Ностромо

           Heseemedexhaustedbyhisperplexities,languidwithdisappointment;butwhenthesentryonthelandingthrusthisheadintoannouncethearrivalofaprisoner,herevivedatonce.

           “Lethimbebroughtin,”heshouted,fiercely.

           Thedoorflewopen,andCaptainMitchell,bareheaded,hiswaistcoatopen,thebowofhistieunderhisear,washustledintotheroom.

           Sotillorecognizedhimatonce.Hecouldnothavehopedforamorepreciouscapture;herewasamanwhocouldtellhim,ifhechose,everythinghewishedtoknow—anddirectlytheproblemofhowbesttomakehimtalktothepointpresenteditselftohismind.TheresentmentofaforeignnationhadnoterrorsforSotillo.ThemightofthewholearmedEuropewouldnothaveprotectedCaptainMitchellfrominsultsandill-usage,sowellasthequickreflectionofSotillothatthiswasanEnglishmanwhowouldmostlikelyturnobstinateunderbadtreatment,andbecomequiteunmanageable.Atallevents,thecolonelsmoothedthescowlonhisbrow.

           “What!TheexcellentSenorMitchell!”hecried,inaffecteddismay.Thepretendedangerofhisswiftadvanceandofhisshout,“Releasethecaballeroatonce,”wassoeffectivethattheastoundedsoldierspositivelysprangawayfromtheirprisoner.Thussuddenlydeprivedofforciblesupport,CaptainMitchellreeledasthoughabouttofall.Sotillotookhimfamiliarlyunderthearm,ledhimtoachair,wavedhishandattheroom.“Goout,allofyou,”hecommanded.