"You've heard that, have you?
Now who told you that, Mr.
Chatfield?
For I don't think that's generally known." "If you knew this here village, mister, as well as what I do," replied Chatfield coolly, "you'd know that there is known all over the place by this time.

The constable told me, and of course yon there man, Ewbank, he'll have told it all round since he had that bit of talk with you and your friend.

He'll have been in to every public there is in Scarhaven, repeating of it.

And a very, very serious complexion, of course, could be put on them words, sir." "How ?" asked Copplestone.
"Put it to yourself, sir," replied Chatfield.

"The unfortunate man comes here, tells Ewbank he knew Mr.Greyle in that far-away land, says he'll call on him, is seen going towards the big house--and is never seen no more! Why, sir, what does human nature--which is wicked--say ?" "What does your human nature--which I'm sure is not wicked, say ?" suggested Copplestone.