Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter II. The Schooner Halbrane
Now,ifyouwillallowme,Ishalltakeleaveofyou,withoutwaitingforAtkinstoreturn,andgetonboard.”
Withthis,Hurliguerlyswallowedhislastglassofwhiskyatagulp—Ithoughttheglasswouldhavegonedownwiththeliquor—bestowedapatronizingsmileonme,anddeparted.
Anhourlater,Imettheinnkeeperontheport,andtoldhimwhathadoccurred.
“Ah!thatHurliguerly!”saidhe,“alwaystheoldstory.Ifyouweretobelievehim,CaptainLenGuywouldn’tblowhisnosewithoutconsultinghim.He’saqueerfellow,Mr.Jeorling,notbad,notstupid,butagreathandatgettingholdofdollarsorguineas!Ifyoufallintohishands,mindyourpurse,buttonupyourpocket,anddon’tletyourselfbedone.”
“Thanksforyouradvice,Atkins.Tellme,youhavebeentalkingwithCaptainLenGuy;haveyouspokenaboutme?”
“Notyet,Mr.Jeorling.There’splentyoftime.TheHalbranehasonlyjustarrived,and—”
“Yes,yes,Iknow.ButyouunderstandthatIwanttobecertainassoonaspossible.”
“There’snothingtofear.Thematterwillbeallright.Besides,youwouldnotbeatalossinanycase.Whenthefishingseasoncomes,therewillbemoreshipsinChristmasHarbourthantherearehousesaroundtheGreenCormorant.Relyonme.Iundertakeyourgettingapassage.”
Now,thesewerefairwords,but,justasinthecaseofHurliguerly,therewasnothinginthem.
