“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.

“What were you about to say, Mr. Kendall?” continued the principal, smiling at the confusion of the young officer.