下载辰思小说免费APP
Heclimbedthestairs，thencheckedhimself，becausehehadseenwithintheshadowofamancastupononeofthewalls。Itwasashapeless，high-shoulderedshadowofsomebodystandingstill，withloweredhead，outofhislineofsight。TheCapataz，rememberingthathewastotallyunarmed，steppedaside，and，effacinghimselfuprightinadarkcorner，waitedwithhiseyesfixedonthedoor。
Thewholeenormousruinedbarrackofaplace，unfinished，withoutceilingunderitsloftyroof，waspervadedbythesmokeswayingtoandfrointhefaintcross-draughtsplayingintheobscurityofmanyloftyroomsandbarnlikepassages。Onceoneoftheswingingshutterscameagainstthewallwithasinglesharpcrack，asifpushedbyanimpatienthand。Apieceofpaperscurriedoutfromsomewhere，rustlingalongthelanding。Theman，whoeverhewas，didnotdarkenthelighteddoorway。TwicetheCapataz，advancingacoupleofstepsoutofhiscorner，cranedhisneckinthehopeofcatchingsightofwhathecouldbeat，soquietly，inthere。Buteverytimehesawonlythedistortedshadowofbroadshouldersandbowedhead。Hewasdoingapparentlynothing，andstirrednotfromthespot，asthoughheweremeditating——or，perhaps，readingapaper。Andnotasoundissuedfromtheroom。
OncemoretheCapatazsteppedback。Hewonderedwhoitwas——someMonterist?
Buthedreadedtoshowhimself。Todiscoverhispresenceonshore，unlessaftermanydays，would，hebelieved，endangerthetreasure。Withhisownknowledgepossessinghiswholesoul，itseemedimpossiblethatanybodyinSulacoshouldfailtojumpattherightsurmise。Afteracoupleofweeksorsoitwouldbedifferent。WhocouldtellhehadnotreturnedoverlandfromsomeportbeyondthelimitsoftheRepublic?Theexistenceofthetreasureconfusedhisthoughtswithapeculiarsortofanxiety，asthoughhislifehadbecomeboundupwithit。Itrenderedhimtimorousforamomentbeforethatenigmatic，lighteddoor。Deviltakethefellow！Hedidnotwanttoseehim。Therewouldbenothingtolearnfromhisface，knownorunknown。Hewasafooltowastehistimethereinwaiting。
LessthanfiveminutesafterenteringtheplacetheCapatazbeganhisretreat。Hegotawaydownthestairswithperfectsuccess，gaveoneupwardlookoverhisshoulderatthelightonthelanding，andranstealthilyacrossthehall。Butattheverymomenthewasturningoutofthegreatdoor，withhismindfixeduponescapingthenoticeofthemanupstairs，somebodyhehadnotheardcomingbrisklyalongthefrontranfullintohim。Bothmutteredastifledexclamationofsurprise，andleapedbackandstoodstill，eachindistincttotheother。Nostromowassilent。Theothermanspokefirst，inanamazedanddeadenedtone。
`Whoareyou?\'
AlreadyNostromohadseemedtorecognizeDrMonygham。Hehadnodoubtnow。Hehesitatedthespaceofasecond。Theideaofboltingwithoutawordpresenteditselftohismind。Nouse！Aninexplicablerepugnancetopronouncethenamebywhichhewasknownkepthimsilentalittlelonger。
Atlasthesaidinalowvoice:
`Acargador。\'
Hewalkeduptotheother。DrMonyghamhadreceivedashock。Heflunghisarmsupandcriedouthiswonderaloud，forgettinghimselfbeforethemarvelofthismeeting。Nostromoangrilywarnedhimtomoderatehisvoice。
TheCustomHousewasnotsodesertedasitlooked。Therewassomebodyinthelightedroomabove。
Thereisnomoreevanescentqualityinanaccomplishedfactthanitswonderfulness。Solicitedincessantlybytheconsiderationsaffectingitsfearsanddesires，thehumanmindturnsnaturallyawayfromthemarvelloussideofevents。Anditwasinthemostnaturalwaypossiblethatthedoctoraskedthismanwhomonlytwominutesbeforehebelievedtohavebeendrownedinthegulf:
`Youhaveseensomebodyupthere?Haveyou?\'
`No，Ihavenotseenhim。\'
`Thenhowdoyouknow?\'
`Iwasrunningawayfromhisshadowwhenwemet。\'
`Hisshadow?\'
`Yes。Hisshadowinthelightedroom，\'saidNostromo，inacontemptuoustone。Leaningbackwithfoldedarmsatthefootoftheimmensebuilding，hedroppedhishead，bitinghislipsslightly，andnotlookingatthedoctor。
`Now，\'hethoughttohimself，`hewillbeginaskingmeaboutthetreasure。\'
Butthedoctor\'sthoughtswereconcernedwithaneventnotasmarvellousasNostromo\'sappearance，butinitselfmuchlessclear。WhyhadSotillotakenhimselfoffwithhiswholecommandwiththissuddennessandsecrecy?
Whatdidthismoveportend?However，itdawneduponthedoctorthatthemanupstairswasoneoftheofficersleftbehindbythedisappointedcoloneltocommunicatewithhim。
`Ibelieveheiswaitingforme，\'hesaid。
`Itispossible。\'
`Imustsee。Donotgoawayyet，Capataz。\'
`Goawaywhere?\'mutteredNostromo。
Alreadythedoctorhadlefthim。Heremainedleaningagainstthewall，staringatthedarkwateroftheharbour；theshrillingofcicadasfilledhisears。Aninvinciblevaguenesscomingoverhisthoughtstookfromthemallpowertodeterminehiswill。
`Capataz！Capataz！\'thedoctor\'svoicecalledurgentlyfromabove。
Thesenseofbetrayalandruinfloateduponhissombreindifferenceasuponasluggishseaofpitch。Buthesteppedoutfromunderthewall，and，lookingup，sawDrMonyghamleaningoutofalightedwindow。
`ComeupandseewhatSotillohasdone。Youneednotfearthemanuphere。\'
Heansweredbyaslight，bitterlaugh。Fearaman！TheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoresfearaman！Itangeredhimthatanybodyshouldsuggestsuchathing。Itangeredhimtobedisarmedandskulkingandindangerbecauseoftheaccursedtreasure，whichwasofsolittleaccounttothepeoplewhohadtieditroundhisneck。Hecouldnotshakeofftheworryofit。ToNostromothedoctorrepresentedallthesepeople……Andhehadneverevenaskedafterit。Notawordofinquiryaboutthemostdesperateundertakingofhislife。
Thinkingthesethoughts，Nostromopassedagainthroughthecavernoushall，wherethesmokewasconsiderablythinned，andwentupthestairs，notsowarmtohisfeetnow，towardsthestreakoflightatthetop。Thedoctorappearedinitforamoment，agitatedandimpatient。
`Comeup！Comeup！\'
AtthemomentofcrossingthedoorwaytheCapatazexperiencedashockofsurprise。Themanhadnotmoved。Hesawhisshadowinthesameplace。
Hestarted，thensteppedinwithafeelingofbeingabouttosolveamystery。
Itwasverysimple。Foraninfinitesimalfractionofasecond，againstthelightoftwoflaringandgutteringcandles，throughablue，pungent，thinhazewhichmadehiseyessmart，hesawthemanstanding，ashehadimaginedhim，withhisbacktothedoor，castinganenormousanddistortedshadowuponthewall。Swifterthanaflashoflightningfollowedtheimpressionofhisconstrained，topplingattitude——theshouldersprojectingforward，theheadsunklowuponthebreast。Thenhedistinguishedthearmsbehindhisback，andwrenchedsoterriblythatthetwoclenchedfists，lashedtogether，hadbeenforceduphigherthantheshoulder-blades。Fromtherehiseyestracedinoneinstantaneousglancethehideropegoingupwardsfromthetiedwristsoveraheavybeamanddowntoastapleinthewall。
Hedidnotwanttolookattherigidlegs，atthefeethangingdownnervelessly，withtheirbaretoessomesixinchesabovethefloor，toknowthatthemanhadbeengiventheestrapadetillhehadswooned。Hisfirstimpulsewastodashforwardandsevertheropeatoneblow。Hefeltforhisknife。
Hehadnoknife——notevenaknife。Hestoodquivering，andthedoctor，perchedontheedgeofthetable，facingthoughtfullythecruelandlamentablesight，hischininhishand，uttered，withoutstirring:
`Tortured——andshotdeadthroughthebreast——gettingcold。\'
ThisinformationcalmedtheCapataz。Oneofthecandlesflickeringinthesocketwentout。`Whodidthis?\'heasked。
`Sotillo，Itellyou。Whoelse?Tortured——ofcourse。Butwhyshot?\'
ThedoctorlookedfixedlyatNostromo，whoshruggedhisshouldersslightly。
`Andmark，shotsuddenly，onimpulse。Itisevident。IwishIhadhissecret。\'
Nostromohadadvanced，andstoopedslightlytolook。`Iseemtohaveseenthatfacesomewhere，\'hemuttered。`Whoishe?\'
Thedoctorturnedhiseyesuponhimagain。`Imayyetcometoenvyinghisfate。Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Capataz，eh?\'
ButNostromodidnotevenhearthesewords。Seizingtheremaininglight，hethrustitunderthedroopinghead。Thedoctorsatoblivious，withalostgaze。Thentheheavyironcandle-stick，asifstruckoutofNostromo\'shand，clatteredonthefloor。
`Hullo！\'exclaimedthedoctor，lookingupwithastart。HecouldheartheCapatazstaggeragainstthetableandgasp。Inthesuddenextinctionofthelightwithin，thedeadblacknesssealingthewindow-framesbecamealivewithstarstohissight。antheshoulder-blades。Fromtherehiseyestracedinoneinstantaneousglancethehideropegoingupwardsfromthetiedwristsoveraheavybeamanddowntoastapleinthewall。Hedidnotwanttolookattherigidlegs，atthefeethangingdownnervelessly，withtheirbaretoessomesixinchesabovethefloor，toknowthatthemanhadbeengiventheestrapadetillhehadswooned。Hisfirstimpulsewastodashforwardandsevertheropeatoneblow。Hefeltforhisknife。
Hehadnoknife——notevenaknife。Hestoodquivering，andthedoctor，perchedontheedgeofthetable，facingthoughtfullythecruelandlamentablesight，hischininhishand，uttered，withoutstirring:
`Ofcourse，ofcourse，\'thedoctormutteredtohimselfinEnglish。`Enoughtomakehimjumpoutofhisskin。\'
Nostromo\'sheartseemedtoforceitselfintohisthroat。Hisheadswam。
Hirsch！ThemanwasHirsch！Heheldontighttotheedgeofthetable。
`Buthewashidinginthelighter，\'healmostshouted。Hisvoicefell。
`Inthelighter，and——and——\'
`AndSotillobroughthimin，\'saidthedoctor。`Heisnomorestartlingtoyouthanyouweretome。WhatIwanttoknowishowheinducedsomecompassionatesoultoshoothim。\'
`SoSotilloknows——\'beganNostromo，inamoreequablevoice。
`Everything！\'interruptedthedoctor。
TheCapatazwasheardstrikingthetablewithhisfist。`Everything?
