Sherlock Holmes.

Chapter 71 Memoirs (5)
"I thought it wouldn't open."

She pushed the spring lightly, and the lid flew open.It was a portrait of an African man, handsome and refined.

"This is my ex-husband, John Hebron, a man of integrity and no equal in the world. To marry him I dissociated myself from my race. But I do not regret it at all. While he lived, We had a great time. The only regret is that our daughter has John's blood and is not at all like me. Little Lucy is darker than her father, which is usually the result of white and black marriages. But whether she is black or Bai, they are all my daughters, the heart and soul of my mother."

Hearing this, the little girl ran to her mother and leaned against her. "Because of the acclimatization, she was not in very good health, so I had to give her to be raised by a faithful Scotch woman, who was my former servant. God! I have loved you since I met you, because I was afraid of you so Leave me, so I didn't tell you about the child. I was cowardly. When I had to choose between you and the child, I chose you and gave up the daughter. I kept this from you for three years, but still often I was able to get news of the baby from the nanny. She was doing well, but I couldn't control how much I missed my daughter. Although I tried to suppress it, I still wanted to see her. I knew it was dangerous, but what could I do? Then I Still determined to see the child, even if she was only coming for a few weeks. So I sent them a hundred pounds to live in this cottage, and I would see her when I got a chance. I told the child, put the little face Her small hands are all covered, and she cannot go out during the day. In this way, rumors about her skin color will not happen. Unexpectedly, the more you try to hide it, the worse the situation becomes."

She continued: "You told me that someone lived in the villa. I planned to go to see them the next morning, but I couldn't control my excitement and you usually slept very hard, so I decided to sneak out. I didn't expect to be You found out, the first time. The second time, you found out about my secret and forgave me. The third time, when you stormed in through the front door, they escaped through the back door. Now, you know everything , what should I do next?" She clasped her hands tightly, waiting for an answer.

There was silence in the room for more than ten minutes, an unbearable ten minutes.Munro was the first to break the deadlock, and his answer is something I will never forget.He picked up the child, kissed her, then took his wife's arm and walked out of the gate together.

"It's actually very simple, let's talk about it when we get home! I'm not a saint, but, Effie, I don't think I'm as bad as you think."

My friend and I walked out afterwards.Holmes tugged at my sleeve and said, "Watson, it is time for us to return to London. There are many important things to do there."

That night, he didn't mention it again, until before going to bed, he said: "Dear Watson, in the future, if you find that I am too confident or not serious, please whisper in my ear." Norberry', I would appreciate it. A secret between criminal brothers

Not long after my marriage I bought a clinic in the Paddington area, which belonged to old Mr Fequal.For some time past Mr. Fequal, old, had been in business.But as he grew older, his energy gradually became exhausted, and he suffered from a so-called chorea, which made his hands and feet inflexible, so the business of the clinic began to decline.Because people think that the doctor's own health is very important, and only when he is healthy can he heal others.If you can't even cure your own illness, then I'm afraid there is something wrong with your medical skills.In this way, the old Feiqual became weaker and weaker, and his income became less and less.His annual income used to be twelve hundred pounds. When I bought the clinic, it was only three hundred pounds a year.But I am very confident that I am young and have great energy, and I will definitely revive the business.

After the opening, I have been busy with medical affairs, and I seldom saw my friend Holmes for three months.Because I don't have time to go, and he seldom goes out unless there is a case.

One morning in June, after breakfast, I was reading the British Medical Journal when the doorbell rang.I heard it was Holmes speaking, and I was a little surprised by the high, powerful voice of his voice.

Holmes entered the room and said, "My dear Watson, it is a pleasure to meet you! Mrs. Watson must have recovered already? She was quite frightened in the 'signature of four' case!"

I shook his hand warmly and replied: "We are all well, thank you very much for your concern."

While sitting on the rocking chair, he said, "I hope so. Although you are busy with medical affairs, I also want to remind you, don't forget our interest in logical reasoning."

I replied, "On the contrary, last night I re-read my notes and sorted them out."

