75 лучших рассказов / 75 Best Short Stories

‘If I ask you to endanger your peace of mind, to risk your personal safety for me, it is certainly not as a favor. I will give you ten times the weight in gold of every grain by which your conscience grows heavier in my service.’

The man gave her a long, hard look through the dim light.

‘I know what you want me to do,’ he said at last.

‘Very well,’ said Hortense; ‘will you do it?’

He continued to gaze. She met his eyes like a woman who has nothing more to conceal.

‘State your case.’

‘Do you know a vessel named the Armorique , a steamer?’

‘Yes, it runs from Southampton.’

‘It will arrive tomorrow morning early. Will it be able to cross the bar?’

‘No; not till noon.’

‘I thought so. I expect a person by it – a man.’

Madame Bernier appeared unable to continue, as if her voice had given way.

‘Well, well?’ said her companion.

‘He’s the person’ – she stopped again.

‘The person who —?’

‘The person whom I wish to get rid of.’

For some moments nothing was said. The boatman was the first to speak again.

‘Have you formed a plan?’

Hortense nodded.

‘Let’s hear it.’

‘The person in question,’ said Madame Bernier, ‘will be impatient to land before noon. The house to which he returns will be in view of the vessel if, as you say, she lies at anchor. If he can get a boat, he will be sure to come ashore. Eh bien! [317] – but you understand me.’

‘Aha! you mean my boat – this boat?’

‘O God!’

Madame Bernier sprang up in her seat, threw out her arms, and sank down again, burying her face in her knees. Her companion hastily shipped his oars, and laid his hands on her shoulders.

‘Allons donc [318] , in the devil’s name, don’t break down,’ said he; ‘we’ll come to an understanding.’

Kneeling in the bottom of the boat, and supporting her by his grasp, he succeeded in making her raise herself, though her head still drooped.

‘You want me to finish him in the boat?’

No answer.

‘Is he an old man?’

Hortense shook her head faintly.

‘My age?’

She nodded.

‘Sapristi! [319] it isn’t so easy.’

‘He can’t swim,’ said Hortense, without looking up; ‘he – he is lame.’

‘Nom de Dieu! [320] ’ The boatman dropped his hands. Hortense looked up quickly. Do you read the pantomime?

‘Never mind,’ added the man at last, ‘it will serve as a sign.’

‘Mais oui [321] . And besides that, he will ask to be taken to the Maison Bernier, the house with its back to the water, on the extension of the great quay. Tenez , you can almost see it from here.’

‘I know the place,’ said the boatman, and was silent, as if asking and answering himself a question.

Hortense was about to interrupt the train of thought which she apprehended he was following, when he forestalled her.

‘How am I to be sure of my affair?’ asked he.

‘Of your reward? I’ve thought of that. This watch is a pledge of what I shall be able and glad to give you afterward. There are two thousand francs’ worth of pearls in the case.’

‘II faut fixer la somme [322] ,’ said the man, leaving the watch untouched.

‘That lies with you.’

‘Good. You know that I have the right to ask a high price.’

‘Certainly. Name it.’

‘It’s only on the supposition of a large sum that I will so much as consider your proposal. Songez donc , that it’s a MURDER you ask of me.’

‘The price – the price?’

‘ Tenez,’ continued the man, ‘poached game is always high. The pearls in that watch are costly because it’s worth a man’s life to get at them. You want me to be your pearl diver. Be it so. You must guarantee me a safe descent, – it’s a descent, you know – ha! – you must furnish me the armor of safety; a little gap to breathe through while I’m at my work – the thought of a capful of Napoleons!’

‘My good man, I don’t wish to talk to you or to listen to your sallies. I wish simply to know your price. I’m not bargaining for a pair of chickens. Propose a sum.

The boatman had by this time resumed his seat and his oars. He stretched out for a long, slow pull, which brought him closely face to face with his temptress. This position, his body bent forward, his eyes fixed on Madame Bernier’s face, he kept for some seconds. It was perhaps fortunate for Hortense’s purpose at that moment – it had often aided her purposes before – that she was a pretty woman. [323] A plain face might have emphasized the utterly repulsive nature of the negotiation. Suddenly, with a quick, convulsive movement, the man completed the stroke.

‘ Pas si bête! propose one yourself.’

‘Very well,’ said Hortense, ‘if you wish it. Voyons : I’ll give you what I can. I have fifteen thousand francs’ worth of jewels. I’ll give you them, or, if they will get you into trouble, their value. At home, in a box I have a thousand francs in gold. You shall have those. I’ll pay your passage and outfit to America. I have friends in New York. I’ll write to them to get you work.’

‘And you’ll give your washing to my mother and sister, bien? Ha! ha! Jewels, fifteen thousand francs; one thousand more makes sixteen; passage to America – first class – five hundred francs; outfit – what does Madame understand by that?’