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Page 73
"Shuffles told you so!" exclaimed Adler. "How did he know?"
"I don't know? I believe the parson told him last night, when he was in
the brig."
"Why didn't you say so then?" demanded Sanborn. "You have got us into a
pretty scrape! That is the reason why Shuffles wouldn't play himself."
"Yes, he said it was; but I didn't believe Lowington knew anything about
it; I don't see how he could. He walked in here as straight as though he
had been sent for, and knew just where to go," said Wilton.
"Of course he did: you say Shuffles told you Lowington knew all about
it; and I suppose he has been on the watch to find some fellows at it so
as to make an example of them."
"That's the whole of it. We might as well throw the props overboard
now."
Mr. Lowington returned to the cabin, where he had left Paul Kendall. He
was sadly disturbed by the discovery he had made, for he had no
suspicion before that any of his pupils had made so much progress in
vice. He knew what a terrible evil gambling was among men; that it was
the forerunner of dissipation and crime; and he felt the responsibility
which rested upon him as a guardian and instructor of youth.
"Mr. Kendall, your information was correct; and I commend the zeal you
have displayed in bringing this fearful evil to light. How happened you
to discover it?"
"I had a hint from a source which I would rather not mention," replied
the second lieutenant, with some embarrassment.
"Indeed!"
"Yes, sir; one of the students, who berths in the steerage, happened
accidentally to let it out."
Paul said "accidentally," because he believed that Shuffles had been
betrayed into the revelation by their former intimacy.
"And he does not wish to be regarded as an informer," added the
principal.
"No, sir; after he had excited my curiosity, he told me where I could
find the gamblers at play."
"I understand his position, precisely," said Mr. Lowington; "and I will
not ask his name. The information proves to be painfully correct, and
there appears to have been no malice in giving it."
"No, sir; I don't think there was: indeed, I know there was not," added
Paul, when he considered that Wilton and the other gamblers were
Shuffles' intimate companions.
"This is a very serious matter, Mr. Kendall," repeated the principal,
thoughtfully.
"I think it is, sir; that is the reason why I came to you, instead of
going to the captain."
"Perhaps it is better that you did so, on the whole," replied Mr.
Lowington. "It has enabled me to see the evil for myself. Have you any
views in regard to what should be done, Mr. Kendall?"
The principal often asked the opinion of the officers concerning similar
matters under discussion, perhaps in order to teach them self-respect,
rather than with the expectation of obtaining valuable suggestions from
them.
"I think there should be stricter discipline in the mess rooms, sir,"
replied Paul, blushing to have his opinion asked. "The fellows----"
"The students, you mean," interposed the principal.
"Excuse me, sir," added Paul, blushing deeper than before at this gentle
rebuke.
The boys had a language of their own, which was not tolerated by the
faculty when it ran into coarseness and slang.
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