"I am lost," groaned Somers.
"No, you are not. Sign, and you have found fortune and a friend."
"I dare not sign."
"You dare not refuse."
Somers walked up and down the state-room, apparently in great mental agony.
"Shall I sign?" said he, in a loud tone, as though he were speaking to the empty air.
"Not so loud, man!" interposed Pillgrim, angrily.
At that instant two light raps were distinctly heard.
"What's that?" demanded the traitor, greatly alarmed.
"I will sign it," promptly added Somers, to whom the two raps seemed to be perfectly intelligible.