He could not imagine a fellow half-trusting
a woman in that intimate relation to himself, and in those particular
circumstances of conquest and loneliness where no confidences could
appear dangerous since, apparently, there could be no one she could
give him away to. Moreover, in nine cases out of ten the woman would be
trusted. But, trusted or mistrusted, was her presence a favourable or
unfavourable condition of the problem? That was the question!
The temptation to consult his chief, to talk over the weighty fact, and
get his opinion on it, was great indeed. Ricardo resisted it; but the
agony of his solitary mental conflict was extremely sharp. A woman in
a problem is an incalculable quantity, even if you have something to go
upon in forming your guess. How much more so when you haven't even once
caught sight of her.
Swift as were his mental processes, he felt that a longer silence was
inadvisable. He hastened to speak:
"And do you see us, sir, you and I, with a couple of spades having to
tackle this whole confounded island?"
He allowed himself a slight movement of the arm. The shadow enlarged it
into a sweeping gesture.
"This seems rather discouraging, Martin," murmured the unmoved governor.
"We mustn't be discouraged--that's all!" retorted his henchman. "And
after what we had to go through in that boat too! Why it would be--"
He couldn't find the qualifying words.
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