Sherlock Holmes: Adventure Of The Stockbroker's Clerk 1 Of 2

Sherlock is approached by a Mr Hall Pycroft, a young clerk who has received a job offer that sounds too good to be true. There are some strange features to the case, including a man who pretends to be his own brother and a week of laborious and apparently superfluous work.

For more Sherlock, please search for The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, and the Adventure of the Noble Bachelor, also narrated by me on Plus Tracks.

Transcript

Hello, It's Mandy here. Thanks for joining me tonight and welcome to another Sherlock Holmes adventure, The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk. While he was a medical student in Edinburgh, Conan Doyle was deeply impressed by the skill of his professor, Dr Joseph Bell, In observing the most minute detail regarding a patient's condition. This master of diagnostic deduction became the model for Sherlock Holmes, The world's first and only consulting detective. So before we go ahead with part one of the story, Please feel free to make yourself really comfortable. Settling down into your chair or your bed, Relaxing your hands, Releasing any tension in your shoulders and softening your jaw. That's wonderful. So if you're ready, Then I shall begin. The Stockbroker's Clerk, Part one. 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 St Vitus's Dance, From which he suffered, Had very much thinned it. The public, Not unnaturally, Goes upon 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. Ah, My dear Watson, Said he, Striding into the room, I am 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 four. Thank you, We are both very well, Said I, Shaking him warmly by the hand, And I hope also, He continued, Sitting down in the rocking chair, That the cares of medical practice have not entirely obliterated the interest which you used to take in our 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 trust 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 neighbour's when he goes. He is always ready to work off the debt. Ha, 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 had cast off every trace of it. So you have. You look remarkably robust. How then did you know of 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 are new, He said. You could not have had them more than a few weeks. 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 a shopman's hieroglyphics upon it. Damp would of course have removed this. You had then been sitting with your 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. 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 neighbour, Rushed upstairs to explain the matter to my wife and joined Holmes upon the doorstep. Your neighbour is a doctor, Said he, Nodding at the brass plate. Yes, I said. 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. Ah, Then you got hold of the better of the two. I think I did, But how do you know? By the steps, My boy. Yours are worn three 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 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 moustache. 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 labelled 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 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. We have a clear run here of 70 minutes, Holmes remarked. I want you, Mr 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 outré 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 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 get nothing in exchange, I shall feel what a soft johnny I have 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 and Woodhouse of Japer'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 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 27 of us. I tried here and I 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'd been taking three pounds a week at Coxon's and I'd saved about 70 of them, But I soon worked my way through that and out 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'd worn out my boots padding up off his stairs and I seemed just as far from getting a billet as ever. At last I saw a vacancy at Mawson and Williams, The great stockbroking firm in Lombard Street. I dare say EC is not much in your line, But I can tell you 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 if I would appear next Monday I might take over my new duties at once, Providing my appearance was satisfactory. No one knows how these things have worked. Some people say 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 was the address. Well I was sitting doing a smoke that very evening after I'd been promised the appointment when up came my landlady with the card which had Arthur Pinner financial agent printed upon it. I'd 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, Dark-haired, 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 that knew the value of time. Mr Hall Pycroft I believe said he. Yes sir I answered and pushed a chair toward him. Lately engaged at Coxon and Woodhouses? Yes sir. And now on the staff of Mawson's? Quite so. Well said he, The fact is I have heard some really extraordinary stories about your financial ability. 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. I had always been pretty smart in the office but I'd never dreamt that 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 read the stock exchange list every morning. Now that shows real application he cried. That is the way to prosper. You won't mind my testing you will you? Let me see how are Ayrshires? 105 to 105 and a quarter. And New Zealand Consolidated? 104. And British Broken Hills? 7 to 7 and 6. Wonderful he cried with his hands up. This quite fits in with all that I had heard. My boy you are very much too good to be a clerk at Mawson's. This outburst rather astonished me as you can think. Well said I, Other people don't think quite so much of me as you seem to do Mr Pinner. I had a hard enough fight to get this berth and I'm very glad to have it. Poor man you should soar above it. You are not in your true sphere he said. 