Adventure number 3, in the Memoirs of Sherlock, Holmes by
Sir, Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in
the public domain. Adventure number three.
The stockbrokers Clark. Shortly after my marriage, I had
bought a connection in the Paddington District old.
Mr. Farquhar from whom I purchased it had at one time, an
excellent general practice, but his age and an Affliction of the
nature of sin, vitus's dance from which he suffered and very
much thinned. It the public not unnaturally
goes on the principle that he, who would heal others must
himself. Be whole and looks askance at
the Curative powers of the man whose own case is beyond the
reach. Of his drugs.
Thus says my predecessor weakened his practice declined
until when I purchased it from him.
It had sunk from 12:00 to little more than 300 a year.
I had confidence. However, in my own Youth and
energy and was convinced that in a very few years.
The concern would be as flourishing as ever.
For three months after taking over the practice.
I was kept very closely at work and saw little of my friend,
Sherlock Holmes for. I was too busy to visit Baker
Street and he seldom went anywhere himself save upon
professional business. I was surprised.
Therefore, when one morning in June, as I sat reading the
British medical journal after breakfast.
I heard a ring at the Bell, followed by the high somewhat
strident, tones of my old companions voice.
Oh, my dear Watson said, he striding into the room.
I'm very delighted to see you. I trust that.
Mrs. Watson has entirely recovered from all the little
excitements connected with our adventure of the sign of the
four. Thank you.
We're both doing very well said. I shaking him warmly by the
hand, and I hope also he continued sitting down in the
rocking chair at the cares of Medical Practice have not
entirely obliterated the interest to which you used to
take. No little deductive.
Problems on the contrary. I answered.
It was only last night that I was looking over my old notes
and classifying some of our past results.
I trusted you don't consider your collection closed.
Not at all. I should wish nothing better
than to have some more of such experiences today.
For example. Yes.
Today if you like and as far off as Birmingham, certainly if you
wish it, And the practice, I do my neighbors when he goes he's
always ready to work off the debt.
Huh? Nothing could be better.
Said, Holmes leaning back in his chair and looking keenly at me
from under his half-closed Lids. I perceive that you have been
unwell lately, summer. Colds are always a little
trying. I was confined to the house by a
severe, chill for three days last week.
I thought, however, that I'd cast off every trace of it.
So you have you look remarkably robust.
How then did you know it? My dear fellow, you know, my
methods. You deduced it then certainly
and from what from your slippers.
I glanced down at the new patent Leathers, which I was wearing
how on Earth I began, but Holmes answered my question before it
was asked your slippers a new. He said, you could not have had
them more than a few weeks. The Souls, which you are at this
moment to presenting to me, are slightly scorched for a moment.
I thought they might have got wet and been burned in the
drying but near the InStep. There is a small circular wafer
of paper with the shamans hieroglyphics upon it.
Damp would have caused of remove this.
You had then been sitting with your feet outstretched to the
fire. Which a man would hardly do even
in Soweto June as this if he were in his full.
Oh, health. Michael Holmes is reasoning.
The thing seemed Simplicity itself when it was once
explained. He read the thought, upon my
features and his smile had a tinge of bitterness.
I am afraid that I rather give myself away.
When I explain said he results without causes are much more
impressive. You are ready to come to
Birmingham. Then certainly, what is the case
you shall hear it all in the train.
My client is outside in a four wheeler.
Can you come at once in an instant?
I scribbled a note to my neighbor rushed upstairs to
explain the matter to my wife and And homes up on the
doorstep. Your neighbor is a doctor said
he nodding at the brass plate. Yes.
He bought a practice as I did an old established one.
Just the same as mine. Both have been ever since the
houses were built. Then you got hold of the best of
the two. I think I did.
But how do you know by the steps?
My boy, yours are 13 inches deeper than his, but this
gentleman in the cab is my client.
Mr. Hall pycroft. Allow me to introduce you to
him. Whip, your horse up, cabbie for
we've only just time to catch our train.
The man whom I found myself facing was a well-built fresh
complexion. Young fellow with a Frank honest
face and a slight crisp. Yellow mustache.