Whatareyousaying，there?Everything?Knoweverything?Itisimpossible！
Everything?\'
`Ofcourse。Whatdoyoumeanbyimpossible?ItellyouIhaveheardthisHirschquestionedlastnight，here，inthisveryroom。Heknewyourname，Decoud\'sname，andallabouttheloadingofthesilver……Thelighterwascutintwo。HewasgrovellinginabjectterrorbeforeSotillo，butherememberedthatmuch。Whatdoyouwantmore?Heknewleastabouthimself。Theyfoundhimclingingtotheiranchor。Hemusthavecaughtatitjustasthelighterwenttothebottom。\'
`Wenttothebottom?\'repeatedNostromo，slowly。`Sotillobelievesthat?Bueno！\'
Thedoctor，alittleimpatiently，wasunabletoimaginewhatelseanybodycouldbelieve。Yes，Sotillobelievedthatthelighterwassunk，andtheCapatazdeCargadores，togetherwithMartinDecoudandperhapsoneortwootherpoliticalfugitives，hadbeendrowned。
`Itoldyouwell，SenorDoctor，\'remarkedNostromoatthatpoint，`thatSotillodidnotknoweverything。\'
`Eh?Whatdoyoumean?\'
`HedidnotknowIwasnotdead。\'
`Neitherdidwe。\'
`Andyoudidnotcare——noneofyoucaballerosonthewharf——onceyougotoffamanoffleshandbloodlikeyourselvesonafool\'sbusinessthatcouldnotendwell。\'
`Youforget，Capataz，Iwasnotonthewharf。AndIdidnotthinkwellofthebusiness。Soyouneednottauntme。Itellyouwhat，man，wehadbutlittleleisuretothinkofthedead。Deathstandsnearbehindusall。
Youweregone。\'
`Iwent，indeed！\'brokeinNostromo。`Andforthesakeofwhat——tellme?\'
`Ah！thatisyouownaffair，\'thedoctorsaid，roughly。`Donotaskme。\'
Theirflowingmurmurspausedinthedark。Perchedontheedgeofthetablewithslightlyavertedfaces，theyfelttheirshoulderstouch，andtheireyesremaineddirectedtowardsanuprightshapenearlylostintheobscurityoftheinnerpartoftheroom，thatwithprojectingheadandshoulders，inghastlyimmobility，seemedintentoncatchingeveryword。
`Muybien！\'Nostromomutteredatlast。`Sobeit。Teresawasright。Itismyownaffair。\'
`Teresaisdead，\'remarkedthedoctor，absently，whilehismindfollowedanewlineofthoughtsuggestedbywhatmighthavebeencalledNostromo\'sreturntolife。`Shedied，thepoorwoman。\'
`Withoutapriest?\'theCapatazasked，anxiously。
`Whataquestion！Whocouldhavegotapriestforherlastnight?\'
`MayGodkeephersoul！\'ejaculatedNostromo，withagloomyandhopelessfervourwhichhadnotimetosurpriseDrMonygham，before，revertingtotheirpreviousconversation，hecontinuedinasinistertone，`Si，SenorDoctor。Asyouweresaying，itismyownaffair。Averydesperateaffair。\'
`Therearenotwomeninthispartoftheworldthatcouldhavesavedthemselvesbyswimmingasyouhavedone，\'thedoctorsaid，admiringly。
Andagaintherewassilencebetweenthosetwomen。Theywerebothreflecting，andthediversityoftheirnaturemadetheirthoughtsbornfromtheirmeetingswingafarfromeachother。Thedoctor，impelledtoriskyactionbyhisloyaltytotheGoulds，wonderedwiththankfulnessatthechainofaccidentwhichhadbroughtthatmanbackwherehewouldbeofthegreatestuseintheworkofsavingtheSanTomemine。Thedoctorwasloyaltothemine。
Itpresenteditselftohisfifty-years-oldeyesintheshapeofalittlewomaninasoftdresswithalongtrain，withaheadattractivelyoverweightedbyagreatmassoffairhairandthedelicatepreciousnessofherinnerworth，partakingofagemandaflower，revealedineveryattitudeofherperson。AsthedangersthickenedroundtheSanTomeminethisillusionacquiredforce，permanency，andauthority。Itclaimedhimatlast！Thisclaim，exaltedbyaspiritualdetachmentfromtheusualsanctionsofhopeandreward，madeDrMonygham\'sthinking，acting，individuality，extremelydangeroustohimselfandtoothers，allhisscruplesvanishingintheproudfeelingthathisdevotionwastheonlythingthatstoodbetweenanadmirablewomanandafrightfuldisaster。
ItwasasortofintoxicationwhichmadehimutterlyindifferenttoDecoud\'sfate，butlefthiswitsperfectlyclearfortheappreciationofDecoud\'spoliticalidea。Itwasagoodidea——andBarrioswastheonlyinstrumentofitsrealization。Thedoctor\'ssoul，witheredandshrunkbytheshameofamoraldisgrace，becameimplacableintheexpansionofitstenderness。Nostromo\'sreturnwasprovidential。Hedidnotthinkofhimhumanely，asofafellow-creaturejustescapedfromthejawsofdeath。
TheCapatazforhimwastheonlypossiblemessengertoCayta。Theveryman。Thedoctor\'smisanthropicmistrustofmankind(thebittererbecausebasedonpersonalfailure)didnotlifthimsufficientlyabovecommonweaknesses。
Hewasunderthespellofanestablishedreputation。TrumpetedbyCaptainMitchell，growninrepetition，andfixedingeneralassent，Nostromo\'sfaithfulnesshadneverbeenquestionedbyDrMonyghamasafact。Itwasnotlikelytobequestionednowhestoodindesperateneedofithimself。
DrMonyghamwashuman；heacceptedthepopularconceptionoftheCapataz\'sincorruptibilitysimplybecausenowordorfacthadevercontradictedamereaffirmation。Itseemedtobeapartoftheman，likehiswhiskersorhisteeth。Itwasimpossibletoconceivehimotherwise。Thequestionwaswhetherhewouldconsenttogoonsuchadangerousanddesperateerrand。
Thedoctorwasobservantenoughtohavebecomeawarefromthefirstofsomethingpeculiarintheman\'stemper。Hewasnodoubtsoreaboutthelossofthesilver。
`Itwillbenecessarytotakehimintomyfullestconfidence，\'hesaidtohimself，withacertainacutenessofinsightintothenaturehehadtodealwith。
OnNostromo\'ssidethesilencehadbeenfullofblackirresolution，anger，andmistrust。Hewasthefirsttobreakit，however。
