Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 6 Memoirs 6
Soon after we got married, I bought a clinic in Paddington.This clinic was originally owned by the old Mr. Farquhar. For a period of time, Mr. Farquhar's business was very prosperous, but because of age and illness, his business became more and more difficult.It can be seen that people unconsciously follow a rule that a doctor must be in good health before he is qualified to treat others.So, as the old man's health got worse, so did his income.But I thought I was young, strong, and full of energy, and I would be able to recover in a few years.

During the three months after the opening, I was busy with medical affairs every day, and I had little time to meet with Holmes, because I seldom had time to go to Baker Street, and Holmes seldom traveled for purposes other than detective business.One morning in June, after breakfast, I was reading the British Medical Journal when I was startled by a high-pitched, somewhat harsh voice.

My old friend Holmes strode in and said: "My dear Watson, your wife must have recovered from the shock of the 'signature of four' case by now. In any case, it is a great pleasure to see you."

I shook his hand enthusiastically and said, "We are both fine, thank you for your concern."

Sitting in the rocking chair, he said again: "It's only natural for you to care about your medical care, but I hope you'd better think about the joy that our little reasoning brings."

I replied: "Don't worry, I won't forget. Last night I went through the previous records and divided the results of the cases by type."

"You're not going to stop collecting information here, are you?"

"I just want to have as many experiences like this as possible. I will never stop doing this kind of work."

"So, are you free tonight? Go and do a case."

"No problem, as long as you want, I will accompany you."

"Then can you go as far as Birmingham?"

"I said, no matter where I go, I will accompany you to the end."

"But won't your business be delayed?"

"My neighbor once asked me to look at his business while he was away. This time, I can ask him to do the same."

Holmes leaned back in his chair, looked at me with his keen, squinting eyes, and said, "This is wonderful. By the way, have you caught a cold lately, which is quite annoying in summer. "

"Last week, I didn't go out for three days in a row because I had a bad cold. But now, I think I'm over it."

"You look good, it seems that you are really well."

"But how did you know?"

"How could I not know?"

"Can you even guess such a thing?"

"certainly!"

"But how did you find the clue?"

"It's on your slippers."

I looked down at the new pair of patent-leather slippers on my feet, and said, "Then how do you..." But Holmes answered without waiting for me to finish.

He said: "You must have bought these new slippers for a few weeks, but the soles of the shoes that rushed towards me were already burnt. At first, I just guessed that these shoes were used after being soaked in water. I accidentally let the fire burn while drying. But look at this little round piece of paper with the clerk's code on it, it's on your shoe. This kind of paper will fall off as soon as it gets wet, so I'm sure You must have scorched your slippers by stretching your feet too far in front of the fire. And a man must be ill to go to a fire in such wet weather as in June."

These explained things, like all his reasoning, are made very simple.He may have thought of my thoughts, and smiled sarcastically.

He said: "Sometimes you only talk about the result but not the reason, which may impress others more deeply. After this explanation, the secret will be revealed. By the way, are you sure you are going to Birmingham?"

"Of course I'm going, but you haven't told me what kind of case it is."

"Can you go now? My client is outside in the carriage, and I will tell you the whole case in the train."

"Wait a moment, I want to write a note." I wrote a note hastily to my neighbor, went upstairs to explain to my wife, and immediately went out on the stone steps to find Holmes.

Holmes nodded to the brass plate on the door next door, and said, "Your neighbor is also a doctor."

"Yes, he bought that clinic too."

"So that clinic existed a long time ago?"

"Yes, that clinic and mine were established together after the house was built."

"I'm sure you're in better business than him."

"And how do you know? But you're quite right."

"See for yourself that your steps are at least three inches thinner than his, and I have determined from the wear and tear of the steps. Permit me to introduce you to my client, Mr. Hall Pycroft." .We must catch the train, groom, so you must hurry the horse."

Sitting opposite Mr. Pycroft, I found the young man to be tall and imposing, and I had the impression that he was a quick-witted urban youth, of the sort known as a "Cockney."But from the corners of his drooping mouth, I can always feel a strange sadness that is different from the rosy round face with joy.He told me the case on the train to Birmingham.

"I beg you, Mr. Hall Pycroft," said Holmes, to repeat to my friend what you have told me from the beginning to the end. This is a very unusual case, Watson, and I feel ashamed. Something absurd and unusual. I know you will be interested. Go ahead, Mr. Pycroft."