He wore a very shiny top-hat and a neat suit of sober black which
made him. Look what he was a smart young
City, man of the class who have been labeled cockneys, but who
give us our crack volunteer regiments and who turn out more
fine athletes and Sportsmen than Anybody of men in these islands,
his round ready, face was naturally full of cheeriness,
but the corners of his mouth seemed to me to be pulled down
in a half comical distress. It was not, however, until we
were all in our first class carriage and well started Upon
Our Journey To Birmingham, but I was able to learn what the
trouble was which had driven him to Sherlock Holmes.
We have a clear run here of 70 minutes, Holmes remarked.
I want you, mr. Hall pycroft.
Oft to tell my friend, you're very interesting experience,
exactly. As you have told it to me, or
with more detail, if possible. It will be of use to me to hear
the succession of events. Again, it is a case Watson which
may prove to have something in it or may prove to have nothing,
but which at least presents those unusual and outre
features, which are as dear to you as they are to me.
Now, mr. Pycroft.
I shall not interrupt you again. Our young companion looked at me
with a twinkle in his eye. The worst of the story is said
he that I should show myself up as such a confounded fool.
Of course. It may work out.
All right, and I don't see that. I could have done otherwise, but
if I've lost my crib and got nothing in exchange.
I shall feel. What a soft Johnny.
I've been I'm not very good at telling a story.
Dr. Watson, but it is like this with me.
I used to have a Billet at coxon wood, as is of Draper's Gardens.
But they were let in early in the spring through the
Venezuelan loan as no doubt. You remember and came a nasty
Cropper. I've been with him five years
and old coxon gave me a ripping good testimonial when the smash
came. By course, week Clark's were all
turned adrift. The 27 of us are tried here and
tried there, but there are lots of other chaps on the same
layers myself, and it was a perfect Frost for a long time.
I've been taking three pounds a week at coxswains.
Not saved about 70 of them, but I assume work my way through
that and out the other end. I was fairly at the end of my
tether at last. Could hardly find the stamps to
answer the advertisements, all the envelopes to stick them to.
I'd worn up my boots paddling up off his stairs and our scene
just as far from getting a Billet as ever.
At last. I saw a vacancy more Cinema
Williams, the great stock broking firm in Lombard, Street.
I daresay EC is not much in your line, but I can tell you that
this is about the richest house in London.
The advertisement was be answered by letter only I sent
in my testimonial, an application, but without the
least hope of getting in. That came in answer by return
saying, if I would appear next Monday, I might take over my new
duties at once provided that my appearance was satisfactory.
Now, a knows how these things are worked.
Some people say that the manager just plunges and into the Heap
and takes the first it comes anyhow, it was mine exact time
and I don't have a wish to feel better pleased.
The screw was a pound a week rise, and the do is just about
the same as it coxswains. And now I come to the queer part
of the business. I was in diggings a damn stirred
way 17 Potter's Terrace. Well, I'll sit and doing a
smoked that very evening after I've been promised the
appointment when up came my landlady with a card which had
Arthur Pinner Financial agent printed upon it.
I never heard the name before, we could not imagine what he
wanted with me. But of course I asked her to
show him up. Any walked a middle-sized
dark-haired dark-eyed black-bearded man, the touch of
the sheeny about his nose. Get a Brisk, kind of way with
him and he spoke sharply like a man who knew the value of time.
Mr. All by Craft, I believe said he yes, sir.
I answered pushing a chair towards him lightly engaged at
coxon and would Erza's. Yes, sir.
And now on the staff of Morrison's quite so we'll said
he the fact is that I have heard some really extraordinary
stories about your financial ability.
You remember Parker have used to be coxswains manager.
He can never say enough about it.
Of course. I was pleased to hear this.
I'd always been pretty sharp in the office.
But I never dreamed. I was talked about in the city.
In this fashion. You have a good memory said he
pretty fair. I answered modestly.
Have you kept in touch with the market while you've been out of
work? He asked.
Yes, I'll read the stock exchange list every morning.
Now that shows real application. He cried.
This is the way to prosper. You want, Mommy testing, you,
will you? Let me see?
Our are shoes, 106. And a core 205 and 780.
New Zealand Consolidated, 104, and British broken Hills 727,
and six, wonderful. He cried with his hands up.
This quite fits in with all the I did.
My boy, my boy. You're very much too.
Good to be a clerk at Morrisons. This Outburst rather astonished
me as you can think well said, I other people don't think quite
so much amazed you seem to do mr.
Pinner. I died in a fight to get this
birth and I'm very glad to have it.
