“But what shall we do with her now that we have got her? We don’t want any pretty women among our band; the lads would be cutting each other’s throats over her.” “No fear of that; she won’t stay long in the company of the Dozen. The king would give any price for her.” “Then he shall have her.” “Not so fast,” said Captain Jack, leading the way to a small public-house, not more than a hundred yards from their store-house on the river side, “not so fast, Bates, not so fast. She is well provided for the night, you say, and that is sufficient. I must pay a hasty visit to Darlington ere we make up our mind what to do.” They had now reached the public-house, and were conversing in an undertone together when a post-boy rode up and dismounted. Tired, dirty, and muddy he was, and seemed ready to sink from fatigue. “Come far to-night?” said Captain Jack. “Yes, sir, a good many miles, and have ridden faster than ever I did in my whole life.” “Where from?” said Bates, shoving over his bottle to the post-boy. “From Darlington.” “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.” “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?”