Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/358

 Bernick.

I can't believe it, Mr. Krap. I cannot and will not believe such a thing of Aune.

Krap.

I'm sorry for it, but it's the simple truth. There is rascality at work, I say. Not a stick of new timber had been put in, so far as I could see. It was only plugged and puttied up, and covered with plates and tarpaulins, and so forth. All bogus! The Indian Girl will never get to New York. She'll go to the bottom like a cracked pot.

Bernick.

Why, this is horrible! What do you think can be his motive?

Krap.

He probably wants to bring the machines into discredit; wants to revenge himself; wants to have the old workmen taken on again.

Bernick.

And for that he would send all these men to their death?

Krap.

He has been heard to say that the crew of the Indian Girl are brute beasts, not men.

Bernick.

Yes, yes, that may be; but does he not think of the great loss of capital?

Krap.

Aune is not over-fond of capital, Consul.

Bernick.

True enough; he is an agitator and mischief-maker; but such a piece of villainy as this.