"It was possible before."
"Nothing but an accident could have defeated my plan before. Everything worked to my satisfaction, and I was sure of success."
"But you failed."
"I shall not fail again."
"I hope not."
"Then believe I shall not," retorted Coles, apparently irritated by the doubts and fears of his companion.
"It is not safe to believe too much," added Langdon, with a kind of chuckle, whose force Somers could hardly understand; "you believed too much before."
"I have been more cautious this time, and I wouldn't give anybody five per cent. to insure the venture."
Somers was becoming very impatient to hear the particulars of the plan, for he was in momentary fear of being summoned to the bedside of the wounded sailor. Coles was most provokingly deliberate in the discussion of his treasonable project; but when the naval officer considered that the conversation was not especially intended for him, he did not very severely censure the conspirators for their tardiness.
"I don't understand what your plan is," said Langdon.