“‘Tut, tut!’ he cried. ‘This is all quite beside

the question. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment

of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not fitted for

the rearing of a child who may some day play a considerable part in the history

of the country. But if you have why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to

condescend to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me,

madam, would commence at £ 100 a year.’


“You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, such an

offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, however, seeing perhaps

the look of incredulity upon my face, opened a pocket-book and took out a note.


“‘It is also my custom,’ said he, smiling in the most

pleasant fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the

white creases of his face, ‘to advance to my young ladies half their

salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little expenses of their journey

and their wardrobe.’


“It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so thoughtful a

man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the advance was a great

convenience, and yet there was something unnatural about the whole transaction

which made me wish to know a little more before I quite committed myself.


“‘May I ask where you live, sir?’ said I.


“‘Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five

miles on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dear

young lady, and the dearest old country-house.’


“‘And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they

would be.’


“‘One child—one dear little romper just six years old.

Oh, if you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! smack!

smack! Three gone before you could wink!’ He leaned back in his chair and

laughed his eyes into his head again.


“I was a little startled at the nature of the child’s amusement,