Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART SECOND: THE ISABELS 3. CHAPTER THREE (continued)

The whole thing was being carried out behind the back of the War
Minister, Montero, a mistrusted member of the Ribiera Government,
but difficult to get rid of at once. He was not to know anything
of it till the troops under Barrios's command had the new rifle
in their hands. The President-Dictator, whose position was very
difficult, was alone in the secret.

"How funny!" commented Martin's sister and confidante; to which
the brother, with an air of best Parisian blague, had retorted:

"It's immense! The idea of that Chief of the State engaged, with
the help of private citizens, in digging a mine under his own
indispensable War Minister. No! We are unapproachable!" And he
laughed immoderately.

Afterwards his sister was surprised at the earnestness and
ability he displayed in carrying out his mission, which
circumstances made delicate, and his want of special knowledge
rendered difficult. She had never seen Martin take so much
trouble about anything in his whole life.

"It amuses me," he had explained, briefly. "I am beset by a lot
of swindlers trying to sell all sorts of gaspipe weapons. They
are charming; they invite me to expensive luncheons; I keep up
their hopes; it's extremely entertaining. Meanwhile, the real
affair is being carried through in quite another quarter."

When the business was concluded he declared suddenly his
intention of seeing the precious consignment delivered safely in
Sulaco. The whole burlesque business, he thought, was worth
following up to the end. He mumbled his excuses, tugging at his
golden beard, before the acute young lady who (after the first
wide stare of astonishment) looked at him with narrowed eyes, and
pronounced slowly--

"I believe you want to see Antonia."

"What Antonia?" asked the Costaguana boulevardier, in a vexed and
disdainful tone. He shrugged his shoulders, and spun round on his
heel. His sister called out after him joyously--

"The Antonia you used to know when she wore her hair in two
plaits down her back."