"I am entirely prepared to speak, sir."
"Complaints against superior officers, Mr. Somers, are rather dangerous."
"It is not personal, sir, though I may be the sufferer for making it."
Mr. Hackleford led the way down to the ward-room. The officers had retired to their apartments, and there was no one to see them enter the state-room. As it was now nearly ten o'clock, when all officers' lights must be extinguished, Somers formally asked and obtained permission to burn his lamp till eleven o'clock. The first lieutenant entered the room, and Somers closed the door.
"Mr. Hackleford, may I trouble you to read this statement?" said Somers, as he handed out the paper he had so carefully prepared.
The first lieutenant adjusted his eye-glass, and read the statement through, asking an explanation of two or three points as he proceeded. He was deeply absorbed in the narrative, which was drawn up with the utmost minuteness.
"This is an infernal scheme, Mr. Somers. I hope you did not permit the vessel to sail without giving information of her character."
"The Ben Nevis sailed from New York before I could do anything or say a word," said Somers, exhibiting Langdon's letter.
"That was bad. You should have spoken before."
"My paper explains my reasons for keeping still. Perhaps I was wrong, sir, but I did the best I knew how."