WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:05.599 The stockbroker's clerk. Shortly after my marriage, I had bought 2 00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:09.679 a connection in the Paddington district. Old mister Farquhar, from 3 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:12.279 whom I purchased it, had at one time an excellent 4 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:15.720 general practice, but his age and an affliction of the 5 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:19.039 nature of Saint Vitus's dance from which he suffered, had 6 00:00:19.160 --> 00:00:23.039 very much thinned it. The public not unnaturally, goes on 7 00:00:23.079 --> 00:00:26.519 the principle that he who would heal others must himself 8 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:30.440 be whole, and looks askance at the curative powers of 9 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:32.960 the man whose own case is beyond the reach of 10 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:38.799 his drugs. Thus, as my predecessor weakened, his practice declined, 11 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:42.200 until when I purchased it from him it had sunk 12 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:45.320 from twelve hundred to little more than three hundred a year. 13 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:49.039 I had confidence, however, in my own youth and energy, 14 00:00:49.399 --> 00:00:51.920 and was convinced that in a very few years the 15 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:55.920 concern would be as flourishing as ever. For three months 16 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:59.079 after taking over the practice, I was kept very closely 17 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:02.000 at work and saw little of my friend Sherlock Holmes, 18 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:04.760 for I was too busy to visit Baker Street, and 19 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:09.599 he seldom went anywhere himself save upon professional business. I 20 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:12.599 was surprised therefore, when one morning in June, as I 21 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:16.079 sat reading the British Medical Journal after breakfast, I heard 22 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:19.120 a ring at the bell, followed by the high, somewhat 23 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:24.840 strident tones of my old companion's voice. Ah, my dear Watson, 24 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:28.680 said he striding into the room. I am very delighted 25 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:31.959 to see you. I trust that missus Watson has entirely 26 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:35.519 recovered from all the little excitements connected with our adventure 27 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:38.879 of the Sign of the Foe. Thank you. We're both 28 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:41.599 doing very well, said I, shaking him warmly by the hand. 29 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:45.799 And I hope also, he continued, sitting down in the 30 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:49.439 rocking chair, that the cares of medical practice have not 31 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:52.959 entirely obliterated the interest to which you used to take 32 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:57.719 in our little deductive problems. On the contrary, I answered, 33 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:00.000 it was only last night that I was looking over 34 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:03.319 my old notes and classifying some of our past results. 35 00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:08.800 I trust that you don't consider your collection closed, not 36 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:11.199 at all. I should wish nothing better than to have 37 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:16.479 some more of such experiences to day, for example, yes, 38 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:21.879 to day if you like, and as far off as Birmingham, certainly, 39 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:26.800 if you wish it, and the practice I do my neighbors. 40 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:30.520 When he goes, he's always ready to work off the debt. Hah, 41 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:34.080 nothing could be better, said Holmes, leaning back in his 42 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:36.879 chair and looking keenly at me from under his half 43 00:02:36.919 --> 00:02:40.840 closed lids. I perceive that you have been unwell lately. 44 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:45.680 Summer colds are always a little trying. I was confined 45 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:47.719 to the house by a severe chill for three days 46 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:50.680 last week. I thought, however, that I had cast off 47 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:55.639 every trace of it. So you have you look remarkably robust. 48 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:01.000 How then did you know it, my dear fellow, You 49 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:07.360 know my methods. You deduced it, then, certainly? And from what? 50 00:03:08.759 --> 00:03:12.960 From your slippers? I glanced down at the new patent 51 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:17.080 leathers which I was wearing. How on earth I began? 52 00:03:17.800 --> 00:03:21.919 But Holmes answered my question before it was asked. Your 53 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:25.080 slippers are new, He said, you could not have had 54 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:28.759 them more than a few weeks. The soules which you 55 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:32.439 are at this moment presenting to me are slightly scorched. 56 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:35.159 For a moment I thought they might have got wet 57 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:38.199 and been burned in the drying. But near the instep 58 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:41.439 there is a small circular wafer of paper with the 59 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:45.639 shopman's hieroglyphics upon it. Damp would of course have removed this. 60 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:49.360 You had then been sitting with your feet outstretched to 61 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:53.759 the fire, which a man would hardly do even in 62 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.960 so wet a june as this, if he were in 63 00:03:56.039 --> 00:04:01.159 his full health. Like all Holmes's reason, the thing seemed 64 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:04.919 simplicity itself. When it was once explained. He read the 65 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:07.919 thought upon my features, and his smile had a tinge 66 00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:12.400 of bitterness. I am afraid that I rather give myself 67 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:17.360 away when I explain, said he. Results, without causes are 68 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:21.120 much more impressive. You are ready to come to Birmingham, then, 69 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:26.160 certainly what is the case? You shall hear it all 70 00:04:26.199 --> 00:04:29.680 in the train. My client is outside in a four wheeler. 