They left the state-room together, and the first lieutenant ordered the ship's company to be piped to quarters. Without any definite explanation, the principal directed all the students to bring their stock of stationery on deck, and they passed in review before him, exhibiting the quality of their paper. At the same time Mr. Stoute searched the steerage for any which might have been concealed. If any student had purchased paper in Antwerp, it was not of the kind on which the forged letter had been written.
"Young gentlemen," said Mr. Lowington, mounting his rostrum, "a practical joke is the stupidest thing in the world, when perpetrated at the expense of the feelings of others. Some one has put such a joke upon Mr. Hamblin, the very last person in the world to appreciate this species of humor. One of your number is charged with the act."
"The old lunatic has laid it to the captain," whispered Terrill, who thus interpreted the mysterious proceedings of the principal and Paul.
"The particular kind of paper on which the letter to Mr. Hamblin was written is found only in the possession of that one student," continued the principal, with an emotion he could not wholly conceal. "I desire, if any of you have any information in regard to the note, that you will communicate it at once."
Mr. Lowington paused, and the boys looked blankly at each other. Even to them, at that moment, a practical joke seemed to be the stupidest thing in the world. There was a tremendous sensation among them; but no one volunteered to give the desired information.
"Young gentlemen, although the evidence in my possession is not sufficient to condemn the student charged with the offence, it is enough to justify grave suspicions, and I shall be under the painful necessity of suspending him, and sending him on board of the ship for further examination."
Paul was not half so much disturbed by this announcement as he had been by the trying scene with Mr. Hamblin, a few days before. It is the guilt, and not the loss of honor, the disgrace, which is hard to bear when one is charged with misconduct or crime. He stood with folded arms, submissive to the authority of the principal, and satisfied that the truth would prevail in the end.
"Who is he?" asked one of the students in a suppressed tone, when the silence became painful.
"Captain Kendall," replied the principal; and this name produced a tremendous thrill in the hearts of the ship's company.
"No, sir! No, sir!" shouted some of the students.