"Am I to understand that you discharge me, Mr. Lowington?" demanded the professor.
"I intimated that I was ready to accept your resignation."
"Well, sir, I am not ready to offer my resignation."
"Then you compel me to take the next step. I object to your remaining on board another day."
"I was engaged for a year."
"With the proviso that we were mutually satisfied. A fortnight ago you tendered your resignation, without regard to the engagement. If I had understood your relations with the students as well then as I do now, I should have accepted it."
Mr. Hamblin began to "subside." He had pretty thoroughly convinced himself that the institution could not be carried on without him; and, since the principal had once objected to accepting his resignation, he had felt that his position was secure. While he was considering the matter, Mr. Lowington went on deck, and investigated the plot to keelhaul the professor. The conspirators had talked over the matter during his absence, and had come to the conclusion that the truth would serve them best. They were shrewd enough to see that there was a rupture between the principal and the savant.
Perth, as spokesman for the party, confessed that they knew Mr. Hamblin was listening to them; that they intended he should hear the plot, which they had not designed to execute; that it was only a trick to annoy him.
"Was Captain Kendall concerned in it?" asked Mr. Lowington.
"No, sir," shouted the whole party.