Heclimbedthestairs，thencheckedhimself，becausehehadseenwithintheshadowofamancastupononeofthewalls。Itwasashapeless，high-shoulderedshadowofsomebodystandingstill，withloweredhead，outofhislineofsight。TheCapataz，rememberingthathewastotallyunarmed，steppedaside，and，effacinghimselfuprightinadarkcorner，waitedwithhiseyesfixedonthedoor。
　　Thewholeenormousruinedbarrackofaplace，unfinished，withoutceilingunderitsloftyroof，waspervadedbythesmokeswayingtoandfrointhefaintcross-draughtsplayingintheobscurityofmanyloftyroomsandbarnlikepassages。Onceoneoftheswingingshutterscameagainstthewallwithasinglesharpcrack，asifpushedbyanimpatienthand。Apieceofpaperscurriedoutfromsomewhere，rustlingalongthelanding。Theman，whoeverhewas，didnotdarkenthelighteddoorway。TwicetheCapataz，advancingacoupleofstepsoutofhiscorner，cranedhisneckinthehopeofcatchingsightofwhathecouldbeat，soquietly，inthere。Buteverytimehesawonlythedistortedshadowofbroadshouldersandbowedhead。Hewasdoingapparentlynothing，andstirrednotfromthespot，asthoughheweremeditating——or，perhaps，readingapaper。Andnotasoundissuedfromtheroom。
　　OncemoretheCapatazsteppedback。Hewonderedwhoitwas——someMonterist?
　　Buthedreadedtoshowhimself。Todiscoverhispresenceonshore，unlessaftermanydays，would，hebelieved，endangerthetreasure。Withhisownknowledgepossessinghiswholesoul，itseemedimpossiblethatanybodyinSulacoshouldfailtojumpattherightsurmise。Afteracoupleofweeksorsoitwouldbedifferent。WhocouldtellhehadnotreturnedoverlandfromsomeportbeyondthelimitsoftheRepublic?Theexistenceofthetreasureconfusedhisthoughtswithapeculiarsortofanxiety，asthoughhislifehadbecomeboundupwithit。Itrenderedhimtimorousforamomentbeforethatenigmatic，lighteddoor。Deviltakethefellow！Hedidnotwanttoseehim。Therewouldbenothingtolearnfromhisface，knownorunknown。Hewasafooltowastehistimethereinwaiting。
　　LessthanfiveminutesafterenteringtheplacetheCapatazbeganhisretreat。Hegotawaydownthestairswithperfectsuccess，gaveoneupwardlookoverhisshoulderatthelightonthelanding，andranstealthilyacrossthehall。Butattheverymomenthewasturningoutofthegreatdoor，withhismindfixeduponescapingthenoticeofthemanupstairs，somebodyhehadnotheardcomingbrisklyalongthefrontranfullintohim。Bothmutteredastifledexclamationofsurprise，andleapedbackandstoodstill，eachindistincttotheother。Nostromowassilent。Theothermanspokefirst，inanamazedanddeadenedtone。
　　`Whoareyou?'
　　AlreadyNostromohadseemedtorecognizeDrMonygham。Hehadnodoubtnow。Hehesitatedthespaceofasecond。Theideaofboltingwithoutawordpresenteditselftohismind。Nouse！Aninexplicablerepugnancetopronouncethenamebywhichhewasknownkepthimsilentalittlelonger。
　　Atlasthesaidinalowvoice:
　　`Acargador。'
　　Hewalkeduptotheother。DrMonyghamhadreceivedashock。Heflunghisarmsupandcriedouthiswonderaloud，forgettinghimselfbeforethemarvelofthismeeting。Nostromoangrilywarnedhimtomoderatehisvoice。
　　TheCustomHousewasnotsodesertedasitlooked。Therewassomebodyinthelightedroomabove。
　　Thereisnomoreevanescentqualityinanaccomplishedfactthanitswonderfulness。Solicitedincessantlybytheconsiderationsaffectingitsfearsanddesires，thehumanmindturnsnaturallyawayfromthemarvelloussideofevents。Anditwasinthemostnaturalwaypossiblethatthedoctoraskedthismanwhomonlytwominutesbeforehebelievedtohavebeendrownedinthegulf:
　　`Youhaveseensomebodyupthere?Haveyou?'
　　`No，Ihavenotseenhim。'
　　`Thenhowdoyouknow?'
　　`Iwasrunningawayfromhisshadowwhenwemet。'
　　`Hisshadow?'
　　`Yes。Hisshadowinthelightedroom，'saidNostromo，inacontemptuoustone。Leaningbackwithfoldedarmsatthefootoftheimmensebuilding，hedroppedhishead，bitinghislipsslightly，andnotlookingatthedoctor。
　　`Now，'hethoughttohimself，`hewillbeginaskingmeaboutthetreasure。'
　　Butthedoctor'sthoughtswereconcernedwithaneventnotasmarvellousasNostromo'sappearance，butinitselfmuchlessclear。WhyhadSotillotakenhimselfoffwithhiswholecommandwiththissuddennessandsecrecy?
　　Whatdidthismoveportend?However，itdawneduponthedoctorthatthemanupstairswasoneoftheofficersleftbehindbythedisappointedcoloneltocommunicatewithhim。
　　`Ibelieveheiswaitingforme，'hesaid。
　　`Itispossible。'
　　`Imustsee。Donotgoawayyet，Capataz。'
　　`Goawaywhere?'mutteredNostromo。
　　Alreadythedoctorhadlefthim。Heremainedleaningagainstthewall，staringatthedarkwateroftheharbour；theshrillingofcicadasfilledhisears。Aninvinciblevaguenesscomingoverhisthoughtstookfromthemallpowertodeterminehiswill。
　　`Capataz！Capataz！'thedoctor'svoicecalledurgentlyfromabove。
　　Thesenseofbetrayalandruinfloateduponhissombreindifferenceasuponasluggishseaofpitch。Buthesteppedoutfromunderthewall，and，lookingup，sawDrMonyghamleaningoutofalightedwindow。
　　`ComeupandseewhatSotillohasdone。Youneednotfearthemanuphere。'
　　Heansweredbyaslight，bitterlaugh。Fearaman！TheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoresfearaman！Itangeredhimthatanybodyshouldsuggestsuchathing。Itangeredhimtobedisarmedandskulkingandindangerbecauseoftheaccursedtreasure，whichwasofsolittleaccounttothepeoplewhohadtieditroundhisneck。Hecouldnotshakeofftheworryofit。ToNostromothedoctorrepresentedallthesepeople……Andhehadneverevenaskedafterit。Notawordofinquiryaboutthemostdesperateundertakingofhislife。
　　Thinkingthesethoughts，Nostromopassedagainthroughthecavernoushall，wherethesmokewasconsiderablythinned，andwentupthestairs，notsowarmtohisfeetnow，towardsthestreakoflightatthetop。Thedoctorappearedinitforamoment，agitatedandimpatient。
　　`Comeup！Comeup！'
　　AtthemomentofcrossingthedoorwaytheCapatazexperiencedashockofsurprise。Themanhadnotmoved。Hesawhisshadowinthesameplace。
　　Hestarted，thensteppedinwithafeelingofbeingabouttosolveamystery。
　　Itwasverysimple。Foraninfinitesimalfractionofasecond，againstthelightoftwoflaringandgutteringcandles，throughablue，pungent，thinhazewhichmadehiseyessmart，hesawthemanstanding，ashehadimaginedhim，withhisbacktothedoor，castinganenormousanddistortedshadowuponthewall。Swifterthanaflashoflightningfollowedtheimpressionofhisconstrained，topplingattitude——theshouldersprojectingforward，theheadsunklowuponthebreast。Thenhedistinguishedthearmsbehindhisback，andwrenchedsoterriblythatthetwoclenchedfists，lashedtogether，hadbeenforceduphigherthantheshoulder-blades。Fromtherehiseyestracedinoneinstantaneousglancethehideropegoingupwardsfromthetiedwristsoveraheavybeamanddowntoastapleinthewall。
　　Hedidnotwanttolookattherigidlegs，atthefeethangingdownnervelessly，withtheirbaretoessomesixinchesabovethefloor，toknowthatthemanhadbeengiventheestrapadetillhehadswooned。Hisfirstimpulsewastodashforwardandsevertheropeatoneblow。Hefeltforhisknife。
　　Hehadnoknife——notevenaknife。Hestoodquivering，andthedoctor，perchedontheedgeofthetable，facingthoughtfullythecruelandlamentablesight，hischininhishand，uttered，withoutstirring:
　　`Tortured——andshotdeadthroughthebreast——gettingcold。'
　　ThisinformationcalmedtheCapataz。Oneofthecandlesflickeringinthesocketwentout。`Whodidthis?'heasked。
　　`Sotillo，Itellyou。Whoelse?Tortured——ofcourse。Butwhyshot?'
　　ThedoctorlookedfixedlyatNostromo，whoshruggedhisshouldersslightly。
　　`Andmark，shotsuddenly，onimpulse。Itisevident。IwishIhadhissecret。'
　　Nostromohadadvanced，andstoopedslightlytolook。`Iseemtohaveseenthatfacesomewhere，'hemuttered。`Whoishe?'
