Ностромо
Chapter 9
JustasithadbeentheinterestofSenorDecoud,oftheBlancos,andoftheEuropeanstogethisCargadoresontheirside.HisthoughtbecamearresteduponDecoud.Whatwouldhappentohim?
Nostromo’sprolongedsilencemadethedoctoruneasy.Hepointedout,quiteunnecessarily,thatthoughforthepresenthewassafe,hecouldnotliveconcealedforever.ThechoicewasbetweenacceptingthemissiontoBarrios,withallitsdangersanddifficulties,andleavingSulacobystealth,ingloriously,inpoverty.
“Noneofyourfriendscouldrewardyouandprotectyoujustnow,Capataz.NotevenDonCarloshimself.”
“Iwouldhavenoneofyourprotectionandnoneofyourrewards.IonlywishIcouldtrustyourcourageandyoursense.WhenIreturnintriumph,asyousay,withBarrios,Imayfindyoualldestroyed.Youhavetheknifeatyourthroatnow.”
Itwasthedoctor’sturntoremainsilentinthecontemplationofhorriblecontingencies.
“Well,wewouldtrustyourcourageandyoursense.Andyou,too,haveaknifeatyourthroat.”
“Ah!AndwhomamItothankforthat?Whatareyourpoliticsandyourminestome—yoursilverandyourconstitutions—yourDonCarlosthis,andDonJosethat—”
“Idon’tknow,”burstouttheexasperateddoctor.“ThereareinnocentpeopleindangerwhoselittlefingerisworthmorethanyouorIandalltheRibieriststogether.Idon’tknow.