"I'm quite sure, but don't you think that the collection of information is over?"

"Of course not, I think the more experiences like this the better!"

"If we set off for a run today, would you do it?"

"Okay! Why not? If you want, go now!"

"Is it all right to go as far as Birmingham?"

"Of course, as long as you speak."

"And what about your job? Who's going to take care of it all?"

"My neighbor is fine. Every time he goes out, I practice medicine for him."

Holmes leaned back in his chair, examined me with his piercing eyes, and said, "That is very good! But you have been in poor health lately, and the summer cold is a nuisance."

"I did catch a cold last week and didn't go out for three days. But now I'm fully recovered."

"It should be, it looks very good."

"How did you know I was sick?"

"My dear Watson, you know I have a way."

"Conjecture again."

"Completely correct."

"How to judge?"

"Slippers, your slippers."

I looked down at the new patent leather slippers on my feet, "But..." He replied just as I was about to speak.

"Your slippers have just been bought, less than a month ago. But the sole of the shoe towards me is burnt. At first I thought it was burnt when the shoe was wet and dried on the fire, but the one with the clerk's code on it The piece of paper was still on the shoe, which meant that the shoe hadn't been wet. So it must have been burnt when you put your foot close to the fire to warm it, and a healthy man doesn't warm himself by a fire, even in the humidity of June. "

Like all Holmes' conjectures, what he explained often turned out to be very simple.He read my thoughts from my expression, so he smiled and looked very playful.

He said: "My explanation is actually superfluous. If you don't talk about the reason, only the result will be impressive. Have you made up your mind to go to Birmingham?"

"Of course, what's the matter with this case?"

"I'll tell you the details on the train. My client is still waiting for us in the carriage. Can you start now?"

I said, "Just a moment, please."

I handed a written note to my neighbor, went upstairs to greet my wife, and then went out to catch up with Holmes.

He looked at the brass number on the door next door, nodded and said to me, "Your neighbor is also a doctor."

"Yes, he also has a clinic."

"There was this clinic a long time ago, right?"

"Same as mine, two clinics opened when the house was built."

"Really? But it seems that your business is much better here than over there."

"I think so too, how do you know?"

"Look at the front steps, my friend. Your house is rather worn and worn. Now I present my client, Mr. Hall Pycroft. Please hurry, coachman, or you will miss the train." .”

Opposite me sat Mr. Pycroft, a young man.He is tall and imposing, with a frank and sincere expression, a slightly curly moustache, dressed in black, and a top hat. His whole body is neat and simple.All this shows that he is a smart and capable urbanite.People like him are often called "Cockneys"It was people like them who once formed the famous Volunteer Corps.In Great Britain, many outstanding athletes and sportsmen come from this class.His face was ruddy and cheerful, but the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, giving off a sad feeling.I didn't know he was in trouble until I was in the first class compartment of the train to Birmingham.He is Sherlock Holmes who has come for this matter.

"Our journey will take about seven and ten minutes," said Holmes. "Mr. Pycroft, you have had some interesting conversations with me. Please tell my friend about them, preferably in more detail. Listen to the story again." It may be of some help to me. Watson, it may be a case of some sort, or it may be common, but at least it is the sort of grotesque and grotesque thing which pleases you and me. Mr. Pycroft, I will leave you alone, please. Speak!"

Pycroft looked at me trustingly.

"It's a bad thing, and it's possible that I've been duped, even though everything seems to be normal and doesn't feel special. But if I lose my job, I lose everything, so bad luck! Mr. Sheng, I am not good at speaking. The situation is roughly as follows:

"I used to work for Coxons and Woolhouse, which is located next to Draper Square. You may remember the Venezuelan bond case, which happened this spring, and we were involved in bankruptcy. The firm fired all 27 employees. I worked hard there for five years and old Coxon said me very well in his testimonials. I looked everywhere for a job but there were a lot of people in the same situation as me, so for a long time I was Couldn't find a suitable job. At Coxon & Co. I was earning £[-] a week and had saved a total of £[-]. But this savings was quickly exhausted. I was penniless, not even envelopes and stamps for vacancies. I have no money to buy. I shuttled between companies and stores, but my shoes are worn out and I haven't found a job yet.