71 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:34.839 Can you come at once? In an instant, I scribbled 72 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:37.600 a note to my neighbor, rushed upstairs to explain the 73 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:40.800 matter to my wife, and joined Holmes upon the doorstep. 74 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:44.600 Your neighbor is a doctor, said he, nodding at the 75 00:04:44.600 --> 00:04:48.079 brass plate. Yes, he bought a practice as I did, 76 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:53.560 an old established one, just the same as mine. Both 77 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:57.360 have been ever since the houses were built. Ah, then 78 00:04:57.399 --> 00:05:00.160 you got hold of the best of the two. I 79 00:05:00.199 --> 00:05:03.720 think I did. But how do you know by the 80 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:07.560 steps my boy, yours are worn three inches deeper than his. 81 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:10.600 But this gentleman in the cab is my client, mister 82 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:14.079 hall Pyecroft. Allow me to introduce you to him. Whip 83 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:16.319 your horse up, cabby, for we have only just time 84 00:05:16.360 --> 00:05:20.439 to catch our train. The man whom I found myself 85 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:24.720 facing was a well built, fresh complexioned young fellow with 86 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:29.000 a frank, honest face and a slight, crisp yellow mustache. 87 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.040 He wore a very shiny top hat and a neat 88 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:34.839 suit of sober black, which made him look what he was, 89 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:38.079 A smart young city man of the class who had 90 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:42.839 been labeled cockneys, but who give us our crack volunteer regiments, 91 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:47.519 and who turn out more fine athletes and sportsmen than 92 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:51.399 any body of men in these islands. His round, ruddy 93 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:54.959 face was naturally full of cheeriness, but the corners of 94 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:57.040 his mouth seemed to me to be pulled down in 95 00:05:57.120 --> 00:06:01.560 a half comical distress. It was not, however, until we 96 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:04.680 were all in our first class carriage and well started 97 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:07.360 upon our journey to Birmingham, that I was able to 98 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:09.800 learn what the trouble was which had driven him to 99 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:14.480 Sherlock Holmes. We have a clear run here of seventy minutes. 100 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:18.839 Holmes remarked, I want you, mister Hall Pycroft, to tell 101 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:22.560 my friend your very interesting experience, exactly as you have 102 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:25.720 told it to me, or with more detail, if possible. 103 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:28.040 It will be of use to me to hear the 104 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:32.120 succession of events again. It is a case, Watson, which 105 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:35.040 may prove to have something in it, or may prove 106 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:39.240 to have nothing, but which at least presents those unusual 107 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:42.439 and utree features which are as dear to you as 108 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:46.240 they are to me. Now, mister Pycroft, I shall not 109 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:50.079 interrupt you again. Our young companion looked at me with 110 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:53.800 a twinkle in his eye. The worst of the story 111 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:57.399 is said he that I should show myself up as 112 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:01.199 such a confounded fool. Of course it may work out 113 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:03.279 all right, and I don't see that I could have 114 00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:06.360 done otherwise. But if I've lost my crib and got 115 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:09.480 nothing in exchange, I shall feel what a soft johnny 116 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:12.079 I've been. I'm not very good at telling a story, 117 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:16.120 Dr Watson, but it is like this with me. I 118 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:19.199 used to have a billet at Cox and Woodhouses of 119 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:22.920 Drapers Gardens, but they were let in early in the 120 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:26.759 spring through the Venezuelan loane. There's no doubt you remember, 121 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:30.800 and came a nasty cropper. I've been with him five years, 122 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.680 and old Coxon gave me a ripping good testimonial when 123 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:37.759 the smash came. But of course week clerks were all 124 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:41.560 turned adrift for twenty seven of us. I tried here 125 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:43.959 and tried there, but there were lots of other chaps 126 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.240 on the same lay as myself, and it was a 127 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:49.560 perfect frost. For a long time. I've been taking three 128 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:52.720 pounds a week at Coxon's, and I'd saved about seventy 129 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:55.560 of them. But I soon worked my way through that 130 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.480 and out the other end. I was fairly at the 131 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:01.000 end of my tether at last, and could hardly find 132 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.639 the stamps to answer the advertisements, all the envelopes to 133 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:07.240 stick them to. I'd worn up my boots paddling up 134 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:09.360 off his stairs, and are seen just as far from 135 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:13.839 getting a billet as ever. At last I saw vacancy 136 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:17.120 at Mawson and Williams, the great stock broking firm in 137 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:20.759 Lombard Street. I dare say e c is not much 138 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:23.519 in your line, but I can tell you that this 139 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:27.639 is about the richest house in London. The advertisement was 140 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:30.360 to be answered by a letter only. I sent him 141 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:34.039 my testimonial an application, but without the least hope of 142 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:37.559 getting in back. Came an answer by return saying if 143 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:40.399 I would appear next Monday, I might take over my 144 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:44.519 new duties at once, provided that my appearance was satisfactory. 