Helookedthunderstruck。Theystoodfacingeachotherattheendofthesaloon。Anthonystuttered。”Ohno。Youwon’tdie。Youdon’tmeanit。Youhavetakenkindlytothesea。”
Shelaughed，butshefeltangry。”No，Idon’tmeanit。ItellyouIdon’tmeantoevademyobligations。Ishallliveon……feelingalittlecrushed，nevertheless。””Crushed！”herepeated。”What’scrushingyou？””Yourmagnanimity，”shesaidsharply。Buthervoicewassoftenedafteratime。”YetIdon’tknow。Thereisaperfectioninit——doyouunderstandme，Roderick？——whichmakesitalmostpossibletobear。”
Hesighed，lookedaway，andremarkedthatitwastimetoputoutthelampinthesaloon。Thepermissionwasonlytillteno’clock。”Butyouneedn’tmindthatsomuchinyourcabin。Justseethatthecurtainsoftheportsaredrawncloseandthat’sall。Thestewardmighthaveforgottentodoit。Helightedyourreadinglampintherebeforehewentashoreforalasteveningwithhiswife。I
don’tknowifitwaswisetogetridofMrs。Brown。Youwillhavetolookafteryourself，Flora。”
Hewasquiteanxious；butFloraasamatteroffactcongratulatedherselfontheabsenceofMrs。Brown。Nosoonerhadsheclosedthedoorofherstate-roomthanshemurmuredfervently，”Yes！Thankgoodness，sheisgone。”Therewouldbenogentleknock，followedbyherappearancewithherequivocalstareandtheintolerable:”CanI
doanythingforyou，ma’am？”whichpoorFlorahadlearnedtofearandhatemorethananyvoiceoranywordsonboardthatship——heronlyrefugefromtheworldwhichhadnouseforher，forherimperfectionsandforhertroubles。
Mrs。Brownhadbeenverymuchvexedatherdismissal。TheBrownswereachildlesscoupleandthearrangementhadsuitedthemperfectly。Theirresentmentwasverybitter。Mrs。Brownhadtoremainashorealonewithherrage，butthestewardwasnursinghisonboard。PoorFlorahadnogreaterenemy，theaggrievedmatehadnogreatersympathizer。AndMrs。Brown，withawoman’squickpowerofobservationandinference(theputtingoftwoandtwotogether)
hadcometoacertainconclusionwhichshehadimpartedtoherhusbandbeforeleavingtheship。ThemorosestewardpermittedhimselfoncetomakeanallusiontoitinPowell’shearing。Itwasintheofficers’mess-roomattheendofamealwhilehelingeredafterputtingafruitpieonthetable。Heandthechiefmatestartedadialogueaboutthealarmingchangeinthecaptain，thesallowstewardlookingdownwithasinisterfrown，Franklinrollingupwardshiseyes，sentimentalinaredface。YoungPowellhadheardalotofthatsortofthingbythattime。Itwasgrowingmonotonous；ithadalwayssoundedtohimalittleabsurd。Hestruckinimpatientlywiththeremarkthatsuchlamentationsoveramanmerelybecausehehadtakenawifeseemedtohimlikelunacy。
Franklinmuttered，”Dependsonwhatthewifeisupto。”ThestewardleaningagainstthebulkheadnearthedoorgloweredatPowell，thatnewcomer，thatignoramus，thatstrangerwithoutrightorprivileges。
Hesnarled:”Wife！Callherawife，doyou？””Whatthedevildoyoumeanbythis？”exclaimedyoungPowell。”IknowwhatIknow。Myoldwomanhasnotbeensixmonthsonboardfornothing。Youhadbetteraskherwhenwegetback。”
AndmeetingsullenlythewitheringstareofMr。Powellthestewardretreatedbackwards。
Ouryoungfriendturnedatonceuponthemate。”Andyouletthatconfoundedbottle-washertalklikethisbeforeyou，Mr。Franklin。
Well，Iamastonished。””Oh，itisn’twhatyouthink。Itisn’twhatyouthink。”Mr。
Franklinlookedmoreapoplecticthanever。”IfitcomestothatI
couldastonishyou。Butit’snouse。Imyselfcanhardly……Youcouldn’tunderstand。Ihopeyouwon’ttrytomakemischief。Therewasatime，youngfellow，whenIwouldhavedaredanyman——anyman，youhear？——tomakemischiefbetweenmeandCaptainAnthony。Butnotnow。Notnow。There’sachange！Notinmethough……”
YoungPowellrejectedwithindignationanysuggestionofmakingmischief。”Whodoyoutakemefor？”hecried。”OnlyyouhadbettertellthatstewardtobecarefulwhathesaysbeforemeorI’llspoilhisgoodlooksforhimforamonthandwillleavehimtoexplainthewhyofittothecaptainthebestwayhecan。”
ThisspeechestablishedPowellasachampionofMrs。Anthony。
Nothingmorebearingonthequestionwaseversaidbeforehim。Hedidnotcareforthesteward’sblacklooks；Franklin，neverconversationalevenatthebestoftimesandavoidingnowtheonlytopicnearhisheart，addressedhimonlyonmattersofduty。Andforthat，too，Powellcaredverylittle。Thewoesoftheapoplecticmatehadbeguntoborehimlongbefore。Yethefeltlonelyabitattimes。ThereforethelittleintercoursewithMrs。Anthonyeitherinonedog-watchortheotherwassomethingtobelookedforwardto。
Thecaptaindidnotmindit。Thatwasevidentfromhismanner。Onenightheinquired(theywerethenaloneonthepoop)whattheyhadbeentalkingaboutthatevening？Powellhadtoconfessthatitwasabouttheship。Mrs。Anthonyhadbeenaskinghimquestions。”Takesinterest——eh？”jerkedoutthecaptainmovingrapidlyupanddowntheweathersideofthepoop。”Yes，sir。Mrs。Anthonyseemstogetholdwonderfullyofwhatone’stellingher。””Sailor’sgranddaughter。Oneoftheoldschool。Oldsea-dogofthebestkind，Ibelieve，”ejaculatedthecaptain，swingingpasthismotionlesssecondofficerandleavingthewordsbehindhimlikeatrailofsparkssucceededbyaperfectconversationaldarkness，because，forthenexttwohourstillheleftthedeck，hedidn’topenhislipsagain。
Onanotheroccasion……wemustn’tforgetthattheshiphadcrossedthelineandwasaddingupsouthlatitudeeverydaybythen……onanotheroccasion，aboutsevenintheevening，Powellonduty，heardhisnameutteredsoftlyinthecompanion。Thecaptainwasonthestairs，thin-faced，hiseyessunk，onhisarmaShetlandwoolwrap。”Mr。Powell——here。””Yes，sir。””GivethistoMrs。Anthony。Eveningsaregettingchilly。”
Andthehaggardfacesankoutofsight。Mrs。Anthonywassurprisedonseeingtheshawl。”Thecaptainwantsyoutoputthison，”explainedyoungPowell，andassheraisedherselfinherseathedroppeditonhershoulders。
Shewrappedherselfupclosely。”Wherewasthecaptain？”sheasked。”Hewasinthecompanion。Calledmeonpurpose，”saidPowell，andthenretreateddiscreetly，becauseshelookedasthoughshedidn’twanttotalkanymorethatevening。Mr。Smith——theoldgentleman——
wasasusualsittingontheskylightnearherhead，broodingoverthelongchairbutbynomeansinimical，asfarashisunreadablefacewent，tothoseconversationsofthetwoyoungestpeopleonboard。Infacttheyseemedtogivehimsomepleasure。NowandthenhewouldraisehisfadedchinaeyestotheanimatedfaceofMr。
Powellthoughtfully。Whentheyoungsailorwasby，theoldmanbecamelessrigid，andwhenhisdaughter，onrareoccasions，smiledatsomeartlesstaleofMr。Powell，theinexpressivefaceofMr。
Smithreflecteddimlythatflashofevanescentmirth。ForMr。
Powellhadcomenowtoentertainhiscaptain’swifewithanecdotesfromthenotverydistantpastwhenhewasaboy，onboardvariousships，——funnythingsdohappenonboardship。Florawasquitesurprisedattimestofindherselfamused。Shewasevenheardtolaughtwiceinthecourseofamonth。Itwasnotaloudsoundbutitwasstartlingenoughattheafter-endoftheFerndalewherelowtonesorsilenceweretherule。Thesecondtimethishappenedthecaptainhimselfmusthavebeenstartledsomewheredownbelow；
becauseheemergedfromthedepthsofhisunobtrusiveexistenceandbeganhistrampingontheoppositesideofthepoop。
Almostimmediatelyhecalledhisyoungsecondofficerovertohim。
Thiswasnotdoneindispleasure。TheglancehefastenedonMr。
