Таємний спільник
II
”
Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay,andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing.Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist,butmymate,closewitnessofthatparting,lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast.AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers,hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme.
“Seemsaveryniceman.Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory,ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue.Isupposeyouhaditfromthecaptain,sir?”
“Yes.Ihadastoryfromthecaptain.”
“Averyhorribleaffair—isn’tit,sir?”
“Itis.”
“BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships.”
“Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem.Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast.”
“Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso!ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships,notI,soIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge.It’shorribleenoughforme....Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere.Theyhadreally.Didyoueverhearofsuchathing?”
“Preposterous—isn’tit?”
Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarter-deck.Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen(thedaywasSunday),andthematepursued:
“Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit.Ourchapstookoffense.‘Asifwewouldharborathinglikethat,’theysaid.‘Wouldn’tyouliketolookforhiminourcoal-hole?’Quiteatiff.Buttheymadeitupintheend.Isupposehediddrownhimself.Don’tyou,sir?”
“Idon’tsupposeanything.
