"Yes, Mr. Clark, the murdered man has lived hereabouts for a long time; his brother owns the Mark Mansion over yonder; the town has been very proud of it, you know."
"It is, sir. But no place to live in; there has been something dangerous about it, sir."
"Seems to me I heard something of it when I was last in Mona," said Oakes.
"Did you have any experience, sir?"
"Experience! What do you mean?"
"I do not know, sir, but it always appears. Something that scares people."
"Hurts the town, doesn't it?"
"Yes, indeed, sir; and this murder will spoil everything here now."
"I cannot quite follow you."