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found Nuggy Polk in another portion of the cabin, reading one of the books belonging to the ship's library.

"Come to our state-room," he said. "I have something important to tell you."

"What about?"

"About Gilbert Pennington."

Nuggy arose at once, and followed his companion to the state-room which had been assigned to them. The quarters were cramped; but they were much better than those occupied by the soldiers, who slept in long rows of canvas cots, suspended between uprights of "gas-piping," as the supports were commonly called. Only the colonel and the majors had private compartments: even the captains slept with their men.

When Nuggy heard what his chum had to tell, his face grew dark and full of bitter hatred.