Just as Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) is lamenting the state of his investigation practice--"[It] seems to be degenerating into an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young ladies from boarding schools"--a letter arrives that would seem to make matters even worse. But only temporarily: the missive is from a Violet Hunter (Natasha Richardson), who seeks advice on whether to accept a position as governess at the Copper Beeches, the home of a genuine oddball named Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) and his equally strange family. Among Violet"s duties if she accepts the job are cutting her long hair, wearing a dress chosen by Rucastle each day, and sitting with her back to a window while he entertains her for an hour or so each day with hilarious stories. Just what is going on? This fine adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle"s clever mystery is absolutely engrossing, and as usual Brett"s performance as the famed detective is flawless and true to Doyle"s original vision. David Burke does his typically stellar work as Watson, and the addition of one great veteran (Ackland) and one talented then-newcomer (Richardson) to the cast is a real treat. --Tom Keogh