The stockbrokers clerk extract by arthur conan doyle part 1

Shortly after my marriage I had bought a connection in the Paddington district. Farquhar, from whom I purchased it, had at one time an excellent general practice; but his age, and an affliction of the nature of St. Vitus's dance from which he suffered, had 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 as my predecessor weakened his practice declined, until when I purchased it from him it had sunk from twelve hundred to little more than three hundred 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 companion's voice.

I trust that Mrs. Watson has entirely recovered from all the little excitements connected with our adventure of the Sign of Four.

I should wish nothing better than to have some more of such experiences. He is always ready to work off the debt. Nothing could be better," said Holmes, leaning back in his chair and looking keenly at me from under his half closed lids.

Summer colds are always a little trying. I thought, however, that I had cast off every trace of it. I glanced down at the new patent leathers which I was wearing. The soles which you are at this moment 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 shopman's hieroglyphics upon it. Damp would of course have removed this.

You had, then, been sitting with our feet outstretched to the fire, which a man would hardly do even in so wet a June as this if he were in his full health. Like all Holmes's 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.

You are ready to come to Birmingham, then? My client is outside in a four-wheeler. Can you come at once? Both have been ever since the houses were built.

Yours are worn three inches deeper than his. But this gentleman in the cab is my client, Mr. Allow me to introduce you to him. Whip your horse up, cabby, for we have only just time to catch our train. The man whom I found myself facing was a well built, fresh complexioned 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 any body of men in these islands. His round, ruddy 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 a first-class carriage and well started upon our journey to Birmingham that I was able to learn what the trouble was which had driven him to Sherlock Holmes.

Hall Pycroft, to tell my friend your 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.

Pycroft, I shall not interrupt you again. The worst of the story is, said he, that I 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 have lost my crib and get nothing in exchange I shall feel what a soft Johnnie I have been. I'm not very good at telling a story, Dr. Watson, but it is like this with me". I had been with them five years, and old Coxon gave me a ripping good testimonial when the smash came, but of course we clerks were all turned adrift, the twenty-seven of us.

I tried here and tried there, but there were lots of other chaps on the same lay as myself, and it was a perfect frost for a long time. I had been taking three pounds a week at Coxon's, and I had saved about seventy of them, but I soon worked my way through that and out at the other end.

I was fairly at the end of my tether at last, and could hardly find the stamps to answer the advertisements or the envelopes to stick them to. I had worn out my boots paddling up office stairs, and I seemed just as far from getting a billet as ever.

I dare say E. Is not much in your line, but I can tell you that this is about the richest house in London. The advertisement was to be answered by letter only. I sent in my testimonial and application, but without the least hope of getting it. Back came an answer by return, saying that if I would appear next Monday I might take over my new duties at once, provided that my appearance was satisfactory. No one knows how these things are worked.

Some people say that the manager just plunges his hand into the heap and takes the first that comes. Anyhow it was my innings that time, and I don't ever wish to feel better pleased. The screw was a pound a week rise, and the duties just about the same as at Coxon's. And now I come to the queer part of the business.

I was in diggings out Hampstead way, 17 Potter's Terrace. Well, I was sitting doing a smoke that very evening after I had been promised the appointment, when up came my landlady with a card which had "Arthur Pinner, Financial Agent," printed upon it. I had never heard the name before and could not imagine what he wanted with me; but, of course, I asked her to show him up.

In he walked, a middle-sized, darkhaired, dark-eyed, black-bearded man, with a touch of the Sheeny about his nose. He had a brisk kind of way with him and spoke sharply, like a man who knew the value of time. You remember Parker, who used to be Coxon's manager? He can never say enough about it. Of course I was pleased to hear this.

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I had always been pretty sharp in the office, but I had never dreamed that I was talked about in the City in this fashion. You won't mind my testing you, will you? My boy, my boy, you are very much too good to be a clerk at Mawson's! This outburst rather astonished me, as you can think. I had a hard enough fight to get this berth, and I am very glad to have it. You are not in your true sphere.

Now, I'll tell you how it stands with me. What I have to offer is little enough when measured by your ability, but when compared with Mawson's, it's light to dark. When do you go to Mawson's?

I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that you don't go there at all. By that day you will be the business manager of the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, with a hundred and thirty-four branches in the towns and villages of France, not counting one in Brussels and one in San Remo. 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, is promoter, and joins the board after allotment as managing director. He knew I was in the swim down here, and asked me to pick up a good man cheap. A young, pushing man with plenty of snap about him. Parker spoke of you, and that brought me here tonight. We can only offer you a beggarly five hundred to start with.

