Neil heard and came over, and the three stood and talked for a few minutes.  Mr. Brill seemed well pleased with the football outlook.

“I’ll wager you gentlemen will regret not coming to us after to-day’s game is over,” he laughed.  “I hear you’ve got something up your sleeve.”

“We have,” said Neil.

“So I heard.  What’s the nature of it?”

“It’s muscle,” answered Neil gravely.

The coach laughed.  “Of course, if it’s a secret, I don’t want to hear it.  But I think you’re safe to get beaten, secret or no secret, eh?”

“Nonsense!” said Paul.  “You won’t know what struck you when we get through with you.”

Mr. Brill laughed good-naturedly but didn’t look alarmed.

“By the way,” he said, “I saw one of your players a while ago—­Cowan—­the fellow we protested.  He seemed rather sore.”

“Where was he?” asked Paul eagerly.

“In a drug-store down there toward the next corner.  Have your coaches found a good man for his place?”

“Oh, yes, it wasn’t hard to fill,” answered Neil.  “Witter’s got it.”

“Witter?  I don’t think I’ve heard of him.”

“No, he’s not famous—­yet; you’ll know him better later on.”

Paul was plainly anxious to go in search of Cowan, and so they bade the Robinson coach good-by.  Out on the sidewalk Neil turned a troubled face toward his friend.

“Say, Paul, Cowan knows all about the ‘antidote,’ doesn’t he?”

“Why, yes, I suppose so; he’s seen it played.”

“And he knows the signals, too, eh?”

“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?”