Ностромо
Chapter 8
”
“What?”theCapatazcriedoutinadiscomposedtone.
“Thatstartlesyou—eh?”
“AmItounderstand,senor,”Nostromowentoninadeliberateand,asitwere,watchfultone,“thatSotillothinksthetreasurehasbeensavedbysomemeans?”
“No!no!Thatwouldbeimpossible,”saidthedoctor,withconviction;andNostromoemittedagruntinthedark.“Thatwouldbeimpossible.Hethinksthatthesilverwasnolongerinthelighterwhenshewassunk.HehasconvincedhimselfthatthewholeshowofgettingitawaytoseaisamereshamgotuptodeceiveGamachoandhisNationals,PedritoMontero,SenorFuentes,ournewGefePolitico,andhimself,too.Only,hesays,heisnosuchfool.”
“Butheisdevoidofsense.Heisthegreatestimbecilethatevercalledhimselfacolonelinthiscountryofevil,”growledNostromo.
“Heisnomoreunreasonablethanmanysensiblemen,”saidthedoctor.“Hehasconvincedhimselfthatthetreasurecanbefoundbecausehedesirespassionatelytopossesshimselfofit.AndheisalsoafraidofhisofficersturninguponhimandgoingovertoPedrito,whomhehasnotthecourageeithertofightortrust.Doyouseethat,Capataz?Heneedfearnodesertionaslongassomehoperemainsofthatenormousplunderturningup.Ihavemadeitmybusinesstokeepthisveryhopeup.”
“Youhave?”theCapatazdeCargadoresrepeatedcautiously.“Well,thatiswonderful.
