His shrug was significant.
"I told you that this was no vulgar mystery," he declared; "or why should I be considering it with you? It is quite worthy of your interest. Do you see that house marked A?"
"I do," I nodded.
"Well, that is a decayed mansion of imposing proportions, set in a forest of overgrown shrubbery. The ladies who inhabit it——"
"Ladies!" I put in, with a small shock of horror.
"Young ladies," he explained, "of a refined if not over-prosperous appearance. They are the interesting residue of a family of some repute. Their father was a judge, I believe."
"And do they live there alone," I asked,—"two young ladies in a house so large and in a neighborhood so full of mystery?"
"Oh, they have a brother with them, a lout of no great attractions," he responded carelessly—too carelessly, I thought.
I made a note of the house A in my mind.
"And who lives in the house marked B?" I now queried.