Таємний спільник
II
”
“Youhavenodoubtinthematter,sir?”
“Nonewhatever.”
Ilefthimsuddenly.IfeltIwasproducingabadimpression,butwithmydoubledownthereitwasmosttryingtobeondeck.Anditwasalmostastryingtobebelow.Altogetheranerve-tryingsituation.ButonthewholeIfeltlesstornintwowhenIwaswithhim.TherewasnooneinthewholeshipwhomIdaredtakeintomyconfidence.Sincethehandshadgottoknowhisstory,itwouldhavebeenimpossibletopasshimoffforanyoneelse,andanaccidentaldiscoverywastobedreadednowmorethanever....
Thestewardbeingengagedinlayingthetablefordinner,wecouldtalkonlywithoureyeswhenIfirstwentdown.Laterintheafternoonwehadacautioustryatwhispering.TheSundayquietnessoftheshipwasagainstus;thestillnessofairandwateraroundherwasagainstus;theelements,themenwereagainstus—everythingwasagainstusinoursecretpartnership;timeitself—forthiscouldnotgoonforever.TheverytrustinProvidencewas,Isuppose,deniedtohisguilt.ShallIconfessthatthisthoughtcastmedownverymuch?Andastothechapterofaccidentswhichcountsforsomuchinthebookofsuccess,Icouldonlyhopethatitwasclosed.Forwhatfavorableaccidentcouldbeexpected?
“Didyouheareverything?”weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside,leaningovermybedplace.
Hehad.Andtheproofofitwashisearnestwhisper,“Themantoldyouhehardlydaredtogivetheorder.”
Iunderstoodthereferencetobetothatsavingforesail.
“Yes.Hewasafraidofitbeinglostinthesetting.