　　Thedoctorturnedhiseyesuponhimagain。`Imayyetcometoenvyinghisfate。Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Capataz，eh?'
　　ButNostromodidnotevenhearthesewords。Seizingtheremaininglight，hethrustitunderthedroopinghead。Thedoctorsatoblivious，withalostgaze。Thentheheavyironcandle-stick，asifstruckoutofNostromo'shand，clatteredonthefloor。
　　`Hullo！'exclaimedthedoctor，lookingupwithastart。HecouldheartheCapatazstaggeragainstthetableandgasp。Inthesuddenextinctionofthelightwithin，thedeadblacknesssealingthewindow-framesbecamealivewithstarstohissight。antheshoulder-blades。Fromtherehiseyestracedinoneinstantaneousglancethehideropegoingupwardsfromthetiedwristsoveraheavybeamanddowntoastapleinthewall。Hedidnotwanttolookattherigidlegs，atthefeethangingdownnervelessly，withtheirbaretoessomesixinchesabovethefloor，toknowthatthemanhadbeengiventheestrapadetillhehadswooned。Hisfirstimpulsewastodashforwardandsevertheropeatoneblow。Hefeltforhisknife。
　　Hehadnoknife——notevenaknife。Hestoodquivering，andthedoctor，perchedontheedgeofthetable，facingthoughtfullythecruelandlamentablesight，hischininhishand，uttered，withoutstirring:
　　`Ofcourse，ofcourse，'thedoctormutteredtohimselfinEnglish。`Enoughtomakehimjumpoutofhisskin。'
　　Nostromo'sheartseemedtoforceitselfintohisthroat。Hisheadswam。
　　Hirsch！ThemanwasHirsch！Heheldontighttotheedgeofthetable。
　　`Buthewashidinginthelighter，'healmostshouted。Hisvoicefell。
　　`Inthelighter，and——and——'
　　`AndSotillobroughthimin，'saidthedoctor。`Heisnomorestartlingtoyouthanyouweretome。WhatIwanttoknowishowheinducedsomecompassionatesoultoshoothim。'
　　`SoSotilloknows——'beganNostromo，inamoreequablevoice。
　　`Everything！'interruptedthedoctor。
　　TheCapatazwasheardstrikingthetablewithhisfist。`Everything?
　　Whatareyousaying，there?Everything?Knoweverything?Itisimpossible！
　　Everything?'
　　`Ofcourse。Whatdoyoumeanbyimpossible?ItellyouIhaveheardthisHirschquestionedlastnight，here，inthisveryroom。Heknewyourname，Decoud'sname，andallabouttheloadingofthesilver……Thelighterwascutintwo。HewasgrovellinginabjectterrorbeforeSotillo，butherememberedthatmuch。Whatdoyouwantmore?Heknewleastabouthimself。Theyfoundhimclingingtotheiranchor。Hemusthavecaughtatitjustasthelighterwenttothebottom。'
　　`Wenttothebottom?'repeatedNostromo，slowly。`Sotillobelievesthat?Bueno！'
　　Thedoctor，alittleimpatiently，wasunabletoimaginewhatelseanybodycouldbelieve。Yes，Sotillobelievedthatthelighterwassunk，andtheCapatazdeCargadores，togetherwithMartinDecoudandperhapsoneortwootherpoliticalfugitives，hadbeendrowned。
　　`Itoldyouwell，SenorDoctor，'remarkedNostromoatthatpoint，`thatSotillodidnotknoweverything。'
　　`Eh?Whatdoyoumean?'
　　`HedidnotknowIwasnotdead。'
　　`Neitherdidwe。'
　　`Andyoudidnotcare——noneofyoucaballerosonthewharf——onceyougotoffamanoffleshandbloodlikeyourselvesonafool'sbusinessthatcouldnotendwell。'
　　`Youforget，Capataz，Iwasnotonthewharf。AndIdidnotthinkwellofthebusiness。Soyouneednottauntme。Itellyouwhat，man，wehadbutlittleleisuretothinkofthedead。Deathstandsnearbehindusall。
　　Youweregone。'
　　`Iwent，indeed！'brokeinNostromo。`Andforthesakeofwhat——tellme?'
　　`Ah！thatisyouownaffair，'thedoctorsaid，roughly。`Donotaskme。'
　　Theirflowingmurmurspausedinthedark。Perchedontheedgeofthetablewithslightlyavertedfaces，theyfelttheirshoulderstouch，andtheireyesremaineddirectedtowardsanuprightshapenearlylostintheobscurityoftheinnerpartoftheroom，thatwithprojectingheadandshoulders，inghastlyimmobility，seemedintentoncatchingeveryword。
　　`Muybien！'Nostromomutteredatlast。`Sobeit。Teresawasright。Itismyownaffair。'
　　`Teresaisdead，'remarkedthedoctor，absently，whilehismindfollowedanewlineofthoughtsuggestedbywhatmighthavebeencalledNostromo'sreturntolife。`Shedied，thepoorwoman。'
　　`Withoutapriest?'theCapatazasked，anxiously。
　　`Whataquestion！Whocouldhavegotapriestforherlastnight?'
　　`MayGodkeephersoul！'ejaculatedNostromo，withagloomyandhopelessfervourwhichhadnotimetosurpriseDrMonygham，before，revertingtotheirpreviousconversation，hecontinuedinasinistertone，`Si，SenorDoctor。Asyouweresaying，itismyownaffair。Averydesperateaffair。'
　　`Therearenotwomeninthispartoftheworldthatcouldhavesavedthemselvesbyswimmingasyouhavedone，'thedoctorsaid，admiringly。
　　Andagaintherewassilencebetweenthosetwomen。Theywerebothreflecting，andthediversityoftheirnaturemadetheirthoughtsbornfromtheirmeetingswingafarfromeachother。Thedoctor，impelledtoriskyactionbyhisloyaltytotheGoulds，wonderedwiththankfulnessatthechainofaccidentwhichhadbroughtthatmanbackwherehewouldbeofthegreatestuseintheworkofsavingtheSanTomemine。Thedoctorwasloyaltothemine。
　　Itpresenteditselftohisfifty-years-oldeyesintheshapeofalittlewomaninasoftdresswithalongtrain，withaheadattractivelyoverweightedbyagreatmassoffairhairandthedelicatepreciousnessofherinnerworth，partakingofagemandaflower，revealedineveryattitudeofherperson。AsthedangersthickenedroundtheSanTomeminethisillusionacquiredforce，permanency，andauthority。Itclaimedhimatlast！Thisclaim，exaltedbyaspiritualdetachmentfromtheusualsanctionsofhopeandreward，madeDrMonygham'sthinking，acting，individuality，extremelydangeroustohimselfandtoothers，allhisscruplesvanishingintheproudfeelingthathisdevotionwastheonlythingthatstoodbetweenanadmirablewomanandafrightfuldisaster。
　　ItwasasortofintoxicationwhichmadehimutterlyindifferenttoDecoud'sfate，butlefthiswitsperfectlyclearfortheappreciationofDecoud'spoliticalidea。Itwasagoodidea——andBarrioswastheonlyinstrumentofitsrealization。Thedoctor'ssoul，witheredandshrunkbytheshameofamoraldisgrace，becameimplacableintheexpansionofitstenderness。Nostromo'sreturnwasprovidential。Hedidnotthinkofhimhumanely，asofafellow-creaturejustescapedfromthejawsofdeath。
　　TheCapatazforhimwastheonlypossiblemessengertoCayta。Theveryman。Thedoctor'smisanthropicmistrustofmankindthebittererbecausebasedonpersonalfailuredidnotlifthimsufficientlyabovecommonweaknesses。
　　Hewasunderthespellofanestablishedreputation。TrumpetedbyCaptainMitchell，growninrepetition，andfixedingeneralassent，Nostromo'sfaithfulnesshadneverbeenquestionedbyDrMonyghamasafact。Itwasnotlikelytobequestionednowhestoodindesperateneedofithimself。
　　DrMonyghamwashuman；heacceptedthepopularconceptionoftheCapataz'sincorruptibilitysimplybecausenowordorfacthadevercontradictedamereaffirmation。Itseemedtobeapartoftheman，likehiswhiskersorhisteeth。Itwasimpossibletoconceivehimotherwise。Thequestionwaswhetherhewouldconsenttogoonsuchadangerousanddesperateerrand。
　　Thedoctorwasobservantenoughtohavebecomeawarefromthefirstofsomethingpeculiarintheman'stemper。Hewasnodoubtsoreaboutthelossofthesilver。
　　`Itwillbenecessarytotakehimintomyfullestconfidence，'hesaidtohimself，withacertainacutenessofinsightintothenaturehehadtodealwith。
　　OnNostromo'ssidethesilencehadbeenfullofblackirresolution，anger，andmistrust。Hewasthefirsttobreakit，however。