145 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:48.679 No one knows how these things are worked. Some people 146 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:50.960 say that the manager just plunges his hand into the 147 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:54.879 heap and takes the first that comes. Anyhow, it was 148 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:57.320 my innings that time, and I don't have a wish 149 00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:00.159 to feel better pleased. The screw was a power the 150 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:02.519 week rise, and the dew is just about the same 151 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:05.879 as at Coxwain's. And now I come to the queer 152 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:09.480 part of the business. I was in Diggings out Amstead Way, 153 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:14.600 seventeen potters Terrace, Well. I was sitting doing a smoke 154 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:17.759 that very evening, after I had been promised the appointment, 155 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:21.840 when up came my landlady with a card which had 156 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:27.159 Arthur Pinner, financial Agent printed upon it. I never heard 157 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:30.080 the name before and could not imagine what he wanted 158 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:32.759 with me, but of course I asked her to show 159 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:36.879 him up In he walked a middle size dark haired, 160 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:40.159 dark eyed, black bearded man with a touch of the 161 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:42.960 sheeny about his nose. He had a brisk kind of 162 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:45.360 way with him, and he spoke sharply, like a man 163 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:49.279 who knew the valley of time. Mister old by Craft, 164 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:53.840 I believe, said he. Yes, sir, I answered, pushing a 165 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:58.919 chair towards him, lately engaged at Coxon and Woodhouse's. Yes, sir, 166 00:10:00.120 --> 00:10:05.240 now on the staff of Morson's. Quite so will, said he. 167 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:09.120 The fact is that I have heard some really extraordinary 168 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:14.360 stories about your financial ability. You remember Parker, who used 169 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:17.559 to be Coxwain's manager. You can never say enough about it. 170 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:21.240 Of course, I was pleased to hear this. I'd always 171 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.879 been pretty sharp in the office, but I never dreamed 172 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:26.000 that I was talked about in the city in this fashion. 173 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:31.200 You have a good memory, said he, pretty fair, I 174 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:34.960 answered modestly. Have you kept in touch with the market 175 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:39.240 while you've been out of work? He asked, yes, I 176 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:43.039 read the stock exchange list every morning. Now that shows 177 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:47.279 real application, he cried, This is the way to prosper. 178 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:50.559 You won't mind me testing you, will you let me 179 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:54.879 see our airshes one hundred and six and a quarter 180 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:58.480 two hundred and five and seven eighths and New Zealand 181 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:03.919 consolidated one hundred and four and British brokenhels seven to 182 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:08.039 seven and six. Wonderful, he cried, with his hands up. 183 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:11.759 This quite fits in with all that i'd heard. My boy, 184 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:14.200 my boy, you're very much too good to be a 185 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:18.919 clerk at Morson's. This outburst rather astonish me. As you 186 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:23.039 can think, well, said I. Other people don't think quite 187 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:25.039 so much of me as you seem to do, mister Pinner. 188 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:28.120 I had hard enough fight to get this berth, and 189 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:31.960 I'm very glad to have it. Pooh man, you should 190 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:35.559 soar above it. You're not in your true sphere. Now, 191 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:39.000 I'll tell you how it stands with me. What I 192 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:41.960 have to offer is little enough when measured by your ability, 193 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:46.679 but when compared with Morsons, it's light to dark. Let 194 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:51.320 me see, when do you go to Mawson's on Monday? Ah? 195 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:54.639 I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that 196 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:59.080 you don't go there at all, not go to Morson's, No, sir, 197 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:02.440 that day you'll be the business manager of the Franco 198 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:05.720 Midland Hardware Company Limited, with a hundred and thirty four 199 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:09.000 branches in the towns and villages of France, not counting 200 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:12.720 one in Brussels and one in San Remo. This took 201 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:16.639 my breath away. I never heard of it, said I 202 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.240 very likely not. It has been kept very quiet, for 203 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:23.879 the capital was all privately subscribed, and it's too good 204 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:27.679 a thing to let the public into. My brother Harry 205 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:31.360 Pinner is promoter and joins the board after allotment as 206 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:35.039 managing director. He knew I was in the swim down here, 207 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:37.200 and asked me to pick up a good man, cheap, 208 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:41.039 a young pushing man with plenty of snap about him. 209 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:44.200 Parker spoke of you, and that brought me here to night. 