Chapter 3

           DIRECTLYtheywerealone,thecolonel’ssevereofficialmannerchanged.Heroseandapproachedthedoctor.Hiseyesshonewithrapacityandhope;hebecameconfidential.“Thesilvermighthavebeenindeedputonboardthelighter,butitwasnotconceivablethatitshouldhavebeentakenouttosea.”Thedoctor,watchingeveryword,noddedslightly,smokingwithapparentrelishthecigarwhichSotillohadofferedhimasasignofhisfriendlyintentions.Thedoctor’smannerofcolddetachmentfromtherestoftheEuropeansledSotilloon,till,fromconjecturetoconjecture,hearrivedathintingthatinhisopinionthiswasaputupjobonthepartofCharlesGould,inordertogetholdofthatimmensetreasurealltohimself.Thedoctor,observantandself-possessed,muttered,“Heisverycapableofthat.”

           HereCaptainMitchellexclaimedwithamazement,amusement,andindignation,“YousaidthatofCharlesGould!”Disgust,andevensomesuspicion,creptintohistone,fortohim,too,astootherEuropeans,thereappearedtobesomethingdubiousaboutthedoctor’spersonality.

           “Whatonearthmadeyousaythattothiswatch-stealingscoundrel?”heasked.“What’stheobjectofaninfernallieofthatsort?Thatconfoundedpick-pocketwasquitecapableofbelievingyou.”

           Hesnorted.Foratimethedoctorremainedsilentinthedark.