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.
281