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

You are safe because you are needed. I would not give youaway for any conceivable reason, because I want you.’In the dark Nostromo bit his lip. He had heard enoughof that. He knew what that meant. No more of that for him.But he had to look after himself now, he thought. And hethought, too, that it would not be prudent to part in angerfrom his companion. The doctor, admitted to be a greathealer, had, amongst the populace of Sulaco, the reputationof being an evil sort of man. It was based solidly on hispersonal appearance, which was strange, and on his roughironic manner—proofs visible, sensible, and incontrovertibleof the doctor’s malevolent disposition. And Nostromowas of the people. So he only grunted incredulously.‘You, to speak plainly, are the only man,’ the doctor pursued.‘It is in your power to save this town and … everybodyfrom the destructive rapacity of men who—‘‘No, senor,’ said Nostromo, sullenly. ‘It is not in my powerto get the treasure back for you to give up to Sotillo, orPedrito, or Gamacho. What do I know?’‘Nobody expects the impossible,’ was the answer.‘You have said it yourself—nobody,’ muttered Nostromo,in a gloomy, threatening tone.But Dr. Monygham, full of hope, disregarded theenigmatic words and the threatening tone. To their eyes, accustomedto obscurity, the late Senor Hirsch, growing moredistinct, seemed to have come nearer. And the doctor loweredhis voice in exposing his scheme as though afraid ofbeing overheard.He was taking the indispensable man into his full-