My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in my chair. But suddenly a little chill of doubt came upon me. Now, really, I know so little about your company that --". You are not to be talked over, and quite right, too. Now, here's a note for a hundred pounds, and if you think that we can do business you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance upon your salary. You will find him at b Corporation 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. You have 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 L I had forgotten all about Mawson's in my joy.

I had a row over you with Mawson's manager. I had gone up to ask him about you, and he was very offensive; accused me of coaxing you away from the service of the firm, and that sort of thing. At last I fairly lost my temper.

Why should I consider him in any way? I shall certainly not write if you would rather I didn't. That's a promise," said he, rising from his chair. Here's your advance of a hundred pounds, and here is the letter. Make a not of the address, b Corporation Street, and remember that one o'clock to-morrow is your appointment.

Good-night; and may you have all the fortune that you deserve! That's just about all that passed between us, as near as I can remember. You can imagine, Dr. Watson, how pleased I was at such an extraordinary bit of good fortune. I sat up half the night hugging 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 a hotel in New Street, and then I made my way to the address which had been given me. It was a quarter of an hour before my time, but I thought that would make no difference. The names of the occupants were painted at the bottom on the wall, but there was no such name as the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited. I stood for a few minutes with my heart in my boots, wondering whether the whole thing was an elaborate hoax or not, when up came a man and addressed me.

He was very like the chap I had seen the night before, the same figure and voice, but he was clean shaven and his hair was lighter. I was expecting you, but you are a trifle before your time. I had a note from my brother this morning in which he sang your praises very loudly. Come up with me, and we will talk the matter over. I followed him to the top of a very lofty stair, and there, right under the slates, were a couple of empty, dusty little rooms, uncarpeted and uncurtained, into which he led me.

I had thought of a great office with shining tables and rows of clerks, such as I was used to, and I dare say I stared rather straight at the two deal chairs and one little table, which, with a ledger and a waste paper basket, made up the whole furniture.

Pycroft," said my new acquaintance, seeing the length of my face. Pray sit down, and let me have your letter. Hew swears by London, you know; and I by Birmingham; but this time I shall follow his advice. Pray consider yourself definitely engaged. The purchase will be completed in a week, and meanwhile you will remain in Birmingham and make yourself useful.

I want you to take it home with you, and to mark off al the hardware sellers, with their addresses. It would be of the greatest use to me to have them. Their system is different from ours.

Stick at it, and let me have the lists by Monday, at twelve. If you continue to show zeal and intelligence you will find the company a good master. I went back to the hotel with the big book under my arm, and with very conflicting feelings in my breast.

On the one hand, I was definitely engaged and had a hundred pounds in my pocket; on the other, the look of the offices, the absence of name on the wall, and other of the points which would strike a business man had left a bad impression as to the position of my employers. However, come what might, I had my money, so I settled down to my task. All Sunday I was kept hard at work, and yet by Monday I had only got as far as H.

I went round to my employer, found him in the same dismantled kind of room, and was told to keep at it until Wednesday, and then come again. On Wednesday it was still unfinished, so I hammered away until Friday -- that is, yesterday. Then I brought it round to Mr. This list will be of very material assistance to me. A couple of hours at Day's Music Hall in the evening would do you no harm after your labors.

Watson; but it is this way," said he: The glint 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 tooth stuffed in the same way. He bowed me out, and I found myself in the street, hardly knowing whether I was on my head or my heels.

Back I went to my hotel, put my head in a basin of cold water, and tried to think it out. Why had he sent me from London to Birmingham? Why had he 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 light to Mr. I had 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 stock-broker's clerk 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.

I think that you will agree with me that an interview with Mr.

Short Stories: The Stock Broker's Clerk by Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Harry Pinner in the temporary offices of the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, would be a rather interesting experience for both of us. What qualities have you, my friend, which would make your services so valuable? At seven o'clock that evening we were walking, the three of us, down Corporation Street to the company's offices.

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 bawling out the latest edition of the evening paper, and running over among the cabs and busses, he bought one from him. Then, clutching it in his hand, he vanished through a door-way.

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-opened door, at which our client tapped.

A voice within bade us enter, and we entered a bare, unfurnished room such as Hall Pycroft had described. At the single table sat 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 something beyond grief -- of a horror such as comes to 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 clerk as though he failed to recognize him, and I could see by the astonishment depicted upon our conductor's face that this was by no means the usual appearance of his employer.