　　`Theswimmingwasnogreatmatter，'hesaid。`Itiswhatwentbefore——andwhatcomesafterthat——'
　　Hedidnotquitefinishwhathemeanttosay，breakingoffshort，asthoughhisthoughthadbuttedagainstasolidobstacle。Thedoctor'smindpursueditsownschemeswithMachiavelliansubtlety。Hesaidassympatheticallyashewasable:
　　`Itisunfortunate，Capataz。Butnoonewouldthinkofblamingyou。
　　Veryunfortunate。Tobeginwith，thetreasureoughtnevertohaveleftthemountain。ButitwasDecoudwho——however，heisdead。Thereisnoneedtotalkofhim。'
　　`No，'assentedNostromo，asthedoctorpaused，`thereisnoneedtotalkofdeadmen。ButIamnotdeadyet。'
　　`Youareallright。Onlyamanofyourintrepiditycouldhavesavedhimself。'
　　InthisDrMonyghamwassincere。Heesteemedhighlytheintrepidityofthatman，whomhevaluedbutlittle，beingdisillusionedastomankindingeneral，becauseoftheparticularinstanceinwhichhisownmanhoodhadfailed。Havinghadtoencountersingle-handedduringhisperiodofeclipsemanyphysicaldangers，hewaswellawareofthemostdangerouselementcommontothemall:ofthecrushing，paralysingsenseofhumanlittleness，whichiswhatreallydefeatsamanstrugglingwithnaturalforces，alone，farfromtheeyesofhisfellows。HewaseminentlyfittoappreciatethementalimagehemadeforhimselfoftheCapataz，afterhoursoftensionandanxiety，precipitatedsuddenlyintoanabyssofwatersanddarkness，withoutearthorsky，andconfrontingitnotonlywithanundismayedmind，butwithsensiblesuccess。Ofcourse，themanwasanincomparableswimmer，thatwasknown，butthedoctorjudgedthatthisinstancetestifiedtoastillgreaterintrepidityofspirit。Itwaspleasingtohim；heauguredwellfromitforthesuccessofthearduousmissionwithwhichhemeanttoentrusttheCapatazsomarvellouslyrestoredtousefulness。Andinatonevaguelygratified，heobserved:
　　`Itmusthavebeenterriblydark！'
　　`ItwastheworstdarknessoftheGolfo，'theCapatazassented，briefly。
　　Hewasmollifiedbywhatseemedasignofsomefaintinterestinsuchthingsashadbefallenhim，anddroppedafewdescriptivephraseswithanaffectedandcurtnonchalance。Atthatmomenthefeltcommunicative。Heexpectedthecontinuanceofthatinterestwhich，whetheracceptedorrejected，wouldhaverestoredtohimhispersonality——theonlythinglostinthatdesperateaffair。Butthedoctor，engrossedbyadesperateadventureofhisown，wasterribleinthepursuitofhisidea。Heletanexclamationofregretescapehim。
　　`Icouldalmostwishyouhadshoutedandshownalight。'
　　ThisunexpectedutteranceastoundedtheCapatazbyitscharacterofcold-bloodedatrocity。Itwasasmuchastosay，`Iwishyouhadshownyourselfacoward；Iwishyouhadyourthroatcutforyourpains。'Naturallyhereferredittohimself，whereasitrelatedonlytothesilver，beingutteredsimplyandwithmanymentalreservations。Surpriseandragerenderedhimspeechless，andthedoctorpursued，practicallyunheardbyNostromo，whosestirredbloodwasbeatingviolentlyinhisears。
　　`ForIamconvincedSotilloinpossessionofthesilverwouldhaveturnedshortroundandmadeforsomesmallportabroad。Economicallyitwouldhavebeenwasteful，butstilllesswastefulthanhavingitsunk。Itwasthenextbestthingtohavingitathandinsomesafeplace，andusingpartofittobuyupSotillo。ButIdoubtwhetherDonCarloswouldhaveevermadeuphismindtoit。HeisnotfitforCostaguana，andthatisafact，Capataz。'
　　TheCapatazhadmasteredthefurythatwaslikeatempestinhisearsintimetohearthenameofDonCarlos。Heseemedtohavecomeoutofitachangedman——amanwhospokethoughtfullyinasoftandevenvoice。
　　`AndwouldDonCarloshavebeencontentifIhadsurrenderedthistreasure?'
　　`Ishouldnotwonderiftheywereallofthatwayofthinkingnow，'
　　thedoctorsaid，grimly。`Iwasneverconsulted。Decoudhadithisownway。Theireyesareopenedbythistime，Ishouldthink。IforoneknowthatifthatsilverturnedupthismomentmiraculouslyashoreIwouldgiveittoSotillo。And，asthingsstand，Iwouldbeapproved。'
　　`Turnedupmiraculously，'repeatedtheCapatazverylow；thenraisedhisvoice。`That，senor，wouldbeagreatermiraclethananysaintcouldperform。'
　　`Ibelieveyou，Capataz，'saidthedoctor，drily。
　　HewentontodevelophisviewofSotillo'sdangerousinfluenceuponthesituation。AndtheCapataz，listeningasifinadream，felthimselfofaslittleaccountastheindistinct，motionlessshapeofthedeadmanwhomhesawuprightunderthebeam，withhisairoflisteningalso，disregarded，forgotten，likeaterribleexampleofneglect。
　　`Isitforanunconsideredandfoolishwhimthattheycametome，then?'
　　heinterrupted，suddenly。`HadInotdoneenoughforthemtobeofsomeaccount，porDios?Isitthatthehombresfinos——thegentlemen——neednotthinkaslongasthereisamanofthepeoplereadytoriskhisbodyandsoul?Or；perhaps，wehavenosouls——likedogs?'
　　`TherewasDecoud，too，withhisplan，'thedoctorremindedhimagain。
　　`Si！AndtherichmaninSanFranciscowhohadsomethingtodowiththattreasure，too——whatdoIknow?No！Ihaveheardtoomanythings。
　　Itseemstomethateverythingispermittedtotherich。'
　　`Iunderstand，Capataz，'thedoctorbegan。
　　`WhatCapataz?'brokeinNostromo，inaforciblebutevenvoice，`TheCapatazisundone，destroyed。ThereisnoCapataz。Oh，no！YouwillfindtheCapataznomore。'
　　`Come，thisischildish！'remonstratedthedoctor；andtheothercalmeddownsuddenly。
　　`Ihavebeenindeedlikealittlechild，'hemuttered。
　　Andashiseyesmetagaintheshapeofthemurderedmansuspendedinhisawfulimmobility，whichseemedtheuncomplainingimmobilityofattention，heasked，wonderinggently:
　　`WhydidSotillogivetheestrapadetothispitifulwretch?Doyouknow?
　　Notorturecouldhavebeenworsethanhisfear。KillingIcanunderstand。
　　Hisanguishwasintolerabletobehold。Butwhyshouldhetormenthimlikethis?Hecouldtellnomore。'
　　`No；hecouldtellnothingmore。Anysanemanwouldhaveseenthat。
　　Hehadtoldhimeverything。ButItellyouwhatitis，Capataz。Sotillowouldnotbelievewhathewastold。Noteverything。'
　　`Whatisithewouldnotbelieve?Icannotunderstand。'
　　`Ican，becauseIhaveseentheman。Herefusestobelievethatthetreasureislost。'
　　`What?'theCapatazcriedoutinadiscomposedtone。
　　`Thatstartlesyou——eh?'
　　`AmItounderstand，senor，'Nostromowentoninadeliberateand，asitwere，watchfultone，`thatSotillothinksthetreasurehasbeensavedbysomemeans?'
　　`No！no！Thatwouldbeimpossible，'saidthedoctor，withconviction；
　　andNostromoemittedagruntinthedark。`Thatwouldbeimpossible。Hethinksthatthesilverwasnolongerinthelighterwhenshewassunk。
　　HehasconvincedhimselfthatthewholeshowofgettingitawaytoseaisamereshamgotuptodeceiveGamachoandhisNationals，PedritoMontero，SenorFuentes，ournewJefePolitico，andhimself，too。Only，hesays，heisnosuchfool。'
　　`Butheisdevoidofsense。Heisthegreatestimbecilethatevercalledhimselfacolonelinthiscountryofevil，'growledNostromo。
　　`Heisnomoreunreasonablethanmanysensiblemen，'saidthedoctor。
　　`Hehasconvincedhimselfthatthetreasurecanbefoundbecausehedesirespassionatelytopossesshimselfofit。AndheisalsoafraidofhisofficersturninguponhimandgoingovertoPedrito，whomhehasnotthecourageeithertofightortrust。Doyouseethat，Capataz?Heneedfearnodesertionaslongassomehoperemainsofthatenormousplunderturningup。Ihavemadeitmybusinesstokeepthisveryhopeup。'
　　`Youhave！'theCapatazdeCargadoresrepeatedcautiously。`Well，thatiswonderful。Andhowlongdoyouthinkyouaregoingtokeepitup?'
　　`AslongasIcan。'
　　`Whatdoesthatmean?'