`Theswimmingwasnogreatmatter，\'hesaid。`Itiswhatwentbefore——andwhatcomesafterthat——\'
Hedidnotquitefinishwhathemeanttosay，breakingoffshort，asthoughhisthoughthadbuttedagainstasolidobstacle。Thedoctor\'smindpursueditsownschemeswithMachiavelliansubtlety。Hesaidassympatheticallyashewasable:
`Itisunfortunate，Capataz。Butnoonewouldthinkofblamingyou。
Veryunfortunate。Tobeginwith，thetreasureoughtnevertohaveleftthemountain。ButitwasDecoudwho——however，heisdead。Thereisnoneedtotalkofhim。\'
`No，\'assentedNostromo，asthedoctorpaused，`thereisnoneedtotalkofdeadmen。ButIamnotdeadyet。\'
`Youareallright。Onlyamanofyourintrepiditycouldhavesavedhimself。\'
InthisDrMonyghamwassincere。Heesteemedhighlytheintrepidityofthatman，whomhevaluedbutlittle，beingdisillusionedastomankindingeneral，becauseoftheparticularinstanceinwhichhisownmanhoodhadfailed。Havinghadtoencountersingle-handedduringhisperiodofeclipsemanyphysicaldangers，hewaswellawareofthemostdangerouselementcommontothemall:ofthecrushing，paralysingsenseofhumanlittleness，whichiswhatreallydefeatsamanstrugglingwithnaturalforces，alone，farfromtheeyesofhisfellows。HewaseminentlyfittoappreciatethementalimagehemadeforhimselfoftheCapataz，afterhoursoftensionandanxiety，precipitatedsuddenlyintoanabyssofwatersanddarkness，withoutearthorsky，andconfrontingitnotonlywithanundismayedmind，butwithsensiblesuccess。Ofcourse，themanwasanincomparableswimmer，thatwasknown，butthedoctorjudgedthatthisinstancetestifiedtoastillgreaterintrepidityofspirit。Itwaspleasingtohim；heauguredwellfromitforthesuccessofthearduousmissionwithwhichhemeanttoentrusttheCapatazsomarvellouslyrestoredtousefulness。Andinatonevaguelygratified，heobserved:
`Itmusthavebeenterriblydark！\'
`ItwastheworstdarknessoftheGolfo，\'theCapatazassented，briefly。
Hewasmollifiedbywhatseemedasignofsomefaintinterestinsuchthingsashadbefallenhim，anddroppedafewdescriptivephraseswithanaffectedandcurtnonchalance。Atthatmomenthefeltcommunicative。Heexpectedthecontinuanceofthatinterestwhich，whetheracceptedorrejected，wouldhaverestoredtohimhispersonality——theonlythinglostinthatdesperateaffair。Butthedoctor，engrossedbyadesperateadventureofhisown，wasterribleinthepursuitofhisidea。Heletanexclamationofregretescapehim。
`Icouldalmostwishyouhadshoutedandshownalight。\'
ThisunexpectedutteranceastoundedtheCapatazbyitscharacterofcold-bloodedatrocity。Itwasasmuchastosay，`Iwishyouhadshownyourselfacoward；Iwishyouhadyourthroatcutforyourpains。\'Naturallyhereferredittohimself，whereasitrelatedonlytothesilver，beingutteredsimplyandwithmanymentalreservations。Surpriseandragerenderedhimspeechless，andthedoctorpursued，practicallyunheardbyNostromo，whosestirredbloodwasbeatingviolentlyinhisears。
`ForIamconvincedSotilloinpossessionofthesilverwouldhaveturnedshortroundandmadeforsomesmallportabroad。Economicallyitwouldhavebeenwasteful，butstilllesswastefulthanhavingitsunk。Itwasthenextbestthingtohavingitathandinsomesafeplace，andusingpartofittobuyupSotillo。ButIdoubtwhetherDonCarloswouldhaveevermadeuphismindtoit。HeisnotfitforCostaguana，andthatisafact，Capataz。\'
TheCapatazhadmasteredthefurythatwaslikeatempestinhisearsintimetohearthenameofDonCarlos。Heseemedtohavecomeoutofitachangedman——amanwhospokethoughtfullyinasoftandevenvoice。
`AndwouldDonCarloshavebeencontentifIhadsurrenderedthistreasure?\'
`Ishouldnotwonderiftheywereallofthatwayofthinkingnow，\'
thedoctorsaid，grimly。`Iwasneverconsulted。Decoudhadithisownway。Theireyesareopenedbythistime，Ishouldthink。IforoneknowthatifthatsilverturnedupthismomentmiraculouslyashoreIwouldgiveittoSotillo。And，asthingsstand，Iwouldbeapproved。\'
`Turnedupmiraculously，\'repeatedtheCapatazverylow；thenraisedhisvoice。`That，senor，wouldbeagreatermiraclethananysaintcouldperform。\'
`Ibelieveyou，Capataz，\'saidthedoctor，drily。
HewentontodevelophisviewofSotillo\'sdangerousinfluenceuponthesituation。AndtheCapataz，listeningasifinadream，felthimselfofaslittleaccountastheindistinct，motionlessshapeofthedeadmanwhomhesawuprightunderthebeam，withhisairoflisteningalso，disregarded，forgotten，likeaterribleexampleofneglect。
`Isitforanunconsideredandfoolishwhimthattheycametome，then?\'
heinterrupted，suddenly。`HadInotdoneenoughforthemtobeofsomeaccount，porDios?Isitthatthehombresfinos——thegentlemen——neednotthinkaslongasthereisamanofthepeoplereadytoriskhisbodyandsoul?Or；perhaps，wehavenosouls——likedogs?\'
`TherewasDecoud，too，withhisplan，\'thedoctorremindedhimagain。
`Si！AndtherichmaninSanFranciscowhohadsomethingtodowiththattreasure，too——whatdoIknow?No！Ihaveheardtoomanythings。
Itseemstomethateverythingispermittedtotherich。\'
`Iunderstand，Capataz，\'thedoctorbegan。
`WhatCapataz?\'brokeinNostromo，inaforciblebutevenvoice，`TheCapatazisundone，destroyed。ThereisnoCapataz。Oh，no！YouwillfindtheCapataznomore。\'
`Come，thisischildish！\'remonstratedthedoctor；andtheothercalmeddownsuddenly。
`Ihavebeenindeedlikealittlechild，\'hemuttered。
Andashiseyesmetagaintheshapeofthemurderedmansuspendedinhisawfulimmobility，whichseemedtheuncomplainingimmobilityofattention，heasked，wonderinggently:
`WhydidSotillogivetheestrapadetothispitifulwretch?Doyouknow?