210 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:47.200 We can only offer you a beggarly five hundred to 211 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:52.200 start with, five hundred a year, I shouted, only there 212 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.720 at the beginning. But you ought to have an overriding 213 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:57.759 commission of one percent on all business done by your agents, 214 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.399 and you may take my word for it that this 215 00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:03.679 will come to more than your salary. But I know 216 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:09.000 nothing about hardware, Tuck, my boy, You know about figures. 217 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.159 My head buzzed and I could hardly sit still in 218 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:15.720 my chair. But suddenly a little chill of doubt came 219 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:19.480 upon me. I must be frank with you, said I. 220 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:24.600 Mawson only gives me two hundred. But Mawson is safe. Now. 221 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:30.840 Really I know so little about your company that ah, smart, smart, 222 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:34.919 he cried, in a kind of ecstasy of delight. You 223 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:37.559 are the very man for us. You are not to 224 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:41.039 be talked over, and quite right too. Now here's a 225 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:44.639 note for a hundred pounds, and if you think that 226 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:47.080 we can do business, you may just slip it into 227 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:50.840 your pocket as an advance upon your salary. This is 228 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.679 very handsome, said I. When should I take over my 229 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:58.200 new duties? Be in Birmingham to morrow at one? Said he. 230 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.600 I have a note in my pocket here which you 231 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:03.320 will take to my brother. You'll find him at one 232 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:07.240 twenty six B Corporation Street, where the temporary offices of 233 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:11.480 the company are situated. Of course he must confirm your engagement, 234 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:15.960 but between ourselves it will be all right. Really, I 235 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:19.240 hardly know how to express my gratitude, mister Pinner, said I, 236 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:23.120 not at all, my boy. You've only got your desserts. 237 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:27.120 There are one or two small things, mere formalities, which 238 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:29.679 I must arrange with you. You have a bit of 239 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:33.639 paper beside you there, kindly write upon it. I am 240 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:36.840 perfectly willing to act as business manager to the Franco 241 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:41.120 Midland Hardware Company Limited, at a minimum salary of five 242 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:45.120 hundred pounds. I did as he asked, and he put 243 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:48.759 the paper in his pocket. There is one other detail, 244 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:54.159 said he, What do you intend to do about Morsons. 245 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:58.039 I had forgotten all about Morsons in my joy. I'll 246 00:14:58.039 --> 00:15:02.000 write and resign, said I, precisely what I don't want 247 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:04.720 you to do. I had a row over you with 248 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.919 Mawson's manager. I've gone up to ask him about you, 249 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:11.559 and he was very offensive, accused me of coaxing you 250 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:14.120 away from the service of the firm, and that sort 251 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:18.120 of thing. At last, I've fairly lost my temper. If 252 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:20.159 you want good men, you should pay them a good price, 253 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:24.559 said I. He would rather have our small price than 254 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:29.759 your big one, said he. I'll lay you a fiver, 255 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:32.759 said I that when he has my offer, you'll never 256 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:36.480 so much as hear from him again. Done, said he. 257 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:40.559 We picked him out of the gutter and he won't 258 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:45.000 leave us so easily. Those were his very words. The 259 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:48.559 impudent scoundrel. I cried, I've never so much as seen 260 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:52.080 him in my life. Why should I consider him in 261 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:54.879 any way. I shall certainly not write if you would 262 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:59.799 rather I didn't. Good that's a promise, said he, rising 263 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:03.240 from his chair. Well, I'm delighted to have got so 264 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:06.399 good a man from my brother. Here's your advance of 265 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:09.399 a one hundred pounds, and here is a letter. Make 266 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:13.039 a note of the address one twenty six B Corporation Street, 267 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:17.320 and remember that one o'clock tomorrow is your appointment. Good night, 268 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:19.799 and may you have all a fortune that you deserve. 