Powellconveyedasortofapprovingwonder。Heengagedhimindesultoryconversationasiffortheonlypurposeofkeepingamanwhocouldprovokesuchasound，nearhisperson。Mr。Powellfelthimselfliked。Hefeltit。Likedbythathaggard，restlessmanwhothrewathimdisconnectedphrasestowhichhisanswerswere，”Yes，sir，””No，sir，””Oh，certainly，””Isupposeso，sir，”——andmighthavebeenclearlyanythingelseforalltheothercared。
Itwasthen，Mr。Powelltoldme，thathediscoveredinhimselfanalreadyold-establishedlikingforCaptainAnthony。Healsofeltsorryforhimwithoutbeingabletodiscovertheoriginsofthatsympathyofwhichhehadbecomesosuddenlyaware。
MeantimeMr。Smith，bendingforwardstifflyasthoughhehadahingedback，wasspeakingtohisdaughter。
Shewasachildnolonger。Hewantedtoknowifshebelievedin——inhell。Ineternalpunishment？
Hispeculiarvoice，asiffilteredthroughcotton-woolwasinaudibleontheothersideofthedeck。PoorFlora，takenverymuchunawares，madeaninarticulatemurmur，shookherheadvaguely，andglancedinthedirectionofthepacingAnthonywhowasnotlookingherway。Itwasnouseglancinginthatdirection。OfyoungPowell，leaningagainstthemizzen-mastandfacinghiscaptainshecouldonlyseetheshoulderandpartofabluesergeback。
Andtheunworried，unaccentedvoiceofherfatherwentontormentingher。”Yousee，youmustunderstand。WhenIcameoutofjailitwaswithjoy。Thatis，mysoulwasfairlytornintwo——butanywaytoseeyouhappy——Ihadmadeupmymindtothat。OnceIcouldbesurethatyouwerehappythenofcourseIwouldhavehadnoreasontocareforlife——strictlyspeaking——whichisallrightforanoldman；thoughnaturally……noreasontowishfordeatheither。Butthissortoflife！Whatsense，whatmeaning，whatvaluehasiteitherforyouorforme？It’sjustsittingdowntolookatthedeath，that’scoming，coming。Whatelseisit？Idon’tknowhowyoucanputupwiththat。Idon’tthinkyoucanstanditforlong。Somedayyouwilljumpoverboard。”
CaptainAnthonyhadstoppedforamomentstaringaheadfromthebreakofthepoop，andpoorFlorasentathisbackalookofdespairingappealwhichwouldhavemovedaheartofstone。Butasthoughshehaddonenothinghedidnotstirintheleast。Shegotoutofthelongchairandwenttowardsthecompanion。Herfatherfollowedcarryingafewsmallobjects，ahandbag，herhandkerchief，abook。Theywentdowntogether。
ItwasonlythenthatCaptainAnthonyturned，lookedattheplacetheyhadvacatedandresumedhistramping，butnothisdesultoryconversationwithhissecondofficer。Hisnervousexasperationhadgrownsomuchthatnowveryoftenheusedtolosecontrolofhisvoice。Ifhedidnotwatchhimselfitwouldsuddenlydieinhisthroat。Hehadtomakesurebeforeheventuredonthesimplestsaying，anorder，aremarkonthewind，asimplegood-morning。
That’swhyhisutterancewasabrupt，hisanswerstopeoplestartlinglybrusqueandoftennotforthcomingatall。
Ithappenstothemostresoluteofmentofindhimselfatgripsnotonlywithunknownforces，butwithawell-knownforcetherealmightofwhichhehadnotunderstood。Anthonyhaddiscoveredthathewasnottheproudmasterbutthechafingcaptiveofhisgenerosity。Itroseinfrontofhimlikeawallwhichhisrespectforhimselfforbadehimtoscale。Hesaidtohimself:”Yes，Iwasafool——butshehastrustedme！”Trusted！Aterriblewordtoanymansomewhatexceptionalinaworldinwhichsuccesshasneverbeenfoundinrenunciationandgoodfaith。Anditmustalsobesaid，inordernottomakeAnthonymorestupidlysublimethanhewas，thatthebehaviourofFlorakepthimatadistance。Thegirlwasafraidtoaddtotheexasperationofherfather。Itwasherunhappylottobemademorewretchedbytheonlyaffectionwhichshecouldnotsuspect。Shecouldnotbeangrywithit，however，andoutofdeferenceforthatexaggeratedsentimentshehardlydaredtolookotherwisethanbystealthatthemanwhosemasterfulcompassionhadcarriedheroff。AndquiteunabletounderstandtheextentofAnthony’sdelicacy，shesaidtoherselfthat”hedidn’tcare。”Heprobablywasbeginningatbottomtodetesther——likethegoverness，likethemaidenlady，liketheGermanwoman，likeMrs。Fyne，likeMr。Fyne——onlyhewasextraordinary，hewasgenerous。Atthesametimeshehadmomentsofirritation。Hewasviolent，headstrong——
perhapsstupid。Well，hehadhadhisway。
Amanwhohashadhiswayisseldomhappy，forgenerallyhefindsthatthewaydoesnotleadveryfaronthisearthofdesireswhichcanneverbefullysatisfied。AnthonyhadenteredwithextremeprecipitationtheenchantedgardensofArmidasayingtohimself”Atlast！”AstoArmida，herself，hewasnotgoingtoofferheranyviolence。ButnowhehaddiscoveredthatalltheenchantmentwasinArmidaherself，inArmida’ssmiles。ThisArmidadidnotsmile。Sheexisted，unapproachable，behindtheblankwallofhisrenunciation。
Hisforce，fitforaction，experiencedtheimpatience，theindignation，almostthedespairofhisvitalityarrested，bound，stilled，progressivelyworndown，fritteredawaybyTime；bythatforceblindandinsensible，whichseemsinertandyetusesone’slifeupbyitsimperceptibleaction，droppingminuteafterminuteonone’slivingheartlikedropsofwaterwearingdownastone。
Heupbraidedhimself。Whatelsecouldhehaveexpected？Hehadrushedinlikearuffian；hehaddraggedthepoordefencelessthingbythehairofherhead，asitwere，onboardthatship。Itwasreallyatrocious。Nothingassuredhimthathispersoncouldbeattractivetothisoranyotherwoman。Andhisproceedingswereenoughinthemselvestomakeanyoneodious。Hemusthavebeenbereftofhissenses。Shemustfatallydetestandfearhim。
Nothingcouldmakeupforsuchbrutality。Andyetsomehowheresentedthisveryattitudewhichseemedtohimcompletelyjustifiable。Surelyhewasnottoomonstrous(morally)tobelookedatfranklysometimes。Butno！Shewouldn’t。Well，perhaps，someday……Onlyhewasnotgoingevertoattempttobegforforgiveness。Withtherepulsionshefeltforhispersonshewouldcertainlymisunderstandthemostguardedwords，themostcarefuladvances。Never！Never！
ItwouldoccurtoAnthonyattheendofsuchmeditationsthatdeathwasnotanunfriendlyvisitorafterall。NowonderthenthatevenyoungPowell，hisfacultieshavingbeenputonthealert，begantothinkthattherewassomethingunusualaboutthemanwhohadgivenhimhischanceinlife。Yes，decidedly，hiscaptainwas”strange。”
Therewassomethingwrongsomewhere，hesaidtohimself，neverguessingthathisyoungandcandideyeswereinthepresenceofapassionprofound，tyrannicalandmortal，discoveringitsownexistence，astoundedatfeelingitselfhelplessanddismayedatfindingitselfincurable。
PowellhadneverbeforefeltthismysteriousuneasinesssostronglyasonthateveningwhenithadbeenhisgoodfortunetomakeMrs。
Anthonylaughalittlebyhisartlessprattle。Standingoutoftheway，hehadwatchedhiscaptainwalktheweather-sideofthepoop，hetookfullcognizanceofhislikingforthatinexplicablystrangemanandsawhimswervetowardsthecompanionandgodownbelowwithsympatheticifutterlyuncomprehendingeyes。
Shortlyafterwards，Mr。Smithcameupaloneandmanifestedadesireforalittleconversation。He，too，ifnotsomysteriousasthecaptain，wasnotverycomprehensibletoMr。Powell’suninformedcandour。Heoftenfavouredthusthesecondofficer。HistalkalludedsomewhatenigmaticallyandoftenwithoutvisibleconnectiontoMr。Powell’sfriendlinesstowardshimselfandhisdaughter。”ForIamwellawarethatwehavenofriendsonboardthisship，mydearyoungman，”hewouldadd，”exceptyourself。Florafeelsthattoo。”
AndMr。Powell，flatteredandembarrassed，couldbutemitavaguemurmurofprotest。Forthestatementwastrueinasense，thoughthefactwasinitselfinsignificant。Thefeelingsoftheship’scompanycouldnotpossiblymattertothecaptain’swifeandtoMr。
