Ностромо
Chapter 1
Thethingis—canitbetouched?Themomentwasboundtocomewhenneutralitywouldbecomeimpossible,andCharlesGouldunderstoodthiswell.Ibelieveheispreparedforeveryextremity.Amanofhissorthasnevercontemplatedremainingindefinitelyatthemercyofignoranceandcorruption.Itwaslikebeingaprisonerinacavernofbandittiwiththepriceofyourransominyourpocket,andbuyingyourlifefromdaytoday.Yourmeresafety,notyourliberty,mind,doctor.IknowwhatIamtalkingabout.Theimageatwhichyoushrugyourshouldersisperfectlycorrect,especiallyifyouconceivesuchaprisonerendowedwiththepowerofreplenishinghispocketbymeansasremotefromthefacultiesofhiscaptorsasiftheyweremagic.YoumusthaveunderstoodthataswellasIdo,doctor.Hewasinthepositionofthegoosewiththegoldeneggs.IbroachedthismattertohimasfarbackasSirJohn’svisithere.Theprisonerofstupidandgreedybandittiisalwaysatthemercyofthefirstimbecileruffian,whomayblowouthisbrainsinafitoftemperorforsomeprospectofanimmediatebighaul.Thetaleofkillingthegoosewiththegoldeneggshasnotbeenevolvedfornothingoutofthewisdomofmankind.Itisastorythatwillnevergrowold.ThatiswhyCharlesGouldinhisdeep,dumbwayhascountenancedtheRibieristMandate,thefirstpublicactthatpromisedhimsafetyonotherthanvenalgrounds.Ribierismhasfailed,aseverythingmerelyrationalfailsinthiscountry.ButGouldremainslogicalinwishingtosavethisbiglotofsilver.
