"Mr. Pillgrim, I am no traitor; you know this as well as I do. Whatever papers I took from your friend Langdon, alias Wynkoop, were taken with a view to serve my country."
"You signed the oath of allegiance he offered you."
"It is false!" replied Somers, angrily.
"Be calm, Mr. Somers. I am no hypocrite, as you are," added Pillgrim. "I have heard that you have a talent for overhearing other people's conversation."
"In the service of my country I am willing to do even this," said Somers, indignantly.
"No matter about that. You have hinted that I am a traitor."
"If the hint is not sufficient, I declare that such is the fact."
Somers was roused to a high pitch of excitement, and he was not as prudent as he was wont to be. He was not playing a part now; he was talking and acting as he wanted to talk and act. He was calling treason and treachery by their right names.
"Explain, Mr. Somers," said Pillgrim, who grew cooler as his companion became hotter.
"You are in league with the enemies of your country. You and others have just started a steamer for St. John, which you intend to fit out as a Confederate cruiser—the Ben Nevis, of which you and your fellow-conspirators did me the honor to give me the command."