Notorturecouldhavebeenworsethanhisfear。KillingIcanunderstand。
Hisanguishwasintolerabletobehold。Butwhyshouldhetormenthimlikethis?Hecouldtellnomore。\'
`No；hecouldtellnothingmore。Anysanemanwouldhaveseenthat。
Hehadtoldhimeverything。ButItellyouwhatitis，Capataz。Sotillowouldnotbelievewhathewastold。Noteverything。\'
`Whatisithewouldnotbelieve?Icannotunderstand。\'
`Ican，becauseIhaveseentheman。Herefusestobelievethatthetreasureislost。\'
`What?\'theCapatazcriedoutinadiscomposedtone。
`Thatstartlesyou——eh?\'
`AmItounderstand，senor，\'Nostromowentoninadeliberateand，asitwere，watchfultone，`thatSotillothinksthetreasurehasbeensavedbysomemeans?\'
`No！no！Thatwouldbeimpossible，\'saidthedoctor，withconviction；
andNostromoemittedagruntinthedark。`Thatwouldbeimpossible。Hethinksthatthesilverwasnolongerinthelighterwhenshewassunk。
HehasconvincedhimselfthatthewholeshowofgettingitawaytoseaisamereshamgotuptodeceiveGamachoandhisNationals，PedritoMontero，SenorFuentes，ournewJefePolitico，andhimself，too。Only，hesays，heisnosuchfool。\'
`Butheisdevoidofsense。Heisthegreatestimbecilethatevercalledhimselfacolonelinthiscountryofevil，\'growledNostromo。
`Heisnomoreunreasonablethanmanysensiblemen，\'saidthedoctor。
`Hehasconvincedhimselfthatthetreasurecanbefoundbecausehedesirespassionatelytopossesshimselfofit。AndheisalsoafraidofhisofficersturninguponhimandgoingovertoPedrito，whomhehasnotthecourageeithertofightortrust。Doyouseethat，Capataz?Heneedfearnodesertionaslongassomehoperemainsofthatenormousplunderturningup。Ihavemadeitmybusinesstokeepthisveryhopeup。\'
`Youhave！\'theCapatazdeCargadoresrepeatedcautiously。`Well，thatiswonderful。Andhowlongdoyouthinkyouaregoingtokeepitup?\'
`AslongasIcan。\'
`Whatdoesthatmean?\'
`Icantellexactly。AslongasIlive，\'thedoctorretortedinastubbornvoice。Then，inafewwords，hedescribedthestoryofhisarrestandthecircumstancesofhisrelease。`Iwasgoingbacktothatsillyscoundrelwhenwemet，\'heconcluded。
Nostromohadlistenedwithprofoundattention。`Youhavemadeupyourmind，then，toaspeedydeath，\'hemutteredthroughhisclenchedteeth。
`Perhaps，myillustriousCapataz，\'thedoctorsaid，testily。`Youarenottheonlyoneherewhocanlookanuglydeathintheface。\'
`Nodoubt，\'mumbledNostromo，loudenoughtobeoverheard。`Theremaybeevenmorethantwofoolsinthisplace。Whoknows?\'
`Andthatismyaffair，\'saidthedoctor，curtly。
`Astakingouttheaccursedsilvertoseawasmyaffair，\'retortedNostromo。
`Isee。Bueno。Eachofushashisreasons。ButyouwerethelastmanIconversedwithbeforeIstarted，andyoutalkedtomeasifIwereafool。\'
Nostromohadagreatdistasteforthedoctor\'ssardonictreatmentofhisgreatreputation。Decoud\'sfaintlyironicrecognitionusedtomakehimuneasy；butthefamiliarityofamanlikeDonMartinwasflattering，whereasthedoctorwasanobody。Hecouldrememberhimapennilessoutcast，slinkingaboutthestreetsofSulaco，withoutasinglefriendoracquaintance，tillDonCarlosGouldtookhimintotheserviceofthemine。
`Youmaybeverywise，\'hewenton，thoughtfully，staringintotheobscurityoftheroom，pervadedbythegruesomeenigmaofthetorturedandmurderedHirsch。`ButIamnotsuchafoolaswhenIstarted。Ihavelearnedonethingsince，andthatisthatyouareadangerousman。\'
DrMonyghamwastoostartledtodomorethanexclaim:
`Whatisityousay?\'
`Ifhecouldspeakhewouldsaythesamething，\'pursuedNostromo，withanodofhisshadowyheadsilhouettedagainstthestarlitwindow。
`Idonotunderstandyou，\'saidDrMonyghamfaintly。
`No?Perhaps，ifyouhadnotconfirmedSotilloinhismadness，hewouldhavebeeninnohastetogivetheestrapadetothatmiserableHirsch。\'
Thedoctorstartedatthesuggestion。Buthisdevotion，absorbingallhissensibilities，hadlefthisheartsteeledagainstremorseandpity。
Still，forcompleterelief，hefeltthenecessityofrepellingitloudlyandcontemptuously。
`Bah！Youdaretotellmethat，withamanlikeSotillo。IconfessI
didnotgiveathoughttoHirsch。IfIhaditwouldhavebeenuseless。
Anybodycanseethatthelucklesswretchwasdoomedfromthemomenthecaughtholdoftheanchor。Hewasdoomed，Itellyou！JustasImyselfamdoomed——mostprobably。\'
ThisiswhatDrMonyghamsaidinanswertoNostromo\'sremark，whichwasplausibleenoughtoprickhisconscience。Hewasnotacallousman。
Butthenecessity，themagnitude，theimportanceofthetaskhehadtakenuponhimselfdwarfedallmerelyhumaneconsiderations。Hehadundertakenitinafanaticalspirit。Hedidnotlikeit。Tolie，todeceive，tocircumventeventhebasestofmankindwasodioustohim。Itwasodioustohimbytraining，instinct，andtradition。Todothesethingsinthecharacterofatraitorwasabhorrenttohisnatureandterribletohisfeelings。Hehadmadethatsacrificeinaspiritofabasement。Hehadsaidtohimselfbitterly，`I
amtheonlyonefitforthatdirtywork。\'Andhebelievedthis。Hewasnotsubtle。Hissimplicitywassuchthat，thoughhehadnosortofheroicideaofseekingdeath，therisk，deadlyenough，towhichheexposedhimself，hadasustainingandcomfortingeffect。TothatspiritualstatethefateofHirschpresenteditselfaspartofthegeneralatrocityofthings。Heconsideredthatepisodepractically。Whatdiditmean?WasitasignofsomedangerouschangeinSotillo\'sdelusion?Thatthemanshouldhavebeenkilledlikethiswaswhatthedoctorcouldnotunderstand。
`Yes。Butwhyshot?\'hemurmuredtohimself。
Nostromokeptverystill。
NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter99Distractedbetweendoubtsandhopes，dismayedbythesoundofbellspealingoutthearrivalofPedritoMontero，Sotillohadspentthemorninginbattlingwithhisthoughts；acontesttowhichhewasunequal，fromthevacuityofhismindandtheviolenceofhispassions。Disappointment，greed，anger，andfearmadeatumultinthecolonel\'sbreastlouderthanthedinofbellsinthetown。Nothinghehadplannedhadcometopass。NeitherSulaconorthesilveroftheminehadfallenintohishands。Hehadperformednomilitaryexploittosecurehisposition，andhadobtainednoenormousbootytomakeoffwith。PedritoMontero，eitherasfriendorfoe，filledhimwithdread。
Thesoundofbellsmaddenedhim。
Imaginingatfirstthathemightbeattackedatonce，hehadmadehisbattalionstandtoarmsontheshore。Hewalkedtoandfroallthelengthoftheroom，stoppingsometimestognawthefinger-tipsofhisrighthandwithaluridsidewaysglarefixedonthefloor；then，withasullen，repellingglanceallround，hewouldresumehistrampinginsavagealoofness。Hishat，horsewhip，sword，andrevolverwerelyingonthetable。Hisofficers，crowdingthewindowgivingtheviewofthetowngate，disputedamongstthemselvestheuseofhisfield-glassboughtlastyearonlongcreditfromAnzani。Itpassedfromhandtohand，andthepossessorforthetimebeingwasbesiegedbyanxiousinquiries。
`Thereisnothing；thereisnothingtosee！\'hewouldrepeat，impatiently。
Therewasnothing。AndwhenthepicketinthebushesneartheCasaViolahadbeenorderedtofallbackuponthemainbody，nostiroflifeappearedonthestretchofdustyandaridlandbetweenthetownandthewatersoftheport。Butlateintheafternoonahorsemanissuingfromthegatewasmadeoutridingupfearlessly。ItwasanemissaryfromSenorFuentes。Beingallalonehewasallowedtocomeon。Dismountingatthegreatdoorhegreetedthesilentbystanderswithcheeryimpudence，andbeggedtobetakenupatoncetothe`muyvaliente\'colonel。
SenorFuentes，onenteringuponhisfunctionsofJefePolitico，hadturnedhisdiplomaticabilitiestogettingholdoftheharbouraswellasofthemine。ThemanhepitchedupontonegotiatewithSotillowasaNotaryPublic，whomtherevolutionhadfoundlanguishinginthecommonjailonachargeofforgingdocuments。Liberatedbythemobalongwiththeother`victimsofBlancotyranny\'，hehadhastenedtoofferhisservicestothenewGovernment。