Whoo, man. You should soar above it.
You're not on your true sphere. Now.
I'll tell you how it stands with me.
Well, I have to offer is little enough when measured by your
ability. But when compared with
Morrison's it's light to dark. Let me see.
When do you go to Morrison's on Monday?
Ha, I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that you
don't go there at all. Not go to Morrison's.
No sir. My that day.
You'll be the business manager of the Franco Midland, Hardware
Company, Limited with 134 branches in the towns and
Villages of France. Counting one in Brussels, and
one in San Remo. This took my breath away.
I never heard of it said, I very likely not.
It has been kept. Very quiet for the capital was
all privately subscribed and it's too good.
A thing to let the public into my brother, Harry Pinner, his
promoter and joins the board after allotments as managing
director. He knew I was in the swim down
here and asked me to pick up a good man.
Cheap young pushing man with a plenty of snap about him.
Parker spoke of you and that brought me here tonight.
We can only offer you a beggarly 500 to start with.
Five hundred a year, I showered only that at the beginning, but
you also have an overriding Commission of one percent on all
business done by your agents and you may take my word for it.
This will come to more than your salary.
But I know nothing about Hardware tuck my boy, you know
about figures my head buzzed and I could hardly sit still in my
chair. But suddenly a little chill of
Doubt, Came Upon me. I must be frank with you.
So die, Mawson only gives me two hundred but Morrison is safe.
Now, really I know so little about your company that Smart
smart, he cried in a kind of ecstasy of delight.
You are the very man for us. You're not to be talked over and
quite right too. Now.
Here's a note, 400 pounds. And if you think that we can do
business, you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance
on your salary. This is very handsome, said I.
When should I take over my new duties?
Be in Birmingham tomorrow. One said, he Ivan out in my
pocket here, which you'll take to my brother.
You'll find him at 126 B corporations street where the
temporary offices of the company are situated.
Of course, he must confirm your engagement but between
ourselves, it will be all right. Really?
I hardly know how to express my gratitude.
Mr. Pinner said, I not at all my boy.
You've only got your desserts. There are one or two small
things mere formalities, which I must arrange with you.
You have a bit of paper beside you there.
Kindly write upon it. I am perfectly willing to act as
business manager to the Franco Midland Hardware Company,
Limited at a minimum salary of 500 pounds.
I did as he asked and he put the paper in his pocket.
There is one other detail said he what do you intend to do
about Morrison's? I'd forgotten all about
Morrison's in my joy. Alright, and resign said, I
precisely what I don't want you to do.
Either our you with Morrison's manager are gone up to ask him
about you and he was very offensive.
Accuse me of coaxing you away from the service of the firm.
I'm not saw thing at last. I fairly lost my temper.
If you want good men. You should pay them a good
price. Said, I he would rather have our
small price and your big one said he I'll lay you a fiver
said I that when he has my offer, you'll never so much as
hear from him. Again, done said, he, we picked
him out of the gutter and he won't leave us so easily.
Those were his very words. The impudent scoundrel are
cried. I've never so much as seen him
in my life. Why should I consider him in any
way? I shall.
Certainly not right if you would rather I didn't good.
That's a promise said he rising from his chair.
Well, I'm delighted to have got so good, a man from our brother.
Here's your advance of hundred pounds.
And here is a layer, make a note with the address 126 be
Corporation Street. And remember that 1:00 tomorrow
is your appointment. Good night.
And may you have all the fortune that you deserve.
Irv. That's just about all that
passed between us as near as I can.
Remember, you can imagine. Dr. Watson, our pleased, I was
at such an extraordinary, be a good fortune.
I sat up after night. I give myself over it.
And next day. I was off to Birmingham in a
train that would take me in plenty time for my appointment.
I took my things to Hotel in New Street.
And then I'll make my way to the address which had given me.
It was a quarter of an hour before my time.
I thought that would make no difference.
Friends. 126 be was a passage between two large shops, which
led to a Winding Stone stair from which there are many flats.
Let us offices to companies or professional men.
The names of the occupants were painted at the bottom on the
wall. There was no such name as the
Franco Midland hardware company. I stood for a few minutes with
my art, my boots wondering whether the whole thing was an
elaborate hoax or not. When up came a man and address
me. He was very, like, the chap.
