Nostromo - A Tale of the Seaboard.pdf - Planet eBook

‘Am I to understand, senor,’ Nostromo went on in a deliberateand, as it were, watchful tone, ‘that Sotillo thinksthe treasure has been saved by some means?’‘No! no! That would be impossible,’ said the doctor, withconviction; and Nostromo emitted a grunt in the dark. ‘Thatwould be impossible. He thinks that the silver was no longerin the lighter when she was sunk. He has convinced himselfthat the whole show of getting it away to sea is a mere shamgot up to deceive Gamacho and his Nationals, Pedrito Montero,Senor Fuentes, our new Gefe Politico, and himself, too.Only, he says, he is no such fool.’‘But he is devoid of sense. He is the greatest imbecile thatever called himself a colonel in this country of evil,’ growledNostromo.‘He is no more unreasonable than many sensible men,’said the doctor. ‘He has convinced himself that the treasurecan be found because he desires passionately to possesshimself of it. And he is also afraid of his officers turningupon him and going over to Pedrito, whom he has not thecourage either to fight or trust. Do you see that, Capataz?He need fear no desertion as long as some hope remains ofthat enormous plunder turning up. I have made it my businessto keep this very hope up.’‘You have?’ the Capataz de Cargadores repeated cautiously.‘Well, that is wonderful. And how long do you thinkyou are going to keep it up?’‘As long as I can.’‘What does that mean?’‘I can tell you exactly. As long as I live,’ the doctor retort-