Викрадений
Chapter 29
”
“I’llhavehimkeepit,though,”returnedmyuncle.“Ineverhadnaethingtodowithonythingmorallywrong;andI’mnogauntobegintopleasureawildHielandman.”
“Ye’reuncoscrupulous,”sneeredAlan.
“I’mamano’principle,”saidEbenezer,simply;“andifIhavetopayforit,I’llhavetopayforit.Andbesides,”sayshe,“yeforgetthelad’smybrother’sson.”
“Well,well,”saidAlan,“andnowabouttheprice.It’snoveryeasyformetosetanameuponit;Iwouldfirsthavetokensomesmallmatters.Iwouldhavetoken,forinstance,whatyegaveHoseasonatthefirstoff-go?”
“Hoseason!”criesmyuncle,struckaback.“Whatfor?”
“ForkidnappingDavid,”saysAlan.
“It’salee,it’sablacklee!”criedmyuncle.“Hewasneverkidnapped.Heleedinhisthroatthattauldyethat.Kidnapped?Heneverwas!”
“That’snofaultofminenoryetofyours,”saidAlan;“noryetofHoseason’s,ifhe’samanthatcanbetrusted.”
“Whatdoyemean?”criedEbenezer.“DidHoseasontellye?”
“Why,yedonneredauldrunt,howelsewouldIken?”criedAlan.“Hoseasonandmearepartners;wegangshares;soyecanseeforyoursel’whatgoodyecandoleeing.AndImustplainlysayyedroveafool’sbargainwhenyeletamanlikethesailor-mansofarforwardinyourprivatematters.Butthat’spastprayingfor;andyemustlieonyourbedthewayyemadeit.Andthepointinhandisjustthis:whatdidyepayhim?”
“Hashetauldyehimsel’?”askedmyuncle.
