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           Thepresenceofstrangersontheislandwouldcuthimcompletelyoffthetreasure.Ithadbeendifficultanddangerousenoughbefore.Hewasafraid,andhewasangry.Hethoughtwiththeresolutionofamasterandthecunningofacowedslave.Thenhewentashore.

           Hewasamanofresourceandingenuity;and,asusual,theexpedienthefoundatacriticalmomentwaseffectiveenoughtoalterthesituationradically.Hehadthegiftofevolvingsafetyoutoftheverydanger,thisincomparableNostromo,this“fellowinathousand.”WithGiorgioestablishedontheGreatIsabel,therewouldbenoneedforconcealment.Hewouldbeabletogoopenly,indaylight,toseehisdaughters—oneofhisdaughters—andstaylatetalkingtotheoldGaribaldino.Theninthedark...Nightafternight...Hewoulddaretogrowrichquickernow.Heyearnedtoclasp,embrace,absorb,subjugateinunquestionedpossessionthistreasure,whosetyrannyhadweigheduponhismind,hisactions,hisverysleep.

           HewenttoseehisfriendCaptainMitchell—andthethingwasdoneasDr.MonyghamhadrelatedtoMrs.Gould.WhentheprojectwasmootedtotheGaribaldino,somethinglikethefaintreflection,thedimghostofaveryancientsmile,stoleunderthewhiteandenormousmoustachesoftheoldhaterofkingsandministers.Hisdaughtersweretheobjectofhisanxiouscare.Theyounger,especially.Linda,withhermother’svoice,hadtakenmorehermother’splace.