Ностромо

           ThelateSenorHirsch,erectandshadowyagainstthestars,seemedtobewaitingattentive,inimpartialsilence.

           ButDr.MonyghamhadnomindtoquarrelwithNostromo.AtthissupremelycriticalpointofSulaco’sfortunesitwasborneuponhimatlastthatthismanwasreallyindispensable,moreindispensablethanevertheinfatuationofCaptainMitchell,hisprouddiscoverer,couldconceive;farbeyondwhatDecoud’sbestdryrailleryabout“myillustriousfriend,theuniqueCapatazdeCargadores,”hadeverintended.Thefellowwasunique.Hewasnot“oneinathousand.”Hewasabsolutelytheonlyone.Thedoctorsurrendered.TherewassomethinginthegeniusofthatGenoeseseamanwhichdominatedthedestiniesofgreatenterprisesandofmanypeople,thefortunesofCharlesGould,thefateofanadmirablewoman.Atthislastthoughtthedoctorhadtoclearhisthroatbeforehecouldspeak.

           InacompletelychangedtonehepointedouttotheCapatazthat,tobeginwith,hepersonallyrannogreatrisk.Asfaraseverybodyknewhewasdead.Itwasanenormousadvantage.HehadonlytokeepoutofsightintheCasaViola,wheretheoldGaribaldinowasknowntobealone—withhisdeadwife.Theservantshadallrunaway.Noonewouldthinkofsearchingforhimthere,oranywhereelseonearth,forthatmatter.

           “Thatwouldbeverytrue,”Nostromospokeup,bitterly,“ifIhadnotmetyou.”

           Foratimethedoctorkeptsilent.