Ностромо

           ForthatchildIwouldhaveleftboxesandboxesofit—full.AndDecoudtookfour.Fouringots.Why?Picardia!Tobetrayme?HowcouldIgivebackthetreasurewithfouringotsmissing?TheywouldhavesaidIhadpurloinedthem.Thedoctorwouldhavesaidthat.Alas!itholdsmeyet!”

           Mrs.Gouldbentlow,fascinated—coldwithapprehension.

           “WhatbecameofDonMartinonthatnight,Nostromo?”

           “Whoknows?Iwonderedwhatwouldbecomeofme.NowIknow.Deathwastocomeuponmeunawares.Hewentaway!Hebetrayedme.AndyouthinkIhavekilledhim!Youareallalike,youfinepeople.Thesilverhaskilledme.Ithasheldme.Itholdsmeyet.Nobodyknowswhereitis.ButyouarethewifeofDonCarlos,whoputitintomyhandsandsaid,‘Saveitonyourlife.’AndwhenIreturned,andyouallthoughtitwaslost,whatdoIhear?‘Itwasnothingofimportance.Letitgo.Up,Nostromo,thefaithful,andrideawaytosaveus,fordearlife!’”

           “Nostromo!”Mrs.Gouldwhispered,bendingverylow.“I,too,havehatedtheideaofthatsilverfromthebottomofmyheart.”

           “Marvellous!—thatoneofyoushouldhatethewealththatyouknowsowellhowtotakefromthehandsofthepoor.Theworldrestsuponthepoor,asoldGiorgiosays.Youhavebeenalwaysgoodtothepoor.Butthereissomethingaccursedinwealth.Senora,shallItellyouwherethetreasureis?Toyoualone....