"Danger ! What danger foresee ? "

Holmes shook his head gravely "It would cease danger define it," said he "But at , day or night, telegram would bring me down to your help "

" enough " She rose briskly from her chair anxiety all swept from her face " go down to Hampshire quite easy in my mind now write to Mr Rucastle at once, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to-morrow " With few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both good-night and bustled off upon her way

" ," said I heard her quick, firm steps descending the stairs, "she young lady able care of herself "

"And need ," said Holmes gravely " much mistaken if hear from her days are past "

not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into The unusual salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to something abnormal, though whether fad or plot, or whether the man were philanthropist or villain, quite beyond my powers to determine Holmes, I observed that he sat frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with wave hand when I mentioned it "Data ! data ! data ! " he cried impatiently " 't make bricks without clay " And yet always wind up by muttering that no sister should ever have accepted such situation

The telegram which we eventually received came late one night just as thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to one all-night chemical researches which he frequently indulged in, when leave him stooping over retort and test-tube at night and find him same position when down to breakfast morning He opened the yellow envelope, and then, glancing message, threw it across

"Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back chemical studies

The summons was brief and urgent one

"Please be Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to-morrow," it said "Do come ! at my wit's end HUNTER "

" come with me ? " asked Holmes, glancing up

" wish to "

"Just look it up, then "

" train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Bradshaw " due at Winchester at 11:30 "

" do very nicely Then perhaps I had better postpone my analysis acetones, as need at our best morning "

By eleven o'clock the we were well upon our way old English capital Holmes buried morning papers all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he threw them down and began to admire the scenery an ideal spring day, light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white clouds drifting across from west to east The sun was shining very brightly, and yet an exhilarating nip air, which set an edge to man's energy All over the countryside, away rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and grey roofs farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light green new foliage

"Are they not fresh and beautiful ? " I cried with all the enthusiasm of man fresh fogs of Baker Street

But Holmes shook his head gravely

" , Watson," said he, " curses of mind with turn like mine that look at everything with reference to my own special subject You look scattered houses, and impressed by their beauty I look at them, only thought which comes is feeling isolation and impunity crime committed there "

"Good heavens ! " I cried " associate crime dear old homesteads ? " Josef Friedrich, 1906

"They always fill me with certain horror my belief, Watson, founded upon my experience, lowest and vilest alleys in London present more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside "

"You horrify me ! "

"But the reason is very obvious The pressure of public opinion can do town what the law cannot accomplish no lane so vile scream of tortured child, or the thud of drunkard's blow, beget sympathy and indignation neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever so close that word of complaint can set it going, and but step crime dock But look lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled most part with poor ignorant folk little law Think deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness go on, year in, year out, places, and none the wiser Had this lady who appeals for help gone to live in Winchester, never fear for her five miles of country which makes the danger Still, clear that personally threatened "

"No If come to Winchester to meet us get away "

"Quite so She has her freedom "

"What the matter, then ? suggest no explanation ? "

" devised seven separate explanations, each would cover the facts as far as them But which is correct can only be determined fresh information which find waiting Well, the tower cathedral, and soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "

The Black Swan is an inn of repute High Street, at no distance station, and there the young lady waiting She had engaged sitting-room, lunch awaited us table

" so delighted that come," she said earnestly " so very kind of you both; but indeed know what do Your advice altogether invaluable "

"Pray tell us what has happened "

" , and quick, for promised Mr Rucastle back before three I got his leave into town , though he little knew for what purpose "

" everything in its due order " Holmes thrust his long thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen

" first place, say that met, whole, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr and Mrs Rucastle only fair that But understand them, and not easy in my mind "

"What not understand ? "

"Their reasons for their conduct But it all just as it occurred When down, Mr Rucastle met me here and drove me dog-cart Copper Beeches , as , beautifully situated, but beautiful in itself, is large square block of house, whitewashed, but all stained and streaked with damp and bad weather grounds round it, woods on three sides, and fourth field which slopes down Southampton highroad, which curves past about hundred yards front door This ground in front belongs house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Southerton's preserves clump of copper beeches immediately in front hall door its name place