“The pearls?” he said suddenly. “He showed them to you? He has them?”
“No, he didn’t show them; I forgot: only the safe they were in,” said Herrick. “But you’ll never get them!”
“I’ve two words to say to that,” said the captain.
“Do you think he would have been so easy at table, unless he was prepared?” cried Herrick. “The servants were both armed. He was armed himself; he always is; he told me. You will never deceive his vigilance. Davis, I know it! It’s all up, I tell you, and keep telling you and proving it. All up; all up. There’s nothing for it, there’s nothing to be done: all gone: life, honour, love. O my God, my God, why was I born?”
Another pause followed upon this outburst.
The captain put his hands to his brow.
“Another thing!” he broke out. “Why did he tell you all this? Seems like madness to me!”
Herrick shook his head with gloomy iteration. “You wouldn’t understand if I were to tell you,” said he.
“I guess I can understand any blame’ thing that you can tell me,” said the captain.
“Well, then, he’s a fatalist,” said Herrick.