269 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:24.879 That's just about all that passed between us, as near 270 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:28.879 as I can remember. You can imagine Dr Watson, how 271 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:32.480 pleased I was at such an extraordinary bit of good fortune. 272 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:35.399 I sat up after night I give myself over it. 273 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.759 And next day I was off to Birmingham in a 274 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:40.600 train that would take me in plenty time for my appointment. 275 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:43.759 I took my things to a hotel in New Street, 276 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:46.159 and then I made my way to the address which 277 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:48.960 had given me. It was a quarter of an hour 278 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:52.039 before my time. I thought that would make no difference. 279 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:55.679 One twenty six B was a passage between two large 280 00:16:55.720 --> 00:17:00.360 shops which led to a winding stone stair from which 281 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:03.559 there were many flats. Let us offices to companies or 282 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:07.000 professional men. The names of the occupants were painted at 283 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.279 the bottom on the wall, but there was no such 284 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:13.160 name as the Franco Midland Hardware Company. I stood for 285 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:15.920 a few minutes with my eye in my boots, wondering 286 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.319 whether the whole thing was an elaborate oaks or not. 287 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:22.519 When up came a man and addressed me. He was 288 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:25.039 very like the chap i'd seen the night before, the 289 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:28.680 same figure and voice, but he was clean shaven and 290 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:34.599 his hair was lighter. Are you mister Allpiecraft, he asked? Yes, 291 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:38.839 said I, oh, I was expecting you, but you're a 292 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:41.559 trifle before your time. I had a note from my 293 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:44.920 brother this morning in which he sang your praises very loudly. 294 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:48.519 I was just looking for the offices when you came. 295 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:51.640 We have not got our name up yet, for we 296 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:55.559 only secured these temporary premises last week. Come up with 297 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:58.960 me and we'll talk the matter over. I followed him 298 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:01.519 to the top of a very loft stare, and there, 299 00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:05.079 right under the slates were a couple of empty, dusty 300 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:09.319 little rooms, uncarpeted and uncurtained, into which he led me. 301 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:12.920 I thought of a great office with shining tables, and 302 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:16.240 rows of clerks such as I was used to, and 303 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:18.599 I dare say I stayed rather straight at the two 304 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:22.240 deal chairs and one little table, which with a ledger 305 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:25.880 and a waste paper basket made up the whole furniture. 306 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:30.599 Don't be disheartened, mister Pycroft, said my new acquaintance, seeing 307 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:33.599 the length of my face. Rome was not built in 308 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:36.920 a day, and we have lots of money at our backs, 309 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:41.319 though we don't cut much dash yet in offices. Pray, 310 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:44.759 sit down and let me have your letter. I gave 311 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:47.319 it to him, and he read it over very carefully. 312 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:51.519 You seem to have made a vast impression upon my brother, Arthur, 313 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:54.480 said he, and I know that he is a pretty 314 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:59.480 shrewd judge. He swears by London, you know, and eye 315 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:03.839 by Burningham. But this time I shall follow his advice. Pray, 316 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:08.880 consider yourself definitely engaged. What are my duties, I asked. 317 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:13.799 You will eventually manage the great depot in Paris, which 318 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:16.319 will pour a flood of English crockery into the shops 319 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:19.559 of one hundred and thirty four agents in France. The 320 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:22.960 purchase will be completed in a week, and meanwhile you'll 321 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:28.759 remain in Birmingham, may make yourself useful. How for answer, 322 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:31.160 he took a big red book out of a draw 323 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:35.359 This is a directory of Paris, said he, with the 324 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:38.240 trades after the names of the people. I'll want you 325 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.319 to take it own with you and to mark off 326 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:43.319 all the hardware sellers with their addresses. It will be 327 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:46.599 of the greatest use to me to have them. Surely 328 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:51.920 they are classified lists, I suggested, not reliable ones. Their 329 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:55.200 system is different from ours. Stick at it and let 330 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:58.200 me have the list by Monday at twelve. Good day, 331 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:01.640 mister Pyecroft. If you continue to show zeal And intelligence, 332 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:06.160 you'll find the company a good master. I went back 333 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:08.599 to the hotel with a big book under my arm, 334 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:12.240 and with very