The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-09
The Memoirs Of Sherlock
Holmes.
CONTINUED from Page one.)
Not 90 to Mawson's?"

land Hardware Company, Limited
with hundred and thirty-four
branches i'm the towns and villages OF
France, not counting one in Brussels
and one in San Reno.
This took my breath away. Il never
heard of it," said l.
Every likely not. 1t had ben kept
very quiet, for the capital was all pri-
vately subscribed, and it's too good a
thing TO let the public into My
brother Harry Primer, is promoter. and
Joins the board after allotment as
managing director. He knew | was In
the swim down here, and asked me to
pick up 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 hum
dred to start with"
Five hundred year,! | shouted.
Only that at the beginning; but you
are, to have an overriding commission
of l per cent on all business done by
your agents. and you may take my
word for il that this win come to more
than your salary"
But l know nothing about hard
ware"
tut, my boy; you know about fig
ures.''
My head buzzed, and l could hardly
sit still in my chair. But suddenly a
little chill of doubt came upon me.
II must be frank with you,' said |.
"Mawson only gives me two hundred,
but Mawson is safe. Now, really, ]
know so little about your company
that"
'Ah, smart smart" he cried, in a
kind of ecstacy of delight. You are the
very man for us. You are not to be
talked over, and quite right. too Now,
here's a note for a hundred pounds,
and if think that we can do business
you may just slip into your pocket as
an advance upon your salary.
rThat is very handsome said 1.
When should take over my new du-
ties?"
BE in Birmingham tomorrow at
one" said he. 81 have a note in my
pocket here which you will take to my
brother. You will find him at 126b Cor
poration Street. where the temporary
Offices of the company are situated.
OF course he must confirm your en-
gagement, but between ourselves 1t
will be all right"
Really, l hardly know how to ex-
press my gratitude, Mr.. Primer" sair
mot at ALL my boy. You have only
got your deserts. There are one or two
small things-mere which
bit of paper beside you there. Kindly
write upon it L am perfectly willing to
act as business manager to the Franco
Midland Hardware Company, Limited,
at a minimum salary of $500.
did as he asked, and he put the pa
per in his pocket.
There is one other detail" said he.
What do you intend to do about Nav
SOM"
/ had forgotten all about Mawson' s
i'm my joy "Pll write and resign, said
/.
"Precisely what / don't want you to
do ] <lfad row over you with Nav
sons manager / had gone up to ask
him about you, and he was very Of
fensiVe; 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 them a good price, said l.
He would rather have our small
price than your big one, said he.
L will lay you flyer said /. that
when he has my offer you'll 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 are his very
Words
The impudent scoundrel!' l cried.
I've never so much as seen him in my
life. Why should l consider him in any
way? l shall certainly not write If
you would rather didn't
Good. That's a promise" said he.
rising from his chair. We'll, I'm de-
lighted to have got such a good man
for my brother. Here's your advance
of a hundred pounds, and here is the
letter. Make a note of the address
126b Corporation Street, and remem-
Der that one O'Clock tomorrow is your
appointment. Good night; and may
you have all the fortune that you de-
serVe!"
That's just all that passed between
us, as near as can remember. You
can imagine, DR.. Watson, how pleased
| was at such fortune. | sat up half
the night hugging myself over it, and
next day / 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 / made my way to the address
which had been given me.
1t was a quarter of an hour before
my time, but l thought that would
make no difference; 126b was a pas
sage between two large shops, which
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 at the bottom on the wall, but
there was no such name as the Fran
co-Midland Hardware Company, Linn
tied / stood for few minutes with my
heart in my boots, wondering whether
the whole thing was an elaborate hoax
or not, when up came man and ad-
dressed me. He was very like the chap
/ had sen the night before the same
figure and voice, but he was clean
shaven and his hair was lighter.
Are you Mr.. Hall Pycroft?" he
asked.
Yes said l.
"Oh! | was expecting you, but you
are a trifie before your time. / had a
note from my brother this morning in
which he sang your praises very
loudly"
II was just looking for the offices
When you came
I'VE 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"
| followed him to the top of very
lofty stair, and there. right under the
slates, We're a couple of empty, du ty
little rooms, uncarpeted and incur
tainad into which No lad / had