Chapter 15

The sergeant remained silent, thinking his own thoughts, till we entered the plantation

of Furs, which led to the quicksand.

There, he roused himself, like a man whose mind was made up, and spoke to me again.

Mr. Bedaridge, he said, as you have honored me, by taking an ore in my boat, and as you

may, I think, be of some assistance to me before the evening is out, I see no use in our

mystifying one another any longer, and I propose to set you an example of plain speaking

on my side.

You were determined to give me no information to the prejudice of Rosanna Spearman, because

she's been a good girl to you, and because you pity her heartily.

Those humane considerations do you a world of credit, but they happen in this instance

to be humane considerations clean thrown away.

Rosanna Spearman is not in the slightest danger of getting into trouble.

No, not if I fix her with being concerned in the disappearance of the diamond on evidence

which is as plain as the nose on your face.

Do you mean that my lady won't prosecute, I asked?

I mean that your lady can't prosecute, said the sergeant.

Rosanna Spearman is simply an instrument in the hands of another person, and Rosanna

Spearman will be held harmless for that other person's sake.

He spoke like a man in earnest, there was no denying that.

Still, I felt something stirring uneasily against him in my mind.

Can't you give that other person a name, I said?

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