Harris, of Bermondsey, and the other is Mr. Price, of this town," said our clerk, glibly. Pinner with a ghastly smile. What is your particular line, Mr. I will 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 shot out of him, as though the constraint which he was evidently setting upon himself had suddenly and utterly burst asunder.

Holmes and I glanced at each other, and Hall Pycroft took a step towards the table. Pinner, that I am here by appointment to receive some directions from you," said he. Pycroft, certainly," the other resumed in a calmer tone.

I will be entirely at your service in three minutes, if I might trespass upon your patience so far. There is something which I don't understand in his manner. If ever a man was three parts mad with terror, that man's name is Pinner. What can have put the shivers on him?

Holmes shook his head. He was pale when we entered the room," said he. His words were interrupted by a sharp rat-tat from the direction of the inner door.

Again and much louder cam the rat-tat-tat. We all gazed expectantly at the closed door. Glancing at Holmes, I saw his face turn rigid, and he leaned forward in intense excitement. Then suddenly came a low guggling, gargling sound, and a brisk drumming upon woodwork.

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. 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 door.

Holmes sprang to it and pulled it open. A coat and waistcoat were lying on the floor, and from a hook behind the door, with his own braces round 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 round the waist, and held him up while Holmes and Pycroft untied the elastic bands which had disappeared between the livid creases of skin. Then 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.

I stooped over him and examined him. His pule was feeble and intermittent, but his breathing grew longer, and there was a little shivering of his eyelids, which showed a thin white slit of ball beneath. Just open that window, and hand me the water carafe. Holmes stood by the table, with his hands deep in his trouser's pockets and his chin upon his breast. All that is clear enough," said Holmes impatiently.

I shrugged my shoulders. 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? 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? When we answer that we have made some progress with our little problem. There can be only one adequate reason. Some one wanted to learn to imitate your writing, and had to procure a specimen of 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 this 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. Suppose that some one 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 therefore secure, as I presume that nobody in the office had ever set eyes upon you.

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 any one who might tell you that your double was at work in Mawson'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 your going to London, where you might have burst their little game up.

That is all plain enough. There are evidently only two of them in it. The other is personating 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 likeness, which you could not fail to observe, would be put down to a family resemblance.

But for the happy chance of the gold stuffing, your suspicions would probably never have been aroused. Hall Pycroft shook his clinched hands in the air. What should we do, Mr. Tell me what to do. I remember hearing it talked of in the City. That is clear enough; but what is not so clear is why at sight of us one of the rogues should instantly walk out of the room and hang himself.

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. I thought so must of our visit that the paper never entered my head for an instant. To be sure, the secret must be there.

Here is what we want.

Look at the headlines: Capture of the Criminal. 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:. So conscious was the manager of the responsibility which devolved upon him in consequence of the great interests 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 a new clerk named Hall Pycroft was engaged by the firm. This person appears to have been none other that Beddington, the famous forger and cracksman, who, with his brother, had only recently emerged from a five years' spell of penal servitude.

By some mean, which are not yet clear, he succeeded in wining, under a false name, this official position in the office, which he utilized in order to obtain moulding of various locks, and a thorough knowledge of the position of the strong room and the safes. Sergeant Tuson, of the City Police, was somewhat surprised, therefore to see a gentleman with a carpet bag come down the steps at twenty minutes past one.

His suspicions being aroused, the sergeant followed the man, and with the aid of Constable Pollack succeeded, after a most desperate resistance, in arresting him. It was at once clear that a daring and gigantic robbery had been committed. Nearly a hundred thousand pounds' worth of American railway bonds, with a large amount of scrip in mines and other companies, was discovered in the bag.

On examining the premises the body of the unfortunate watchman 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 Tuson. 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 the 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. You look remarkably robust. What is the case?

Then you got hold of the best of the two. But how do you know? Hall Pycroft, I believe? I read the stock exchange list every morning.

the stockbrokers clerk extract by arthur conan doyle перевод текста - Блоги - kysiqubonypun.web.fc2.com

Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with delight, and I stared with astonishment at our client. What do you say, Watson? 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: 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. If you liked this story, please share it with others: A Scandal In Bohemia. Holmes comes to the aid of the King of Bohemia, a case which brings him into contact with the adventuress Irene Adler. Mystery in which a pawnbroker is offered an apparently unmissable job opportunity - only red-heads need apply.

The Adventure Of The Dancing Men. A man seeks Holmes' advice after his wife becomes terrified at the appearance of a series of drawings of dancing men. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.