" so terrified that know what I suppose that rushed past him into my room I remember nothing until myself lying on my bed trembling all over Then of you, Mr Holmes live there longer without some advice frightened house, man woman, servants, even child They were all horrible If only bring you down all well fled house, but my curiosity was almost as strong as my fears My mind was soon made up wire I put on my hat and cloak, went down office, about half mile house, and then returned, feeling easier horrible doubt came into my mind as I approached the door lest the dog loose, but I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into state of insensibility that evening, and that he household who had any influence savage creature, or venture to set him free I slipped in in safety and lay awake half the night in my joy thought of seeing you I had no difficulty in getting leave into Winchester , but back before three o'clock, and Mrs Rucastle are going on visit, and away all the evening, look child Now told you all my adventures, Mr Holmes, and tell me what it all means, and, above all, what do "

Holmes and I had listened spellbound extraordinary story My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands pockets, and an expression most profound gravity upon his face

"Is Toller still drunk ? " he asked

"Yes I heard his wife tell Mrs Rucastle that do nothing "

" well Rucastles go out to-night ? "

"Yes "

" cellar with good strong lock ? "

"Yes, the wine-cellar "

"You seem acted all matter like very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter that perform one more feat ? I ask it of you if think you quite exceptional woman "

" try it ? "

" Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and I The Rucastles gone , and Toller will, , be incapable There only remains Mrs Toller, give the alarm send her cellar on some errand, and then turn the key upon her, facilitate matters immensely "

" "

"Excellent ! then look thoroughly affair feasible explanation brought there to personate someone, real person is imprisoned chamber obvious who this prisoner is, the daughter, Miss Alice Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to to America You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, figure, colour of your hair Hers cut off, very possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, , yours had sacrificed also By curious chance you came upon her tresses The man road was undoubtedly some friend of hers--possibly her fiance--and , wore the girl's dress and were so like her, convinced from your laughter, whenever you, and afterwards from your gesture, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, she no longer desired his attentions The dog is let loose at night him from endeavouring to communicate with her is fairly clear The most serious point case disposition child "

"What on earth with it ? " I ejaculated

"My dear Watson, you as medical man are continually gaining light tendencies of child study parents Don't converse is equally valid frequently gained my first real insight character of parents by studying their children This child's disposition is abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he derives this smiling father, as suspect, or mother, it bodes evil poor girl in their power "

" that right, Mr Holmes," cried our client "A thousand things come back which make me certain that hit it Oh, lose not an instant in bringing help poor creature "

" circumspect, for dealing with very cunning man do nothing until seven o'clock hour , and long before we solve the mystery "

We were as good as our word, for just seven when we reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at wayside public-house The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining like burnished metal light setting sun, were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been standing smiling door-step

" managed it ? " asked Holmes

loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs " Mrs Toller cellar," said she "Her husband lies snoring kitchen rug Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of Mr Rucastle's "

"You well indeed ! " cried Holmes with enthusiasm "Now lead the way, and soon see the end black business "

We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down passage, and found ourselves in front barricade which Miss Hunter had described Holmes cut the cord and removed the transverse bar Then he tried the various keys lock, but without success No sound came from within, and silence Holmes's face clouded over

"I trust that too late," said he " , Miss Hunter, that we had better go in without you Now, Watson, put your shoulder , and see whether make our way in "

an old rickety door and gave at once before our united strength Together we rushed room empty no furniture save little pallet bed, small table, and basketful of linen The skylight above was open, prisoner gone

" some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim off "

"But how ? "

" skylight soon see how he managed it " He swung himself up onto the roof "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the end of long light ladder against the eaves how it "

"But impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not there Rucastles went away "

"He back and done it I tell you that clever and dangerous man I surprised were he whose step I hear now stair , Watson, your pistol ready "

The words were hardly out mouth before man appeared door room, very fat and burly man, with heavy stick hand Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wall sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and confronted him

"You villain ! " said he, "where's your daughter ? "

The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up open skylight