Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART THIRD: THE LIGHTHOUSE 8. CHAPTER EIGHT (continued)

"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 Gefe 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?"