The Copper Beeches

When Sherlock Holmes is visited by Violet Hunter the game-is-on when she reveals a strange story where she has just been employed as a governess. Miss Hunter tells the story of a man, Mr Rucastle, that lives in a wealthy estate well outside of London asking her to do some bizarre things around the house.

After cutting her long red hair as part of her obtaining the job, Miss Hunter, at times, has to wear a blue dress and sit by the window. And once was told to turn around and wave at young man, that was standing at the gate, away from the house.

Even with the strange direction given her, Miss Hunter feels like she is being paid well for her service. It is not until she stumbles upon stairs leading to the attic that all of the sudden her feeling change. There a shadow coming from the room at the top of the stairs. Sherlock has a good idea of what is afoot in the manor located outside of town.

The climax of the story was not the highlight of this episode. In fact the ending was rather bland by regular standards. But it was the odd requests, the bizarre feeling and the outright sinister job that made the story entertaining. A well written script performed well by the actors. And with that, the conclusion of the episode ends with Holmes and Dr Watson discussing the case. The look of Sherlock Holmes at the fade-out is priceless.