“Two mornings after this the crisis came, for Marco politely informed them that the first officer of the Adelaide had refused to hand over the specie to ransom his captain.
“‘So,’ said Marco, ‘one of you veel have de ears cut off dis morning. But neever mind, geentlemans, neever mind,’ he added, consolingly.
“Dolosa was as polite as if nothing were about to happen. It was a breakfast fit for a king, but, singular to say, neither Brackenbury nor O’Brady had the least bit of appetite. They felt sick at heart with the shadow of some coming evil.
“They retired soon after to their room, but hardly had they entered ere the urbane Marco glided in and tapped each on the shoulder.
“He pointed smilingly to his own ears with his two thumbs.
“‘De time is coome, geentlemans,’ he said; ‘but it is nodings, geentlemans. Neever mind, neever mind.’
“‘But I do mind,’ spluttered Brackenbury. ‘Confound it all, even if we don’t bleed to death right away, what will our wives say to us when we return to them with no more ears than an adder? I tell you, Marco, your master is a diabolical scoundrel.’
“‘Hush! hush! capitan,’ cried Marco. ‘Do not speak so. De walls have ears.’
“‘Yes, and I want to keep mine.’
“‘See, see,’ continued Marco, as two stalwart blacks opened the door and beckoned to the unfortunate prisoners.