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

zle Dr. Monygham by the mystery of his atrocious end.‘But why shot?’ the doctor again asked himself, audibly.This time he was answered by a dry laugh from Nostromo.‘You seem much concerned at a very natural thing, senordoctor. I wonder why? It is very likely that before long weshall all get shot one after another, if not by Sotillo, then byPedrito, or Fuentes, or Gamacho. And we may even get theestrapade, too, or worse—quien sabe?—with your prettytale of the silver you put into Sotillo’s head.’‘It was in his head already,’ the doctor protested. ‘I only—‘‘Yes. And you only nailed it there so that the devil himself—‘‘That is precisely what I meant to do,’ caught up the doctor.‘That is what you meant to do. Bueno. It is as I say. Youare a dangerous man.’Their voices, which without rising had been growingquarrelsome, ceased suddenly. The late Senor Hirsch, erectand shadowy against the stars, seemed to be waiting attentive,in impartial silence.But Dr. Monygham had no mind to quarrel with Nostromo.At this supremely critical point of Sulaco’s fortunesit was borne upon him at last that this man was really indispensable,more indispensable than ever the infatuation ofCaptain Mitchell, his proud discoverer, could conceive; farbeyond what Decoud’s best dry raillery about ‘my illustriousfriend, the unique Capataz de Cargadores,’ had ever intended.The fellow was unique. He was not ‘one in a thousand.’