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 principal 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 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