Part 32 (2/2)
”If you have any doubt about the fact, sir, I hope you will take measures to satisfy yourself at once, for I think the students are still there.”
”I will, Mr. Kendall; remain in this cabin, if you please, until my return,” added the princ.i.p.al, as he moved towards the door.
”You must be careful when you approach them, sir, for the gamblers are very sly.”
Mr. Lowington pa.s.sed from the professors' cabin into the steerage, and proceeding to the entrance of No. 8, he paused to listen. He heard the whispered conversation about the stakes, and ”nicks,” ”browners” and ”outs.” The gamblers were by this time highly excited by the game, and had not only become imprudent, but absolutely reckless, so intense was the fascination of their employment. Suddenly, but with a light step, he entered the mess room. Wilton sat in the berth, while his companions occupied stools outside and their heads were close together.
Mr. Lowington took Adler by the collar of his frock with one hand, and Sanborn with the other, just as Wilton had thrown the props upon the bed. With a vigorous jerk, he tossed them back upon the floor, so as to obtain a full view of the stakes and the gambling implements. The culprits were astounded at this sudden descent upon them; but before they could comprehend the situation fully, the princ.i.p.al turned upon his heel, and left the room without a word of astonishment or censure.
”We're in for it now,” said Wilton, as his companions picked themselves up from the floor, and gazed at each other with a sheepish look.
”That's so,” replied Sanborn.
”We shall catch it,” added Adler.
”We shall find out how the inside of the brig looks, in my opinion,”
continued Wilton. ”I was a fool to play here, right in the steerage.
Shuffles told me that Lowington smelt a mice, and would make a row about this thing.”
”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 sc.r.a.pe! 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 embarra.s.sment.
”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 princ.i.p.al.
”No, sir; after he had excited my curiosity, he told me where I could find the gamblers at play.”
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