“Darlington?” said Captain Jack, pricking up his ears. “Why, that is the very place I was just speaking about.”
“Indeed, sir,” said the post-boy; “then, methinks, before four-and-twenty hours more, the name of that place will be in the mouths of every one in all London.”
“Why, I do not understand you; explain yourself. Why, I thought of journeying there to-morrow.”
“You had better not, sir, for it is a most villainous place.”
“Once upon a time,” said Bates, “it was one of the quietest little villages in all England.”
“Sure, kind sir; but things have changed very much of late.”
“How do you mean?”
“Why, old Farmer Bertram was mysteriously murdered there, and it has never been found out yet.”
“I know it; there is a royal proclamation about that affair,” said Bates.
“And then the beautiful daughter of old Harmer, the miller, was forcibly abducted by some base villain.”