Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter VIII. Bound for the Falklands
Itwasonthe11ththattheopportunityofanexplanationwithCaptainLenGuywaspresentedtome,andbyhimself,forhecameoutofhiscabin,advancedtothesideoftheshipwhereIwasseated,andtookhisplaceatmyside.
Evidentlyhewishedtotalktome,andofwhat,ifnotthesubjectwhichentirelyabsorbedhim?Hebeganbysaying:
“Ihavenotyethadthepleasureofachatwithyou,Mr.Jeorling,sinceourdeparturefromTristand’Acunha!”
“Tomyregret,captain,”Ireplied,butwithreserve,forIwantedhimtomaketherunning.
“Ibegyoutoexcuseme,”heresumed,“Ihavesomanythingstooccupymeandmakemeanxious.Aplanofcampaigntoorganize,inwhichnothingmustbeunforeseenorunprovidedfor.Ibegyounottobedispleasedwithme—”
“Iamnot,Iassureyou.”
“Thatisallright,Mr.Jeorling;andnowthatIknowyou,thatIamabletoappreciateyou,IcongratulatemyselfuponhavingyouforapassengeruntilourarrivalattheFalklands.”
“Iamverygrateful,captain,forwhatyouhavedoneforme,andIfeelencouragedto—”
Themomentseemedpropitioustomymakingmyproposal,whenCaptainLenGuyinterruptedme.
“Well,Mr.Jeorling,”heasked,“areyounowconvincedoftherealityofthevoyageoftheJane,ordoyoustillregardEdgarPoe’sbookasaworkofpureimagination?”
“Idonotsoregardit,captain.