conflicting feelings in my breast. On the 335 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:14.960 one hand, I was definitely engaged, and I had hundred 336 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:18.200 pounds in my pocket. On the other, the look of 337 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:22.559 the offices, the absence of name on the wall, another 338 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:25.440 of the points which would strike a businessman, had left 339 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:29.480 a bad impression as to the position of my employers. However, 340 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:32.599 come what might, I had my money, so I settled 341 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:36.039 down to my task. All Sunday I was kept hard 342 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:38.839 at work, and yet by Monday, I had only got 343 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:41.880 as far as h I went round to my employer, 344 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:44.920 found him in the same dismantled kind of room, and 345 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:47.640 was told to keep at it until Wednesday and then 346 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:51.880 come again. On Wednesday. It was still unfinished, so I 347 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:55.720 am at douay until Friday, nay is yesterday. Then I 348 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:59.480 brought it round to mister Harry Pinner. Thank you very much, 349 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:03.480 said I fear that I underrated the difficulty of the task. 350 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:06.599 This list will be of very material assistance to me. 351 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:11.680 It took some time, said I, and now said he. 352 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:15.359 I want you to make a list of the furniture shops, 353 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:19.799 for they all sell crockery very good. And you can 354 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.319 come up to morrow evening at seven and let me 355 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:26.039 know how you're getting on. Don't overwork yourself. A couple 356 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:28.400 of hours at day's music all in the evening would 357 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:31.519 do you no arm after your labors. He laughed as 358 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.880 he spoke, and I saw with a thrill that his 359 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:36.799 second tooth, upon the left hand side, had been very 360 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:41.799 badly stuffed with gold. Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with delight, 361 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:47.359 and I stared with astonishment at our client. You may 362 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:50.599 well look surprised doctor Watson. But it is this way, 363 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:53.640 said he. When I was speaking to the other chap 364 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.960 in London at the time that he laughed at my 365 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:58.680 not going to Morson's, I appened to notice that his 366 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:03.400 tooth was stuffed in this very identical fashion. The glint 367 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.839 of the gold in each case caught my eye. You see, 368 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:08.319 when I put that, with the voice and figure being 369 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:11.160 the same, and only those things altered which might be 370 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:14.160 changed by a razor or a wig, I could not 371 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:17.680 doubt that it was the same man. Of course, you 372 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:20.559 expect two brothers to be alike, but not that they 373 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:23.119 should have the same tooth stuffed in the same way. 374 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:26.759 He bowed me out, and I found myself in the street, 375 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:29.519 hardly knowing whether I was on my head or my heels. 376 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:33.200 Back I went to my hotel, put my head in 377 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:36.480 a basin of cold water and try to think it out. 378 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:40.559 Why had he sent me from London to Birmingham, Why 379 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:43.400 had he got there before me, and why had he 380 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:47.519 written a letter from himself to himself. It was altogether 381 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:50.119 too much for me, and I could make no sense 382 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:54.400 of it. And then suddenly it struck me that what 383 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:57.319 was dark to me might be very light to mister 384 00:22:57.359 --> 00:23:00.400 Sherlock Holmes. I had just time to get up to 385 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:02.480 town by the night train to see him this morning, 386 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:05.119 and to bring you both back with me to Birmingham. 387 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:09.839 There was a pause after the stockbroker's clerk had concluded 388 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:15.519 his surprising experience. Then Sherlock Holmes cocked his eye at me, 389 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:18.559 leaning back on the cushions with a pleased and yet 390 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:22.240 critical face, like a connoisseur who has just taken his 391 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:27.240 first sip of a Comet vintage. Rather fine Watson, is 392 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:30.480 it not? Said he? There are points in it which 393 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:33.240 please me. I think that you will agree with me 394 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:36.359 that an interview with mister Arthur Harry Pinner in the 395 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:41.400 temporary offices of the Franco Midland Hardware Company Limited would 396 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:45.359 be a rather interesting experience for both of us. But 397 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:49.680 how can we do it? I asked? Oh? Easily enough, 398 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:53.480 said Hall Pyecroft, cheerily. You are two friends of mine 399 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:55.599 who are in want of a billet, and what could 400 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:57.640 be more natural than that I should bring you both 401 00:23:57.720 --> 00:24:02.720