　　`Icantellexactly。AslongasIlive，'thedoctorretortedinastubbornvoice。Then，inafewwords，hedescribedthestoryofhisarrestandthecircumstancesofhisrelease。`Iwasgoingbacktothatsillyscoundrelwhenwemet，'heconcluded。
　　Nostromohadlistenedwithprofoundattention。`Youhavemadeupyourmind，then，toaspeedydeath，'hemutteredthroughhisclenchedteeth。
　　`Perhaps，myillustriousCapataz，'thedoctorsaid，testily。`Youarenottheonlyoneherewhocanlookanuglydeathintheface。'
　　`Nodoubt，'mumbledNostromo，loudenoughtobeoverheard。`Theremaybeevenmorethantwofoolsinthisplace。Whoknows?'
　　`Andthatismyaffair，'saidthedoctor，curtly。
　　`Astakingouttheaccursedsilvertoseawasmyaffair，'retortedNostromo。
　　`Isee。Bueno。Eachofushashisreasons。ButyouwerethelastmanIconversedwithbeforeIstarted，andyoutalkedtomeasifIwereafool。'
　　Nostromohadagreatdistasteforthedoctor'ssardonictreatmentofhisgreatreputation。Decoud'sfaintlyironicrecognitionusedtomakehimuneasy；butthefamiliarityofamanlikeDonMartinwasflattering，whereasthedoctorwasanobody。Hecouldrememberhimapennilessoutcast，slinkingaboutthestreetsofSulaco，withoutasinglefriendoracquaintance，tillDonCarlosGouldtookhimintotheserviceofthemine。
　　`Youmaybeverywise，'hewenton，thoughtfully，staringintotheobscurityoftheroom，pervadedbythegruesomeenigmaofthetorturedandmurderedHirsch。`ButIamnotsuchafoolaswhenIstarted。Ihavelearnedonethingsince，andthatisthatyouareadangerousman。'
　　DrMonyghamwastoostartledtodomorethanexclaim:
　　`Whatisityousay?'
　　`Ifhecouldspeakhewouldsaythesamething，'pursuedNostromo，withanodofhisshadowyheadsilhouettedagainstthestarlitwindow。
　　`Idonotunderstandyou，'saidDrMonyghamfaintly。
　　`No?Perhaps，ifyouhadnotconfirmedSotilloinhismadness，hewouldhavebeeninnohastetogivetheestrapadetothatmiserableHirsch。'
　　Thedoctorstartedatthesuggestion。Buthisdevotion，absorbingallhissensibilities，hadlefthisheartsteeledagainstremorseandpity。
　　Still，forcompleterelief，hefeltthenecessityofrepellingitloudlyandcontemptuously。
　　`Bah！Youdaretotellmethat，withamanlikeSotillo。IconfessI
　　didnotgiveathoughttoHirsch。IfIhaditwouldhavebeenuseless。
　　Anybodycanseethatthelucklesswretchwasdoomedfromthemomenthecaughtholdoftheanchor。Hewasdoomed，Itellyou！JustasImyselfamdoomed——mostprobably。'
　　ThisiswhatDrMonyghamsaidinanswertoNostromo'sremark，whichwasplausibleenoughtoprickhisconscience。Hewasnotacallousman。
　　Butthenecessity，themagnitude，theimportanceofthetaskhehadtakenuponhimselfdwarfedallmerelyhumaneconsiderations。Hehadundertakenitinafanaticalspirit。Hedidnotlikeit。Tolie，todeceive，tocircumventeventhebasestofmankindwasodioustohim。Itwasodioustohimbytraining，instinct，andtradition。Todothesethingsinthecharacterofatraitorwasabhorrenttohisnatureandterribletohisfeelings。Hehadmadethatsacrificeinaspiritofabasement。Hehadsaidtohimselfbitterly，`I
　　amtheonlyonefitforthatdirtywork。'Andhebelievedthis。Hewasnotsubtle。Hissimplicitywassuchthat，thoughhehadnosortofheroicideaofseekingdeath，therisk，deadlyenough，towhichheexposedhimself，hadasustainingandcomfortingeffect。TothatspiritualstatethefateofHirschpresenteditselfaspartofthegeneralatrocityofthings。Heconsideredthatepisodepractically。Whatdiditmean?WasitasignofsomedangerouschangeinSotillo'sdelusion?Thatthemanshouldhavebeenkilledlikethiswaswhatthedoctorcouldnotunderstand。
　　`Yes。Butwhyshot?'hemurmuredtohimself。
　　Nostromokeptverystill。
　　NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter99Distractedbetweendoubtsandhopes，dismayedbythesoundofbellspealingoutthearrivalofPedritoMontero，Sotillohadspentthemorninginbattlingwithhisthoughts；acontesttowhichhewasunequal，fromthevacuityofhismindandtheviolenceofhispassions。Disappointment，greed，anger，andfearmadeatumultinthecolonel'sbreastlouderthanthedinofbellsinthetown。Nothinghehadplannedhadcometopass。NeitherSulaconorthesilveroftheminehadfallenintohishands。Hehadperformednomilitaryexploittosecurehisposition，andhadobtainednoenormousbootytomakeoffwith。PedritoMontero，eitherasfriendorfoe，filledhimwithdread。
　　Thesoundofbellsmaddenedhim。
　　Imaginingatfirstthathemightbeattackedatonce，hehadmadehisbattalionstandtoarmsontheshore。Hewalkedtoandfroallthelengthoftheroom，stoppingsometimestognawthefinger-tipsofhisrighthandwithaluridsidewaysglarefixedonthefloor；then，withasullen，repellingglanceallround，hewouldresumehistrampinginsavagealoofness。Hishat，horsewhip，sword，andrevolverwerelyingonthetable。Hisofficers，crowdingthewindowgivingtheviewofthetowngate，disputedamongstthemselvestheuseofhisfield-glassboughtlastyearonlongcreditfromAnzani。Itpassedfromhandtohand，andthepossessorforthetimebeingwasbesiegedbyanxiousinquiries。
　　`Thereisnothing；thereisnothingtosee！'hewouldrepeat，impatiently。
　　Therewasnothing。AndwhenthepicketinthebushesneartheCasaViolahadbeenorderedtofallbackuponthemainbody，nostiroflifeappearedonthestretchofdustyandaridlandbetweenthetownandthewatersoftheport。Butlateintheafternoonahorsemanissuingfromthegatewasmadeoutridingupfearlessly。ItwasanemissaryfromSenorFuentes。Beingallalonehewasallowedtocomeon。Dismountingatthegreatdoorhegreetedthesilentbystanderswithcheeryimpudence，andbeggedtobetakenupatoncetothe`muyvaliente'colonel。
　　SenorFuentes，onenteringuponhisfunctionsofJefePolitico，hadturnedhisdiplomaticabilitiestogettingholdoftheharbouraswellasofthemine。ThemanhepitchedupontonegotiatewithSotillowasaNotaryPublic，whomtherevolutionhadfoundlanguishinginthecommonjailonachargeofforgingdocuments。Liberatedbythemobalongwiththeother`victimsofBlancotyranny'，hehadhastenedtoofferhisservicestothenewGovernment。
　　HesetoutdeterminedtodisplaymuchzealandeloquenceintryingtoinduceSotillotocomeintotownaloneforaconferencewithPedritoMontero。
　　Nothingwasfartherfromthecolonel'sintentions。ThemerefleetingideaoftrustinghimselfintothefamousPedrito'shandshadmadehimfeelunwellseveraltimes。Itwasoutofthequestion——itwasmadness。Andtoputhimselfinopenhostilitywasmadness，too。Itwouldrenderimpossibleasystematicsearchforthattreasure，forthatwealthofsilverwhichheseemedtofeelsomewhereabout，toscentsomewherenear。
　　Butwhere?Where?Heavens！Where?Oh！whyhadheallowedthatdoctortogo！Imbecilethathewas。Butno！Itwastheonlyrightcourse，hereflecteddistractedly，whilethemessengerwaiteddownstairschattingagreeablytotheofficers。Itwasinthatscoundrellydoctor'strueinteresttoreturnwithpositiveinformation。Butwhatifanythingstoppedhim?Ageneralprohibitiontoleavethetown，forinstance！Therewouldbepatrols！
　　Thecolonel，seizinghisheadinhishands，turnedinhistracksasifstruckwithvertigo。AflashofcraveninspirationsuggestedtohimanexpedientnotunknowntoEuropeanstatesmenwhentheywishtodelayadifficultnegotiation。Bootedandspurred，hescrambledintothehammockwithundignifiedhaste。Hishandsomefacehadturnedyellowwiththestrainofweightycares。Theridgeofhisshapelynosehadgrownsharp；theaudaciousnostrilsappearedmeanandpinched。Thevelvety，caressingglanceofhisfineeyesseemeddeadandevendecomposed；forthesealmond-shaped，languishingorbshadbecomeinappropriatelybloodshotwithmuchsinistersleeplessness。
　　HeaddressedthesurprisedenvoyofSenorFuentesinadeadened，exhaustedvoice。Itcamepatheticallyfeeblefromunderapileofponchos，whichburiedhiselegantpersonrightuptotheblackmoustaches，uncurled，pendant，insignofbodilyprostrationandmentalincapacity。Fever，fever——aheavyfeverhadovertakenthe`muyvaliente'colonel。Awaveringwildnessofexpression，causedbythepassingspasmsofaslightcolicwhichhaddeclareditselfsuddenly，andtherattlingteethofrepressedpanic，hadagenuinenesswhichimpressedtheenvoy。Itwasacoldfit。
　　Thecolonelexplainedthathewasunabletothink，tolisten，tospeak。
　　WithanappearanceofsuperhumaneffortthecolonelgaspedoutthathewasnotinastatetoreturnasuitablereplyortoexecuteanyofhisExcellency'sorders。Buttomorrow！Tomorrow！Ah！tomorrow！LethisExcellencyDonPedrobewithoutuneasiness。ThebraveEsmeraldaRegimentheldtheharbour，held——Andclosinghiseyes，herolledhisachingheadlikeahalf-deliriousinvalidundertheinquisitivestareoftheenvoy，whowasobligedtobenddownoverthehammockinordertocatchthepainfulandbrokenaccents。
　　Meantime，ColonelSotillotrustedthathisExcellency'shumanitywouldpermitthedoctor，theEnglishdoctor，tocomeoutoftownwithhiscaseofforeignremediestoattenduponhim。HebeggedanxiouslyhisworshipthecaballeronowpresentforthegraceoflookinginashepassedtheCasaGould，andinformingtheEnglishdoctor，whowasprobablythere，thathisserviceswereimmediatelyrequiredbyColonelSotillo，lyingilloffeverintheCustomHouse。Immediately。Mosturgentlyrequired。Awaitedwithextremeimpatience。Athousandthanks。Heclosedhiseyeswearilyandwouldnotopenthemagain，lyingperfectlystill，deaf，dumb，insensible，overcome，vanquished，crushed，annihilatedbythefelldisease。
　　Butassoonastheotherhadshutafterhimthedoorofthelanding，thecolonelleapedoutwithaflingofbothfeetinanavalancheofwoollencoverings。Hisspurshavingbecomeentangledinaperfectwelterofponchoshenearlypitchedonhishead，anddidnotrecoverhisbalancetillthemiddleoftheroom。Concealedbehindthehalf-closedjalousieshelistenedtowhatwentonbelow。
　　Theenvoyhadalreadymounted，andturningtothemoroseofficersoccupyingthegreatdoorway，tookoffhishatformally。
　　`Caballeros，'hesaid，inaveryloudtone，`allowmetorecommendyoutotakegreatcareofyourcolonel。Ithasdonememuchhonourandgratificationtohaveseenyouall，afinebodyofmenexercisingthesoldierlyvirtueofpatienceinthisexposedsituation，wherethereismuchsun，andnowatertospeakof，whileatownfullofwineandfemininecharmsisreadytoembraceyouforthebravemenyouare。Caballeros，I
　　havethehonourtosaluteyou。TherewillbemuchdancingtonightinSulaco。
　　Good-bye！'
　　Buthereinedinhishorseandinclinedhisheadsidewaysonseeingtheoldmajorstepout，verytallandmeagre，inastraightnarrowcoatcomingdowntohisanklesasifitwerethecasingoftheregimentalcoloursrolledroundtheirstaff。
　　Theintelligentoldwarrior，afterenunciatinginadogmatictonethegeneralpropositionthatthe`worldwasfulloftraitors'，wentonpronouncingdeliberatelyapanegyricuponSotillo。Heascribedtohimwithleisurelyemphasiseveryvirtueunderheaven，summingitallupinanabsurdcolloquialismcurrentamongstthelowerclassofOccidentalsespeciallyaboutEsmeralda。
　　`And，'heconcluded，withasuddenriseinthevoice，`amanofmanyteeth——“hombredemuchosdientes“。Si，senor。Astous，'hepursued，portentousandimpressive，`yourworshipisbeholdingthefinestbodyofofficersintheRepublic，menunequalledforvalourandsagacity，“yhombresdemuchosdientes“。'
　　`What?Allofthem?'inquiredthedisreputableenvoyofSenorFuentes，withafaint，derisivesmile。
　　`Todos。Si，senor，'themajoraffirmed，gravely，withconviction。
　　`Menofmanyteeth。'
　　Theotherwheeledhishorsetofacetheportalresemblingthehighgateofadismalbarn。Heraisedhimselfinhisstirrups，extendedonearm。
　　Hewasafacetiousscoundrel，entertainingforthesestupidOccidentalsafeelingofgreatscornnaturalinanativefromthecentralprovinces。
　　ThefollyofEsmeraldiansespeciallyarousedhisamusedcontempt。HebegananorationuponPedroMontero，keepingasolemncountenance。Heflourishedhishandasifintroducinghimtotheirnotice。Andwhenhesaweveryfaceset，alltheeyesfixeduponhislips，hebegantoshoutasortofcatalogueofperfections:`Generous，valorous，affable，profound'——hesnatchedoffhishatenthusiastically——`astatesman，aninvinciblechiefofpartisans——'
　　Hedroppedhisvoicestartlinglytoadeep，hollownote——`andadentist。'
　　Hewasoffinstantlyatasmartwalk；therigidstraddleofhislegs，theturned-outfeet，thestiffback，therakishslantofhissombreroabovethesquare，motionlesssetoftheshouldersexpressinganinfinite，awe-inspiringimpudence。
　　Upstairs，behindthejalousies，Sotillodidnotmoveforalongtime。
　　Theaudacityofthefellowappalledhim。Whatwerehisofficerssayingbelow?Theyweresayingnothing。Completesilence。Hequaked。Itwasnotthusthathehadimaginedhimselfatthatstageoftheexpedition。Hehadseenhimselftriumphant，unquestioned，appeased，theidolofthesoldiers，weighinginsecretcomplacencytheagreeablealternativesofpowerandwealthopentohischoice。Alas！Howdifferent！Distracted，restless，supine，burningwithfury，orfrozenwithterror，hefeltadreadasfathomlessastheseacreepuponhimfromeveryside。Thatrogueofadoctorhadtocomeoutwithhisinformation。Thatwasclear。Itwouldbeofnousetohim——alone。Hecoulddonothingwithit。Malediction！Thedoctorwouldnevercomeout。Hewasprobablyunderarrestalready，shutuptogetherwithDonCarlos。Helaughedaloudinsanely。Ha！ha！ha！ha！ItwasPedritoMonterowhowouldgettheinformation。Ha！ha！ha！ha！——andthesilver。
　　Ha！
　　Allatonce，inthemidstofthelaugh，hebecamemotionlessandsilentasifturnedintostone。He，too，hadaprisoner。Aprisonerwhomust，mustknowtherealtruth。Hewouldhavetobemadetospeak。AndSotillo，whoallthattimehadnotquiteforgottenHirsch，feltaninexplicablereluctanceatthenotionofproceedingtoextremities。
　　Hefeltareluctance——partofthatunfathomabledreadthatcreptonallsidesuponhim。Herememberedreluctantly，too，thedilatedeyesofthehidemerchant，hiscontortions，hisloudsobsandprotestations。Itwasnotcompassionorevenmerenervoussensibility。ThefactwasthatthoughSotillodidneverforamomentbelievehisstory——hecouldnotbelieveit；nobodycouldbelievesuchnonsense——yetthoseaccentsofdespairingtruthimpressedhimdisagreeably。Theymadehimfeelsick。Andhesuspectedalsothatthemanmighthavegonemadwithfear。Alunaticisahopelesssubject。Bah！Apretence。Nothingbutapretence。Hewouldknowhowtodealwiththat。
　　Hewasworkinghimselfuptotherightpitchofferocity。Hisfineeyessquintedslightly；heclappedhishands；abare-footedorderlyappearednoiselessly；acorporal，withhisbayonethangingonhisthighandastickinhishand。
　　Thecolonelgavehisorders，andpresentlythemiserableHirsch，pushedinbyseveralsoldiers，foundhimfrowningawfullyinabroadarmchair，hatonhead，kneeswideapart，armsakimbo，masterful，imposing，irresistible，haughty，sublime，terrible。
　　Hirsch，withhisarmstiedbehindhisback，hadbeenbundledviolentlyintooneofthesmallerrooms。Formanyhoursheremainedapparentlyforgotten，stretchedlifelesslyonthefloor。Fromthatsolitude，fullofdespairandterror，hewastornoutbrutally，withkicksandblows，passive，sunkinhebetude。Helistenedtothreatsandadmonitions，andafterwardsmadehisusualanswerstoquestions，withhischinsunkonhisbreast，hishandstiedbehindhisback，swayingalittleinfrontofSotillo，andneverlookingup。Whenhewasforcedtoholduphishead，bymeansofabayonet-pointproddinghimunderthechin，hiseyeshadavacant，trance-likestare，anddropsofperspirationasbigaspeaswereseenhailingdownthedirt，bruises，andscratchesofhiswhiteface。Thentheystoppedsuddenly。
　　Sotillolookedathiminsilence。`Willyoudepartfromyourobstinacy，yourogue?'heasked。Alreadyarope，whoseoneendwasfastenedtoSenorHirsch'swrists，hadbeenthrownoverabeam，andthreesoldiersheldtheotherend，waiting。Hemadenoanswer。Hisheavylowerliphungstupidly。
　　Sotillomadeasign。Hirschwasjerkedupoffhisfeet，andayellofdespairandagonyburstoutintheroom，filledthepassageofthegreatbuildings，renttheairoutside，causedeverysoldierofthecampalongtheshoretolookupatthewindows，startedsomeoftheofficersinthehallbabblingexcitedly，withshiningeyes；others，settingtheirlips，lookedgloomilyatthefloor。
　　Sotillo，followedbythesoldiers，hadlefttheroom。Thesentryonthelandingpresentedarms。Hirschwentonscreamingallalonebehindthehalf-closedjalousieswhilethesunshine，reflectedfromthewateroftheharbour，madeanever-runningrippleoflighthighuponthewall。Hescreamedwithupliftedeybrowsandawide-openmouth——incrediblywide，black，enormous，fullofteeth——comical。
　　InthestillburningairofthewindlessafternoonhemadethewavesofhisagonytravelasfarastheO。S。N。Company'soffices。CaptainMitchellonthebalcony，tryingtomakeoutwhatwentongenerally，hadheardhimfaintlybutdistinctly，andthefeebleandappallingsoundlingeredinhisearsafterhehadretreatedindoorswithblanchedcheeks。Hehadbeendrivenoffthebalconyseveraltimesduringthatafternoon。