"Then I heard that there was a Molson and Williams stockbroker in Lombard Street, and there was a vacancy there. I thought maybe you didn't know much about the East Central postcode, which, I dare say, was London. The richest business firm. I sent my certificate of appraisal and application, but I knew there was little hope. Unexpectedly, I received a letter from them, asking me to go for an interview next Monday. If I pass the interview, I will be employed. God knows why they chose me Some people say that maybe their manager just drew it like a lottery. But anyway, I am very lucky and very happy. The income of one pound a week, and can be increased later, the position is still old.

"However, a strange thing happened soon. I live in NO.17 Porter Lane, which is an apartment near Hampstead Street. On the evening when I was hired, I was smoking in the room, and the old lady from the landlady came in suddenly. Well, she handed me a card that said 'Arthur Pinner, Financial Manager.' I'd never heard the name, let alone what he was doing, but let him in anyway. He was of medium height , with black hair, eyes, and beard, and a sparkle on the tip of his nose. What impressed me even more was that he walked fast, spoke quickly, and obviously valued his time.

"He asked me: 'Are you Mr Hall Pycroft?'

"I replied, 'Exactly, please sit down, sir!' and pushed him a chair.

"'You worked at Coxon and Woolhouse?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"'Are you employed by Mawson & Co.?'

"'Yes!'

"He said: 'Well, you are said to be very good at managing your money and doing well. Mr. Parker, Coxon's manager, always speaks well of you.'

"I am very honored that he can say that, although I have made some achievements in business, I never thought that anyone would praise me.

"He asked me: 'How is your memory?'

"I humbly replied: 'It's okay.'

"He asked again: 'Since you lost your job, have you been paying attention to what the market is doing?'

"'Of course, I go to the Stock Exchange every day to see the price list.'

"He said aloud: 'You're a hard worker! You're a piece! If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a quick question, can you tell me the price of Ayrshire shares?'

"'One hundred and five shillings seventeen to one hundred and sixty five shillings.'

"'Where's the price of the New Zealand Consolidated Bond?'

"'Seven pounds to seven pounds six shillings.'

"He raised his hand and praised: 'Great! It's exactly the same as I understand. Dear friend, don't you think it's a bit overqualified to be a clerk at Mawson Company?'

"No one can remain indifferent to such compliments. I said, 'Mr. Pinner, other people don't think so. I love this job and have worked hard to find it.'

"'Sir, you shouldn't think that way. With your talent, you should have a greater development. I value your talent very much, and I will give you a high salary and a good job. Although it is not worthy of your talent, but Much better than Mawson's. Tell me, when are you going to work at Mawson's?"

"'Next Monday.'

"'I think you'd better not go there.'

"'Not going to Mawson's?'

"'That's right, sir. Because, on Monday, you're going to be the manager of the Central France Hardware Co. Ltd., which has 130 four branches all over the world, and also has operations in Brussels and Sanremo.'

"I asked in amazement: 'I've never heard of the company.'

"'That's normal. The company is privately funded, it's thriving, there's no need for publicity, it's been running quietly. The founder, Harry Pinner, is my brother. He's now managing director and a member of the board. He knew that I had a lot of contacts here, so he entrusted me to find a young man with a small annual salary, young, capable, and energetic, who could be sent. Parker mentioned you to me, so I came to visit you. At first we could only What do you think of your meager wages, five hundred pounds a year?"

"'Unbelievable, five hundred a year?'

"'This is just the basic salary at the beginning. If your affiliates complete a high turnover, you can have a [-]% commission. Please believe me, this is more than your salary.'

"'But I don't know anything about hardware!'

"'Don't worry, friend, you're pretty good at accounting, aren't you?'

"The temptation was running through my mind, and I could barely sit still on the chair. However, I suddenly had a question.

