live in Winchester, I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five

miles of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is not

personally threatened.”


“No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away.”


“Quite so. She has her freedom.”


“What can be the matter, then? Can you suggest no

explanation?”


“I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cover

the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is correct can only be

determined by the fresh information which we shall no doubt find waiting for

us. Well, there is the tower of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that

Miss Hunter has to tell.”


The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no distance from the

station, and there we found the young lady waiting for us. She had engaged a

sitting-room, and our lunch awaited us upon the table.


“I am so delighted that you have come,” she said earnestly.

“It is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I should

do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me.”


“Pray tell us what has happened to you.”


“I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Rucastle to

be back before three. I got his leave to come into town this morning, though he

little knew for what purpose.”


“Let us have everything in its due order.” Holmes thrust his long

thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen.


“In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, with no

actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is only fair to them to say

that. But I cannot understand them, and I am not easy in my mind about

them.”


“What can you not understand?”


“Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just as it

occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and drove me in his

dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he said, beautifully situated, but it