I've seen the night before. Same figure and voice, but he
was clean-shaven and his hair was lighter.
Are you? Mr. Hall, pycroft?
He asked? Yes said, I oh, I was expecting
you, but you're a trifle before your time.
I don't know. From my brother this morning.
In which she sang your Praises very loudly.
I was just looking for the offices when you came.
We have not got our name up yet for we only secured.
He's temporary premises last week.
Come up with me and we'll talk the matter over.
I followed him to the top of a very lofty stare and they're
right under the slates were a couple of empty Dusty little
rooms uncarpeted a nun curtained into which, he led me.
I thought of a great office was shining tables and rows of
Clark's such as I was used to. And I dare say, I stayed rather
straight at the to deal chairs and one little table which with
a ledger and a wastepaper basket made up the whole furniture.
Don't be disheartened. Mr. Pycroft said my new
acquaintance, seeing the length of my face Rome was not built in
a day and we have lots of money at our backs though.
We don't cut much dash yet in offices.
Pray, sit down. And let me have your letter,
I'll gave it to him and he read it over very carefully.
You seem to have made a vast impression upon my brother.
Arthur said he. And I know that he's a pretty
shrewd judge. A swears by London, you know,
and I by Birmingham. But this time I shall follow his
advice. Pray consider yourself.
Definitely engaged. What am I duties?
I asked. You will eventually managed, a
great Depot in Paris, which will pour a flood of English Crockery
into the shops of 134 agents in France.
The purchase will be complete in a week and Meanwhile, your
remaining Birmingham make yourself useful.
How? For answer, he took a big red
book out of a draw. This is a directory of Paris
city with the trades after the names of the people.
I want you to take it on with you and to mark off all the
hardware sellers with their addresses.
It will be of the greatest used to me to have them.
Surely. They're classified lists.
I suggested not reliable ones. Their system is different from
ours, stick at it and let me have the list by Monday at 12.
Die, mr. Pycroft, if you continue to show
Zeal and intelligence, you'll find the company a good master.
I went back to the hotel with a big book under my arm.
We very conflicting feelings in my breast, on the one hand.
I was definitely engaged and I'd under a pound in my pocket on
the other, the look at the offices, the absence of name on
the wall. And other of the points, which
would strike a businessman, had left a bad impression as to the
position of my employers. However, come what might add my
money. So, I settled down to my task
all Sunday. I was kept out at work and yet
by Monday, I'd only got As far as H.
I went round to my employer, found him in the same dismantle
kind of room and was told to keep at it until Wednesday and
then come again on, Wednesday was still unfinished.
So, I'm a delay until Friday night is yesterday.
Then I brought around to mr. Harry Pinner.
Thank you very much said he our fear that I underrated the
difficulty of the task. This list will be a very
material assistance. To me.
It took some time said, I. And now seddie, I want you to
make a list of the furniture shops for the all sell Crockery,
very good. And you can come up tomorrow
evening at seven, and let me know how you're getting on.
Don't overwork yourself a couple of hours at days music, all in
the evening. Do you know arm after your
labors? He laughed as he spoke and I saw
the thrill that is second to to pain a left-hand side, had been
very badly stuffed with gold. Sherlock Holmes, rubbed his
hands with delight and I stared with astonishment at our client.
You may well look surprised. Dr. Watson, but it is this way
said he, when I was speaking to the other chap in London and the
time that he laughed at my not going to Morrison's, I am to
notice that his tooth was stuffed in this very identical
fashion. The Glen of the gold, in each
case, caught my eye. You see, when I put that with
the voice and figure being the same and only those things
altered, which might be changed by a razor or a wig.
I could not doubt that it was the same man.
Of course, you expect two brothers to be alike, but not
that. They should have the same to
stuffed in the same way. He bailed me out.
And I find myself in the street hardly knowing whether I was on
my head or my emails. Back, I went to my hotel, put my
head in a basin of cold water, and try to think it out.
Why did he sent me from London to Birmingham?
Why do you got there before me? And why had he written a letter
from himself to himself. It was altogether too much for
me, and I could make no sense of it.
And then suddenly it struck me that what was dark to me, might
be very like to mr. Sherlock Holmes.
I just time to get up to town by the Night, Train to see him this
morning and to bring you both back with me to Birmingham.
There was a pause after the stockbrokers Clark, had
concluded, his surprising experience.