　　Sotillo，irritable，moody，walkedrestlesslyabout，heldconsultationswithhisofficers，gavecontradictoryordersinthisshrillclamourpervadingthewholeemptyedifice。Sometimestherewouldbelongandawfulsilences。
　　Severaltimeshehadenteredthetorture-chamberwherehissword，horsewhip，revolver，andfield-glasswerelyingonthetable，toaskwithforcedcalmness，`Willyouspeakthetruthnow?No?Icanwait。'Buthecouldnotaffordtowaitmuchlonger。Thatwasjustit。Everytimehewentinandcameoutwithaslamofthedoor，thesentryonthelandingpresentedarms，andgotinreturnablack，venomous，unsteadyglance，which，inreality，sawnothingatall，beingmerelythereflectionofthesoulwithin——asoulofgloomyhatred，irresolution，avarice，andfury。
　　Thesunhadsetwhenhewentinoncemore。Asoldiercarriedintwolightedcandlesandslunkout，shuttingthedoorwithoutnoise。
　　`Speak，thouJewishchildofthedevil！Thesilver！Thesilver，Isay！
　　Whereisit?Wherehaveyouforeignrogueshiddenit?Confessor——'
　　Aslightquiverpassedupthetautropefromtherackedlimbs，butthebodyofSenorHirsch，enterprisingbusinessmanfromEsmeralda，hungundertheheavybeamperpendicularandsilent，facingthecolonelawfully。Theinflowofthenightair，cooledbythesnowsoftheSierra，spreadgraduallyadeliciousfreshnessthroughthecloseheatoftheroom。
　　`Speak——thief——scoundrel——picaro——or——'
　　Sotillohadseizedtheriding-whip，andstoodwithhisarmliftedup。
　　Foraword，foronelittleword，hefelthewouldhaveknelt，cringed，grovelledonthefloorbeforethedrowsy，consciousstareofthosefixedeyeballsstartingoutofthegrimy，dishevelledheadthatdroopedverystillwithitsmouthclosedaskew。Thecolonelgroundhisteethwithrageandstruck。Theropevibratedleisurelytotheblow，likethelongstringofapendulumstartingfromarest。ButnoswingingmotionwasimpartedtothebodyofSenorHirsch，thewell-knownhidemerchantonthecoast。
　　Withaconvulsiveeffortofthetwistedarmsitleapedupafewinches，curlinguponitselflikeafishontheendofaline。SenorHirsch'sheadwasflungbackonhisstrainingthroat；hischintrembled。Foramomenttherattleofhischatteringteethpervadedthevast，shadowyroom，wherethecandlesmadeapatchoflightroundthetwoflamesburningsidebyside。AndasSotillo，stayinghisraisedhand，waitedforhimtospeak，withthesuddenflashofagrinandastrainingforwardofthewrenchedshoulders，hespatviolentlyintohisface。
　　Theupliftedwhipfell，andthecolonelsprangbackwithalowcryofdismay，asifaspersedbyajetofdeadlyvenom。Quickasthoughthesnatcheduphisrevolver，andfiredtwice。Thereportandtheconcussionoftheshotsseemedtothrowhimatoncefromungovernablerageintoidioticstupor。
　　Hestoodwithdroppingjawandstonyeyes。Whathadhedone，sangredeDios！Whathadhedone?Hewasbaselyappalledathisimpulsiveact，sealingforevertheselipsfromwhichsomuchwastobeextorted。
　　Whatcouldhesay?Howcouldheexplain?Ideasofheadlongflightsomewhere，anywhere，passedthroughhismind；eventhecravenandabsurdnotionofhidingunderthetableoccurredtohiscowardice。Itwastoolate；hisofficershadrushedintumultuously，inagreatclatterofscabbards，clamouring，withastonishmentandwonder。Butsincetheydidnotimmediatelyproceedtoplungetheirswordsintohisbreast，thebrazensideofhischaracterasserteditself。Passingthesleeveofhisuniformoverhisfacehepulledhimselftogether。Histruculentglanceturnedslowlyhereandthere，checkedthenoisewhereitfell；andthestiffbodyofthelateSenorHirsch，merchant，afterswayingimperceptibly，madeahalfturn，andcametoarestinthemidstofawedmurmursanduneasyshuffling。
　　Avoiceremarkedloudly，`Beholdamanwhowillneverspeakagain。'
　　Andanother，fromthebackrowoffaces，timidandpressing，criedout:
　　`Whydidyoukillhim，micoronel?'
　　`Becausehehasconfessedeverything，'answeredSotillo，withthehardihoodofdesperation。Hefelthimselfcornered。Hebrazeneditoutonthestrengthofhisreputationwithveryfairsuccess。Hishearersthoughthimverycapableofsuchanact。Theyweredisposedtobelievehisflatteringtale。
　　Thereisnocredulitysoeagerandblindasthecredulityofcovetousness，which，initsuniversalextent，measuresthemoralmiseryandtheintellectualdestitutionofmankind。Ah！hehadconfessedeverything，thisfractiousJew，thisbribon。Good！Thenhewasnolongerwanted。Asuddendenseguffawwasheardfromtheseniorcaptain——abig-headedman，withlittleroundeyesandmonstrouslyfatcheekswhichnevermoved。Theoldmajor，tallandfantasticallyraggedlikeascarecrow，walkedroundthebodyofthelateSenorHirsch，mutteringtohimselfwithineffablecomplacencythatlikethistherewasnoneedtoguardagainstanyfuturetreacheriesofthatscoundrel。Theothersstared，shiftingfromfoottofoot，andwhisperingshortremarkstoeachother。
　　Sotillobuckledonhisswordandgavecurt，peremptoryorderstohastentheretirementdecideduponintheafternoon。Sinister，impressive，hissombreropulledrightdownuponhiseyebrows，hemarchedfirstthroughthedoorinsuchdisorderofmindthatheforgotutterlytoprovideforDrMonygham'spossiblereturn。Astheofficerstroopedoutafterhim，oneortwolookedbackhastilyatthelateSenorHirsch，merchantfromEsmeralda，leftswingingrigidlyatrest，alonewiththetwoburningcandles。Intheemptinessoftheroomtheburlyshadowofheadandshouldersonthewallhadanairoflife。
　　Below，thetroopsfellinsilentlyandmovedoffbycompanieswithoutdrumortrumpet。Theoldscarecrowmajorcommandedtherearguard；butthepartyheleftbehindwithorderstofiretheCustomHouseand`burnthecarcassofthetreacherousJewwhereithung'failedsomehowintheirhastetosetthestaircaseproperlyalight。ThebodyofthelateSenorHirschdweltaloneforatimeinthedismalsolitudeoftheunfinishedbuilding，resoundingweirdlywithsuddenslamsandclicksofdoorsandlatches，withrustlingscurriesoftornpapers，andthetremuloussighsthatateachgustofwindpassedunderthehighroof。ThelightofthetwocandlesburningbeforetheperpendicularandbreathlessimmobilityofthelateSenorHirschthrewagleamafaroverlandandwater，likeasignalinthenight。HeremainedtostartleNostromobyhispresence，andtopuzzleDrMonyghambythemysteryofhisatrociousend。
　　`Butwhyshot?'thedoctoragainaskedhimself，audibly。ThistimehewasansweredbyadrylaughfromNostromo。
　　`Youseemmuchconcernedataverynaturalthing，SenorDoctor。Iwonderwhy?Itisverylikelythatbeforelongweshallallgetshotoneafteranother，ifnotbySotillo，thenbyPedrito，orFuentes，orGamacho。Andwemayevengettheestrapade，too，orworse——quiensabe?——withyourprettytaleofthesilveryouputintoSotillo'shead。'
　　`Itwasinhisheadalready，'thedoctorprotested。`Ionly——'
　　`Yes。Andyouonlynailedittheresothatthedevilhimself——'
　　`ThatispreciselywhatImeanttodo，'caughtupthedoctor。
　　`Thatiswhatyoumeanttodo。Bueno。ItisasIsay。Youareadangerousman。'
　　Theirvoices，whichwithoutrisinghadbeengrowingquarrelsome，ceasedsuddenly。ThelateSenorHirsch，erectandshadowyagainstthestars，seemedtobewaitingattentive，inimpartialsilence。
　　ButDrMonyghamhadnomindtoquarrelwithNostromo。AtthissupremelycriticalpointofSulaco'sfortunesitwasborneuponhimatlastthatthismanwasreallyindispensable，moreindispensablethanevertheinfatuationofCaptainMitchell，hisprouddiscoverer。couldconceive；farbeyondwhatDecoud'sbestdryrailleryabout`myillustriousfriend，theuniqueCapatazdeCargadores'，hadeverintended。Thefellowwasunique。Hewasnot`oneinathousand'。Hewasabsolutelytheonlyone。Thedoctorsurrendered。
　　TherewassomethinginthegeniusofthatGenoeseseamanwhichdominatedinthedestiniesofgreatenterprisesandofmanypeople，thefortunesofCharlesGould，thefateofanadmirablewoman。Atthislastthoughtthedoctorhadtoclearhisthroatbeforehecouldspeak。
　　InacompletelychangedtonehepointedouttotheCapatazthat，tobeginwith，hepersonallyrannogreatrisk。Asfaraseverybodyknewhewasdead。Itwasanenormousadvantage。HehadonlytokeepoutofsightintheCasaViola，wheretheoldGaribaldinowasknowntobealone——withhisdeadwife。Theservantshadallrunaway。Noonewouldthinkofsearchingforhimthere，oranywhereelseonearth，forthatmatter。
　　`Thatwouldbeverytrue，'Nostromospokeup，bitterly，`ifIhadnotmetyou。'
　　Foratimethedoctorkeptsilent。`DoyoumeantosaythatyouthinkImaygiveyouaway?'heaskedinanunsteadyvoice。`Why?WhyshouldI
　　dothat?'