HesetoutdeterminedtodisplaymuchzealandeloquenceintryingtoinduceSotillotocomeintotownaloneforaconferencewithPedritoMontero。
Nothingwasfartherfromthecolonel\'sintentions。ThemerefleetingideaoftrustinghimselfintothefamousPedrito\'shandshadmadehimfeelunwellseveraltimes。Itwasoutofthequestion——itwasmadness。Andtoputhimselfinopenhostilitywasmadness，too。Itwouldrenderimpossibleasystematicsearchforthattreasure，forthatwealthofsilverwhichheseemedtofeelsomewhereabout，toscentsomewherenear。
Butwhere?Where?Heavens！Where?Oh！whyhadheallowedthatdoctortogo！Imbecilethathewas。Butno！Itwastheonlyrightcourse，hereflecteddistractedly，whilethemessengerwaiteddownstairschattingagreeablytotheofficers。Itwasinthatscoundrellydoctor\'strueinteresttoreturnwithpositiveinformation。Butwhatifanythingstoppedhim?Ageneralprohibitiontoleavethetown，forinstance！Therewouldbepatrols！
Thecolonel，seizinghisheadinhishands，turnedinhistracksasifstruckwithvertigo。AflashofcraveninspirationsuggestedtohimanexpedientnotunknowntoEuropeanstatesmenwhentheywishtodelayadifficultnegotiation。Bootedandspurred，hescrambledintothehammockwithundignifiedhaste。Hishandsomefacehadturnedyellowwiththestrainofweightycares。Theridgeofhisshapelynosehadgrownsharp；theaudaciousnostrilsappearedmeanandpinched。Thevelvety，caressingglanceofhisfineeyesseemeddeadandevendecomposed；forthesealmond-shaped，languishingorbshadbecomeinappropriatelybloodshotwithmuchsinistersleeplessness。
HeaddressedthesurprisedenvoyofSenorFuentesinadeadened，exhaustedvoice。Itcamepatheticallyfeeblefromunderapileofponchos，whichburiedhiselegantpersonrightuptotheblackmoustaches，uncurled，pendant，insignofbodilyprostrationandmentalincapacity。Fever，fever——aheavyfeverhadovertakenthe`muyvaliente\'colonel。Awaveringwildnessofexpression，causedbythepassingspasmsofaslightcolicwhichhaddeclareditselfsuddenly，andtherattlingteethofrepressedpanic，hadagenuinenesswhichimpressedtheenvoy。Itwasacoldfit。
Thecolonelexplainedthathewasunabletothink，tolisten，tospeak。
WithanappearanceofsuperhumaneffortthecolonelgaspedoutthathewasnotinastatetoreturnasuitablereplyortoexecuteanyofhisExcellency\'sorders。Buttomorrow！Tomorrow！Ah！tomorrow！LethisExcellencyDonPedrobewithoutuneasiness。ThebraveEsmeraldaRegimentheldtheharbour，held——Andclosinghiseyes，herolledhisachingheadlikeahalf-deliriousinvalidundertheinquisitivestareoftheenvoy，whowasobligedtobenddownoverthehammockinordertocatchthepainfulandbrokenaccents。
Meantime，ColonelSotillotrustedthathisExcellency\'shumanitywouldpermitthedoctor，theEnglishdoctor，tocomeoutoftownwithhiscaseofforeignremediestoattenduponhim。HebeggedanxiouslyhisworshipthecaballeronowpresentforthegraceoflookinginashepassedtheCasaGould，andinformingtheEnglishdoctor，whowasprobablythere，thathisserviceswereimmediatelyrequiredbyColonelSotillo，lyingilloffeverintheCustomHouse。Immediately。Mosturgentlyrequired。Awaitedwithextremeimpatience。Athousandthanks。Heclosedhiseyeswearilyandwouldnotopenthemagain，lyingperfectlystill，deaf，dumb，insensible，overcome，vanquished，crushed，annihilatedbythefelldisease。
Butassoonastheotherhadshutafterhimthedoorofthelanding，thecolonelleapedoutwithaflingofbothfeetinanavalancheofwoollencoverings。Hisspurshavingbecomeentangledinaperfectwelterofponchoshenearlypitchedonhishead，anddidnotrecoverhisbalancetillthemiddleoftheroom。Concealedbehindthehalf-closedjalousieshelistenedtowhatwentonbelow。
Theenvoyhadalreadymounted，andturningtothemoroseofficersoccupyingthegreatdoorway，tookoffhishatformally。
`Caballeros，\'hesaid，inaveryloudtone，`allowmetorecommendyoutotakegreatcareofyourcolonel。Ithasdonememuchhonourandgratificationtohaveseenyouall，afinebodyofmenexercisingthesoldierlyvirtueofpatienceinthisexposedsituation，wherethereismuchsun，andnowatertospeakof，whileatownfullofwineandfemininecharmsisreadytoembraceyouforthebravemenyouare。Caballeros，I
havethehonourtosaluteyou。TherewillbemuchdancingtonightinSulaco。
Good-bye！\'
Buthereinedinhishorseandinclinedhisheadsidewaysonseeingtheoldmajorstepout，verytallandmeagre，inastraightnarrowcoatcomingdowntohisanklesasifitwerethecasingoftheregimentalcoloursrolledroundtheirstaff。
Theintelligentoldwarrior，afterenunciatinginadogmatictonethegeneralpropositionthatthe`worldwasfulloftraitors\'，wentonpronouncingdeliberatelyapanegyricuponSotillo。Heascribedtohimwithleisurelyemphasiseveryvirtueunderheaven，summingitallupinanabsurdcolloquialismcurrentamongstthelowerclassofOccidentals(especiallyaboutEsmeralda)。
`And，\'heconcluded，withasuddenriseinthevoice，`amanofmanyteeth——“hombredemuchosdientes“。Si，senor。Astous，\'hepursued，portentousandimpressive，`yourworshipisbeholdingthefinestbodyofofficersintheRepublic，menunequalledforvalourandsagacity，“yhombresdemuchosdientes“。\'
`What?Allofthem?\'inquiredthedisreputableenvoyofSenorFuentes，withafaint，derisivesmile。
`Todos。Si，senor，\'themajoraffirmed，gravely，withconviction。
`Menofmanyteeth。\'
Theotherwheeledhishorsetofacetheportalresemblingthehighgateofadismalbarn。Heraisedhimselfinhisstirrups，extendedonearm。
Hewasafacetiousscoundrel，entertainingforthesestupidOccidentalsafeelingofgreatscornnaturalinanativefromthecentralprovinces。
ThefollyofEsmeraldiansespeciallyarousedhisamusedcontempt。HebegananorationuponPedroMontero，keepingasolemncountenance。Heflourishedhishandasifintroducinghimtotheirnotice。Andwhenhesaweveryfaceset，alltheeyesfixeduponhislips，hebegantoshoutasortofcatalogueofperfections:`Generous，valorous，affable，profound\'——hesnatchedoffhishatenthusiastically——`astatesman，aninvinciblechiefofpartisans——\'
Hedroppedhisvoicestartlinglytoadeep，hollownote——`andadentist。\'
Hewasoffinstantlyatasmartwalk；therigidstraddleofhislegs，theturned-outfeet，thestiffback，therakishslantofhissombreroabovethesquare，motionlesssetoftheshouldersexpressinganinfinite，awe-inspiringimpudence。
Upstairs，behindthejalousies，Sotillodidnotmoveforalongtime。
Theaudacityofthefellowappalledhim。Whatwerehisofficerssayingbelow?Theyweresayingnothing。Completesilence。Hequaked。Itwasnotthusthathehadimaginedhimselfatthatstageoftheexpedition。Hehadseenhimselftriumphant，unquestioned，appeased，theidolofthesoldiers，weighinginsecretcomplacencytheagreeablealternativesofpowerandwealthopentohischoice。Alas！Howdifferent！Distracted，restless，supine，burningwithfury，orfrozenwithterror，hefeltadreadasfathomlessastheseacreepuponhimfromeveryside。Thatrogueofadoctorhadtocomeoutwithhisinformation。Thatwasclear。Itwouldbeofnousetohim——alone。Hecoulddonothingwithit。Malediction！Thedoctorwouldnevercomeout。Hewasprobablyunderarrestalready，shutuptogetherwithDonCarlos。Helaughedaloudinsanely。Ha！ha！ha！ha！ItwasPedritoMonterowhowouldgettheinformation。Ha！ha！ha！ha！——andthesilver。
Ha！
Allatonce，inthemidstofthelaugh，hebecamemotionlessandsilentasifturnedintostone。He，too，hadaprisoner。Aprisonerwhomust，mustknowtherealtruth。Hewouldhavetobemadetospeak。AndSotillo，whoallthattimehadnotquiteforgottenHirsch，feltaninexplicablereluctanceatthenotionofproceedingtoextremities。
