to say?” My voice trembled somewhat as I answered: “I was among the students on the campus last night.” “Proctor Murray reports that masks were worn. Is this true?” “Yes, sir.” “He also said you were an exception to this――that while the rest wore masks, you had none.” “I had no mask, sir. Knowing it to be against college laws, I refused to wear a mask.” “We are glad to know this in your favor, Mr. Elder. The charge against you, however, is serious enough. You were one of this disorderly crowd, and you were associated with all its doings last night.” “I was with them, sir,” I answered. There was a pause for a moment, while Dr. Drayton said something in a low tone to Mr. Dikes. The latter left the room for a few seconds. On returning, he made an affirmative sign to Dr. Drayton, and stood by the door as if awaiting directions. “Show him in,” said Dr. Drayton. I turned in surprise as the door again opened. Could it be that some one else had been caught? I could not avoid a slight sense of relief at the thought, for I was becoming terribly depressed in my endeavor to support alone the whole weight of professional dignity arrayed against me. The thought of companionship was extremely welcome to me. I was not kept long in doubt. I heard Mr. Dikes’ voice say, “This way, please.” A quick, firm step sounded in the outer office, the door was thrown wide open, and _Ray Wendell_ stood on the threshold. There was a mutual expression of surprised recognition between us, as he moved forward and stood beside me. Dr. Drayton’s tone was even more severe in addressing Ray than it had been to me. “Mr. Wendell,” he said, “you are here to answer a charge of a very grave character. You are charged with taking an active part in the disorderly disturbances last night.” Ray was perfectly calm. “And may I ask, sir, on what ground that charge is brought against me?” Dr. Drayton held up a small silver object which had been resting on his table, and which had escaped my notice. “This is your match box, I believe,” said the president. “Your name is upon it.” Ray started as he recognized the box, but recovered himself almost immediately. “Yes, sir. It is my match box,” he answered quietly. “It is, no doubt, from this box that the matches were taken to light the cannons last night,” continued Dr. Drayton, looking Ray steadily in the face. Ray said nothing.