Marakinoff again regarded him with that irritating air of benevolence.

“You have not the scientific mind, young friend,” he said. “The poonch, yes! But so has the mule. You must learn that only the fact is important⁠—not you, not me, not this”⁠—he pointed to Huldricksson⁠—“or its sorrows. Only the fact, whatever it is, is real, yes. But”⁠—he turned to me⁠—“another time⁠—”

Huldricksson interrupted him. The big seaman had risen stiffly to his feet and stood with Larry’s arm supporting him. He stretched out his hands to me.