Hefeltareluctance——partofthatunfathomabledreadthatcreptonallsidesuponhim。Herememberedreluctantly，too，thedilatedeyesofthehidemerchant，hiscontortions，hisloudsobsandprotestations。Itwasnotcompassionorevenmerenervoussensibility。ThefactwasthatthoughSotillodidneverforamomentbelievehisstory——hecouldnotbelieveit；nobodycouldbelievesuchnonsense——yetthoseaccentsofdespairingtruthimpressedhimdisagreeably。Theymadehimfeelsick。Andhesuspectedalsothatthemanmighthavegonemadwithfear。Alunaticisahopelesssubject。Bah！Apretence。Nothingbutapretence。Hewouldknowhowtodealwiththat。
Hewasworkinghimselfuptotherightpitchofferocity。Hisfineeyessquintedslightly；heclappedhishands；abare-footedorderlyappearednoiselessly；acorporal，withhisbayonethangingonhisthighandastickinhishand。
Thecolonelgavehisorders，andpresentlythemiserableHirsch，pushedinbyseveralsoldiers，foundhimfrowningawfullyinabroadarmchair，hatonhead，kneeswideapart，armsakimbo，masterful，imposing，irresistible，haughty，sublime，terrible。
Hirsch，withhisarmstiedbehindhisback，hadbeenbundledviolentlyintooneofthesmallerrooms。Formanyhoursheremainedapparentlyforgotten，stretchedlifelesslyonthefloor。Fromthatsolitude，fullofdespairandterror，hewastornoutbrutally，withkicksandblows，passive，sunkinhebetude。Helistenedtothreatsandadmonitions，andafterwardsmadehisusualanswerstoquestions，withhischinsunkonhisbreast，hishandstiedbehindhisback，swayingalittleinfrontofSotillo，andneverlookingup。Whenhewasforcedtoholduphishead，bymeansofabayonet-pointproddinghimunderthechin，hiseyeshadavacant，trance-likestare，anddropsofperspirationasbigaspeaswereseenhailingdownthedirt，bruises，andscratchesofhiswhiteface。Thentheystoppedsuddenly。
Sotillolookedathiminsilence。`Willyoudepartfromyourobstinacy，yourogue?\'heasked。Alreadyarope，whoseoneendwasfastenedtoSenorHirsch\'swrists，hadbeenthrownoverabeam，andthreesoldiersheldtheotherend，waiting。Hemadenoanswer。Hisheavylowerliphungstupidly。
Sotillomadeasign。Hirschwasjerkedupoffhisfeet，andayellofdespairandagonyburstoutintheroom，filledthepassageofthegreatbuildings，renttheairoutside，causedeverysoldierofthecampalongtheshoretolookupatthewindows，startedsomeoftheofficersinthehallbabblingexcitedly，withshiningeyes；others，settingtheirlips，lookedgloomilyatthefloor。
Sotillo，followedbythesoldiers，hadlefttheroom。Thesentryonthelandingpresentedarms。Hirschwentonscreamingallalonebehindthehalf-closedjalousieswhilethesunshine，reflectedfromthewateroftheharbour，madeanever-runningrippleoflighthighuponthewall。Hescreamedwithupliftedeybrowsandawide-openmouth——incrediblywide，black，enormous，fullofteeth——comical。
InthestillburningairofthewindlessafternoonhemadethewavesofhisagonytravelasfarastheO。S。N。Company\'soffices。CaptainMitchellonthebalcony，tryingtomakeoutwhatwentongenerally，hadheardhimfaintlybutdistinctly，andthefeebleandappallingsoundlingeredinhisearsafterhehadretreatedindoorswithblanchedcheeks。Hehadbeendrivenoffthebalconyseveraltimesduringthatafternoon。
Sotillo，irritable，moody，walkedrestlesslyabout，heldconsultationswithhisofficers，gavecontradictoryordersinthisshrillclamourpervadingthewholeemptyedifice。Sometimestherewouldbelongandawfulsilences。
Severaltimeshehadenteredthetorture-chamberwherehissword，horsewhip，revolver，andfield-glasswerelyingonthetable，toaskwithforcedcalmness，`Willyouspeakthetruthnow?No?Icanwait。\'Buthecouldnotaffordtowaitmuchlonger。Thatwasjustit。Everytimehewentinandcameoutwithaslamofthedoor，thesentryonthelandingpresentedarms，andgotinreturnablack，venomous，unsteadyglance，which，inreality，sawnothingatall，beingmerelythereflectionofthesoulwithin——asoulofgloomyhatred，irresolution，avarice，andfury。
Thesunhadsetwhenhewentinoncemore。Asoldiercarriedintwolightedcandlesandslunkout，shuttingthedoorwithoutnoise。
`Speak，thouJewishchildofthedevil！Thesilver！Thesilver，Isay！
Whereisit?Wherehaveyouforeignrogueshiddenit?Confessor——\'
Aslightquiverpassedupthetautropefromtherackedlimbs，butthebodyofSenorHirsch，enterprisingbusinessmanfromEsmeralda，hungundertheheavybeamperpendicularandsilent，facingthecolonelawfully。Theinflowofthenightair，cooledbythesnowsoftheSierra，spreadgraduallyadeliciousfreshnessthroughthecloseheatoftheroom。
`Speak——thief——scoundrel——picaro——or——\'
Sotillohadseizedtheriding-whip，andstoodwithhisarmliftedup。
Foraword，foronelittleword，hefelthewouldhaveknelt，cringed，grovelledonthefloorbeforethedrowsy，consciousstareofthosefixedeyeballsstartingoutofthegrimy，dishevelledheadthatdroopedverystillwithitsmouthclosedaskew。Thecolonelgroundhisteethwithrageandstruck。Theropevibratedleisurelytotheblow，likethelongstringofapendulumstartingfromarest。ButnoswingingmotionwasimpartedtothebodyofSenorHirsch，thewell-knownhidemerchantonthecoast。
Withaconvulsiveeffortofthetwistedarmsitleapedupafewinches，curlinguponitselflikeafishontheendofaline。SenorHirsch\'sheadwasflungbackonhisstrainingthroat；hischintrembled。Foramomenttherattleofhischatteringteethpervadedthevast，shadowyroom，wherethecandlesmadeapatchoflightroundthetwoflamesburningsidebyside。AndasSotillo，stayinghisraisedhand，waitedforhimtospeak，withthesuddenflashofagrinandastrainingforwardofthewrenchedshoulders，hespatviolentlyintohisface。
Theupliftedwhipfell，andthecolonelsprangbackwithalowcryofdismay，asifaspersedbyajetofdeadlyvenom。Quickasthoughthesnatcheduphisrevolver，andfiredtwice。Thereportandtheconcussionoftheshotsseemedtothrowhimatoncefromungovernablerageintoidioticstupor。
Hestoodwithdroppingjawandstonyeyes。Whathadhedone，sangredeDios！Whathadhedone?Hewasbaselyappalledathisimpulsiveact，sealingforevertheselipsfromwhichsomuchwastobeextorted。
Whatcouldhesay?Howcouldheexplain?Ideasofheadlongflightsomewhere，anywhere，passedthroughhismind；eventhecravenandabsurdnotionofhidingunderthetableoccurredtohiscowardice。Itwastoolate；hisofficershadrushedintumultuously，inagreatclatterofscabbards，clamouring，withastonishmentandwonder。Butsincetheydidnotimmediatelyproceedtoplungetheirswordsintohisbreast，thebrazensideofhischaracterasserteditself。Passingthesleeveofhisuniformoverhisfacehepulledhimselftogether。Histruculentglanceturnedslowlyhereandthere，checkedthenoisewhereitfell；andthestiffbodyofthelateSenorHirsch，merchant，afterswayingimperceptibly，madeahalfturn，andcametoarestinthemidstofawedmurmursanduneasyshuffling。
Avoiceremarkedloudly，`Beholdamanwhowillneverspeakagain。\'
Andanother，fromthebackrowoffaces，timidandpressing，criedout:
`Whydidyoukillhim，micoronel?\'
`Becausehehasconfessedeverything，\'answeredSotillo，withthehardihoodofdesperation。Hefelthimselfcornered。Hebrazeneditoutonthestrengthofhisreputationwithveryfairsuccess。Hishearersthoughthimverycapableofsuchanact。Theyweredisposedtobelievehisflatteringtale。
Thereisnocredulitysoeagerandblindasthecredulityofcovetousness，which，initsuniversalextent，measuresthemoralmiseryandtheintellectualdestitutionofmankind。Ah！hehadconfessedeverything，thisfractiousJew，thisbribon。Good！Thenhewasnolongerwanted。Asuddendenseguffawwasheardfromtheseniorcaptain——abig-headedman，withlittleroundeyesandmonstrouslyfatcheekswhichnevermoved。Theoldmajor，tallandfantasticallyraggedlikeascarecrow，walkedroundthebodyofthelateSenorHirsch，mutteringtohimselfwithineffablecomplacencythatlikethistherewasnoneedtoguardagainstanyfuturetreacheriesofthatscoundrel。Theothersstared，shiftingfromfoottofoot，andwhisperingshortremarkstoeachother。
