human
You did it on purpose--did you? repeated the _savant_.
gpt
May I ask why you did it?
human
The fellows didn't like you, and were bound to get you out of the Josephine,
gpt
The fellows! exclaimed Mr. Hamblin.
human
Were there others concerned in this iniquitous transaction?
gpt
More than a dozen of them.
human
Did you write the letter to me which purported to come from the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs?
gpt
No, sir.
human
Who did?
gpt
I don't know, sir.
human
You don't know! Don't lie to me,
gpt
I do not.
human
I know,
gpt
McDougal, you say that a dozen boys were concerned in your proceedings. Who were they?
human
I would rather not tell, sir. I am willing to own up to all I did myself.
gpt
You hear that, Mr. Lowington?
human
Of course I hear it, Mr. Hamblin, replied the principal, impatiently.
gpt
You may leave, McDougal.
human
Leave, sir!
gpt
Go, McDougal; and he went.
human
You said you knew who wrote the fictitious letter, sir.
gpt
I do.
human
Who was it?
gpt
Mr. Lowington, if that boy you sent away had told the whole truth, he would have confessed that Mr. Kendall was at the bottom of all these infamous proceedings.
human
Captain Kendall!
gpt
Yes, sir; especially the plan to throw me into the water. When I demanded a boat, I mentioned the gig. It was refused. Why? Because the crew of the first cutter had been instructed to tip me overboard! It is very strange that no one but myself has been able to understand the vicious intentions of the boys.
human
The gig is the captain's boat. The regulations require the captain to give the professors the first cutter,
gpt
I was not aware of it at the time; but I am satisfied that the crew of the first cutter had been instructed to pitch me into the river.
human
If they were, you were very obliging to assist them as you did, added the principal.
gpt
But go on. Do you suppose Captain Kendall instructed McDougal to drench you with water?
human
Very likely.
gpt
And then inflicted the severest punishment upon him for doing it? It is absurd! That was the third and last offence. The captain put an end to these tricks by his well-timed energy, and I am sure he had no part or lot in them. Do you think he got some one to write the letter to you?
human
No, sir; I think he did it himself,
gpt
I am not willing to believe it.
human
I am prepared to prove it, sir.
gpt
If Kendall has been guilty of such conduct,--if it can be shown that he wrote the letter, or that he knew of its being written,--I will not only suspend him, but I will reduce him to a common sailor, and confine him in the brig,