Таємний спільник
II
”
“Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago,”thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern.
Theybothwentout,andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable.Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface.Butwhydidheavoidmyeyes,Iaskedmyself.ThenIthoughtIshouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice.
“Steward!”
“Sir!”Startledasusual.
“Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat?”
“Inthebathroom,sir.”Theusualanxioustone.“It’snotquitedryyet,sir.”
ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy.Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome?Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation,whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable....Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom,shutthedoor,lightedthelamp,andforatimedarednotturnround.WhenatlastIdidIsawhimstandingbolt-uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart.ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock,butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind.Canitbe,Iaskedmyself,thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine?Itwaslikebeinghaunted.Motionless,withagraveface,heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly,“Heavens!whatanarrowescape!”Narrowindeed.IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder.Thatgesturerestrainedme,sotospeak.
Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack.