Sotillobuckledonhisswordandgavecurt，peremptoryorderstohastentheretirementdecideduponintheafternoon。Sinister，impressive，hissombreropulledrightdownuponhiseyebrows，hemarchedfirstthroughthedoorinsuchdisorderofmindthatheforgotutterlytoprovideforDrMonygham\'spossiblereturn。Astheofficerstroopedoutafterhim，oneortwolookedbackhastilyatthelateSenorHirsch，merchantfromEsmeralda，leftswingingrigidlyatrest，alonewiththetwoburningcandles。Intheemptinessoftheroomtheburlyshadowofheadandshouldersonthewallhadanairoflife。
Below，thetroopsfellinsilentlyandmovedoffbycompanieswithoutdrumortrumpet。Theoldscarecrowmajorcommandedtherearguard；butthepartyheleftbehindwithorderstofiretheCustomHouse(and`burnthecarcassofthetreacherousJewwhereithung\')failedsomehowintheirhastetosetthestaircaseproperlyalight。ThebodyofthelateSenorHirschdweltaloneforatimeinthedismalsolitudeoftheunfinishedbuilding，resoundingweirdlywithsuddenslamsandclicksofdoorsandlatches，withrustlingscurriesoftornpapers，andthetremuloussighsthatateachgustofwindpassedunderthehighroof。ThelightofthetwocandlesburningbeforetheperpendicularandbreathlessimmobilityofthelateSenorHirschthrewagleamafaroverlandandwater，likeasignalinthenight。HeremainedtostartleNostromobyhispresence，andtopuzzleDrMonyghambythemysteryofhisatrociousend。
`Butwhyshot?\'thedoctoragainaskedhimself，audibly。ThistimehewasansweredbyadrylaughfromNostromo。
`Youseemmuchconcernedataverynaturalthing，SenorDoctor。Iwonderwhy?Itisverylikelythatbeforelongweshallallgetshotoneafteranother，ifnotbySotillo，thenbyPedrito，orFuentes，orGamacho。Andwemayevengettheestrapade，too，orworse——quiensabe?——withyourprettytaleofthesilveryouputintoSotillo\'shead。\'
`Itwasinhisheadalready，\'thedoctorprotested。`Ionly——\'
`Yes。Andyouonlynailedittheresothatthedevilhimself——\'
`ThatispreciselywhatImeanttodo，\'caughtupthedoctor。
`Thatiswhatyoumeanttodo。Bueno。ItisasIsay。Youareadangerousman。\'
Theirvoices，whichwithoutrisinghadbeengrowingquarrelsome，ceasedsuddenly。ThelateSenorHirsch，erectandshadowyagainstthestars，seemedtobewaitingattentive，inimpartialsilence。
ButDrMonyghamhadnomindtoquarrelwithNostromo。AtthissupremelycriticalpointofSulaco\'sfortunesitwasborneuponhimatlastthatthismanwasreallyindispensable，moreindispensablethanevertheinfatuationofCaptainMitchell，hisprouddiscoverer。couldconceive；farbeyondwhatDecoud\'sbestdryrailleryabout`myillustriousfriend，theuniqueCapatazdeCargadores\'，hadeverintended。Thefellowwasunique。Hewasnot`oneinathousand\'。Hewasabsolutelytheonlyone。Thedoctorsurrendered。
TherewassomethinginthegeniusofthatGenoeseseamanwhichdominatedinthedestiniesofgreatenterprisesandofmanypeople，thefortunesofCharlesGould，thefateofanadmirablewoman。Atthislastthoughtthedoctorhadtoclearhisthroatbeforehecouldspeak。
InacompletelychangedtonehepointedouttotheCapatazthat，tobeginwith，hepersonallyrannogreatrisk。Asfaraseverybodyknewhewasdead。Itwasanenormousadvantage。HehadonlytokeepoutofsightintheCasaViola，wheretheoldGaribaldinowasknowntobealone——withhisdeadwife。Theservantshadallrunaway。Noonewouldthinkofsearchingforhimthere，oranywhereelseonearth，forthatmatter。
`Thatwouldbeverytrue，\'Nostromospokeup，bitterly，`ifIhadnotmetyou。\'
Foratimethedoctorkeptsilent。`DoyoumeantosaythatyouthinkImaygiveyouaway?\'heaskedinanunsteadyvoice。`Why?WhyshouldI
dothat?\'
`WhatdoIknow?Whynot?togainadayperhaps。ItwouldtakeSotilloadaytogivemetheestrapade，andtrysomeotherthingsperhaps，beforeheputsabulletthroughmyheart——ashedidtothatpoorwretchhere。
Whynot?\'
Thedoctorswallowedwithdifficulty。Histhroathadgonedryinamoment。
Itwasnotfromindignation。Thedoctor，patheticallyenough，believedthathehadforfeitedtherighttobeindignantwithanyone——foranything。
Itwassimpledread。Hadthefellowheardhisstorybysomechance?Ifso，therewasanendofhisusefulnessinthatdirection。Theindispensablemanescapedhisinfluence，becauseofthatindelibleblotwhichmadehimfitfordirtywork。Afeelingasofsicknesscameuponthedoctor。Hewouldhavegivenanythingtoknow，buthedarednotclearupthepoint。Thefanaticismofhisdevotion，fedonthesenseofhisabasement，hardenedhisheartinsadnessandscorn。
`Whynot，indeed?\'here-echoed，sardonically。`Thenthesafethingforyouistokillmeonthespot。Iwoulddefendmyself。ButyoumayjustaswellknowIamgoingaboutunarmed。
`PorDios！\'saidtheCapataz，passionately。`Youfinepeopleareallalike。Alldangerous。Allbetrayersofthepoorwhoareyourdogs。\'
`Youdonotunderstand，\'beganthedoctor，slowly。
`Iunderstandyouall！\'criedtheotherwithaviolentmovement，asshadowytothedoctor\'seyesasthepersistentimmobilityofthelateSenorHirsch。`Apoormanamongstyouhasgottolookafterhimself。Isaythatyoudonotcareforthosethatserveyou。Lookatme！Afteralltheseyears，suddenly，hereIfindmyselflikeoneofthesecursthatbarkoutsidethewalls——withoutakenneloradryboneformyteeth。Caramba！\'
Butherelentedwithacontemptuousfairness。`Ofcourse，\'hewenton，quietly，`IdonotsupposethatyouwouldhastentogivemeuptoSotillo，forexample。Itisnotthat。ItisthatIamnothing！Suddenly——\'Heswunghisarmdownstairs。`Nothingtoanyone，\'herepeated。
Thedoctorbreathedfreely。`Listen，Capataz，\'hesaid，stretchingouthisarmalmostaffectionatelytowardsNostromo\'sshoulder。`Iamgoingtotellyouaverysimplething。Youaresafebecauseyouareneeded。I
wouldnotgiveyouawayforanyconceivablereason，becauseIwantyou。\'
InthedarkNostromobithislip。Hehadheardenoughofthat。Heknewwhatthatmeant。Nomoreofthatforhim。Buthehadtolookafterhimselfnow，hethought。Andhethought，too，thatitwouldnotbeprudenttopartinangerfromhiscompanion。Thedoctor，admittedtobeagreathealer，had，amongstthepopulaceofSulaco，thereputationofbeinganevilsortofman。Itwasbasedsolidlyonhispersonalappearance，whichwasstrange，andonhisroughironicmanner——proofsvisible，sensible，andincontrovertibleofthedoctor\'smalevolentdisposition。AndNostromowasofthepeople。
Soheonlygruntedincredulously。
`You，tospeakplainly，aretheonlyman，\'thedoctorpursued。`Itisinyourpowertosavethistownand……everybodyfromthedestructiverapacityofmenwho——\'
`No，senor，\'saidNostromo，sullenly。`ItisnotinmypowertogetthetreasurebackforyoutogiveuptoSotillo，orPedrito，orGamacho。WhatdoIknow?\'
`Nobodyexpectstheimpossible，\'wastheanswer。
`Youhavesaidityourself——nobody，\'mutteredNostromo，inagloomy，threateningtone。
ButDrMonygham，fullofhope，disregardedtheenigmaticwordsandthethreateningtone。Totheireyes，accustomedtoobscurity，thelateSenorHirsch，growingmoredistinct，seemedtohavecomenearer。Andthedoctorloweredhisvoiceinexposinghisschemeasthoughafraidofbeingoverheard。
Hewastakingtheindispensablemanintohisfullestconfidence。ItsimpliedflatteryandsuggestionofgreatriskscamewithafamiliarsoundtotheCapataz。Hismind，floatinginirresolutionanddiscontent，recognizeditwithbitterness。HeunderstoodwellthatthedoctorwasanxioustosavetheSanTomeminefromannihilation。Hewouldbenothingwithoutit。Itwashisinterest。JustasithadbeentheinterestofSenorDecoud，oftheBlancos，andoftheEuropeanstogethisCargadoresontheirside。
HisthoughtbecamearresteduponDecoud。Whatwouldhappentohim?
