Ностромо

           Later,however,therewasaveryfinecoastingschoonerforsale,andMrs.GouldandIputourheadstogethertogetherboughtandpresentedtohim.Itwasdone,buthepaidallthepricebackwithinthenextthreeyears.Businesswasboomingallalongthisseaboard,sir.Moreover,thatmanalwayssucceededineverythingexceptinsavingthesilver.PoorDonaAntonia,freshfromherterribleexperiencesinthewoodsofLosHatos,hadaninterviewwithhim,too.WantedtohearaboutDecoud:whattheysaid,whattheydid,whattheythoughtuptothelastonthatfatalnight.Mrs.Gouldtoldmehismannerwasperfectforquietnessandsympathy.MissAvellanosburstintotearsonlywhenhetoldherhowDecoudhadhappenedtosaythathisplanwouldbeaglorioussuccess....Andthere’snodoubt,sir,thatitis.Itisasuccess.”

           Thecyclewasabouttocloseatlast.Andwhiletheprivilegedpassenger,shiveringwiththepleasantanticipationsofhisberth,forgottoaskhimself,“WhatonearthDecoud’splancouldbe?”CaptainMitchellwassaying,“Sorrywemustpartsosoon.Yourintelligentinterestmadethisapleasantdaytome.Ishallseeyounowonboard.Youhadaglimpseofthe‘TreasureHouseoftheWorld.’Averygoodnamethat.”Andthecoxswain’svoiceatthedoor,announcingthatthegigwasready,closedthecycle.

           Nostromohad,indeed,foundthelighter’sboat,whichhehadleftontheGreatIsabelwithDecoud,floatingemptyfaroutinthegulf.