In the mean time Shuffles grew worse instead of better.  Finding that he could have his own way, that the principal was no match for him, his influence for evil was stronger than Mr. Baird’s for good.  The worthy schoolmaster had finally resolved to expel his troublesome student, when Mr. Lowington one day surprised him by offering to buy out the Academy at a price far exceeding its value.  He gladly accepted the offer as the best solution of the problem, and the naval officer became principal of the Brockway Academy.

Mr. Lowington did not expel the refractory pupil at once.  He waited for an overt act; but Shuffles found the anaconda of authority tightening upon him.  He attempted to vindicate himself before his fellow-students by setting fire to a haystack on the marsh, belonging to the new principal.  A searching investigation followed, and Shuffles was convicted.  Mr. Lowington wrote to the boy’s father, announcing his expulsion.  Mr. Shuffles went to Brockway full of wrath, and threatened the new head of the institution with the loss of a large number of his scholars if he disgraced his son by expelling him.  If the boy had done wrong,—­and he supposed he had,—­let him be talked to; let him be confined to his room for a day or two; but he must not be expelled; it was a disgrace to the boy.

The principal was as firm as a rock, and Mr. Shuffles was calm when he found that threats were unavailing.  Mr. Lowington pointed out to his visitor the perils which lay in the path of his son.  Mr. Shuffles began to be reasonable, and dined with the principal.  A long and earnest consideration of the whole matter took place over the dessert.  The fiat of expulsion was revoked, and young Shuffles was turned over to the ex-naval officer, with full power to discipline him as he thought best.  Mr. Lowington had converted the father, and he hoped he should be able to convert the son.

After dinner, Mr. Shuffles went down the bay with his host in the yacht.  On the way they passed the school ship Massachusetts, to which boys are sentenced by the courts for crime and vagrancy, and on board of which they are disciplined and educated.  Mr. Lowington explained the institution to his guest.

“An excellent idea,” said Mr. Shuffles.

“It is just the place for your son,” replied Mr. Lowington.

“But it is for criminals.”

“Very true.”

“Robert is not a criminal.”

“If he is not now, he soon will be, if he continues in his present course.  If I had him on shipboard, I could make a man of him.”

“Then I wish you had him on shipboard.”

“Perhaps I may yet,” replied the principal, with a smile.  “I did not purchase the Academy with the intention of becoming a pedagogue, in the ordinary sense of the word.  I have no intention of remaining in it.”

“I hope you will.”

“I have been thinking of fitting up a vessel like the school ship, that rich men’s sons may have the benefit of such an institution without the necessity of committing a crime.  I could do more for the boys in a month on board ship than I could in a year at Brockway.”