"Captain Kendall!" groaned Mr. Lowington, striking his bewildered head with both hands. "Good Heaven! I am responsible for this!"
"What is the matter, Mr. Lowington?" demanded the astonished professor.
"What did you say about Captain Kendall?" asked the principal, catching at the straw which the learned gentleman's question seemed to hold out to him.
"I prefer to speak to you alone about it, Mr. Lowington," added the professor, glancing at the group of officers and instructors that were gathering around him. "I will endeavor to control my emotions in stating this unpleasant business."
Mr. Lowington, apparently happy to have even a moment's respite from the grief and gloom which must follow the sad intelligence of the loss of Captain Kendall, led the way to the professors' cabin.
"Now, sir, what is it? Let me know the worst!" exclaimed the principal, dropping upon the sofa like a man whose strength had all been taken from him. "I have been dreading it for many long and weary hours."
"Dreading it?" repeated the confused professor. "Dreading what, sir?"
"That the Josephine had suffered severely in the storm," replied the principal, impatiently. "You have come to tell me that Captain Kendall was lost overboard?" And Mr. Lowington heaved a long sigh.
"No, sir," protested Mr. Hamblin.
"Didn't you say that a very unpleasant affair had happened on board?" demanded the principal, eagerly.