Smith——herfather。WhythelattershouldsooftenalludetoitwaswhatsurprisedourMr。Powell。Thiswasbynomeansthefirstoccasion。Morelikethetwentiethrather。Andinhisweakvoice，withhismonotonousintonation，leaningovertherailandlookingatthewatertheothercontinuedthisconversation，orratherhisremarks，remarksofsuchamonstrousnaturethatMr。Powellhadnooptionbuttoacceptthemforgruesomejesting。”Forinstance，”saidMr。Smith，”thatmate，Franklin，Ibelievehewouldjustassoonseeusbothoverboardasnot。””It’snotsobadasthat，”laughedMr。Powell，feelinguncomfortable，becausehisminddidnotaccommodateitselfeasilytoexaggerationofstatement。”Heisn’tabadchapreally，”headded，veryconsciousofMr。Franklin’soffensivemannerofwhichinstanceswerenotfartoseek。”He’ssuchafoolastobejealous。Hehasbeenwiththecaptainforyears。It’snotformetosay，perhaps，butIthinkthecaptainhasspoiledallthatgangofoldservants。
Theyarelikealotofpetolddogs。Wouldn’tletanybodycomenearhimiftheycouldhelpit。I’veneverseenanythinglikeit。Andthesecondmate，Ibelieve，waslikethattoo。””Well，heisn’there，luckily。Therewouldhavebeenonemoreenemy，”saidMr。Smith。”There’senoughofthemwithouthim。Andyoubeinghereinsteadofhimmakesitmuchmorepleasantformydaughterandmyself。Onefeelstheremaybeafriendinneed。Forreally，forawomanallaloneonboardshipamongstalotofunfriendlymen……””ButMrsAnthonyisnotalone，”exclaimedPowell。”There’syou，andthere’sthe……”
Mr。Smithinterruptedhim。”Nobody’simmortal。Andtherearetimeswhenonefeelsashamedtolive。Suchaneveningasthisforinstance。”
Itwasalovelyevening；thecoloursofasplendidsunsethaddiedoutandthebreathofawarmbreezeseemedtohavesmoothedoutthesea。Awaytothesouththesheetlightningwasliketheflashingofanenormouslanternhiddenunderthehorizon。InordertochangetheconversationMr。Powellsaid:”AnywaynoonecanchargeyouwithbeingaJonah，Mr。Smith。Wehavehadamagnificentquickpassagesofar。Thecaptainoughttobepleased。AndIsupposeyouarenotsorryeither。”
Thisdiversionwasnotsuccessful。Mr。Smithemittedasortofbitterchuckleandsaid:”Jonah！That’sthefellowthatwasthrownoverboardbysomesailors。Itseemstomeit’sveryeasyatseatogetridofapersononedoesnotlike。Theseadoesnotgiveupitsdeadastheearthdoes。””Youforgetthewhale，sir，”saidyoungPowell。
Mr。Smithgaveastart。”Eh？Whatwhale？Oh！Jonah。Iwasn’tthinkingofJonah。Iwasthinkingofthispassagewhichseemssoquicktoyou。Butonlythinkwhatitistome？Itisn’talife，goingaboutthesealikethis。And，forinstance，ifoneweretofallill，thereisn’tadoctortofindoutwhat’sthematterwithone。It’sworrying。Itmakesmeanxiousattimes。””IsMrs。Anthonynotfeelingwell？”askedPowell。ButMr。Smith’sremarkwasnotmeantforMrs。Anthony。Shewaswell。Hehimselfwaswell。Itwasthecaptain’shealththatdidnotseemquitesatisfactory。HadMr。Powellnoticedhisappearance？
Mr。Powelldidn’tknowenoughofthecaptaintojudge。Hecouldn’ttell。ButheobservedthoughtfullythatMr。Franklinhadbeensayingthesamething。AndFranklinhadknownthecaptainforyears。Thematewasquiteworriedaboutit。
ThisintelligencestartledMr。Smithconsiderably。”Doeshethinkheisindangerofdying？”heexclaimedwithananimationquiteextraordinaryforhim，whichhorrifiedMr。Powell。”Heavens！Die！No！Don’tyoualarmyourself，sir。I’veneverheardawordaboutdangerfromMr。Franklin。””Well，well，”sighedMr。Smithandleftthepoopforthesaloonratherabruptly。
AsamatteroffactMr。Franklinhadbeenondeckforsomeconsiderabletime。HehadcometorelieveyoungPowell；butseeinghimengagedintalkwiththe”enemy”——withoneofthe”enemies”atleast——hadkeptatadistance，which，thepoopoftheFerndalebeingaverseventyfeetlong，hehadnodifficultyindoing。Mr。Powellsawhimattheheadoftheladderleaningonhiselbow，melancholyandsilent。”Oh！Hereyouare，sir。””HereIam。HereI’vebeeneversincesixo’clock。Didn’twanttointerruptthepleasantconversation。Ifyouliketoputinhalfofyourwatchbelowjawingwithadearfriend，that’snotmyaffair。
Funnytastethough。””Heisn’tabadchap，”saidtheimpartialPowell。
Thematesnortedangrily，tappingthedeckwithhisfoot；then:”Isn’the？Well，givehimmylovewhenyoucometogetheragainforanothernicelongyarn。””Isay，Mr。Franklin，Iwonderthecaptaindon’ttakeoffenceatyourmanners。””Thecaptain。Iwishtogoodnesshewouldstartarowwithme。
ThenIshouldknowatleastIamsomebodyonboard。I’dwelcomeit，Mr。Powell。I’drejoice。Anddam’meIwouldtalkbacktootillI
rousedhim。He’sashadowofhimself。Hewalksabouthisshiplikeaghost。He’sfadingawayrightbeforeoureyes。Butofcourseyoudon’tsee。Youdon’tcareahang。Whyshouldyou？”
Mr。Powelldidnotwaitformore。Hewentdownonthemaindeck。
Withouttakingthemate’sjeremiadsseriouslyheputthembesidethewordsofMr。Smith。HehadgrownalreadyattachedtoCaptainAnthony。Therewassomethingnotonlyattractivebutcompellingintheman。Onlyitisverydifficultforyouthtobelieveinthemenaceofdeath。Notinthefactitself，butinitsproximitytoabreathing，moving，talking，superiorhumanbeing，showingnosignofdisease。AndMr。Powellthoughtthatthistalkwasallnonsense。
Buthiscuriositywasawakened。Therewassomething，andatanytimesomecircumstancemightoccur……No，hewouldneverfindout……Therewasnothingtofindout，mostlikely。Mr。Powellwenttohisroomwherehetriedtoreadabookhehadalreadyreadagoodmanytimes。Presentlyabellrangfortheofficers’supper。
CHAPTERSIX……AMOONLESSNIGHT，THICKWITHSTARSABOVE，VERY
DARKONTHEWATER
Inthemess-roomPowellfoundMr。Franklinhackingatapieceofcoldsaltbeefwithatableknife。Themate，fieryinthefaceandrollinghiseyesoverthattask，explainedthatthecarverbelongingtothemess-roomcouldnotbefound。Thesteward，presentalso，complainedsavagelyofthecook。Thefellowgotthingsintohisgalleyandthenlostthem。Mr。Franklintriedtopacifyhimwithmournfulfirmness。”There，there！Thatwilldo。Wewhohavebeenalltheseyearstogetherintheshiphaveotherthingstothinkaboutthanquarrellingamongourselves。”
Mr。Powellthoughtwithexasperation:”Herehegoesagain，”forthisutterancehadnothingcrypticforhim。Thestewardhavingwithdrawnmorosely，hewasnotsurprisedtohearthematestriketheusualnote。Thatmorningthemizzentopsailtiehadcarriedaway(probablyadefectivelink)andsomethinglikefortyfeetofchainandwire-rope，mixedupwithafewheavyironblocks，hadcrasheddownfromaloftonthepoopwithaterrifyingracket。”Didyounoticethecaptainthen，Mr。Powell。Didyounotice？”
Powellconfessedfranklythathewastooscaredhimselfwhenallthatlotofgearcamedownondecktonoticeanything。”Thegin-blockmissedhisheadbyaninch，”wentonthemateimpressively。”Iwasn’tthreefeetfromhim。Andwhatdidhedo？
Didheshout，orjump，orevenlookalofttoseeiftheyardwasn’tcomingdowntooaboutourearsinadozenpieces？It’samarvelitdidn’t。No，hejuststoppedshort——nowonder；hemusthavefeltthewindofthatirongin-blockonhisface——lookeddownatit，there，lyingclosetohisfoot——andwentonagain。Ibelievehedidn’tevenblink。Itisn’tnatural。Themanisstupefied。”
HesighedridiculouslyandMr。Powellhadsuppressedagrin，whenthemateaddedasifhecouldn’tcontainhimself:”Hewillbetakingtodrinknext。Markmywords。That’sthenextthing。”
Mr。Powellwasdisgusted。”Youaresofondofthecaptainandyetyoudon’tseemtocarewhatyousayabouthim。Ihaven’tbeenwithhimforsevenyears，butI
