" Mrs Rucastle seemed colourless in mind as in feature She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse She was nonentity easy that she was passionately devoted both to her husband and to her little son Her light grey eyes wandered continually from one other, noting every little want and forestalling it if possible kind to her also bluff, boisterous fashion, and whole they seemed happy couple And yet she had some secret sorrow, this woman often be lost in deep thought, saddest look upon her face More than once surprised her in tears thought sometimes the disposition of her child which weighed upon her mind, for never met so utterly spoiled and so ill-natured little creature small age, with head quite disproportionately large His whole life appears spent in an alternation between savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking Giving pain to any creature weaker than himself his one idea of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the capture of mice, little birds, and insects But rather not talk creature, Mr Holmes, and, indeed, he has little with my story "

" of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they seem relevant or not "

" try not to miss anything of importance The one unpleasant thing house, which struck me at once, appearance and conduct servants only two, man wife Toller, is his name, is rough, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and perpetual smell of drink Twice since he quite drunk, and yet Mr Rucastle seemed no notice of it His wife is very tall and strong woman with sour face, as silent as Mrs Rucastle and much less amiable most unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of nursery and my own room, which are next to in one corner building

"For two days after my arrival Copper Beeches my life was very quiet; third, Mrs Rucastle came down just after breakfast and whispered something to her husband

"'Oh, yes,' said he, turning , ' obliged , Miss Hunter, for falling in whims cut your hair I assure you detracted tiniest iota from your appearance now see how the electric-blue dress will become you it laid out bed in your room, and so good as it on both be extremely obliged '

"The dress which waiting was of peculiar shade of blue of excellent material, sort of beige, but it bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before It better fit if I measured Both Mr and Mrs Rucastle expressed delight look of it, which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence They were waiting drawing-room, very large room, stretching along the entire front house, with three long windows reaching down floor chair placed close central window, with its back turned towards it asked to sit, and then Mr Rucastle, walking up and down other side room, began me series funniest stories that ever listened to imagine how comical , and I laughed until quite weary Mrs Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and sad, anxious look upon her face After an hour or so, Mr Rucastle suddenly remarked time to commence the duties day, change my dress and go to little Edward nursery

"Two days later this same performance was gone through under exactly similar circumstances Again I changed my dress, again I sat window, and again I laughed very heartily funny stories my employer had an immense repertoire, and which inimitably Then he handed me yellow-backed novel, and moving my chair little sideways, that my own shadow fall page, he begged me to read aloud to him for about ten minutes, beginning heart of chapter, and then suddenly, middle of sentence, he ordered me to cease and my dress Josef Friedrich, 1906

" easily imagine, Mr Holmes, how curious I became what the meaning extraordinary performance could possibly be They were always very careful, I observed, my face away window, I became consumed desire going on behind my back At first it seemed impossible, but I soon devised means My hand-mirror broken, so happy thought seized me, and I concealed piece glass in my handkerchief next occasion, midst laughter, I put my handkerchief my eyes, and was able with little management all that behind me I confess that disappointed nothing that was my first impression second glance, however, I perceived that man standing Southampton Road, small bearded man in grey suit, who seemed looking in my direction The road is an important highway, and usually people there This man, however, was leaning against the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs Rucastle her eyes fixed upon me with most searching gaze She said nothing, but convinced that she had divined that I had mirror in my hand and had seen behind me She rose at once

"'Jephro,' said she, ' an impertinent fellow road there who stares up at Miss Hunter '

"'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter ? ' he asked

"'No, no one parts '

"'Dear me ! How very impertinent ! Kindly turn round and motion to him away '

"'Surely it better no notice '

"'No, no, him loitering here always Kindly turn round and wave him away like that '

" as told, and same instant Mrs Rucastle drew down the blind That was week ago, and sat again window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor seen the man road "

"Pray continue," said Holmes "Your narrative promises most interesting one "

" it rather disconnected, , and prove little relation different incidents I speak very first day that Copper Beeches, Mr Rucastle took me to small outhouse which stands near the kitchen door approached it I heard the sharp rattling of chain, sound as of large animal moving about

"'Look in here ! ' said Mr Rucastle, showing me slit between two planks 'Is he not beauty ? '

"I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of vague figure huddled up darkness