Таємний спільник
II
Andyet,haggardasheappeared,helookedalwaysperfectlyself-controlled,morethancalm—almostinvulnerable.Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom,which,uponthewhole,wasthesafestplace.Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere,oncethestewardhaddonewithit.Itwasaverytinyplace.Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor,hislegsbent,hisheadsustainedononeelbow.AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecampstool,sittinginhisgraysleepingsuitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient,unmovedconvict.AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybedplace,andwewouldwhispertogether,withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads.Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime.Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom;hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof;andsohelivedonstewedchicken,PatedeFoieGras,asparagus,cookedoysters,sardines—onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins.Myearly-morningcoffeehealwaysdrank;anditwasallIdareddoforhiminthatrespect.
Everydaytherewasthehorriblemaneuveringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebathroomshouldbedoneintheusualway.Icametohatethesightofthesteward,toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman.Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery.Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads.