knowheisn’tthesortofmanthattakestodrink。Andthen——whythedevilshouldhe？””Whythedevil，youask。Devil——eh？Well，nomanissafefromthedevil——andthat’sanswerenoughforyou，”wheezedMr。Franklinnotunkindly。”Therewasatime，alongtimeago，whenInearlytooktodrinkmyself。Whatdoyousaytothat？”
Mr。Powellexpressedapoliteincredulity。Thethick，congestedmateseemedonthepointofburstingwithdespondency。”Thatwasbadexamplethough。Iwasyoungandfellintodangerouscompany，madeafoolofmyself——yes，astrueasyouseemesittinghere。
Dranktoforget。Thoughtitagreatdodge。”
PowelllookedatthegrotesqueFranklinwithawakenedinterestandwiththathalf-amusedsympathywithwhichwereceiveunprovokedconfidencesfrommenwithwhomwehavenosortofaffinity。Andatthesametimehebegantolookuponhimmoreseriously。Experiencehasitsprestige。Andthematecontinued:”Ifithadn’tbeenfortheoldlady，Iwouldhavegonetothedevil。
Irememberedherintime。Nothinglikehavinganoldladytolookaftertosteadyachapandmakehimfacethings。Butasbadluckwouldhaveit，CaptainAnthonyhasnomotherliving，notablessedsoulbelongingtohimasfarasIknow。Oh，aye，Ifancyhesaidoncesomethingtomeofasister。Butshe’smarried。Shedon’tneedhim。Yes。Intheolddaysheusedtotalktomeasifwehadbeenbrothers，”exaggeratedthematesentimentally。”’Franklin，’——
hewouldsay——’thisshipismynearestrelationandsheisn’tlikelytoturnagainstme。AndIsupposeyouarethemanI’veknownthelongestintheworld。’That’showheusedtospeaktome。CanI
turnmybackonhim？Hehasturnedhisbackonhisship；that’swhatithascometo。HehasnoonenowbuthisoldFranklin。Butwhat’safellowtodotoputthingsbackastheywereandshouldbe。
Shouldbe——Isay！”
Hisstartingeyeshadaterriblefixity。Mr。Powell’sirresistiblethought，”heresemblesaboiledlobsterindistress，”wasfollowedbyannoyance。”GoodLord，”hesaid，”youdon’tmeantohintthatCaptainAnthonyhasfallenintobadcompany。Whatisityouwanttosavehimfrom？””Idomeanit，”affirmedthemate，andtheveryabsurdityofthestatementmadeitimpressive——becauseitseemedsoabsolutelyaudacious。”Well，youhaveacheek，”saidyoungPowell，feelingmentallyhelpless。”Ihaveanotionthecaptainwouldhalfkillyouifheweretoknowhowyoucarryon。””Andwelcome，”utteredtheferventlydevotedFranklin。”Iamwilling，ifhewouldonlycleartheshipafterwardsofthat……
Youarebutayoungsterandyoumaygoandtellhimwhatyoulike。
LethimknockthestuffingoutofhisoldFranklinfirstandthinkitoverafterwards。Anythingtopullhimtogether。Butofcourseyouwouldn’t。Youareallright。Onlyyoudon’tknowthatthingsaresometimesdifferentfromwhattheylook。Therearefriendshipsthatarenofriendships，andmarriagesthatarenomarriages。Phoo！
Likelytoberight——wasn’tit？Neverahinttome。IgooffonleaveandwhenIcomeback，thereitis——allover，settled！Notawordbeforehand。Nowarning。Ifonly:’Whatdoyouthinkofit，Franklin？’——oranythingofthesort。Andthat’samanwhohardlyeverdidanythingwithoutaskingmyadvice。Why！Hecouldn’ttakeoveranewcoatfromthetailorwithout……firstthing，directlythefellowcameonboardwithsomenewclothes，whetherinLondonorinChina，itwouldbe:’PassthewordalongthereforMr。Franklin。
Mr。Franklinwantedinthecabin。’InIwouldgo。’Justlookatmyback，Franklin。Fitsallright，doesn’tit？’AndIwouldsay:
’Firstrate，sir，’orwhateverwasthetruthofit。Thatoranythingelse。Alwaysthetruthofit。Always。Andwellheknewit；andthat’swhyhedarednotspeakrightout。Talkingaboutworkmen，alterations，cabins……Phoo！……insteadofastraightforward——’Wishmejoy，Mr。Franklin！’Yes，thatwasthewaytoletmeknow。Godonlyknowswhattheyare——perhapssheisn’thisdaughteranymorethansheis……Shedoesn’tresemblethatoldfellow。Notabit。Notabit。It’sveryawful。Youmaywellopenyourmouth，youngman。Butforgoodness’sake，youwhoaremixedupwiththatlot，keepyoureyesandearsopentooincase——incaseof……Idon’tknowwhat。Anything。Onewonderswhatcanhappenhereatsea！Nothing。Yetwhenamaniscalledajailerbehindhisback。”
Mr。FranklinhidhisfaceinhishandsforamomentandPowellshuthismouth，whichindeedhadbeenopen。Heslippedoutofthemess-
roomnoiselessly。”Themate’scrazy，”hethought。Itwashisfirmconviction。Nevertheless，thatevening，hefelthisinnertranquillitydisturbedatlastbytheforceandobstinacyofthiscraze。Hecouldn’tdismissitwiththecontemptitdeserved。Hadtheword”jailer”reallybeenpronounced？AstrangewordforthematetoevenIMAGINEhehadheard。Asenseless，unlikelyword。Butthiswordbeingtheonlyclearanddefinitestatementinthesegrotesqueanddismalravingswascomparativelyrestfultohismind。
Powell’smindrestedonitstillwhenhecameupateighto’clocktotakechargeofthedeck。Itwasamoonlessnight，thickwithstarsabove，verydarkonthewater。Asteadyairfromthewestkeptthesailsasleep。Franklinmusteredbothwatchesinlowtonesasifforafuneral，thenapproachingPowell:”Thecourseiseast-south-east，”saidthechiefmatedistinctly。”East-south-east，sir。””Everything’sset，Mr。Powell。””Allright，sir。”
Theotherlingered，hissentimentaleyesgleamedsilveryintheshadowyface。”Aquietnightbeforeus。Idon’tknowthatthereareanyspecialorders。Asettled，quietnight。Idaresayyouwon’tseethecaptain。Onceuponatimethiswasthewatchheusedtocomeupandstartachatwitheitherofusthenondeck。Butnowhesitsinthatinfernalstern-cabinandmopes。Jailer——eh？”
Mr。Powellwalkedawayfromthemateandwhenatsomedistancesaid，”Damn！”quiteheartily。Itwasaconfoundednuisance。Ithadceasedtobefunny；thathostileword”jailer”hadgiventhesituationanairofreality。
Franklin’sgrotesquemortalenvelopehaddisappearedfromthepooptoseekitsneedfulrepose，ifonlytheworriedsoulwouldletitrestawhile。Mr。Powell，halfsorryforthethicklittleman，wonderedwhetheritwouldlethim。Forhimself，herecognizedthatthecharmofaquietwatchondeckwhenonemayletone’sthoughtsroaminspaceandtimehadbeenspoiledwithoutremedy。WhatshockedhimmostwastheimpliedaspersionofcomplicityonMrs。
Anthony。Itangeredhim。Inhisownwordstome，hefeltvery”enthusiastic”aboutMrs。Anthony。”Enthusiastic”isgood；
especiallyashecouldn’texactlyexplaintomewhathemeantbyit。
Buthefeltenthusiastic，hesays。ThatsillyFranklinmusthavebeendreaming。Thatwasit。Hehaddreameditall。Ass。YettheinjuriouswordstuckinPowell’smindwithitsassociatedideasofprisoner，ofescape。Hebecameveryuncomfortable。Andjustthen(itmighthavebeenhalfanhourormoresincehehadrelievedFranklin)justthenMr。Smithcameuponthepoopalone，likeaglidingshadowandleanedovertherailbyhisside。YoungPowellwasaffecteddisagreeablybyhispresence。Hemadeamovementtogoawaybuttheotherbegantotalk——andPowellremainedwherehewasasifretainedbyamysteriouscompulsion。TheconversationstartedbyMr。Smithhadnothingpeculiar。Hebegantotalkofmail-boatsingeneralandintheendseemedanxioustodiscoverwhatweretheservicesfromPortElizabethtoLondon。Mr。PowelldidnotknowforcertainbutimaginedthattheremustbecommunicationwithEnglandatleasttwiceamonth。”Areyouthinkingofleavingus，sir；ofgoinghomebysteam？PerhapswithMrs。Anthony，”heaskedanxiously。”No！No！HowcanI？”Mr。Smithgotquiteagitated，forhim，whichdidnotamounttomuch。Hewasjustaskingforthesakeofsomethingtotalkabout。Noideaatallofgoinghome。Onecouldnotalwaysdowhatonewantedandthat’swhythereweremomentswhenonefeltashamedtolive。Thisdidnotmeanthatonedidnotwanttolive。Ohno！
