"Yes, sir, I am. In mess room No. 8, there are three or four students now engaged in gambling. I stood at the door long enough to find out what they were doing."
"This is serious, Mr. Kendall."
"If you have any doubt about the fact, sir, I hope you will take measures to satisfy yourself at once, for I think the students are still there."
"I will, Mr. Kendall; remain in this cabin, if you please, until my return," added the principal, as he moved towards the door.
"You must be careful when you approach them, sir, for the gamblers are very sly."
Mr. Lowington passed from the professors' cabin, into the steerage, 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.