Then Sherlock Holmes cocked. His eye at me, leaning back on
the cushions with a pleased and yet critical face like a
connoisseur who has just taken his first.
Sip of a comet vintage rather. Fine.
Watson is it not said he, there are points in it, which pleased
me. I think that you will agree with
me that an interview with mr. Arthur Harry Pinner.
In the temporary offices of the Franco Midland.
Hardware Company Limited would be a rather interesting.
Earrings for both of us. But how can we do it?
I asked. Out easily enough said Hall
pycroft cheerily you are two friends of mine who are in one
of a Billet and what could be more natural than that?
I should bring you both round to the managing director.
Quite so of course said Holmes. I should like to have a look at
the gentleman and see if I can make anything of his little
game. What qualities?
Have you, my friend, which would make your services so valuable,
or is it possible that he began biting his nails and staring
blankly out. Of the window and we hardly Drew
another word from him until we were in New Street.
At 7:00 that evening. We were walking, the three of us
down Corporation Street to the company's offices.
It is now used, are being at all before.
Our time said, our client. He only comes there to see me
apparently for the place is deserted up to the very hour.
He names. That is suggestive remarked
Holmes by jove. I Told You So cried.
The Clark. That's a walking ahead of us
there. He pointed to a smallish dark
well-dressed man who was bustling along the other side of
the road? As we watched him.
He looked across at a boy who was balling out the latest
edition of the evening paper. And running over among the cabs
and buses. He bought one from him, then
clutching it in his hand. He vanished through a doorway,
there. He goes, cried Hall pycroft.
These are the company's offices into which he has gone.
Come with me, and I'll fix it up as easily as possible.
Following his lead. We ascended five stories until
we found ourselves outside a half-open door, at which our
client tapped, a voice within beta Center.
And we entered a bear unfurnished room, such as Hall.
Pycroft had described at the single table set, the man, whom
we had seen in the street with his evening paper spread out in
front of him. And as he looked up at us, it
seemed to me that I had never looked upon a face which bore
such marks of grief and of Think Beyond grief of a horror such as
comes to a few men in a lifetime.
His brow glistened with perspiration.
His cheeks were of the dull, dead white of a fish's belly and
his eyes were wild and staring. He looked at his Clark as though
he failed to recognize him and I could see by the astonishment
depicted Upon Our conductors face, but this was, by no means
the usual appearance of his employer.
You look ill, mr. Pinner.
He Named? Yes.
I'm not very well answered. The other making obvious efforts
to pull himself together and licking his dry lips before he
spoke. Who are these gentlemen whom
you've brought with you? One is mr.
Harris of Berman C. And the other is mr.
Price of this town. Said our Clark glibly, they're
friends of mine and gentlemen of experience, but they've been out
of a place for some little time and they hope that perhaps you
might find an opening for them in the company's employment.
Very possibly. Very possibly cried.
Mr. Pinner with a ghastly smile. Yes.
I have no doubt that we shall be able to do something for you.
What is your particular line? Mr. Harris?
I am an accountant said Holmes. Oh, yes, we shall want something
of the sort and you mr. Price, a Clark said, I, I have
every hope that the company May accommodate you.
I'll let you know about it as soon as we come to any
conclusion, and now I beg that you will go for God's sake.
Leave me to myself. These last words were shut out
of him as though the constraint, which he was evidently setting
upon himself had suddenly and utterly burst asunder homes, and
I glanced at each other. And Hall pycroft took a step
towards the table. You forget.
Mr. Pinner, the Army, and by appointment to receive some
directions from you said, he certainly, mr.
Pycroft. Certainly the other resumed in a
calmer tone. You may wait, here a moment and
there is no reason why your friends Not wait with you.
I will be entirely At Your Service in 3 minutes.
If I'm a trespass, upon your patients so far.
Heroes with a very courteous are and bowing to us.
He passed through a door at the farther end of the room, which
he closed behind him. What now whispered Holmes is he
giving us a slip impossible answered pycroft?
Why? So that door leads into an inner
room? There is no exit.
None. Is it furnished?
It was empty yesterday. Then what on Earth?
Can he be doing? There is something which I don't
understand in this manner. If ever a man was three parts.
Mad with Terror. That's man's name is Pinner.
