Somers returned to active duty as soon as he had reported to the first lieutenant of the Chatauqua, and he had the deck in the first dog watch on the day of his arrival. During the afternoon watch he had had plenty of time to report the incidents of his cruise in the Ben Nevis. Mr. Hackleford had immediately communicated to the captain the facts concerning Pillgrim's letter, and the recreant lieutenant's papers had been carefully overhauled in search of anything which would shed a ray of light upon the statements of the strange letter. The only document which looked at all hopeful was a note written in cipher, to which there was no key among the papers. If the communication had been in Chinese or Chaldaic, there might have been a chance of unravelling it; as it was, the note was written in arbitrary characters, which were as cabalistic and unintelligible as the Egyptian hieroglyphics. Somers was annoyed and discomfited, for he had confidently reckoned upon finding some letter which contained a hint to guide him. There was nothing but this note in cipher. To add to his chagrin, Mr. Hackleford was utterly sceptical in regard to Pillgrim's letter--did not believe the first word of it--called it "gas," and declared that it would be stupid and childish to pay the least attention to the document. Captain Cascabel fully concurred with him in this opinion, and both of them laughed at Somers for bestowing a second thought upon it. "Nonsense! Mr. Somers!" exclaimed the first lieutenant. "There isn't a single scintillation of truth in the story. If there were even a glimmering of reality in the thing, I would look into it." "But Mr. Pillgrim told me some truth in regard to the Ben Nevis," argued Somers. "That is the best reason in the world for believing he has not done so in this instance," said Mr. Hackleford. "I suppose I must give up the idea, then." "You must, indeed. If you don't, I am afraid your reputation for common sense and good judgment will suffer." "Will you allow me to take this letter in cipher, and keep it till to-morrow?" asked Somers. "Certainly." Somers took the letter, and put it into his pocket until he had an opportunity to study its mystic characters. He was mortified by the rebuff he had received, but his faith, though somewhat shaken, was not destroyed. He was officer of the deck from four till six. Just before he was relieved, he ordered the side to be manned to receive the captain, who was just returning from a visit to the flag-ship. As he touched his cap to Captain Cascabel, he noticed a smile on his commander's face, which seemed to relate to him, and he blushed beneath the pleasant, but expressive glance bestowed upon him. "Mr. Somers," said the captain. The officer of the deck stepped forward, and saluted the commander again. "You are invited to dine with Admiral Farragut to-morrow afternoon." "I, sir!" exclaimed Somers, completely overwhelmed by this remarkable declaration.