“I believe we have now all the facts before us, as far as they can be ascertained; and, while they do not by any means exculpate you, they throw a somewhat more favorable light upon your motives. You had no right, however, to take the law in your own hands, as you did in this undertaking, and you cannot free yourself from a share of the responsibility for what occurred.” “But the cannons, sir,” urged Ray. “They were ours, and they had been stolen from us.” “The cannons belong to the college,” said Dr. Drayton severely, “and the college authorities were the proper persons to take steps in the matter. We had already begun action for their recovery when this disorderly demonstration took place.” Ray had nothing more to say. “Young gentlemen, you may go now,” continued the president. “You will please present yourselves at my house this evening, when I will acquaint you with the action of the faculty in this matter.” We bowed, and were shown out of the room by Mr. Dikes. CHAPTER XIV THE PENALTY No sooner were we outside than Ray turned to me and laid his hand on my shoulder. “Forgive me, Harry, for doubting you a single moment,” he said. “Certainly,” I answered; “I don’t wonder at your doubts, for appearances were dead against me.” “What was I to think?” he continued. “The only evidence for summoning me was the match box which I had given you. Then when Dr. Drayton spoke about information obtained from you, what could I――――” “Oh, don’t mention it again,” I broke in. “It disturbed me enough at the time to think that you suspected me of such meanness. It is all right now, so let it go.” “I owe you a thousand apologies,” he said. “Well, I’ll give you a receipted bill of them, and call it square,” I answered, laughing. “The question that agitates me most just at this moment, is what are the ‘potent, grave, and reverend signiors’ inside there going to do with us.” “I give it up,” answered Ray. “It is unfortunate all around. Here we are, the least offending in the lot, hauled up to be made examples of, while scapegraces like Percy Randall go at large, as if they were spotless innocents. I could wring his neck for getting us into this fix.” “The faculty seem to be disposed to favor us somewhat,” I said, as I recalled Dr. Drayton’s words. Ray shook his head. “We can’t get much encouragement, I fear, from that. It only means that we won’t be expelled for good, as we would have been, undoubtedly, if we had been ringleaders.” It was with anxious hearts that we awaited the hour to go to Dr. Drayton’s house. I did not go to dinner. I had no appetite, and I did not care to face a club of noisy companions in my present mood. About a quarter of eight o’clock Ray came to my room, where I was pacing the floor impatiently, and we went over to the president’s residence.