　　`WhatdoIknow?Whynot?togainadayperhaps。ItwouldtakeSotilloadaytogivemetheestrapade，andtrysomeotherthingsperhaps，beforeheputsabulletthroughmyheart——ashedidtothatpoorwretchhere。
　　Whynot?'
　　Thedoctorswallowedwithdifficulty。Histhroathadgonedryinamoment。
　　Itwasnotfromindignation。Thedoctor，patheticallyenough，believedthathehadforfeitedtherighttobeindignantwithanyone——foranything。
　　Itwassimpledread。Hadthefellowheardhisstorybysomechance?Ifso，therewasanendofhisusefulnessinthatdirection。Theindispensablemanescapedhisinfluence，becauseofthatindelibleblotwhichmadehimfitfordirtywork。Afeelingasofsicknesscameuponthedoctor。Hewouldhavegivenanythingtoknow，buthedarednotclearupthepoint。Thefanaticismofhisdevotion，fedonthesenseofhisabasement，hardenedhisheartinsadnessandscorn。
　　`Whynot，indeed?'here-echoed，sardonically。`Thenthesafethingforyouistokillmeonthespot。Iwoulddefendmyself。ButyoumayjustaswellknowIamgoingaboutunarmed。
　　`PorDios！'saidtheCapataz，passionately。`Youfinepeopleareallalike。Alldangerous。Allbetrayersofthepoorwhoareyourdogs。'
　　`Youdonotunderstand，'beganthedoctor，slowly。
　　`Iunderstandyouall！'criedtheotherwithaviolentmovement，asshadowytothedoctor'seyesasthepersistentimmobilityofthelateSenorHirsch。`Apoormanamongstyouhasgottolookafterhimself。Isaythatyoudonotcareforthosethatserveyou。Lookatme！Afteralltheseyears，suddenly，hereIfindmyselflikeoneofthesecursthatbarkoutsidethewalls——withoutakenneloradryboneformyteeth。Caramba！'
　　Butherelentedwithacontemptuousfairness。`Ofcourse，'hewenton，quietly，`IdonotsupposethatyouwouldhastentogivemeuptoSotillo，forexample。Itisnotthat。ItisthatIamnothing！Suddenly——'Heswunghisarmdownstairs。`Nothingtoanyone，'herepeated。
　　Thedoctorbreathedfreely。`Listen，Capataz，'hesaid，stretchingouthisarmalmostaffectionatelytowardsNostromo'sshoulder。`Iamgoingtotellyouaverysimplething。Youaresafebecauseyouareneeded。I
　　wouldnotgiveyouawayforanyconceivablereason，becauseIwantyou。'
　　InthedarkNostromobithislip。Hehadheardenoughofthat。Heknewwhatthatmeant。Nomoreofthatforhim。Buthehadtolookafterhimselfnow，hethought。Andhethought，too，thatitwouldnotbeprudenttopartinangerfromhiscompanion。Thedoctor，admittedtobeagreathealer，had，amongstthepopulaceofSulaco，thereputationofbeinganevilsortofman。Itwasbasedsolidlyonhispersonalappearance，whichwasstrange，andonhisroughironicmanner——proofsvisible，sensible，andincontrovertibleofthedoctor'smalevolentdisposition。AndNostromowasofthepeople。
　　Soheonlygruntedincredulously。
　　`You，tospeakplainly，aretheonlyman，'thedoctorpursued。`Itisinyourpowertosavethistownand……everybodyfromthedestructiverapacityofmenwho——'
　　`No，senor，'saidNostromo，sullenly。`ItisnotinmypowertogetthetreasurebackforyoutogiveuptoSotillo，orPedrito，orGamacho。WhatdoIknow?'
　　`Nobodyexpectstheimpossible，'wastheanswer。
　　`Youhavesaidityourself——nobody，'mutteredNostromo，inagloomy，threateningtone。
　　ButDrMonygham，fullofhope，disregardedtheenigmaticwordsandthethreateningtone。Totheireyes，accustomedtoobscurity，thelateSenorHirsch，growingmoredistinct，seemedtohavecomenearer。Andthedoctorloweredhisvoiceinexposinghisschemeasthoughafraidofbeingoverheard。
　　Hewastakingtheindispensablemanintohisfullestconfidence。ItsimpliedflatteryandsuggestionofgreatriskscamewithafamiliarsoundtotheCapataz。Hismind，floatinginirresolutionanddiscontent，recognizeditwithbitterness。HeunderstoodwellthatthedoctorwasanxioustosavetheSanTomeminefromannihilation。Hewouldbenothingwithoutit。Itwashisinterest。JustasithadbeentheinterestofSenorDecoud，oftheBlancos，andoftheEuropeanstogethisCargadoresontheirside。
　　HisthoughtbecamearresteduponDecoud。Whatwouldhappentohim?
　　Nostromo'sprolongedsilencemadethedoctoruneasy。Hepointedout，quiteunnecessarily，thatthoughforthepresenthewassafe，hecouldnotliveconcealedforever。ThechoicewasbetweenacceptingthemissiontoBarrios，withallitsdangersanddifficulties，andleavingSulacobystealth，ingloriously，inpoverty。
　　`Noneofyourfriendscouldrewardyouandprotectyoujustnow，Capataz。
　　NotevenDonCarloshimself。'
　　`Iwouldhavenoneofyourprotectionandnoneofyourrewards。IonlywishIcouldtrustyourcourageandyoursense。WhenIreturnintriumph，asyousay，withBarrios。Imayfindyoualldestroyed。Youhavetheknifeatyourthroatnow。'
　　Itwasthedoctor'sturntoremainsilentinthecontemplationofhorriblecontingencies。
　　`Well，wewouldtrustyourcourageandyoursense。Andyou，too，haveaknifeatyourthroat。'
　　`Ah！AndwhomamItothankforthat?Whatareyourpoliticsandyourminestome——yoursilverandyourconstitutions——yourDonCarlosthis，andDonJosethat——'
　　`Idon'tknow，'burstouttheexasperateddoctor。`ThereareinnocentpeopleindangerwhoselittlefingerisworthmorethanyouorIandalltheRibieriststogether。Idon'tknow。YoushouldhaveaskedyourselfbeforeyouallowedDecoudtoleadyouintoallthis。Itwasyourplacetothinklikeaman；butifyoudidnotthink，thentrytoactlikeamannow。DidyouimagineDecoudcaredverymuchforwhatwouldhappentoyou?'
　　`Nomorethanyoucareforwhatwillhappentome，'mutteredtheother。
　　`No；IcareforwhatwillhappentoyouaslittleasIcareforwhatwillhappentomyself。'
　　`AndallthisbecauseyouaresuchadevotedRibierist?'Nostromosaidinanincreduloustone。
　　`AllthisbecauseIamsuchadevotedRibierist，'repeatedDrMonygham，grimly。
　　AgainNostromo，gazingabstractedlyatthebodyofthelateSenorHirsch，remainedsilent，thinkingthatthedoctorwasadangerouspersoninmorethanonesense。Itwasimpossibletotrusthim。
　　`DoyouspeakinthenameofDonCarlos?'heaskedatlast。
　　`Yes。Ido，'thedoctorsaid，loudly，withouthesitation。`Hemustcomeforwardnow。Hemust，'headdedinamutter，whichNostromodidnotcatch。
　　`Whatdidyousay，senor?'
