Серце темряви

           Andsaidhe,‘Mr.Kurtz’sknowledgeofunexploredregionsmusthavebeennecessarilyextensiveandpeculiar—owingtohisgreatabilitiesandtothedeplorablecircumstancesinwhichhehadbeenplaced:therefore—’IassuredhimMr.Kurtz’sknowledge,howeverextensive,didnotbearupontheproblemsofcommerceoradministration.Heinvokedthenthenameofscience.‘Itwouldbeanincalculablelossif,’etc.,etc.Iofferedhimthereportonthe‘SuppressionofSavageCustoms,’withthepostscriptumtornoff.Hetookitupeagerly,butendedbysniffingatitwithanairofcontempt.‘Thisisnotwhatwehadarighttoexpect,’heremarked.‘Expectnothingelse,’Isaid.‘Thereareonlyprivateletters.’Hewithdrewuponsomethreatoflegalproceedings,andIsawhimnomore;butanotherfellow,callinghimselfKurtz’scousin,appearedtwodayslater,andwasanxioustohearallthedetailsabouthisdearrelative’slastmoments.IncidentallyhegavemetounderstandthatKurtzhadbeenessentiallyagreatmusician.‘Therewasthemakingofanimmensesuccess,’saidtheman,whowasanorganist,Ibelieve,withlankgreyhairflowingoveragreasycoat-collar.Ihadnoreasontodoubthisstatement;andtothisdayIamunabletosaywhatwasKurtz’sprofession,whetherheeverhadany—whichwasthegreatestofhistalents.