Крижаний сфінкс
Chapter XXIII. Found at Last
AtthesametimeIurgedeveryconsiderationthatmightexculpatehim,dwellinginparticularuponthepointthatifthelothadfallentoDirkPeters,hewouldhavebeenthevictimoftheothers’hunger.
“DirkPetersconfidedthissecrettoyouonly?”inquiredCaptainLenGuy.
“Tomeonly,captain.”
“Andyouhavekeptit?”
“Absolutely.”
“ThenIcannotunderstandhowitcametotheknowledgeofHearne.”
“Atfirst,”Ireplied,“IthoughtHearnemighthavetalkedinhissleep,andthatitwasbychanceMartinHoltlearnedthesecret.Afterreflection,however,Irecalledtomindthatwhenthehalf-breedrelatedthesceneontheGrampustome,hewasinmycabin,andthesidesashwasraised.Ihavereasontothinkthatthemanatthewheeloverheardourconversation.NowthatmanwasHearne,who,inordertohearitmoreclearly,letgothewheel,sothattheHalbranelurched—”
“Iremember,”saidWest.“Iquestionedthefellowsharply,andsenthimdownintothehold.”
“Well,then,captain,”Iresumed,“itwasfromthatdaythatHearnemadeuptoMartinHolt.Hurliguerlycalledmyattentiontothefact.”
“Ofcoursehedid,”saidtheboatswain,”forHearne,notbeingcapableofmanagingtheboatwhichheintendedtoseize,requiredamaster-handlikeHolt.”
“Andso,”Isaid,“hekeptonurgingHolttoquestionthehalf-breedconcerninghisbrother’sfate,andyouknowhowHoltcameatlasttolearnthefearfultruth.