"I said: 'Frankly, at Mawson & Co., although I only have two hundred pounds a year, I'm pretty solid. I don't know anything about your firm. . . .'

"He didn't get angry at all, and went on: 'You're shrewd, very good! You're the type of person who doesn't trust people easily, and we need that kind of person. If you take this hundred pound note as an advance , then we're done."

"'Great, so when do I start working?'

"He said: 'Tomorrow at one o'clock, you will meet my brother with my letter of recommendation. You can find him at the temporary agency of this company. The address is: 120 Six B, Enterprise Street. Of course, you will pass through him. But since we're all right, he won't object.'

"I said, 'Thank you very much, Mr. Pinner, I don't know how to thank you.'

"'My friend, you are welcome, this is what you deserve. But there is one more thing you need to do, but it is only a formality. Please write the following on a piece of paper: Manager of the company, not less than five hundred pounds a year.'

"I did as he asked, and he pocketed the paper afterwards.

"He asked me again: 'What are you going to do about Mawson's?'

"I said: 'I almost forgot about it, I'm going to write my resignation letter.'

"'I don't think so. I had a quarrel with Mawson's. I asked the manager about you. He was very rude and blamed me for defrauding you from their firm. I couldn't bear it, so I said to him: "You have to recruit Talented people should be treated well. But he said: "We saved him in dire straits, and he would definitely rather get a meager salary than work for you."He will not leave us. ' I said, 'I'll bet you five gold pounds that if he's hired by us, you'll never hear from him again. He said: "We'll see, we use him to take care of him, so I'm sorry he won't just walk away." "He said it all himself."

"I said out loud: 'Scumbag, we never knew each other, how did I get his care? Listen to you, I won't write.'

"He stood up, patted me on the shoulder and said: 'Okay! That's it. It's a great honor to be your colleague. Here's an advance payment of 120 pounds. Here's a letter of recommendation. The address is: [-] B Enterprise Street , don't forget the time, one o'clock tomorrow afternoon, friend. Good night, I wish you well!'

"Here are all the details of our conversation. You can imagine my excitement, Mr. Watson, what a stroke of luck! I was secretly delighted and stayed up all night. Early next morning I took the train to Birmingham in order to stay I left my luggage in the hotel in Xinjie and went to the address he said.

"I arrived a quarter of an hour early, but I don't think it matters. The passage between two big shops is No. 120 [-]B. At the end of the passage is a curved stone staircase. There are many houses beside the stone staircase, which are rented to some companies or freelancers. Professional office. There are some signs on the wall with the names of the tenants, but I couldn't find the French Central Hardware Co., Ltd. I stood there wondering what to do, thinking that it was not a scam. At this moment, a man came towards me , He is very similar to the person who came to see me yesterday, with the same build and voice, but he has no beard and lighter hair.

"He asked: 'Are you Mr Hall Pycroft?'

"I replied: 'I am.'

"'Very well, I was waiting for you, and you arrived a quarter of an hour early. I had a letter from my brother this morning, and he spoke very highly of you.'

"'I'm looking for your office.'

"'Just rented the house last week, too busy to put up the sign yet. Come with me, we'll talk in the office.'

"I followed him up to the top of the stairs, where there were two rooms under the asbestos tiles, empty and dusty, with no curtains or rugs. There was only a small table, two wooden chairs, and a garbage basket. A book The account books are placed on the table, and the furnishings are extremely simple. What I imagined: the office is spacious and bright, and there are hard-working staff in front of the clean and tidy desks and chairs. It is really quite different.

"Noticing my doubts, he said to me: 'Mr Pycroft, please don't be discouraged, let alone that Rome was not built in a day. Waste of money online, show me the letter of introduction.'

"I handed him the letter and he read it very carefully and said: 'You made a very good, deep impression on Arthur. He valued talent and never misunderstood. You may not understand, I trust the Birmingham man, and Arthur trusts the London man. But this time I've listened to him and decided to take you on."

"I asked: 'What exactly is my job?'

(End of this chapter)