“True.”
“And she has never been heard of since.”
“So I have been told.”
“And then her lover, young Andrew, was stabbed, thrown into the river and almost killed; and now, to add to the horrors of the place and its surrounding roads, another murder has been committed in the woods near old Sir Richard’s mansion.”
“Another murder!” said Jack, in surprise.
“Aye, sir, you may well be surprised; another murder has been committed there, and everything has become so dangerous down there, that I intend to throw up my situation, for I suppose next time I go down there with the mails they’ll be for murdering me.”
“Oh, nonsense,” said Captain Jack.
“You must be mistaken, my lad,” said Bates.
“No I’m not, gentlemen; there’s no mistake about it, more’s the pity. What with the ravages of Death-wing and his Skeleton Crew, and the increase of murders down in these parts, the village is getting a very bad name; nay, the worst of names in all England.”
“And who was murdered this time?”