Mr. Pycroft looked at me, and said: "I feel that I have been duped in the whole case, but I am not sure whether I have been duped. The thing is this:

"I used to work at Coxon and Rendhouse, which, you know, hadn't gotten any better in the first half of this year because of their inadvertent involvement in the Venezuelan bond case. And I worked with The rest of the employees were all fired when the firm went bankrupt. I worked there for almost five years. I took the testimonial that the old Coxon gave me a very high evaluation, like many people Same, looking for work everywhere, but in vain. I lived on the seventy pounds I saved from my three-pound salary a week at Coxon & Co., but soon, I couldn't support this kind of life. In order to find work, I I searched everywhere, and my boots were worn out. But I haven't found a job yet, and I'm poor. I don't even have money for envelopes and stamps to reply to the advertisements.

"I suppose you are not very acquainted with the Central Post District in East London. But there is a vacancy at a great securities firm called Mawson and Wythe, the wealthiest in London, and that firm stipulates that All applicants have to reply by letter. So although I sent them my appraisal letter and application letter, I actually didn't have any hope. Who would have thought that the business would write back to me saying I was asked to go for an interview next Monday and I could be hired as soon as I passed the interview. I was wondering how they selected me. But I was really happy because I have never been like this Luckily, and as I was at Coxon Bank, where the wages were £[-] a week.

"Then here's where I find it very strange. On the night I got the interview call, I was smoking at home, and the landlady sent me a business card that said 'Arthur Pinner, Financial Manager'. But I was impressed There is no such a person in the house, and I don't know his purpose. When the landlady brought the gentleman in, I found this man of medium build, with black hair, eyes and beard, and only one shiny It's his nose. It looks like he values ​​his time because he's fast on his feet and talks faster.

"He said: 'You are Mr Hall Pycroft, aren't you?'

"I pulled him a chair and said, 'Yes.'

"'Were you at Coxon and Rendhouse?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"'Are you the new clerk at Mawson's now?'

"'Exactly.'

"He said: 'I heard that you are very good at financial management and have done many outstanding financial deeds, so Manager Parker of Coxon spoke highly of your work.'

"I've always done a good job with my money management business and I'm confident, but I never dreamed that anyone would compliment me like that, so I couldn't be happier.

"He said: 'Can you remember a lot of things?'

"I said very humbly: 'It's okay.'

"He asked again: 'Even though you have lost your job, do you still pay attention to the business?'

"'Of course, now I read the price list on the Stock Exchange every morning.'

"He exclaimed: 'You're so serious about this job. To put you in perspective, do you know what the Ayrshire shares are trading at?'

"'One hundred and six five shillings to one hundred and five seventeen and a half shillings.'

"'And do you know the price of the New Zealand Consolidated Bond?'

"'One hundred and four pounds.'

"'What about Broken Shearn?'

"'Between seven pounds and six shillings.'

"He raised his hands high and cheered: 'You can fully meet my requirements, you are really excellent. Don't go to Mawson's as a clerk, it's too big to be useful.'

"I was so amazed that I said, 'Mr. Pinner, I've worked so hard to get this job and I'm not happy enough. Why are you telling me not to go? It's a little different!'

"'Come, sir, you can do bigger things and make more money. It's not for you. I'm very fond of you, and I'll give you more than Mawson & Co. Of course, your talents are still far greater than these. By the way, what time does Mawson Firm let you go to work?'

"'Next Mon.'

"'I think I bet you don't want to work there anymore by then.'

"'You say I don't want to work for Mawson anymore?'

"'You will never go there again. Have you heard of the famous store 'Central France Hardware Co., Ltd.' which has 130 four companies in France? Besides in France, it also has two branches in Brussels and San Remo, and I made you the general manager of the company.'

"I was really taken aback and said, 'But why have I never heard of this company?'

"'No wonder, since it was privately funded, the company's business activities were not overly sensational. The company's founder and current managing director was named Harry Pinner, and he was my brother. I am currently on the board of directors. Since I know a lot of people locally, he asked me to find him a young man who is capable, obedient, energetic and does not require a high salary, so I chose you. But no It's a shame we can only give you £500 a year now.'

"I screamed: 'What, five hundred pounds a year, God!'

(End of this chapter)