　　Thedoctorstarted。`Isaythatyoumustbetruetoyourself，Capataz。
　　Itwouldbeworsethanfollytofailnow。'
　　`Truetomyself，'repeatedNostromo，`HowdoyouknowthatIwouldnotbetruetomyselfifItoldyoutogotothedevilwithyourpropositions?'
　　`Idonotknow。Maybeyouwould，'thedoctorsaid，witharoughnessoftoneintendedtohidethesinkingofhisheartandthefalteringofhisvoice。`AllIknowisthatyouhadbettergetawayfromhere。SomeofSotillo'smenmayturnupherelookingforme。'
　　Heslippedoffthetable，listenedintently。TheCapataz，too，stoodup。
　　`SupposeIwenttoCayta，whatwouldyoudomeantime?'heasked。
　　`IwouldgotoSotillodirectlyyouhadleft——inthewayIamthinkingof。'
　　`Averygoodway——ifonlythatengineer-in-chiefconsents。Remindhim，senor，thatIlookedaftertheoldrichEnglishmanwhopaysfortherailway，andthatIsavedthelivesofsomeofhispeoplethattimewhenagangofthievescamefromthesouthtowreckoneofhispay-trains。
　　ItwasIwhodiscovereditallattheriskofmylife，bypretendingtoenterintotheirplans。JustasyouaredoingwithSotillo。'
　　`Yes。Yes，ofcourse。ButIcanofferhimbetterarguments，'thedoctorsaid，hastily。`Leaveittome。'
　　`Ah，yes！True。Iamnothing。'
　　`Notatall。Youareeverything。'
　　Theymovedafewpacestowardsthedoor。BehindthemthelateSenorHirschpreservedtheimmobilityofadisregardedman。
　　`Thatwillbeallright。Iknowwhattosaytotheengineer，'pursuedthedoctor，inalowtone。`MydifficultywillbewithSotillo。'
　　AndDrMonyghamstoppedshortinthedoorwayasifintimidatedbythedifficulty。Hehadmadethesacrificeofhislife。Heconsideredthisafittingopportunity。Buthedidnotwanttothrowhislifeawaytoosoon。
　　InhisqualityofbetrayerofDonCarlos'sconfidence，hewouldhaveultimatelytoindicatethehiding-placeofthetreasure。Thatwouldbetheendofhisdeception，andtheendofhimselfaswell，atthehandsoftheinfuriatedcolonel。Hewantedtodelayhimtotheverylastmoment；andhehadbeenrackinghisbrainstoinventsomeplaceofconcealmentatonceplausibleanddifficultofaccess。
　　HeimpartedhistroubletoNostromo，andconcluded:
　　`Doyouknowwhat，Capataz?Ithinkthatwhenthetimecomesandsomeinformationmustbegiven，IshallindicatetheGreatIsabel。ThatisthebestplaceIcanthinkof。Whatisthematter?'
　　AlowexclamationhadescapedNostromo。Thedoctorwaited，surprised，andafteramomentofprofoundsilence，heardathickvoicestammerout`Utterfolly'，andstopwithagasp。
　　`Whyfolly?'
　　`Ah！Youdonotseeit，'beganNostromo，scathingly，gatheringscornashewenton。`Threemeninhalfanhourwouldseethatnogroundhadbeendisturbedanywhereonthatisland。Doyouthinkthatsuchatreasurecanbeburiedwithoutleavingtracesofthework——eh！SenorDoctor?Why，youwouldnotgainhalfadaymorebeforehavingyourthroatcutbySotillo。
　　TheIsabel！Whatstupidity！Whatmiserableinvention！Ah！youareallalike，youfinemenofintelligence。Allyouarefitforistobetraymenofthepeopleintoundertakingdeadlyrisksforobjectsthatyouarenotevensureabout。Ifitcomesoffyougetthebenefit。Ifnot，thenitdoesnotmatter。Heisonlyadog。Ah！MadredeDios，Iwould——'Heshookhisfistsabovehishead。
　　Thedoctorwasoverwhelmedatfirstbythisfierce，hissingvehemence。
　　`Well！Itseemstomeonyourownshowingthatthemenofthepeoplearenomeanfools，too，'hesaid，sullenly。`No，butcome。Youaresoclever。
　　Haveyouabetterplace?'
　　Nostromohadcalmeddownasquicklyashehadflaredup。
　　`Iamcleverenoughforthat，'hesaid，quietly，almostwithindifference。
　　`Youwanttotellhimofahiding-placebigenoughtotakedaysinransacking——aplacewhereatreasureofsilveringotscanbeburiedwithoutleavingasignonthesurface。'
　　`Andcloseathand，'thedoctorputin。
　　`Justso，senor。Tellhimitissunk。'
　　`Thishasthemeritofbeingthetruth，'thedoctorsaid，contemptuously。
　　`Hewillnotbelieveit。'
　　`Youtellhimthatitissunkwherehemayhopetolayhishandsonit，andhewillbelieveyouquickenough。Tellhimithasbeensunkintheharbourinordertoberecoveredafterwardsbydivers。TellhimyoufoundoutthatIhadordersfromDonCarlosGouldtolowerthecasesquietlyoverboardsomewhereinalinebetweentheendofthejettyandtheentrance。
　　Thedepthisnottoogreatthere。Hehasnodivers，buthehasaship，boats，ropes，chains，sailors——ofasort。Lethimfishforthesilver。
　　Lethimsethisfoolstodragbackwardsandforwardsandcrosswayswhilehesitsandwatchestillhiseyesdropoutofhishead。'
　　`Really，thisisanadmirableidea，'mutteredthedoctor。
　　`Si。Youtellhimthat，andseewhetherhewillnotbelieveyou！
　　Hewillspenddaysinrageandtorment——andstillhewillbelieve。Hewillhavenothoughtforanythingelse。Hewillnotgiveuptillheisdrivenoff——why，hemayevenforgettokillyou。Hewillneithereatnorsleep。He——'
　　`Theverything！Theverything！'thedoctorrepeatedinanexcitedwhisper。`Capataz，Ibegintobelievethatyouareagreatgeniusinyourway。'
　　Nostromohadpaused；thenbeganagaininachangedtone，sombre，speakingtohimselfasthoughhehadforgottenthedoctor'sexistence。
　　`Thereissomethinginatreasurethatfastensuponaman'smind。Hewillprayandblasphemeandstillpersevere，andwillcursethedayheeverheardofit，andwilllethislasthourcomeuponhimunawares，stillbelievingthathemisseditonlybyafoot。Hewillseeiteverytimehecloseshiseyes。Hewillneverforgetittillheisdead——andeventhen——Doctor，didyoueverhearofthemiserablegringosonAzuera，thatcannotdie?Ha！ha！Sailorslikemyself。Thereisnogettingawayfromatreasurethatoncefastensuponyourmind。'
　　`Youareadevilofaman，Capataz。Itisthemostplausiblething。'
　　Nostromopressedhisarm。
　　`Itwillbeworseforhimthanthirstatseaorhungerinatownfullofpeople。Doyouknowwhatthatis?Heshallsuffergreatertormentsthanheinflicteduponthatterrifiedwretchwhohadnoinvention。None！none！
　　Notlikeme。IcouldhavetoldSotilloadeadlytaleforverylittlepain。'
　　HelaughedwildlyandturnedinthedoorwaytowardsthebodyofthelateSenorHirsch，anopaquelongblotchinthesemi-transparentobscurityoftheroombetweenthetwotallparallelogramsofthewindowsfullofstars。
　　`Youmanoffear！'hecried。`Youshallbeavengedbyme——Nostromo。
　　Outofmyway，doctor！Standaside——or，bythesufferingsoulofawomandeadwithoutconfession，Iwillstrangleyouwithmytwohands。'
　　Heboundeddownwardsintotheblack，smokyhall。Withagruntofastonishment，DrMonyghamthrewhimselfrecklesslyintothepursuit。Atthebottomofthecharredstairshehadafall，pitchingforwardonhisfacewithaforcethatwouldhavestunnedaspiritlessintentuponataskofloveanddevotion。
　　Hewasupinamoment，jarred，shaken，withaqueerimpressionoftheterrestrialglobehavingbeenflungathisheadinthedark。ButitwantedmorethanthattostopDrMonygham'sbody，possessedbytheexaltationofself-sacrifice；
　　areasonableexaltation，determinednottolosewhateveradvantagechanceputintoitsway。Heranwithheadlong，totteringswiftness，hisarmsgoinglikeawindmillinhisefforttokeephisbalanceonhiscrippledfeet。
　　Helosthishat；thetailsofhisopengaberdineflewbehindhim。Hehadnomindtolosesightoftheindispensableman。Butitwasalongtime，andalongwayfromtheCustomHouse，beforehemanagedtoseizehisarmfrombehind，roughly，outofbreath。
　　`Stop！Areyoumad?'