Ностромо

           Hecouldn’thavetoldwhatupsethimmost—CharlesGould’simmensematerialloss,thedeathofNostromo,whichwasaheavylosstohimself,ortheideaofthatbeautifulandaccomplishedyoungwomanbeingplungedintomourning.

           “Yes,”thedoctor,whohadbeenapparentlyreflecting,beganagain,“hebelievedmerightenough.Ithoughthewouldhavehuggedme.‘Si,si,’hesaid,‘hewillwritetothatpartnerofhis,therichAmericanoinSanFrancisco,thatitisalllost.Whynot?Thereisenoughtosharewithmanypeople.’”

           “Butthisisperfectlyimbecile!”criedCaptainMitchell.

           ThedoctorremarkedthatSotillowasimbecile,andthathisimbecilitywasingeniousenoughtoleadhimcompletelyastray.Hehadhelpedhimonlybutalittleway.

           “Imentioned,”thedoctorsaid,“inasortofcasualway,thattreasureisgenerallyburiedintheearthratherthansetafloatuponthesea.AtthismySotilloslappedhisforehead.‘PorDios,yes,’hesaid;‘theymusthaveburieditontheshoresofthisharboursomewherebeforetheysailedout.’”

           “Heavensandearth!”mutteredCaptainMitchell,“Ishouldnothavebelievedthatanybodycouldbeassenough—”Hepaused,thenwentonmournfully:“Butwhat’sthegoodofallthis?Itwouldhavebeenacleverenoughlieifthelighterhadbeenstillafloat.Itwouldhavekeptthatinconceivableidiotperhapsfromsendingoutthesteamertocruiseinthegulf.