"There is such a person as Thomas Barron. The facts contained in the letters are essentially true."
"Then no investigation is necessary," replied Somers, with a feeling of relief.
"None whatever; to-morrow I will see that the poor fellow is sent to the hospital, and his mother provided for."
Mr. Pillgrim, after again recommending a glass of whiskey, took his leave, and Somers finished his paper. He went to bed, and in spite of the fact that he had drank no whiskey, his nerves were quiet, and he dropped asleep like a good Christian, with a prayer in his heart for the "loved ones at home" and elsewhere.
The next morning, though he was still quite sore, and his head felt heavier than usual, he was in much better condition, physically, than could have been expected. After breakfast, as he sat in the parlor of the hotel, he was accosted by a gentleman in blue clothes, with a very small cap on his head.
"An officer of the navy, I perceive," said the stranger, courteously.
"How are you, Langdon?" was the thought, but not the reply, of Somers.
CHAPTER VI.
LIEUTENANT WYNKOOP, R. N.