“Then this shall be a great day in your life. A cup of coffee, signorina.”
A small cup was brought to Martin. Sipping it, he made a wry face.
“Ah! You find it bitter,” said Mr. Pasqua. “But stir it with the spoon, then taste again.”
At the bottom of the cup was thick brown sugar. Martin stirred and tasted.
“That is good, eh?” said the man, smiling. “It will refresh you. And you shall have another cup when you come the next time.”
At this moment a bell rang in one of the closed compartments. Mr. Pasqua himself hurried to answer the summons. As the door opened, Martin was startled, and hastily turned his head. Seated at the little table were two men, Mr. Slocum and Mr. Seymour.
He was careful not to look towards them again, and was glad when the empty basket was brought to him and he was able to get out into the street.
His first feeling was relief that he had not been seen by Mr. Slocum. He thoroughly distrusted his former employer, and was ready to believe that he would not hesitate to make mischief with Mr. Pasqua.
“Why am I always coming across that man?” he thought.
Then as he walked back towards Pudding Lane, he grew uneasy and suspicious. It was a shock to him that Mr. Slocum and Mr. Seymour were acquainted. He had seen each of them at different times with Blackbeard, and the fact that all three were acquainted brought a crowd of recollections to his mind.