But instantly Nat’s excitement left him. Surprise seldom mastered him; in moments of danger he usually was at his coolest.
“Just give that curtain a twitch,” he said to the dwarf, who was nearest the hanging folds of baize. “I think the gentleman is coming in.”
HE SAW THE TALL STRANGER
The Porcupine did as directed; and it was none too soon, for the tall man, who had apparently paused outside to greet an acquaintance, strode into the coffee-house, laughing and slapping his boot leg with a thick, silver-knobbed cane.
“And look who is with him,” whispered the Porcupine, clutching his friend’s arm, almost fiercely.
“Ezra Prentiss!” breathed Nat, and sank back into his chair, his face stern and set.
CHAPTER XVII
WHAT NAT HEARD AT THE COFFEE-HOUSE IN
ORANGE STREET
As Nat Brewster and the dwarf breathlessly watched, the newcomers at the coffee-house in Orange Street were taken in hand by the same attentive servant who had waited upon the boys; and he pulled back chairs for them at a table only a few feet distant. They briefly made known what they desired and when the waiter had taken himself off, the tall man, after surveying his companion, said:
“Well, I suppose you are glad to get back to Boston?”