Таємний спільник
II
ShallIgoupagainandsee,sir?”
“No!nevermind.”
Myobjectwasattained,asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed.Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates;butthelipofthatconfoundedcub,thesecondmate,quiveredvisibly.
Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce.Hewasveryslowaboutit;butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim.SuddenlyIbecameaware(itcouldbeheardplainlyenough)thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebathroom.Itwastheend.Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin.MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover.Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror,andmadeamovement,buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs.Everythingremainedstill.Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat?Idon’tknowwhatIcouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom,closethedoor,andthenstandquietlybythesideboard.
“Saved,”Ithought.“But,no!Lost!Gone!Hewasgone!”
Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair.Myheadswam.Afterawhile,whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice,Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself.
“Iwon’tcomeondeck,”Iwenton.“IthinkI’llturnin,andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight.Ifeelabitseedy.