What can Put the Shivers on him. He suspects that we're
detectives. I suggested see Mycroft Holmes
shook his head. He did not turn pale.
He was pale when we entered the room said he, it is just
possible that his words were interrupted by a sharp rap tap
from the direction of the inner door.
What the juice? Is he knocking his own door for
cried, the Clark again and much louder came.
The rat-tat-tat. We all gazed expectantly at the
closed-door. Glancing at homes.
I saw his face turn rigid and he leaned forward in intense
excitement. Then suddenly came a low
gargling gargling sound and a Brisk drumming upon would work.
Holmes sprang frantically across the room and pushed at the door.
It was fastened on the inner side, following his example, we
threw ourselves upon it, with all our weight, one hinge
snapped, then the other and down, came the door with a crash
rushing. Over it, we found ourselves in
the Inner Room. It was empty, but it was only
for a moment that we were at fault at one corner, the corner
nearest, the room, which we had left.
There was a Second or Holmes sprang to it and pull it.
Open a coat and waistcoat were lying on the floor.
And from a hook behind the door with his own braces.
Around his neck was hanging the managing director of the Franco
Midland hardware company, his knees were drawn up his head
hung at a dreadful angle to his body and the clatter of his
heels against the door made the noise which had broken in upon
our conversation. In an instant, I had caught him
around the waist and held him up while Holmes and pycroft untied
the elastic bands which had disappeared between the livid
creases of skin. And we carried him into the
other room where he lay with a clay-colored face puffing, his
purple lips in and out with every breath, a dreadful wreck
of all that he had been, but five minutes before.
What do you think of him? Watson asked Holmes?
I stooped over him and examined him.
His pulse was feeble and intermittent, but his breathing
grew longer and it was a little shivering of his eyelids, which
showed a thin white slit of ball beneath.
It has been touch-and-go with him said, I but he live now.
Just open that window and hand me the water carafe.
I undid. His collar poured.
The cold water over his face and raised and sank his arms.
Lee drew a long, natural breath. It's only a question of time.
Now said I, as I turned away from him home stood by the table
with his hands deep in his trousers pockets and his chin
upon his breast. I suppose we ought to call the
police in now said he and yet, I confess that I'd like to give
them a complete case when they come.
It's a blessed mystery to me cried, pycroft, scratching his
head, whatever they wanted to bring me all the way up here for
and then poo, all that is clear enough said Holmes, impatiently.
It is this last sudden move. You can understand the rest in,
I think that it is fairly obvious.
What do you say, Watson? I shrug my shoulders.
I must confess. I'm out of my depth, said I, oh,
surely if you consider the events at first, I can only
point to one conclusion. What do you make of them?
Well, the whole thing hinges upon two points.
The first is the making of pycroft.
Write a declaration by which he entered the service of this
Preposterous company. Do you not see how very
suggestive that is? I'm afraid I missed the point.
Well, why did they want him to do it?
Not as a business matter. For these arrangements are
usually verbal and there was no earthly business reason, why
this should be an exception. Don't you see my young friend
that they were very anxious to obtain a specimen of your
handwriting and had no other way of doing it.
And why quite, so why? When we answer that we have made
some progress with our little problem.
Why there can be only one adequate reason?
Someone wanted to learn to imitate your writing and had to
procure a specimen or it first. And now if we pass on to the
second point, we find that each throws light upon the other that
point is the request made by Pinner that you should not
resign your place, but should leave the manager of his
important business in the full expectation that a mr.
Hall pycroft, whom he had never seen was about to enter the
office upon the Monday morning. My God, cried our client.
What a blind beat life being. Now.
You see the point about the handwriting suppose that someone
turned up in your place who wrote a completely different
hand from that in which you had applied for the vacancy.
Of course, the game would have been up but in the interval the
Rogue had learned to imitate you and his position was there for
secure as I presume that nobody in the office had ever set eyes
upon you. Not a soul.
Groaned Hall pycroft. Very good.
Of course, it was of the utmost importance to prevent you from
thinking better of it and also to keep you from coming into
contact with anyone who might tell you that your double was at
work in Morrison's office. Therefore they gave you a
handsome Advance on your salary and ran you off to the Midlands,
where they gave you enough work to do to, prevent you going to
London where you might have burst their little game up.
That is all plain enough. But why should this man pretend
to be his own brother? Well, that is pretty clear.
