Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.IX-XII
most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You `
` can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such `
` opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong `
` upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. `
` `
` "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found `
` little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the `
` table. I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very `
` foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and `
` expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were `
` at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few `
` governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, `
` what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing `
` it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was `
` inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after `
` I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go `
` back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open `
` when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it `
` here and I will read it to you: `
` `
` "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. `
` "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your `
` address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have `
` reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you `
` should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of `
` you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a `
` year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which `
` our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My `
` wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would `
` like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need `
` not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one `
` belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which `
` would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting `
` here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that `
` need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no `
` doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty `
` during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain `
` firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary `
` may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child `
` is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall `
` meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. `
` Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' `
` `
` "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and `
` my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, `
` that before taking the final step I should 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 you would not advise me to refuse?" `
` `
` "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to `
` see a sister of mine apply for." `
` `
` "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" `
` `
` "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself `
` formed some opinion?" `
` `
` "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. `
` Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not `
` possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the `
` matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that `
` he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an `
` outbreak?" `
` `
` "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is `
` the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a `
` nice household for a young lady." `
` `
` "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" `
` `
` "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what `
` makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when `
` they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some `
` strong reason behind." `
` `
` "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would `
` understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so `
` much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." `
` `
` "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that `
` your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has `
` come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel `
` about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt `
` or in danger--" `
` `
` "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" `
` `
` Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if `
` we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a `
` telegram would bring me down to your help." `
` `
` "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the `
` anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire `
` quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, `
` sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester `
` to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both `
` good-night and bustled off upon her way. `
` `
` "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending `
` the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able `
` to take care of herself." `
` `
` "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much `
` mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." `
` `
` It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. `
` A 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 a fad or a plot, or whether `
` the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond `
` my powers to determine. As to 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 a wave of his `
` hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried `
` impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would `
` always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever `
` have accepted such a situation. `
` `
` The telegram which we eventually received came late one night `
` just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down `
` to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently `
` indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a `
` test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came `
` down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, `
` and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. `
` `
` "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back `
` to his chemical studies. `
` `
` The summons was a brief and urgent one. `
` `
` "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday `
` to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." `
` `
` "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. `
` `
` "I should wish to." `
` `
` "Just look it up, then." `
` `
` "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my `
` Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." `
` `
` "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my `
` analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the `
` morning." `
` `
` By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the `
` old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers `
` all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he `
` threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal `
` spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white `
` clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining `
` very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, `
` which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, `
` away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and `
` grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light `
` green of the new foliage. `
` `
` "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the `
` enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. `
` `
` But Holmes shook his head gravely. `
` `
` "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of `
` a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with `
` reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered `
` houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, `
` and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their `
` isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed `
` there." `
` `
` "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these `
` dear old homesteads?" `
` `
` "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, `
` Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest `
` alleys in London do not present a 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 in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no `
` lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of `
` a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among `
` the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever `
` so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is `
` but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these `
` lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part `
` with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the `
` deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, `
` year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this `
` lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I `
` should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of `
`
` can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such `
` opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong `
` upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. `
` `
` "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found `
` little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the `
` table. I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very `
` foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and `
` expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were `
` at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few `
` governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, `
` what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing `
` it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was `
` inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after `
` I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go `
` back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open `
` when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it `
` here and I will read it to you: `
` `
` "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. `
` "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your `
` address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have `
` reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you `
` should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of `
` you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a `
` year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which `
` our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My `
` wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would `
` like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need `
` not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one `
` belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which `
` would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting `
` here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that `
` need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no `
` doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty `
` during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain `
` firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary `
` may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child `
` is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall `
` meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. `
` Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' `
` `
` "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and `
` my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, `
` that before taking the final step I should 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 you would not advise me to refuse?" `
` `
` "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to `
` see a sister of mine apply for." `
` `
` "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" `
` `
` "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself `
` formed some opinion?" `
` `
` "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. `
` Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not `
` possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the `
` matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that `
` he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an `
` outbreak?" `
` `
` "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is `
` the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a `
` nice household for a young lady." `
` `
` "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" `
` `
` "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what `
` makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when `
` they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some `
` strong reason behind." `
` `
` "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would `
` understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so `
` much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." `
` `
` "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that `
` your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has `
` come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel `
` about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt `
` or in danger--" `
` `
` "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" `
` `
` Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if `
` we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a `
` telegram would bring me down to your help." `
` `
` "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the `
` anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire `
` quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, `
` sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester `
` to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both `
` good-night and bustled off upon her way. `
` `
` "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending `
` the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able `
` to take care of herself." `
` `
` "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much `
` mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." `
` `
` It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. `
` A 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 a fad or a plot, or whether `
` the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond `
` my powers to determine. As to 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 a wave of his `
` hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried `
` impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would `
` always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever `
` have accepted such a situation. `
` `
` The telegram which we eventually received came late one night `
` just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down `
` to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently `
` indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a `
` test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came `
` down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, `
` and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. `
` `
` "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back `
` to his chemical studies. `
` `
` The summons was a brief and urgent one. `
` `
` "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday `
` to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." `
` `
` "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. `
` `
` "I should wish to." `
` `
` "Just look it up, then." `
` `
` "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my `
` Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." `
` `
` "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my `
` analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the `
` morning." `
` `
` By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the `
` old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers `
` all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he `
` threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal `
` spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white `
` clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining `
` very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, `
` which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, `
` away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and `
` grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light `
` green of the new foliage. `
` `
` "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the `
` enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. `
` `
` But Holmes shook his head gravely. `
` `
` "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of `
` a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with `
` reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered `
` houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, `
` and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their `
` isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed `
` there." `
` `
` "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these `
` dear old homesteads?" `
` `
` "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, `
` Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest `
` alleys in London do not present a 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 in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no `
` lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of `
` a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among `
` the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever `
` so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is `
` but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these `
` lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part `
` with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the `
` deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, `
` year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this `
` lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I `
` should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of `
`