"I shall satisfy myself on that point by another visit to the house. If I find there is such a person there, I shall be satisfied."
Just then it occurred to Somers that Coles might have seen him while he was insensible, and was already aware that his scheme had miscarried. He questioned Pillgrim, therefore, in regard to the persons in the bar-room when he entered. From the answers received he satisfied himself that the conspirators had departed before the "row" in the front room occurred.
"Now, Somers, I am going down to that house again before I sleep," said the lieutenant. "This time, I shall take my revolver. Will you go with me?"
"I don't feel exactly able to go out again to-night. My head doesn't feel just right," replied Somers, who, however, had other reasons for keeping his room, the principal of which was the fear that he might meet Coles there, and that, by some accident, his presence in the front room during the conference might be disclosed.
"I think you are right, Somers. You had better keep still to-night," said Pillgrim. "Shall I send you up anything?"
"A glass of Bourbon whiskey would do you good. It would quiet your nerves, and put you to sleep."
"Perhaps it would, but I shall lie awake on those terms."
"Don't be bigoted, my dear fellow. Of course I prescribe the whiskey as a medicine."
"Let them kick, if nothing but whiskey will quiet them," laughed Somers. "Seriously, Mr. Pillgrim, I am very much obliged to you for your kindness, and for your interest in me; but I think I shall be better without the whiskey than with it."
"As you please, Somers. If you are up when I return, I will tell you what I find at the house."
"Thank you; I will leave my door unfastened."
Mr. Pillgrim left the room to make his perilous examination of the locality of his friend's misfortunes. Somers walked the apartment, nervous and excited, considering the events of the evening. He then seated himself, and carefully wrote out the statement of Coles in regard to the Ben Nevis, and the method by which he purposed to operate in getting her to sea as a Confederate cruiser, with extended memoranda of all the conversation to which he had listened. Before he had finished this task, Lieutenant Pillgrim returned.