Joseph Conrad

“ Ricardo shook his head slightly. The Schombergian theory of Heyst had become in him a profound conviction, which he had absorbed as naturally as a sponge takes up water. His patron's doubts were a wanton denying of what was self-evident; but Ricardo's voice remained as before, a soft purring with a snarling undertone.
"I am sup-prised at you, sir! It's the very way them tame ones--the common 'yporcrits of the world--get on. When it comes to plunder drifting under one's very nose, there's not one of them that would keep his hands off. ”

“ Mr Jones, after repeated shivering fits, and after drinking much hot tea, had apparently fallen into deep slumber. He had very peremptorily discouraged attempts at conversation on the part of his faithful follower. Ricardo listened to his regular breathing. It was all very well for the governor. He looked upon it as a sort of sport. A gentleman naturally would. But this ticklish and important job had to be pulled off at all costs, both for honour and for safety. Ricardo rose quietly, and made his way on the veranda. ”

“ Jones, foreseeing many difficulties of a material order, decided to keep the girl out of the governor's knowledge, out of his sight, too, for as long a time as it could be managed. That, alas, seemed to be at most a matter of a few hours; whereas Ricardo feared that to get the affair properly going would take some days. Once well started, he was not afraid of his gentleman failing him. As is often the case with lawless natures, Ricardo's faith in any given individual was of a simple, unquestioning character. For man must have some support in life. ”

“ Mr. Jones had been too tired to observe anything on his first coming ashore; but Ricardo had very soon spotted the characteristic form. He only wished he could believe that the plunder of treachery, duplicity, and all the moral abominations of Heyst had been there. But no; the blamed thing was open.
"It might have been there at one time or another," he commented gloomily, "but it isn't there now."
"The man did not elect to live in this house," remarked Mr. Jones. "And by the by, what could he have meant by speaking of circumstances which prevented him lodging us in the other bungalow? ”

“ A railway rug concealed his spare form up to his very head, which rested on the other railway rug rolled up for a pillow. Ricardo plumped himself down cross-legged on the floor, very close to the low bedstead; so that Mr. Jones--who perhaps had not been so very profoundly asleep--on opening his eyes found them conveniently levelled at the face of his secretary.
"Eh? What is it you say? No sleep for you tonight? But why can't you let me sleep? Confound your fussiness!"
"Because that there fellow can't sleep--that's why. Dash me if he hasn't been doing a think just now! ”

“ Ricardo had been on the point of confessing about the girl; but no! He wanted his governor to be unperturbed and steady. Vague thoughts, which he hardly dared to look in the face, were stirring his brain in connection with that girl. She couldn't be much account, he thought. She could be frightened. And there were also other possibilities. The Chink, however, could be considered openly.
"What I was thinking about it, sir," he went on earnestly, "is this--here we've got a man. He's nothing. If he won't be good, he can be made quiet. That's easy. But then there's his plunder. ”

“ Jones.
"Same here. It's too big, we know, but if he were alone, he would not feel worried about it overmuch--I mean the safety of the pieces. He would just put the lot into any box or drawer that was handy."
"Would he?"
"Yes, sir. He would keep it under his eye, as it were. Why not? It is natural. A fellow doesn't put his swag underground, unless there's a very good reason for it."
"A very good reason, eh?"
"Yes, sir. What do you think a fellow is--a mole?"
From his experience, Ricardo declared that man was not a burrowing beast. ”

“ And I'll tell you another thing that isn't likely. He would not be likely to let himself be stripped bare. We haven't to do with a young fool that can be led on by chaff or flattery, and in the end simply overawed. ”