"I think we shall be wanted by to-morrow or next day," replied Somers, who could not help seeing that the eye of his superior officer was fixed on the commander's commission, which lay open before him. "Indeed! I am glad to know this, for I had made up my mind to go to New York in the morning. Of course I shall not go." "Sit down, Mr.--Really, sir, you must excuse me, but I have forgotten your name," said Mr. Wynkoop. "Lieutenant Pillgrim--at your service. It is not very surprising that you should forget it, since we have met but once; not half so surprising as that I should force myself into your rooms, on so short an acquaintance." "Don't mention it, my dear fellow. We sailors are brothers all over the world. Sit down, and take a glass of sherry with me. It's a capital wine--made two voyages to India." "Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop; I merely called to invite you to spend the evening with me. I have a plan that will use up two or three hours very pleasantly." "Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim. You are a friend in need, and a friend indeed." "I see that you and Mr. Somers have business, and I will take my leave." "I should be happy to have you remain, but if you will not, I will join you in half an hour in the reading-room. Better sit down, and wait here." "I will not interrupt your business with Mr. Somers," replied Lieutenant Pillgrim, again glancing curiously at the documents on the table. Greatly to the relief of Somers, his fellow-officer left the room. This visit had been a most unfortunate one, for the lieutenant could not have avoided seeing the nature of the papers on the table. But as Somers was a true and loyal man, his conscience accused him of no wrong, and he had no fears in regard to the result. This revelation simply imposed upon him the necessity of making Mr. Pillgrim his confidant, which he proposed to do at the first convenient opportunity. "You think you will not sign the oath to-night, Mr. Somers?" said his companion. "It had better be deferred," replied Somers, as he folded up the commission, and put it in his pocket, regarding it as the most important evidence in his possession against Coles, and a sufficient confirmation of the truth of the statement he had so carefully written out the night before. "Suit yourself, Somers. We shall not differ about these small matters," added Wynkoop, as he folded up the oath, and put it in his pocket. "By the way, Somers, what do you think of our friend Pillgrim?" "He is a fine fellow, and I am told he is a good officer. I was not aware that you knew him." "I have only met him once, just as I met you. How do you think he stands affected towards our cause?" "Not well." "So I feared." "He is a loyal man, though a Virginian." "Do you think I could make anything of him?" "I am satisfied you could not."