This strong speech looked like the dawn of reason to Mr. Hamblin, and he hastened to produce his evidence. The letter and several exercises written by Paul were first placed on the cabin table, to enable Mr. Lowington to compare the penmanship.
"There is a strong similarity in them, I grant; but they are all written in the common school-boy hand of the United States," added the principal.
"There is a stronger resemblance than that. The capital A's are the same; the small r's are identical."
"But the small a's are different."
"Doubtless he disguised his hand to some extent."
"Is this all the proof you have?" asked Mr. Lowington, somewhat relieved.
"No, sir," replied the professor, triumphantly, as he exhibited the paper he had taken from Paul's state-room, which was different from any he had been able to find in either vessel. "The paper is identical, you perceive."
"I see that it is."
"And no other student has such paper."
"The ship has provided paper for the students, but none like this," said Mr. Lowington, with a sigh.