" imagine, Mr Holmes, that , destitute as , such an offer seemed almost too good true The gentleman, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, opened pocket-book and took out note

"' also my custom,' said he, smiling most pleasant fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the white creases face, 'to advance to my young ladies half their salary beforehand, so may meet any little expenses journey and their wardrobe '

"It seemed that I had never met so fascinating and so thoughtful man As already in debt to my tradesmen, the advance was great convenience, and yet something unnatural whole transaction which made me wish little more before I quite committed myself

"'May I ask where you live, sir ? ' said I

"'Hampshire Charming rural place The Copper Beeches, five miles far side of Winchester most lovely country, my dear young lady, dearest old country-house '

"'And my duties, sir ? what '

"'One child--one dear little romper just six years old Oh, if him killing cockroaches with slipper ! Smack ! smack ! smack ! Three gone could wink ! ' He leaned back chair and laughed his eyes into his head again

" little startled nature child's amusement, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps joking

"'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are charge of single child ? '

"'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he cried 'Your duty , as your good sense would suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided always were such commands as lady might with propriety obey no difficulty, heh ? '

"' happy myself useful '

"'Quite so In dress now, for example faddy people, --faddy but kind-hearted were asked to wear any dress which , object to our little whim Heh ? '

"'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words

"'Or to sit here, or sit there, that offensive ? '

"'Oh, no '

"'Or to cut your hair quite short come ? '

" hardly believe my ears observe, Mr Holmes, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of rather peculiar tint of chestnut considered artistic dream of sacrificing it offhand fashion

"' afraid that quite impossible,' said I He watching me eagerly out small eyes, and I shadow pass over his face as I spoke

"' afraid quite essential,' said he ' little fancy wife's, and ladies' fancies, , madam, ladies' fancies consulted And so you won't cut your hair ? '

"'No, sir, I really ,' I answered firmly

"'Ah, ; then that quite settles the matter pity, because in other respects really very nicely case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect few more of your young ladies '

"The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers without word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with annoyance upon her face that help suspecting that she had lost handsome commission through my refusal

"'Do kept books ? ' she asked

"' please, Miss Stoper '

"'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the most excellent offers fashion,' said she sharply ' hardly expect us to exert ourselves another such opening Good-day , Miss Hunter ' She struck gong table, and shown out page

"Well, Mr Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found little enough cupboard, and bills table I began to ask myself whether I done very foolish thing After all, if these people had strange fads and expected obedience most extraordinary matters, they were ready for their eccentricity Very few governess in England are getting 100 pounds year Besides, what use was my hair ? Many people are improved by wearing it short and perhaps number inclined that I had made mistake, and day after sure of it I had almost overcome my pride go back agency and inquire whether the place was still open when I received this letter gentleman himself it here read it :

"'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester

"' Hunter:--"Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your address, and I write from here to whether reconsidered your decision My wife is very anxious that come, for she much attracted by my description of you willing 30 pounds quarter, or 120 pounds year, so recompense you for any little inconvenience which our fads may cause you very exacting, after all My wife is fond of particular shade of electric blue and would like you to wear such dress indoors morning not, however, go expense of purchasing one, as one belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would, think, fit you Then, sitting here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that need cause you no inconvenience As regards your hair, pity, especially as help remarking its beauty during our short interview, but afraid that remain firm point, and I only the increased salary may recompense you loss Your duties, as far child is concerned, are very light Now do try , and meet you dog-cart at Winchester Let me know your train

"Yours faithfully, Jephro Rucastle '

" letter which just received, Mr Holmes, and my mind is made up that accept it , however, that before taking the final step like to submit the whole matter to your consideration "

"Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the question," said Holmes, smiling

"But advise me to refuse ? "

"I confess not the situation which like sister apply for "

" the meaning of it all, Mr Holmes ? "

"Ah, no data tell Perhaps yourself formed some opinion ? "

"Well, there seems possible solution Mr Rucastle seemed very kind, good-natured man not possible that his wife is lunatic, that he desires the matter quiet for fear she taken to an asylum, he humours her fancies in every way an outbreak ? "

" possible solution-- , as matters stand, most probable one But in any case it nice household for young lady "

"But the money, Mr Holmes the money ! "

"Well, yes, the pay is good--too good what makes me uneasy Why should they 120 pounds year, when have their pick for 40 pounds ? some strong reason behind "

" that if you the circumstances understand afterwards if your help feel stronger if that you were back of me "