Nostromo\'sprolongedsilencemadethedoctoruneasy。Hepointedout，quiteunnecessarily，thatthoughforthepresenthewassafe，hecouldnotliveconcealedforever。ThechoicewasbetweenacceptingthemissiontoBarrios，withallitsdangersanddifficulties，andleavingSulacobystealth，ingloriously，inpoverty。
`Noneofyourfriendscouldrewardyouandprotectyoujustnow，Capataz。
NotevenDonCarloshimself。\'
`Iwouldhavenoneofyourprotectionandnoneofyourrewards。IonlywishIcouldtrustyourcourageandyoursense。WhenIreturnintriumph，asyousay，withBarrios。Imayfindyoualldestroyed。Youhavetheknifeatyourthroatnow。\'
Itwasthedoctor\'sturntoremainsilentinthecontemplationofhorriblecontingencies。
`Well，wewouldtrustyourcourageandyoursense。Andyou，too，haveaknifeatyourthroat。\'
`Ah！AndwhomamItothankforthat?Whatareyourpoliticsandyourminestome——yoursilverandyourconstitutions——yourDonCarlosthis，andDonJosethat——\'
`Idon\'tknow，\'burstouttheexasperateddoctor。`ThereareinnocentpeopleindangerwhoselittlefingerisworthmorethanyouorIandalltheRibieriststogether。Idon\'tknow。YoushouldhaveaskedyourselfbeforeyouallowedDecoudtoleadyouintoallthis。Itwasyourplacetothinklikeaman；butifyoudidnotthink，thentrytoactlikeamannow。DidyouimagineDecoudcaredverymuchforwhatwouldhappentoyou?\'
`Nomorethanyoucareforwhatwillhappentome，\'mutteredtheother。
`No；IcareforwhatwillhappentoyouaslittleasIcareforwhatwillhappentomyself。\'
`AndallthisbecauseyouaresuchadevotedRibierist?\'Nostromosaidinanincreduloustone。
`AllthisbecauseIamsuchadevotedRibierist，\'repeatedDrMonygham，grimly。
AgainNostromo，gazingabstractedlyatthebodyofthelateSenorHirsch，remainedsilent，thinkingthatthedoctorwasadangerouspersoninmorethanonesense。Itwasimpossibletotrusthim。
`DoyouspeakinthenameofDonCarlos?\'heaskedatlast。
`Yes。Ido，\'thedoctorsaid，loudly，withouthesitation。`Hemustcomeforwardnow。Hemust，\'headdedinamutter，whichNostromodidnotcatch。
`Whatdidyousay，senor?\'
Thedoctorstarted。`Isaythatyoumustbetruetoyourself，Capataz。
Itwouldbeworsethanfollytofailnow。\'
`Truetomyself，\'repeatedNostromo，`HowdoyouknowthatIwouldnotbetruetomyselfifItoldyoutogotothedevilwithyourpropositions?\'
`Idonotknow。Maybeyouwould，\'thedoctorsaid，witharoughnessoftoneintendedtohidethesinkingofhisheartandthefalteringofhisvoice。`AllIknowisthatyouhadbettergetawayfromhere。SomeofSotillo\'smenmayturnupherelookingforme。\'
Heslippedoffthetable，listenedintently。TheCapataz，too，stoodup。
`SupposeIwenttoCayta，whatwouldyoudomeantime?\'heasked。
`IwouldgotoSotillodirectlyyouhadleft——inthewayIamthinkingof。\'
`Averygoodway——ifonlythatengineer-in-chiefconsents。Remindhim，senor，thatIlookedaftertheoldrichEnglishmanwhopaysfortherailway，andthatIsavedthelivesofsomeofhispeoplethattimewhenagangofthievescamefromthesouthtowreckoneofhispay-trains。
ItwasIwhodiscovereditallattheriskofmylife，bypretendingtoenterintotheirplans。JustasyouaredoingwithSotillo。\'
`Yes。Yes，ofcourse。ButIcanofferhimbetterarguments，\'thedoctorsaid，hastily。`Leaveittome。\'
`Ah，yes！True。Iamnothing。\'
`Notatall。Youareeverything。\'
Theymovedafewpacestowardsthedoor。BehindthemthelateSenorHirschpreservedtheimmobilityofadisregardedman。
`Thatwillbeallright。Iknowwhattosaytotheengineer，\'pursuedthedoctor，inalowtone。`MydifficultywillbewithSotillo。\'
AndDrMonyghamstoppedshortinthedoorwayasifintimidatedbythedifficulty。Hehadmadethesacrificeofhislife。Heconsideredthisafittingopportunity。Buthedidnotwanttothrowhislifeawaytoosoon。
InhisqualityofbetrayerofDonCarlos\'sconfidence，hewouldhaveultimatelytoindicatethehiding-placeofthetreasure。Thatwouldbetheendofhisdeception，andtheendofhimselfaswell，atthehandsoftheinfuriatedcolonel。Hewantedtodelayhimtotheverylastmoment；andhehadbeenrackinghisbrainstoinventsomeplaceofconcealmentatonceplausibleanddifficultofaccess。
HeimpartedhistroubletoNostromo，andconcluded:
`Doyouknowwhat，Capataz?Ithinkthatwhenthetimecomesandsomeinformationmustbegiven，IshallindicatetheGreatIsabel。ThatisthebestplaceIcanthinkof。Whatisthematter?\'
AlowexclamationhadescapedNostromo。Thedoctorwaited，surprised，andafteramomentofprofoundsilence，heardathickvoicestammerout`Utterfolly\'，andstopwithagasp。
`Whyfolly?\'
`Ah！Youdonotseeit，\'beganNostromo，scathingly，gatheringscornashewenton。`Threemeninhalfanhourwouldseethatnogroundhadbeendisturbedanywhereonthatisland。Doyouthinkthatsuchatreasurecanbeburiedwithoutleavingtracesofthework——eh！SenorDoctor?Why，youwouldnotgainhalfadaymorebeforehavingyourthroatcutbySotillo。
TheIsabel！Whatstupidity！Whatmiserableinvention！Ah！youareallalike，youfinemenofintelligence。Allyouarefitforistobetraymenofthepeopleintoundertakingdeadlyrisksforobjectsthatyouarenotevensureabout。Ifitcomesoffyougetthebenefit。Ifnot，thenitdoesnotmatter。Heisonlyadog。Ah！MadredeDios，Iwould——\'Heshookhisfistsabovehishead。
Thedoctorwasoverwhelmedatfirstbythisfierce，hissingvehemence。
`Well！Itseemstomeonyourownshowingthatthemenofthepeoplearenomeanfools，too，\'hesaid，sullenly。`No，butcome。Youaresoclever。
Haveyouabetterplace?\'
Nostromohadcalmeddownasquicklyashehadflaredup。
`Iamcleverenoughforthat，\'hesaid，quietly，almostwithindifference。
`Youwanttotellhimofahiding-placebigenoughtotakedaysinransacking——aplacewhereatreasureofsilveringotscanbeburiedwithoutleavingasignonthesurface。\'
`Andcloseathand，\'thedoctorputin。
`Justso，senor。Tellhimitissunk。\'
`Thishasthemeritofbeingthetruth，\'thedoctorsaid，contemptuously。
`Hewillnotbelieveit。\'
`Youtellhimthatitissunkwherehemayhopetolayhishandsonit，andhewillbelieveyouquickenough。Tellhimithasbeensunkintheharbourinordertoberecoveredafterwardsbydivers。TellhimyoufoundoutthatIhadordersfromDonCarlosGouldtolowerthecasesquietlyoverboardsomewhereinalinebetweentheendofthejettyandtheentrance。
Thedepthisnottoogreatthere。Hehasnodivers，buthehasaship，boats，ropes，chains，sailors——ofasort。Lethimfishforthesilver。
Lethimsethisfoolstodragbackwardsandforwardsandcrosswayswhilehesitsandwatchestillhiseyesdropoutofhishead。\'
`Really，thisisanadmirableidea，\'mutteredthedoctor。
`Si。Youtellhimthat，andseewhetherhewillnotbelieveyou！
Hewillspenddaysinrageandtorment——andstillhewillbelieve。Hewillhavenothoughtforanythingelse。Hewillnotgiveuptillheisdrivenoff——why，hemayevenforgettokillyou。Hewillneithereatnorsleep。He——\'
`Theverything！Theverything！\'thedoctorrepeatedinanexcitedwhisper。`Capataz，Ibegintobelievethatyouareagreatgeniusinyourway。\'
Nostromohadpaused；thenbeganagaininachangedtone，sombre，speakingtohimselfasthoughhehadforgottenthedoctor\'sexistence。
`Thereissomethinginatreasurethatfastensuponaman\'smind。Hewillprayandblasphemeandstillpersevere，andwillcursethedayheeverheardofit，andwilllethislasthourcomeuponhimunawares，stillbelievingthathemisseditonlybyafoot。Hewillseeiteverytimehecloseshiseyes。Hewillneverforgetittillheisdead——andeventhen——Doctor，didyoueverhearofthemiserablegringosonAzuera，thatcannotdie?Ha！ha！Sailorslikemyself。Thereisnogettingawayfromatreasurethatoncefastensuponyourmind。\'
`Youareadevilofaman，Capataz。Itisthemostplausiblething。\'
Nostromopressedhisarm。
`Itwillbeworseforhimthanthirstatseaorhungerinatownfullofpeople。Doyouknowwhatthatis?Heshallsuffergreatertormentsthanheinflicteduponthatterrifiedwretchwhohadnoinvention。None！none！
Notlikeme。IcouldhavetoldSotilloadeadlytaleforverylittlepain。\'
HelaughedwildlyandturnedinthedoorwaytowardsthebodyofthelateSenorHirsch，anopaquelongblotchinthesemi-transparentobscurityoftheroombetweenthetwotallparallelogramsofthewindowsfullofstars。
`Youmanoffear！\'hecried。`Youshallbeavengedbyme——Nostromo。
Outofmyway，doctor！Standaside——or，bythesufferingsoulofawomandeadwithoutconfession，Iwillstrangleyouwithmytwohands。\'
Heboundeddownwardsintotheblack，smokyhall。Withagruntofastonishment，DrMonyghamthrewhimselfrecklesslyintothepursuit。Atthebottomofthecharredstairshehadafall，pitchingforwardonhisfacewithaforcethatwouldhavestunnedaspiritlessintentuponataskofloveanddevotion。
Hewasupinamoment，jarred，shaken，withaqueerimpressionoftheterrestrialglobehavingbeenflungathisheadinthedark。ButitwantedmorethanthattostopDrMonygham\'sbody，possessedbytheexaltationofself-sacrifice；
areasonableexaltation，determinednottolosewhateveradvantagechanceputintoitsway。Heranwithheadlong，totteringswiftness，hisarmsgoinglikeawindmillinhisefforttokeephisbalanceonhiscrippledfeet。
Helosthishat；thetailsofhisopengaberdineflewbehindhim。Hehadnomindtolosesightoftheindispensableman。Butitwasalongtime，andalongwayfromtheCustomHouse，beforehemanagedtoseizehisarmfrombehind，roughly，outofbreath。
`Stop！Areyoumad?\'
