Похищенный
Chapter 7
”
“Whatyemaywant,sir,isamatterofconcerntonobodybutyoursel’,”returnedthecaptain;“butIcantellyethatwhichistobe.Hereheis;hereheshallbide.”
“Admittingthatyouhavebeenpaidinaproportion,”saidtheother,“IwillcraveleavehumblytosaythatIhavenot.PaidIam,andnonetoomuch,tobethesecondofficerofthisoldtub,andyoukenverywellifIdomybesttoearnit.ButIwaspaidfornothingmore.”
“Ifyecouldholdbackyourhandfromthetin-pan,Mr.Riach,Iwouldhavenocomplainttomakeofye,”returnedtheskipper;“andinsteadofaskingriddles,Imakeboldtosaythatyewouldkeepyourbreathtocoolyourporridge.We’llberequiredondeck,”headded,inasharpernote,andsetonefootupontheladder.
ButMr.Riachcaughthimbythesleeve.
“Admittingthatyouhavebeenpaidtodoamurder——”hebegan.
Hoseasonturneduponhimwithaflash.
“What’sthat?”hecried.“Whatkindoftalkisthat?”
“Itseemsitisthetalkthatyoucanunderstand,”saidMr.Riach,lookinghimsteadilyintheface.
“Mr.Riach,Ihavesailedwithyethreecruises,”repliedthecaptain.“Inallthattime,sir,yeshouldhavelearnedtoknowme:I’mastiffman,andadourman;butforwhatyesaythenow—fie,fie!—itcomesfromabadheartandablackconscience.Ifyesaytheladwilldie——”
“Ay,willhe!”saidMr.Riach.
“Well,sir,isnotthatenough?”saidHoseason.
