Ностромо
Chapter 4
ThecommissionwaschargednowwiththetaskofdiscoveringtheiniquitousconspiracyagainsttheCitizen-Saviourofhiscountry.
Theirdreadoftheravingtyranttranslateditselfintoahastyferocityofprocedure.TheCitizen-Saviourwasnotaccustomedtowait.Aconspiracyhadtobediscovered.Thecourtyardsofthecastleresoundedwiththeclankingofleg-irons,soundsofblows,yellsofpain;andthecommissionofhighofficerslabouredfeverishly,concealingtheirdistressandapprehensionsfromeachother,andespeciallyfromtheirsecretary,FatherBeron,anarmychaplain,atthattimeverymuchintheconfidenceoftheCitizen-Saviour.Thatpriestwasabiground-shoulderedman,withanunclean-looking,overgrowntonsureonthetopofhisflathead,ofadingy,yellowcomplexion,softlyfat,withgreasystainsalldownthefrontofhislieutenant’suniform,andasmallcrossembroideredinwhitecottononhisleftbreast.Hehadaheavynoseandapendantlip.Dr.Monyghamrememberedhimstill.Herememberedhimagainstalltheforceofhiswillstrivingitsutmosttoforget.FatherBeronhadbeenadjoinedtothecommissionbyGuzmanBentoexpresslyforthepurposethathisenlightenedzealshouldassistthemintheirlabours.Dr.
