`Si! And the rich man in San Francisco who had something to do with that treasure, too -- what do I know? No! I have heard too many things. It seems to me that everything is permitted to the rich.'
`I understand, Capataz,' the doctor began.
`What Capataz?' broke in Nostromo, in a forcible but even voice, `The Capataz is undone, destroyed. There is no Capataz. Oh, no! You will find the Capataz no more.'
`Come, this is childish!' remonstrated the doctor; and the other calmed down suddenly.
`I have been indeed like a little child,' he muttered.
And as his eyes met again the shape of the murdered man suspended in his awful immobility, which seemed the uncomplaining immobility of attention, he asked, wondering gently:
`Why did Sotillo give the estrapade to this pitiful wretch? Do you know? No torture could have been worse than his fear. Killing I can understand. His anguish was intolerable to behold. But why should he torment him like this? He could tell no more.'
`No; he could tell nothing more. Any sane man would have seen that. He had told him everything. But I tell you what it is, Capataz. Sotillo would not believe what he was told. Not everything.'
`What is it he would not believe? I cannot understand.'
`I can, because I have seen the man. He refuses to believe that the treasure is lost.'
`What?' the Capataz cried out in a discomposed tone.
`That startles you -- eh?'
`Am I to understand, senor,' Nostromo went on in a deliberate and, as it were, watchful tone, `that Sotillo thinks the treasure has been saved by some means?'
`No! no! That would be impossible,' said the doctor, with conviction; and Nostromo emitted a grunt in the dark. `That would be impossible. He thinks that the silver was no longer in the lighter when she was sunk. He has convinced himself that the whole show of getting it away to sea is a mere sham got up to deceive Gamacho and his Nationals, Pedrito Montero, Senor Fuentes, our new Jefe Politico, and himself, too. Only, he says, he is no such fool.'
`But he is devoid of sense. He is the greatest imbecile that ever called himself a colonel in this country of evil,' growled Nostromo.
`He is no more unreasonable than many sensible men,' said the doctor. `He has convinced himself that the treasure can be found because he desires passionately to possess himself of it. And he is also afraid of his officers turning upon him and going over to Pedrito, whom he has not the courage either to fight or trust. Do you see that, Capataz? He need fear no desertion as long as some hope remains of that enormous plunder turning up. I have made it my business to keep this very hope up.'
`You have!' the Capataz de Cargadores repeated cautiously. `Well, that is wonderful. And how long do you think you are going to keep it up?'
`As long as I can.'
`What does that mean?'