Ностромо
Chapter 1
Haveyoumettheimpossiblefacetoface—orhaveyou,theNapoleonofrailways,nosuchwordinyourdictionary?”
“Issheboundtohaveaverybadtimeofit?”askedthechiefengineer,withhumaneconcern.
Slow,heavyfootstepsmovedacrosstheplanksabovetheheavyhardwoodbeamsofthekitchen.Thendownthenarrowopeningofthestaircasemadeinthethicknessofthewall,andnarrowenoughtobedefendedbyonemanagainsttwentyenemies,camethemurmuroftwovoices,onefaintandbroken,theotherdeepandgentleansweringit,andinitsgravertonecoveringtheweakersound.
Thetwomenremainedstillandsilenttillthemurmursceased,thenthedoctorshruggedhisshouldersandmuttered—
“Yes,she’sboundto.AndIcoulddonothingifIwentupnow.”
Alongperiodofsilenceaboveandbelowensued.
“Ifancy,”begantheengineer,inasubduedvoice,“thatyoumistrustCaptainMitchell’sCapataz.”
“Mistrusthim!”mutteredthedoctorthroughhisteeth.“Ibelievehimcapableofanything—evenofthemostabsurdfidelity.Iamthelastpersonhespoketobeforeheleftthewharf,youknow.Thepoorwomanuptherewantedtoseehim,andIlethimgouptoher.Thedyingmustnotbecontradicted,youknow.Sheseemedthenfairlycalmandresigned,butthescoundrelinthosetenminutesorsohasdoneorsaidsomethingwhichseemstohavedrivenherintodespair.