Hespokewithcarelessslowness，pausingfrequentlyandinsuchalowvoicethatPowellhadtostrainhishearingtocatchthephrasesdroppedoverboardasitwere。Andindeedtheyseemednotworththeeffort。Itwasliketheaimlesstalkofamanpursuingasecrettrainofthoughtfarremovedfromtheidlewordswesooftenutteronlytokeepintouchwithourfellowbeings。Anhourpassed。ItseemedasthoughMr。Smithcouldnotmakeuphismindtogobelow。
Herepeatedhimself。Againhespokeofliveswhichonewasashamedof。Itwasnecessarytoputupwithsuchlivesaslongastherewasnowayout，nopossibleissue。Heevenalludedoncemoretomail-
boatservicesontheEastcoastofAfricaandyoungPowellhadtotellhimoncemorethatheknewnothingaboutthem。”Everyfortnight，Ithoughtyousaid，”insistedMr。Smith。Hestirred，seemedtodetachhimselffromtherailwithdifficulty。
Hislong，slenderfigurestraightenedintostiffness，asifhostiletotheenvelopingsoftpeaceofairandseaandsky，emittedintothenightaweakmurmurwhichMr。Powellfanciedwastheword，”Abominable”repeatedthreetimes，butwhichpassedintothefaintlylouderdeclaration:”Themomenthascome——togotobed，”followedbyajustaudiblesigh。”Isleepverywell，”addedMr。Smithinhisrestrainedtone。”Butitisthemomentoneopensone’seyesthatishorribleatsea。
Thesedays！Oh，thesedays！Iwonderhowanybodycan……””Ilikethelife，”observedMr。Powell。”Oh，you。Youhaveonlyyourselftothinkof。Youhavemadeyourbed。Well，it’sverypleasanttofeelthatyouarefriendlytous。
Mydaughterhastakenquitealikingtoyou，Mr。Powell。”
Hemurmured，”Good-night”andglidedawayrigidly。YoungPowellaskedhimselfwithsomedistastewhatwasthemeaningoftheseutterances。HismindhadbeenworriedatlastintothatquestioningattitudebynootherpersonthanthegrotesqueFranklin。Suspicionwasnotnaturaltohim。AndhetookgoodcaretocarefullyseparateinhisthoughtsMrs。Anthonyfromthismanofenigmaticwords——herfather。Presentlyheobservedthatthesheenofthetwodeckdead-
lightsofMr。Smith’sroomhadgoneout。Theoldgentlemanhadbeensurprisinglyquickingettingintobed。Shortlyafterwardsthelampintheforemostskylightofthesaloonwasturnedout；andthiswasthesignthatthestewardhadtakeninthetrayandhadretiredforthenight。
YoungPowellhadsettleddowntotheregularofficer-of-the-watchtrampinthedenseshadowoftheworlddecoratedwithstarshighabovehishead，andonearthonlyafewgleamsoflightabouttheship。Thelampintheafterskylightwaskeptburningthroughthenight。Therewerealsothedead-lightsofthestern-cabinsglimmeringdullyinthedeckfaraft，catchinghiseyewhenheturnedtowalkthatway。Thebrassesofthewheelglitteredtoo，withthedimlylitfigureofthemandetached，asifphosphorescent，againsttheblackandspangledbackgroundofthehorizon。
YoungPowell，inthesilenceoftheship，reinforcedbythegreatsilentstillnessoftheworld，saidtohimselfthattherewassomethingmysteriousinsuchbeingsastheabsurdFranklin，andeveninsuchbeingsashimself。Itwasastrangeandalmostimproperthoughttooccurtotheofficerofthewatchofashiponthehighseasonnomatterhowquietanight。Whyonearthwashebotheringhishead？Whycouldn’thedismissallthesepeoplefromhismind？
Itwasasifthematehadinfectedhimwithhisowndiseaseddevotion。Hewouldnothavebelieveditpossiblethatheshouldbesofoolish。Buthewas——clearly。Hewasfoolishinawaytotallyunforeseenbyhimself。Pushingthisself-analysisfurther，hereflectedthatthespringsofhisconductwerejustasobscure。”ImaybecatchingmyselfanytimedoingthingsofwhichIhavenoconception，”hethought。Andashewaspassingnearthemizzen-mastheperceivedacoilofropeleftlyingonthedeckbytheoversightofthesweepers。Byanimpulsewhichhadnothingmysteriousinit，hestoopedashewentbywiththeintentionofpickingitupandhangingituponitsproperpin。Thismovementbroughthisheaddowntotheleveloftheglazedendoftheafterskylight——thelightedskylightofthemostprivatepartofthesaloon，consecratedtotheexclusivenessofCaptainAnthony’smarriedlife；thepart，letmeremindyou，cutofffromtherestofthatforbiddenspacebyapairofheavycurtains。ImentionthesecurtainsbecauseatthispointMr。Powellhimselfrecalledtheexistenceofthatunusualarrangementtomymind。
Herecalledthemwithsimple-mindedcompunctionatthatdistanceoftime。Hesaid:”YouunderstandthatdirectlyIstoopedtopickupthatcoilofrunninggear——thespankerfoot-outhaul，itwas——I
perceivedthatIcouldseerightintothatpartofthesaloonthecurtainsweremeanttomakeparticularlyprivate。Doyouunderstandme？”heinsisted。
ItoldhimthatIunderstood；andheproceededtocallmyattentiontothewonderfullinkingupofsmallfacts，withsomethingofaweleftyet，afteralltheseyears，atthepreciseworkmanshipofchance，fate，providence，callitwhatyouwill！”For，observe，Marlow，”hesaid，makingatmeveryroundeyeswhichcontrastedfunnilywiththeausteretouchofgreyonhistemples，”observe，mydearfellow，thateverythingdependedonthemenwhoclearedupthepoopintheeveningleavingthatcoilofropeonthedeck，andonthetopsail-tiecarryingawayinamostincomprehensibleandsurprisingmannerearlierintheday，andtheendofthechainwhippingroundthecoamingandshiveringtobitsthecolouredglass-
paneattheendoftheskylight。IthadthearmsofthecityofLiverpoolonit；Idon’tknowwhyunlessbecausetheFerndalewasregisteredinLiverpool。Itwasverythickplateglass。Anyhow，theupperpartgotsmashed，anddirectlywehadattendedtothingsaloftMr。Franklinhadsetthecarpentertopatchupthedamagewithsomepiecesofplainglass。Idon’tknowwheretheygotthem；I
thinkthepeoplewhofittedupnewbookcasesinthecaptain’sroomhadleftsomesparepanes。Chipswastherethewholeafternoononhisknees，messingwithputtyandred-lead。Itwasn’taneatjobwhenitwasdone，notbyanymeans，butitwouldservetokeeptheweatheroutandletthelightin。Clearglass。AndofcourseIwasnotthinkingofit。Ijuststoopedtopickupthatropeandfoundmyheadwithinthreeinchesofthatclearglass，and——dashitall！
Ifoundmyselfout。NothalfanhourbeforeIwassayingtomyselfthatitwasimpossibletotellwhatwasinpeople’sheadsoratthebackoftheirtalk，orwhattheywerelikelytobeupto。AndhereIfoundmyselfuptoaslowatrickasyoucanwellthinkof。For，afterIhadstooped，thereIremainedprying，spying，anywaylooking，whereIhadnobusinesstolook。Notconsciouslyatfirst，maybe。Hewhohaseyes，youknow，nothingcanstophimfromseeingthingsaslongastherearethingstoseeinfrontofhim。WhatI
sawatfirstwastheendofthetableandthetrayclampedontoit，apatenttrayforseause，fittedwithholdersforacoupleofdecanters，water-jugandglasses。Theglitterofthesethingscaughtmyeyefirst；butwhatIsawnextwasthecaptaindownthere，aloneasfarasIcouldsee；andIcouldseeprettywellthewholeofthatpartuptothecottagepiano，darkagainstthesatin-woodpanellingofthebulkhead。AndIremainedlooking。Idid。AndI
