Дети капитана Гранта

           Itisstillyourintention,Isuppose,todelivermeuptotheEnglishauthorities?"

           "Yes,Ayrton,itisonlyjustice."

           "Idon’tsayitisnot,"repliedthequartermasterquietly."Thenofcourseyouwouldneverconsenttosetmeatliberty."

           Glenarvanhesitatedbeforereplyingtoaquestionsoplainlyput.Ontheanswerhegave,perhapsthefateofHarryGrantmightdepend!

           However,afeelingofdutytowardhumanjusticecompelledhimtosay:

           "No,Ayrton,Icannotsetyouatliberty."

           "Idonotaskit,"saidthequartermasterproudly.

           "Then,whatisityouwant?"

           "Amiddleplace,myLord,betweenthegibbetthatawaitsmeandthelibertywhichyoucannotgrantme."

           "Andthatis—"

           "ToallowmetobeleftononeoftheuninhabitedislandsofthePacific,withsuchthingsasareabsolutenecessaries.IwillmanageasbestIcan,andwillrepentifIhavetime."

           Glenarvan,quiteunpreparedforsuchaproposal,lookedathistwofriendsinsilence.Butafterabriefreflection,hereplied:

           "Ayrton,ifIagreetoyourrequest,youwilltellmeallIhaveaninterestinknowing."

           "Yes,myLord,thatistosay,allIknowaboutCaptainGrantandtheBritannia."

           "Thewholetruth?"

           "Thewhole."

           "ButwhatguaranteehaveI?"

           "Oh,Iseewhatyouareuneasyabout.Youneedaguaranteeforme,forthetruthofacriminal.That’snatural.Butwhatcanyouhaveunderthecircumstances.Thereisnohelpforit,youmusteithertakemyofferorleaveit."

           "Iwilltrusttoyou,Ayrton,"saidGlenarvan,simply.