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 is light to dark. Let me see when do you go to Mawson's? On Monday. Ha I think I would risk a little sporting flutter that you don't go there at all. Not go to Mawson's I said. No sir he said. By that day you will be business manager of the Franco Midland Hardware Company Limited with 134 branches in the towns and villages of France not counting one in Brussels and one in San Remo. This took my breath away. I never heard of it said I. Very likely not said he. It has been kept very quiet for the capital was all privately subscribed and it is 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 that I was in the swim down here and he 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 500 to start with. 500 a year I shouted. Only that at the beginning but you are to have an overriding commission of one percent on all business done by your agents and you may take my word for it that this will come to more than your salary. But I know nothing about hardware. Tucked up my boy. You know about figures. My head buzzed. I could hardly sit still in the chair but suddenly a little chill of doubt came over me. I must be frank with you said I. Mawson only gives me 200 but Mawson is safe. Now really I know so little about your company that Ah smart smart he cried in a kind of ecstasy of delight. You are the very man for us. You are not to be talked over. I'm quite right too. Now here's a note for 100 pounds and if you think we can do business you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance upon your salary. That is very handsome said I. When shall I take over my new duties? Be in Birmingham tomorrow at one said he. I have a note in my pocket here which you will take to my brother. You will find him at 126B 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. Really I hardly know how to express my gratitude Mr Binner said I. Not at all my boy said he. 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 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 Mawson's? I had forgotten all about Mawson's in my joy. All right and resign said I. Precisely what I don't want you to do said he. 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. If you want good men you should pay him a good price said I. He would rather have our small price than your big one said he. I'll lay you a fiver said I. That when he has my offer you will 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 I cried. I've never so much as seen him in my life. Why should I consider him in any way? I shall certainly not write 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 for my brother. Here is your advance of a hundred pounds and here is the letter. Make a note of the address 126B Corporation Street and remember that one o'clock tomorrow is your appointment. Good night and may you have all the fortune you deserve. That's just about all that passed between us as near as I can remember it. You can imagine Dr Watson how pleased I was at such an extraordinary piece 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 of 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. 126B was a passage in between two large shops. It led to a winding stone stair from which there were many flats let as offices to companies or professional men. The names of the occupants were painted up 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'd seen the night before, The same figure and voice but he was clean-shaven and his hair was lighter. Are you Mr Haw Piecroft? He asked. Yes said I. Ah 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. I was just looking for the offices when you came said I. We have not got our name up yet for we only secured these temporary premises last week. 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 and 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. Don't be disheartened Mr Piecroft 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 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 he is a pretty shrewd judge. He swears by London you know and I by Birmingham but this time I shall follow his advice. Pray consider yourself definitely engaged. What are my duties I asked? You will eventually manage the great depot in Paris which will pour a flood of English crockery into the shops of 134 agents in France. The purchase will be completed in a week and meanwhile you will remain in Birmingham and make yourself useful. How? For answer he took a big red book out of a drawer. This is a directory of Paris said he with the trades after the names of people. I want you to take it home with you and to mark off all the hardware sellers with their addresses. It would be of the greatest use to me to have them. Surely there are classified lists I suggested. Not reliable ones. Their system is different to ours. Stick at it and let me have the lists by Monday at 12. Good day Mr Bycroft. If you continue to show zeal and intelligence you will find the company a good master. I went back to the hotel with a big book under my arm and with very conflicting feelings in my breast. On the one hand I was definitely engaged and had £100 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 businessman 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 until Friday, That is yesterday. Then I brought it round to Mr Harry Pinner. Thank you very much said he. I 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 said he I want you to make a list of the furniture shops for they all sell propery. 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 Dave's Music Hall in the evening would do you no harm after your labours. He laughed as he spoke and I saw with a thrill that his second tooth upon the left-hand side had been very badly stuffed with gold. Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with delight and I stared in 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 at the time that he laughed at my not going to Mawson's, I happened to notice that his tooth was stuffed in this very identical fashion. 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 Sherlock Holmes. 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 stockbroker'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 had just taken his first sip of a vintage. Rather fine Watson is it not? Said he. There are points in it which please me. I think 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 experience for both of us. But how can we do it? I asked. Oh easily enough said Hall Pycroft cheerily. You are two friends of mine who are in want 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. To be continued.

Reviews

Third time’s the charm! Fell asleep first and second listen. A tantalizing story, indeed, that has me at the edge of my bed! Thank you Mandy! (But please don’t wait too long to give us the conclusion!)