don’tknowthatIwasashamedofmyselfeither，then。ItwasthefaultofthatFranklin，alwaystalkingoftheman，makingfreewithhimtothatextentthatreallyheseemedtohavebecomeourproperty，hisandmine，inaway。It’sfunny，butonehadthatfeelingaboutCaptainAnthony。TowatchhimwasnotsomuchworsethanlisteningtoFranklintalkinghimover。Well，it’snousemakingexcusesforwhat’sinexcusable。Iwatched；butIdaresayyouknowthattherecouldhavebeennothinginimicalinthislowbehaviourofmine。Onthecontrary。I’lltellyounowwhathewasdoing。Hewashelpinghimselfoutofadecanter。Isaweverymovement，andIsaidtomyselfmockinglyasthoughjeeringatFranklininmythoughts，’Hallo！Here’sthecaptaintakingtodrinkatlast。’Hepouredalittlebrandyorwhateveritwasintoalongglass，filleditwithwater，drankaboutafourthofitandstoodtheglassbackintotheholder。Everysignofabaddrinkingbout，Iwassayingtomyself，feelingquiteamusedatthenotionsofthatFranklin。Heseemedtomeanenormousass，withhisjealousyandhisfears。Atthatrateamonthwouldnothavebeenenoughforanybodytogetdrunk。Thecaptainsatdowninoneoftheswivelarm-chairsfixedaroundthetable；Ihadhimrightundermeandasheturnedthechairslightly，Iwaslooking，Imaysay，downhisback。Hetookanotherlittlesipandthenreachedforabookwhichwaslyingonthetable。Ihadnotnoticeditbefore。Altogethertheproceedingsofadesperatedrunkard——weren’tthey？Heopenedthebookandhelditbeforehisface。Ifthiswasthewayhetooktodrink，thenIneedn’tworry。Hewasinnodangerfromthat，andastoanyother，Iassureyounohumanbeingcouldhavelookedsaferthanhediddownthere。IfeltthegreatestcontemptforFranklinjustthen，whileIlookedatCaptainAnthonysittingtherewithaglassofweakbrandy-and-waterathiselbowandreadinginthecabinofhisship，onaquietnight——thequietest，perhapsthefinest，ofaprosperouspassage。AndifyouwonderwhyIdidn’tleaveoffmyuglyspyingIwilltellyouhowitwas。CaptainAnthonywasagreatreaderjustaboutthattime；andI，too，Ihaveagreatlikingforbooks。TothisdayIcan’tcomenearabookbutImustknowwhatitisabout。Itwasathickishvolumehehadthere，smallcloseprint，doublecolumns——Icanseeitnow。WhatIwantedtomakeoutwasthetitleatthetopofthepage。Ihaveverygoodeyesbuthewasn’tholdingitconveniently——Imeanformeupthere。Well，itwasahistoryofsomekind，thatmuchIreadandthensuddenlyhebangsthebookfacedownonthetable，jumpsupasifsomethinghadbittenhimandwalksawayaft。”Funnythingshameis。Ihadbeenbehavingbadlyandawareofitinaway，butIdidn’tfeelreallyashamedtillthefrightofbeingfoundoutinmyhonourableoccupationdrovemefromit。Islunkawaytotheforwardendofthepoopandloungedaboutthere，myfaceandearsburningandgladitwasadarknight，expectingeverymomenttohearthecaptain’sfootstepsbehindme。ForImadesurehewascomingondeck。PresentlyIthoughtIhadrathermeethimfacetofaceandIwalkedslowlyaftpreparedtoseehimemergefromthecompanionbeforeIgotthatfar。Ieventhoughtofhishavingdetectedmebysomemeans。Butitwasimpossible，unlesshehadeyesinthetopofhishead。Ihadneverhadaviewofhisfacedownthere。Itwasimpossible；Iwassafe；andIfeltverymean，yet，explainitasyoumay，Iseemednottocare。Andthecaptainnotappearingondeck，Ihadtheimpulsetogoonbeingmean。I
wantedanotherpeep。Ireallydon’tknowwhatwasthebeastlyinfluenceexceptthatMr。Franklin’stalkwasenoughtodemoralizeanymanbyraisingasortofunhealthycuriositywhichdidawayinmycasewithalltherestraintsofcommondecency。”Ididnotmeantoruntheriskofbeingcaughtsquattinginasuspiciousattitudebythecaptain。Therewasalsothehelmsmantoconsider。SowhatIdid——Iamsurprisedatmylowcunning——wastositdownnaturallyontheskylight-seatandthenbybendingforwardIfoundthat，asIexpected，Icouldlookdownthroughtheupperpartoftheend-pane。Theworstthatcouldhappentomethen，ifI
remainedtoolonginthatposition，wastobesuspectedbytheseamanaftatthewheelofhavinggonetosleepthere。Fortherestmyearswouldgivemesufficientwarningofanymovementsinthecompanion。”Butinthatwaymyangleofviewwaschanged。Thefieldtoowassmaller。Theendofthetable，thetrayandtheswivel-chairIhadrightundermyeyes。Thecaptainhadnotcomebackyet。ThepianoIcouldnotseenow；butontheotherhandIhadaveryobliquedownwardviewofthecurtainsdrawnacrossthecabinandcuttingofftheforwardpartofitjustabouttheleveloftheskylight-endandonlyaninchorsofromtheendofthetable。Theywereheavystuff，travellingonathickbrassrodwithsomecontrivancetokeeptheringsfromslidingtoandfrowhentheshiprolled。Butjustthentheshipwasasstillalmostasamodelshutupinaglasscasewhilethecurtains，joinedclosely，and，perhapsonpurpose，madealittletoolongmovednomorethanasolidwall。”
Marlowgotuptogetanothercigar。ThenightwasgettingontowhatImaycallitsdeepesthour，thehourmostfavourabletoevilpurposesofmen’shate，despairorgreed——towhatevercanwhisperintotheirearstheunlawfulcounselsofprotestagainstthingsthatare；thehourofill-omenedsilenceandchillandstagnation，thehourwhenthecriminalplieshistradeandthevictimofsleeplessnessreachesthelowestdepthofdreadfuldiscouragement；
thehourbeforethefirstsightofdawn。Iknowit，becausewhileMarlowwascrossingtheroomIlookedattheclockonthemantelpiece。Hehoweverneverlookedthatwaythoughitispossiblethathe，too，wasawareofthepassageoftime。Hesatdownheavily。”OurfriendPowell，”hebeganagain，”wasveryanxiousthatIshouldunderstandthetopographyofthatcabin。Iwasinterestedmorebyitsmoralatmosphere，thattensionoffalsehood，ofdesperateacting，whichtaintedthepuresea-atmosphereintowhichthemagnanimousAnthonyhadcarriedoffhisconquestand——well——hisself-conquesttoo，tryingtoactatthesametimelikeabeastofprey，apurespiritandthe”mostgenerousofmen。”Toobiganorderclearlybecausehewasnothingofamonsterbutjustacommonmortal，alittlemoreself-willedandself-confidentthanmost，maybe，bothinhisroughnessandinhisdelicacy。
AstothedelicacyofMr。Powell’sproceedingsI’llsaynothing。Hefoundasortofdepravedexcitementinwatchinganunconsciousman——
andsuchanattractiveandmysteriousmanasCaptainAnthonyatthat。Hewantedanotherpeepathim。Hesurmisedthatthecaptainmustcomebacksoonbecauseoftheglasstwo-thirdsfullandalsoofthebookputdownsobrusquely。GodknowswhatsuddenpanghadmadeAnthonyjumpupso。Iamconvincedheusedreadingasanopiateagainstthepainofhismagnanimitywhichlikeallabnormalgrowthswasgnawingathishealthysubstancewithcruelpersistence。
Perhapshehadrushedintohiscabinsimplytogroanfreelyinabsoluteanddelicatesecrecy。Atanyratehetarriedthere。AndyoungPowellwouldhavegrownwearyandcompunctiousatlastifithadnotbecomemanifesttohimthathehadnotbeenaloneinthehighlyincorrectoccupationofwatchingthemovementsofCaptainAnthony。
Powellexplainedtomethatnosounddidorperhapscouldreachhimfromthesaloon。Thefirstsign——andwemustrememberthathewasusinghiseyesforalltheywereworth——wasanunaccountablemovementofthecurtain。Itwaswavyandveryslight；justperceptibleinfacttothesharpenedfacultiesofasecretwatcher；
foritcan’tbedeniedthatourwitsaremuchmorealertwhenengagedinwrong-doing(inwhichonemustn’tbefoundout)thaninarighteousoccupation。
Hebecamesuspicious，withnooneandnothingdefiniteinhismind。
Hewassuspiciousofthecurtainitselfandobservedit。Itlookedveryinnocent。Thenjustashewasreadytoputitdowntoatrickofimaginationhesawtremblingmovementswherethetwocurtainsjoined。Yes！SomebodyelsebesideshimselfhadbeenwatchingCaptainAnthony。Heownsartlesslythatthisrousedhisindignation。Itwasreallytoomuchofagoodthing。Inthisstateofintenseantagonismhewasstartledtoobservetipsoffingersfumblingwiththedarkstuff。Thentheygraspedtheedgeofthefurthercurtainandhungonthere，justfingersandknucklesandnothingelse。Itmadeanabominablesight。Hewaslookingatitwithunaccountablerepulsionwhenahandcameintoview；ashort，puffy，old，freckledhandprojectingintothelamplight，followedbyawhitewrist，anarminagreycoat-sleeve，uptotheelbow，beyondtheelbow，extendedtremblinglytowardsthetray。Itsappearancewasweirdandnauseous，fantasticandsilly。ButinsteadofgrabbingthebottleasPowellexpected，thishand，tremulouswithsenileeagerness，swervedtotheglass，restedonitsedgeforamoment(orsoitlookedfromabove)andwentbackwithajerk。Thegrippingfingersoftheotherhandvanishedatthesametime，andyoungPowellstaringatthemotionlesscurtainscouldindulgeforamomentthenotionthathehadbeendreaming。
