Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XVIII. A Revelation
AtlengthArthurPym,standingwithclosedeyes,notknowingwhetherthelotwasfororagainsthim,feltahandseizehisown.ItwasthehandofDirkPeters.ArthurPymhadescapeddeath.Andthenthehalf-breedrusheduponParkerandstabbedhimintheback.Thefrightfulrepastfollowed—immediately—andwordsarenotsufficienttoconveytothemindthehorrorofthereality.
Yes!Iknewthathideousstory,notafable,asIhadlongbelieved.ThiswaswhathadhappenedonboardtheGrampus,onthe16thofJuly,1827,andvainlydidItrytounderstandDirkPeters’reasonforrecallingittomyrecollection.
“Well,DirkPeters,”Isaid,“Iwillaskyou,sinceyouwereanxioustohideyourname,whatitwasthatinducedyoutorevealit,whentheHalbranewasmooredoffTsalalIsland;whyyoudidnotkeeptothenameofHunt?”
“Sir—understandme—therewashesitationaboutgoingfarther—theywantedtoturnback.Thiswasdecided,andthenIthoughtthatbytellingwhoIwas—DirkPeters—oftheGrampus—poorPym’scompanion—Ishouldbeheard;theywouldbelievewithmethathewasstillliving,theywouldgoinsearchofhim!Andyet,itwasaseriousthingtodo—toacknowledgethatIwasDirkPeters,hewhohadkilledParker!Buthunger,devouringhunger!”
“Come,come,DirkPeters,”saidI,“youexaggerate!Ifthelothadfallentoyou,youwouldhaveincurredthefateofParker.Youcannotbechargedwithacrime.
