Лорд Джим

Chapter 43

           Beforestarting,Tamb’Itam,moreasamatterofform(sincehispositionaboutJimmadehimperfectlyknown),askedforatoken.“Because,Tuan,”hesaid,“themessageisimportant,andthesearethyverywordsIcarry.”Hismasterfirstputhishandintoonepocket,thenintoanother,andfinallytookoffhisforefingerStein’ssilverring,whichhehabituallywore,andgaveittoTamb’Itam.WhenTamb’Itamleftonhismission,Brown’scampontheknollwasdarkbutforasinglesmallglowshiningthroughthebranchesofoneofthetreesthewhitemenhadcutdown.

           ‘EarlyintheeveningBrownhadreceivedfromJimafoldedpieceofpaperonwhichwaswritten,“Yougettheclearroad.Startassoonasyourboatfloatsonthemorningtide.Letyourmenbecareful.Thebushesonbothsidesofthecreekandthestockadeatthemoutharefullofwell-armedmen.Youwouldhavenochance,butIdon’tbelieveyouwantbloodshed.”Brownreadit,torethepaperintosmallpieces,and,turningtoCornelius,whohadbroughtit,saidjeeringly,“Good-bye,myexcellentfriend.”Corneliushadbeeninthefort,andhadbeensneakingaroundJim’shouseduringtheafternoon.JimchosehimtocarrythenotebecausehecouldspeakEnglish,wasknowntoBrown,andwasnotlikelytobeshotbysomenervousmistakeofoneofthemenasaMalay,approachinginthedusk,perhapsmighthavebeen.

           ‘Corneliusdidn’tgoawayafterdeliveringthepaper.Brownwassittingupoveratinyfire;alltheotherswerelyingdown.

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