"Neither do I."
"Did you find out whether there was any such person at the house as Tom Barron?"
"The woman at the bar told me there was a wounded sailor there whose description answered to that contained in the letter."
"So she told me. Did you see him?"
"No."
"I did not; and between you and me, I don't believe there is any Tom Barron there, or anywhere else. This business must be investigated," said Pillgrim, very decidedly.
Somers did not wish it to be investigated. He was utterly opposed to an investigation, for he was fearful, if the matter should be "ventilated," that more would be shown than he was willing to have exhibited at the present time; in other words, Coles would find out that his enterprising scheme had been exposed to a third person.
"I don't care to be mixed up in any revelations of low life, Mr. Pillgrim; and, as I have lost nothing, and the hard knocks I received were given under a mistake, I think I would rather let the matter rest just where it is."
"Very natural for a young man of your style," laughed the lieutenant. "You are afraid the people of Pinchbrook will read in the papers that Mr. Somers has been in bad places."
"They might put a wrong construction on the case," replied Somers, willing to have his reasons for avoiding an investigation as strong as possible.