Also, there are evidently only two of them in it.
The other is impersonating you at the office, this one, acted
as your engager and then found that he could not find you an
employer without admitting a third person into his plot that
he was most unwilling to do. He changed his appearance as far
as he could. And trusted that the lightness,
which you could not fail to observe, would be put down to a
family resemblance, but for the Chance of the gold stuffing.
Your suspicions would probably never have been aroused.
Hall pycroft shook. His clinched hands in the air.
Good, Lord. He cried while I've been fooled
in this way. What does this other Hall
pycroft, been doing it Morrison's.
What? Should we do?
Mr. Holmes? Tell me what to do.
We must wire to Morrison's, they shout at 12 on Saturdays.
Never mind. There may be some doorkeeper or
attendant. Oh, yes, they keep a permanent
guard there on account of the value of the Securities that
they old. I remember hearing it talked of
in the city very good. We shall wire to him and see if
all is well and if a clerk of your name is working, there that
is clear enough, but what is not so clear as why at the sight of
us, one of the Rogue should instantly walk out of the room
and hang himself. The paper croaky voice behind
us, the man was sitting up blanched and ghastly with
returning reason in his eyes and hands which rubbed nervously at
the broad Red Band which still encircled his throat.
The paper, of course, yelled homes, in a paroxysm of
excitement idiot that I was I thought so much of our visit
that the paper never entered my head for an instant to be sure.
The secret must be there. He flattened it upon the table
and the Cry of Triumph burst from his lips.
Look at this Watson. He cried.
It is a London paper an early edition of the evening standard
here is what we want. Look at the headlines crime in
the City, murder at Mawson and Williams, gigantic attempted
robbery capture of the criminal here, Watson.
We are all equally anxious to hear it.
So kindly read it aloud to us. It appeared from its position in
the paper to have been the one event of importance in town.
And the account of it ran in this way, a desperate attempt at
robbery culminating in the death of one man and the capture of
the criminal record this afternoon in the city for some
time back Morrison and Williams, the famous Financial house have
been the Guardians of Securities, which amount in the
aggregate to a sum of considerably over a million
Sterling. So conscious was the manager of
the responsibilities, which devolved Upon him in consequence
of the great interest at stake. That safes of the very latest
construction have been employed and an armed Watchman has been
left day and night in the building.
It appears that last week. I knew clerk named Hall pycroft
was engaged by The Firm. This person appears to have been
none other than Beddington, the famous forger and cracksman, who
with his brother had only recently emerged from a five
years spell of penal servitude. By some means which are not yet
clear. He succeeded in winning under a
false name. This official position in the
office, which he utilized in order to obtain moldings of
various locks and a thorough knowledge of the position of the
strongroom. And the safes.
It is customary at Morrisons for the Clarks to leave at midday on
Saturday. Sergeant.
Tuson of the city police was somewhat surprised therefore to
see a gentleman with a carpet-bag.
Come down. The steps at 1:20.
His suspicions being aroused, the sergeant followed the man.
And with the aid of constable Pollock, succeeded after a most
desperate resistance in arresting him.
It was at once clear? That a daring and gigantic
robbery had been committed, nearly 100,000 pounds worth of
American Railway bonds with a large amount of script in mines,
and other companies was discovered in the bag.
On examining the premises, the body of the unfortunate,
Watchmen, was found doubled up and thrust into the largest of
the safes where it would not have been discovered until
Monday morning. Had it not been for the prompt
action of Sergeant Tucson. The man's skull had been
Shattered by a blow from a poker delivered from behind.
There could be no doubt that Beddington had obtained entrance
by pretending that he had left something behind him and having
murdered The Watchman rapidly rifled, a large safe and then
made off with his booty. His brother who usually works
with him, has not appeared in this job as far as can at
present be ascertained. Although, the police are making
energetic inquiries as to his whereabouts.
Well, we may save the police some little trouble in that
direction, said Holmes, glancing at the Haggard figure huddled
up, by the window. Human nature is a strange
mixture Watson. You see that even a villain and
murderer can Inspire such affection that his brother turns
to suicide. When he learns that his neck is
forfeited. However, we have no choice as to
our action, the doctor, and I will remain on guard.
Mr. Pycroft, if you will have the kindness to step out for the
police. End of the adventure of the
stockbrokers Clark.