"Not half so grave as those you made against me," replied Somers. "Those can be proved." "I made no charges. I only mentioned the name of your friend Langdon." "I don't know him," added Pillgrim, doggedly. "I beg your pardon, as you did mine, just now." "Which means that you doubt my word." "As you did mine." "Somers, I am not to be trifled with," said Pillgrim, sternly. "Neither am I." "Be cautious, or I will denounce you to the captain at once," added the lieutenant, in low and threatening tones. "Proceed, and then I shall be at liberty to take the next step." "What's that?" "Do you think I intend to show you my hand?" said Somers, with a meaning smile. Pillgrim bit his lip with vexation. He seemed to be completely cornered. He evidently believed that his companion knew more than "the law allows." "Mr. Pillgrim, I am no traitor; you know this as well as I do. Whatever papers I took from your friend Langdon, _alias_ Wynkoop, were taken with a view to serve my country." "You signed the oath of allegiance he offered you." "It is false!" replied Somers, angrily. "Be calm, Mr. Somers. I am no hypocrite, as you are," added Pillgrim. "I have heard that you have a talent for overhearing other people's conversation." "In the service of my country I am willing to do even this," said Somers, indignantly. "No matter about that. You have hinted that I am a traitor." "If the hint is not sufficient, I declare that such is the fact." Somers was roused to a high pitch of excitement, and he was not as prudent as he was wont to be. He was not playing a part now; he was talking and acting as he wanted to talk and act. He was calling treason and treachery by their right names. "Explain, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, who grew cooler as his companion became hotter. "You are in league with the enemies of your country. You and others have just started a steamer for St. John, which you intend to fit out as a Confederate cruiser--the Ben Nevis, of which you and your fellow-conspirators did me the honor to give me the command." Pillgrim smiled blandly. "And you accepted the command?" "For a purpose, I did." "You have not explained why you connect me with this affair. You spoke of some one whom you call Langdon. I don't know him." "You--do!" "Prove it." "He addresses a note to you, calling you 'my dear Pillgrim,' and signs himself, familiarly, 'Langdon.'" "Then you have been reading my letters--have you?" "It was addressed to me, and put in my box at the hotel." The second lieutenant turned pale, then red. He walked up and down the state-room several times in silence. He could not deny the fact alleged. While he walked, Somers explained how he had read the note, and then put it back in the box. Pillgrim understood it. "Of course you know Coles," continued Somers, placing a heavy emphasis on the name of this worthy.