Part 32 (1/2)
”You are right. My father, for one, wouldn't let me stay on board a single day, if he knew any of the boys were gamblers.”
”It can be easily stopped, now you know about it,” added Shuffles.
”Perhaps it can. I will inform Mr. Lowington at once.”
”Remember, if you please, what I said, Mr. Kendall. I am willing to do a good thing for the s.h.i.+p; but you know how much I should have to suffer, if it were known that I gave the information. I didn't mean to blow on my s.h.i.+pmates; but you and I have been so intimate in the after cabin, that I spoke before I was aware what I was about,” continued Shuffles.
”I shall not willingly betray you.”
”Willingly! What do you mean by that?” demanded the conspirator, startled by the words of the officer.
”Suppose Mr. Lowington should ask me where I obtained my information,”
suggested Paul.
”Didn't you see for yourself in No. 8?”
”He might ask what led me to examine the matter so particularly. But, Shuffles, I will tell him honestly that I do not wish to inform him who gave me the hint; and I am quite sure he will not press the matter, when he finds that the facts are correct.”
”Don't mention my name on any account,” added Shuffles. ”It was mean of me to say anything; but the s.h.i.+p was going to ruin, and I'm rather glad I spoke, though I didn't intend to do so.”
”I will make it all right, Shuffles,” replied Paul, as he descended the cabin steps.
Mr. Lowington was in the main cabin, and the second lieutenant knocked at the door. He was readily admitted, and invited to take a seat, for the princ.i.p.al was as polite to the young gentlemen as though they had been his equals in age and rank.
”I would like to speak with you alone, if you please, sir,” Paul began, glancing at the cabin steward, who was at work in the pantry.
”Come into my state room,” said the princ.i.p.al, leading the way.
”I hope your business does not relate to the discipline of the s.h.i.+p,”
continued Mr. Lowington, when they were seated, and the door of the room was closed. ”If it does, you should have applied to the captain.”
”This is a peculiar case, sir, and I obtained my information while off duty,” replied Paul, with some embarra.s.sment; for he had thought of communicating his startling discovery to Captain Gordon, and had only been deterred from doing so by the fear of betraying Shuffles.
”I will hear what you have to say.”
”There is something very bad going on in the steerage,” said Paul, seriously.
”Indeed! What is it?” asked the princ.i.p.al, full of interest and anxiety.
”Gambling, sir.”
”Gambling!” repeated Mr. Lowington, his brow contracting.
Paul made no reply; and he expected to be asked how he had obtained the startling information.
”Are you quite sure of what you say, Mr. Kendall?”
”Yes, sir, I am. In mess room No. 8, there are three or four students now engaged in gambling. I stood at the door long enough to find out what they were doing.”
”This is serious, Mr. Kendall.”