Butthatnotiondidnotlastlong。Powell，afterrepressinghisfirstimpulsetospringforthecompanionandhammeratthecaptain’sdoor，tookstepstohavehimselfrelievedbytheboatswain。Hewasinastateofdistractionastohisfeelingsandyetlucidastohismind。Heremainedontheskylightsoastokeephiseyeonthetray。
Stillthecaptaindidnotappearinthesaloon。”Ifhehad，”saidMr。Powell，”Iknewwhattodo。Iwouldhaveputmyelbowthroughthepaneinstantly——crash。”
Iaskedhimwhy？”Itwasthequickestdodgeforgettinghimawayfromthattray，”heexplained。”MythroatwassodrythatIdidn’tknowifIcouldshoutloudenough。Andthiswasnotacaseforshouting，either。”
Theboatswain，sleepyanddisgusted，arrivingonthepoop，foundthesecondofficerdoubledupovertheendoftheskylightinaposewhichmighthavebeenthatofseverepain。Andhisvoicewassochangedthattheman，thoughnaturallyvexedatbeingturnedout，madenocommentonthepleaofsuddenindispositionwhichyoungPowellputforward。
Therapiditywithwhichthesickmangotoffthepoopmusthaveastonishedtheboatswain。ButPowell，atthemomentheopenedthedoorleadingintothesaloonfromthequarter-deck，hadmanagedtocontrolhisagitation。Heenteredswiftlybutwithoutnoiseandfoundhimselfinthedarkpartofthesaloon，thestrongsheenofthelampontheothersideofthecurtainsvisibleonlyabovetherodonwhichtheyran。ThedoorofMr。Smith’scabinwasinthatdarkpart。Hepassedbyitassuringhimselfbyaquicksideglancethatitwasimperfectlyclosed。”Yes，”hesaidtome。”Theoldmanmusthavebeenwatchingthroughthecrack。OfthatIamcertain；
butitwasnotformethathewaswatchingandlistening。Horrible！
Surelyhemusthavebeenstartledtohearandseesomebodyhedidnotexpect。HecouldnotpossiblyguesswhyIwascomingin，butI
supposehemusthavebeenconcerned。”Concernedindeed！Hemusthavebeenthunderstruck，appalled。
Powell’sonlydistinctaimwastoremovethesuspectedtumbler。Hehadnootherplan，nootherintention，nootherthought。Doawaywithitinsomemanner。Snatchitupandrunoutwithit。
Youknowthatcompletemasteryofonefixedidea，notareasonablebutanemotionalmastery，asortofconcentratedexaltation。Underitsempiremenrushblindlythroughfireandwaterandopposingviolence，andnothingcanstopthem——unless，sometimes，agrainofsand。Forhisblindpurpose(andclearlythethoughtofMrs。
Anthonywasatthebottomofit)Mr。Powellhadplentyoftime。
Whatcheckedhimatthecrucialmomentwasthefamiliar，harmlessaspectofcommonthings，thesteadylight，theopenbookonthetable，thesolitude，thepeace，thehome-likeeffectoftheplace。
Heheldtheglassinhishand；allhehadtodowastovanishbackbeyondthecurtains，fleewithitnoiselesslyintothenightondeck，flingitunseenoverboard。Aminuteorless。Andthenallthatwouldhavehappenedwouldhavebeenthewonderattheutterdisappearanceofaglasstumbler，aridiculousriddleinpantry-
affairsbeyondthewitofanyoneonboardtosolve。ThegrainofsandagainstwhichPowellstumbledinhisheadlongcareerwasamomentofincredulityastothetruthofhisownconvictionbecauseithadfailedtoaffectthesafeaspectoffamiliarthings。Hedoubtedhiseyestoo。Hemusthavedreamtitall！”Iamdreamingnow，”hesaidtohimself。Andverylikelyforafewsecondshemusthavelookedlikeamaninatranceorprofoundlyasleeponhisfeet，andwithaglassofbrandy-and-waterinhishand。
Whatwokehimupand，atthesametime，fixedhisfeetimmovablytothespot，wasavoiceaskinghimwhathewasdoingthereintonesofthunder。Orsoitsoundedtohisears。Anthony，openingthedoorofhisstern-cabinhadnaturallyexclaimed。Whatelsecouldyouexpect？Andtheexclamationmusthavebeenfairlyloudifyouconsiderthenatureofthesightwhichmethiseye。There，beforehim，stoodhissecondofficer，aseeminglydecent，well-bredyoungman，who，beingonduty，hadleftthedeckandhadsneakedintothesaloon，apparentlyfortheinexpressiblymeanpurposeofdrinkingupwhatwasleftofhiscaptain’sbrandy-and-water。Therehewas，caughtabsolutelywiththeglassinhishand。
ButtheverymonstrosityofappearancessilencedAnthonyafterthefirstexclamation；andyoungPowellfelthimselfpiercedthroughandthroughbytheovershadowedglanceofhiscaptain。Anthonyadvancedquietly。ThefirstimpulseofMr。Powell，whendiscovered，hadbeentodashtheglassonthedeck。Hewasinasortofpanic。Butdeepdownwithinhimhiswitswereworking，andtheideathatifhedidthathecouldprovenothingandthatthestoryhehadtotellwascompletelyincredible，restrainedhim。Thecaptaincameforwardslowly。Withhiseyesnowclosetohis，Powell，spell-bound，numballover，managedtoliftonefingertothedeckabovemumblingtheexplanatorywords，”Boatswainonthepoop。”
Thecaptainmovedhisheadslightlyasmuchastosay，”That’sallright”——andthiswasall。Powellhadnovoice，nostrength。Theairwasunbreathable，thick，sticky，odious，likehotjellyinwhichallmovementsbecamedifficult。Heraisedtheglassalittlewithimmensedifficultyandmovedhistrammelledlipssufficientlytoformthewords:”Doctored。”
Anthonyglancedatitforaninstant，onlyforaninstant，andagainfastenedhiseyesonthefaceofhissecondmate。Powelladdedafervent”Ibelieve”andputtheglassdownonthetray。Thecaptain’sglancefollowedthemovementandreturnedsternlytohisface。Theyoungmanpointedafingeroncemoreupwardsandsqueezedoutofhisiron-boundthroatsixconsecutivewordsoffurtherexplanation。”Throughtheskylight。Thewhitepane。”
Thecaptainraisedhiseyebrowsverymuchatthis，whileyoungPowell，ashamedbutdesperate，noddedinsistentlyseveraltimes。Hemeanttosaythat:Yes。Yes。Hehaddonethatthing。Hehadbeenspying……Thecaptain’sgazebecamethoughtful。And，nowtheconfessionwasover，theiron-boundfeelingofPowell’sthroatpassedawaygivingplacetoageneralanxietywhichfromhisbreastseemedtoextendtoallthelimbsandorgansofhisbody。Hislegstrembledalittle，hisvisionwasconfused，hismindbecameblanklyexpectant。Buthewasalertenough。AtamovementofAnthonyhescreamedinastrangledwhisper。”Don’t，sir！Don’ttouchit。”
ThecaptainpushedasidePowell’sextendedarm，tookuptheglassandraiseditslowlyagainstthelamplight。Theliquid，ofverypaleambercolour，wasclear，andbyaglancethecaptainseemedtocallPowell’sattentiontothefact。Powelltriedtopronouncetheword，”dissolved”butheonlythoughtofitwithgreatenergywhichhoweverfailedtomovehislips。OnlywhenAnthonyhadputdowntheglassandturnedtohimherecoveredsuchacompletecommandofhisvoicethathecouldkeepitdowntoahurried，forciblewhisper——awhisperthatshookhim。”Doctored！Iswearit！Ihaveseen。Doctored！Ihaveseen。”
Notafeatureofthecaptain’sfacemoved。Hiswasacalmtotakeone’sbreathaway。ItdidsotoyoungPowell。ThenforthefirsttimeAnthonymadehimselfheardtothepoint。”Youdid！……Whowasit？”
AndPowellgaspedfreelyatlast。”Ahand，”hewhisperedfearfully，”ahandandthearm——onlythearm——likethat。”
