"Indeed! I am glad to know this, for I had made up my mind to go to New York in the morning. Of course I shall not go."
"Sit down, Mr.—Really, sir, you must excuse me, but I have forgotten your name," said Mr. Wynkoop.
"Lieutenant Pillgrim—at your service. It is not very surprising that you should forget it, since we have met but once; not half so surprising as that I should force myself into your rooms, on so short an acquaintance."
"Don't mention it, my dear fellow. We sailors are brothers all over the world. Sit down, and take a glass of sherry with me. It's a capital wine—made two voyages to India."
"Excuse me, Mr. Wynkoop; I merely called to invite you to spend the evening with me. I have a plan that will use up two or three hours very pleasantly."
"Thank you, Mr. Pillgrim. You are a friend in need, and a friend indeed."
"I see that you and Mr. Somers have business, and I will take my leave."
"I should be happy to have you remain, but if you will not, I will join you in half an hour in the reading-room. Better sit down, and wait here."
"I will not interrupt your business with Mr. Somers," replied Lieutenant Pillgrim, again glancing curiously at the documents on the table.
Greatly to the relief of Somers, his fellow-officer left the room. This visit had been a most unfortunate one, for the lieutenant could not have avoided seeing the nature of the papers on the table. But as Somers was a true and loyal man, his conscience accused him of no wrong, and he had no fears in regard to the result. This revelation simply imposed upon him the necessity of making Mr. Pillgrim his confidant, which he proposed to do at the first convenient opportunity.