Headvancedhisown，slow，stealthy，tremulousinfaithfulreproduction，thetipsoftwofingersandthethumbpressedtogetherandhoveringabovetheglassforaninstant——thentheswiftjerkback，afterthedeed。”Likethat，”herepeatedgrowingexcited。”Frombehindthis。”HegraspedthecurtainandglaringatthesilentAnthonyflungitbackdisclosingtheforepartofthesaloon。Therewasononetobeseen。
Powellhadnotexpectedtoseeanybody。”But，”hesaidtome，”I
knewverywelltherewasanearlisteningandaneyegluedtothecrackofacabindoor。Awfulthought。Andthatdoorwasinthatpartofthesaloonremainingintheshadowoftheotherhalfofthecurtain。IpointedatitandIsupposethatoldmaninsidesawmepointing。Thecaptainhadawonderfulself-command。Youcouldn’thaveguessedanythingfromhisface。Well，itwasperhapsmorethoughtfulthanusual。Andindeedthiswassomethingtothinkabout。ButIcouldn’tthinksteadily。Mybrainwouldgiveasortofjerkandthengodeadagain。Ihadlostallnotionoftime，andImighthavebeenlookingatthecaptainfordaysandmonthsforallIknewbeforeIheardhimwhispertomefiercely:”Notaword！”
ThisjerkedmeoutofthattranceIwasinandIsaid”No！No！I
didn’tmeanevenyou。””Iwantedtoexplainmyconduct，myintentions，butIreadinhiseyesthatheunderstoodmeandIwasonlytoogladtoleaveoff。
Andtherewewerelookingateachother，dumb，broughtupshortbythequestion”Whatnext？””IthoughtCaptainAnthonywasamanofirontillIsawhimsuddenlyflinghisheadtotherightandtotheleftfiercely，likeawildanimalatbaynotknowingwhichwaytobreakout……””Truly，”commentedMarlow，”broughttobaywasnotabadcomparison；
abetteronethanMr。Powellwasawareof。AtthatmomenttheappearanceofFloracouldnotbutbringthetensiontothebreakingpoint。Shecameoutinallinnocencebutnotwithoutvaguedread。
Anthony’sexclamationonfirstseeingPowellhadreachedherinhercabin，where，itseems，shewasbrushingherhair。Shehadheardtheverywords。”Whatareyoudoinghere？”Andtheunwontedloudnessofthevoice——hisvoice——breakingthehabitualstillnessofthathourwouldhavestartledapersonhavingmuchlessreasontobeconstantlyapprehensive，thanthecaptiveofAnthony’smasterfulgenerosity。Shehadnomeanstoguesstowhomthequestionwasaddressedanditechoedinherheart，asAnthony’svoicealwaysdid。
Followedcompletesilence。Shewaited，anxious，expectant，tillshecouldstandthestrainnolonger，andwiththewearymentalappealoftheoverburdened。”MyGod！Whatisitnow？”sheopenedthedoorofherroomandlookedintothesaloon。HerfirstglancefellonPowell。Foramoment，seeingonlythesecondofficerwithAnthony，shefeltrelievedandmadeasiftodrawback；buthersharpenedperceptiondetectedsomethingsuspiciousintheirattitudes，andshecameforwardslowly。”IwasthefirsttoseeMrs。Anthony，”relatedPowell，”becauseI
wasfacingaft。Thecaptain，noticingmyeyes，lookedquicklyoverhisshoulderandatonceputhisfingertohislipstocautionme。
AsifIwerelikelytoletoutanythingbeforeher！Mrs。Anthonyhadonadressing-gownofsomegreystuffwithredfacingsandathickredcordroundherwaist。Herhairwasdown。Shelookedachild；apale-facedchildwithbigblueeyesandaredmouthalittleopenshowingaglimmerofwhiteteeth。Thelightfellstronglyonherasshecameuptotheendofthetable。Astrangechildthough；shehardlyaffectedonelikeachild，Iremember。Doyouknow，”exclaimedMr。Powell，whoclearlymusthavebeen，likemanyseamen，anindustriousreader，”doyouknowwhatshelookedliketomewiththosebigeyesandsomethingappealinginherwholeexpression。Shelookedlikeaforsakenelf。CaptainAnthonyhadmovedtowardshertokeepherawayfrommyendofthetable，wherethetraywas。Ihadneverseenthemsoneartoeachotherbefore，anditmadeagreatcontrast。Itwaswonderful，for，withhisbeardcuttoapoint，hisswarthy，sunburntcomplexion，thinnoseandhisleanheadtherewassomethingAfrican，somethingMoorishinCaptainAnthony。Hisneckwasbare；hehadtakenoffhiscoatandcollarandhaddrawnonhissleepingjacketinthetimethathehadbeenabsentfromthesaloon。Iseemtoseehimnow。Mrs。Anthonytoo。
Shelookedfromhimtome——IsupposeIlookedguiltyorfrightened——
andfrommetohim，tryingtoguesswhattherewasbetweenustwo。
Thensheburstoutwitha”Whathashappened？”whichseemedaddressedtome。Imumbled”Nothing！Nothing，ma’am，”whichsheverylikelydidnothear。”Youmustnotthinkthatallthishadlastedalongtime。Shehadtakenfrightatourbehaviourandturnedtothecaptainpitifully。”Whatisityouareconcealingfromme？”Astraightquestion——eh？
Idon’tknowwhatanswerthecaptainwouldhavemade。Beforehecouldevenraisehiseyestohershecriedout”Ah！Here’spapa”inasharptoneofrelief，butdirectlyafterwardsshelookedtomeasifshewereholdingherbreathwithapprehension。Iwassointerestedinherthat，howshallIsayit，herexclamationmadenoconnectioninmybrainatfirst。IalsonoticedthatshehadsidledupalittlenearertoCaptainAnthony，beforeitoccurredtometoturnmyhead。Icantellyoumyneckstiffenedinthetwistedpositionfromtheshockofactuallyseeingthatoldman！Hehaddared！IsupposeyouthinkIoughttohavelookeduponhimasmad。
ButIcouldn’t。Itwouldhavebeencertainlyeasier。ButIcouldNOT。Youshouldhaveseenhim。Firstofallhewascompletelydressedwithhisverycapstillonhisheadjustaswhenheleftmeondecktwohoursbefore，sayinginhissoftvoice:”Themomenthascometogotobed”——whilehemeanttogoanddothatthingandhideinhisdarkcabin，andwatchthestuffdoitswork。Acoldshudderrandownmyback。Hehadhishandsinthepocketsofhisjacket，hisarmswerepressedclosetohisthin，uprightbody，andheshuffledacrossthecabinwithhisshortsteps。Therewasaredpatchoneachofhisoldsoftcheeksasifsomebodyhadbeenpinchingthem。Hedroopedhisheadalittle，andlookedwithasortofunderhandexpectationatthecaptainandMrs。Anthonystandingclosetogetherattheotherendofthesaloon。Thecalculatinghorribleimpudenceofit！Hisdaughterwasthere；andIamcertainhehadseenthecaptainputtinghisfingeronhislipstowarnme。
Andthenhehadcoollycomeout！Hepassedmyimagination，Iassureyou。Afterthatoneshiverhispresencekilledeveryfacultyinme——
wonder，horror，indignation。Ifeltnothinginparticularjustasifhewerestilltheoldgentlemanwhousedtotalktomefamiliarlyeverydayondeck。Wouldyoubelieveit？””Mr。Powellchallengedmypowersofwonderatthisinternalphenomenon，”wentonMarlowafteraslightpause。”Buteveniftheyhadnotbeenfullyengaged，togetherwithallmypowersofattentioninfollowingthefactsofthecase，Iwouldnothavebeenastonishedbyhisstatementsabouthimself。Takingintoconsiderationhisyouththeywerebynomeansincredible；or，atanyrate，theyweretheleastincrediblepartofthewhole。Theywerealsotheleastinterestingpart。Theinterestwaselsewhere，andthereofcourseallhecoulddowastolookatthesurface。Theinwardnessofwhatwaspassingbeforehiseyeswashiddenfromhim，whohadlookedon，moreimpenetrablythanfrommewhoatadistanceofyearswaslisteningtohiswords。WhatpresentlyhappenedatthiscrisisinFloradeBarral’sfatewasbeyondhispowerofcomment，seemedinasensenatural。Andhisownpresenceonthescenewassostrangelymotivedthatitwasleftformetomarvelaloneatthisyoungman，acompletelychance-comer，havingbroughtitaboutonthatnight。
Eachsituationcreatedeitherbyfollyorwisdomhasitspsychologicalmoment。ThebehaviourofyoungPowellwithitsmixtureofboyishimpulsescombinedwithinstinctiveprudence，hadnotcreatedit——Ican’tsaythat——buthaddiscoveredittotheverypeopleinvolved。Whatwouldhavehappenedifhehadmadeanoiseabouthisdiscovery？Buthedidn’t。HisheadwasfullofMrs。
