The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-02-18

hanged by a razor or a wig, I could Aot doubt that it was the same man Of course you expect two brothers 10 be alike, but not that they should
 nave the same tooth stuffed in he same way. He bowed me out and found myself in the street, hardly knowing whether I was on my head or my heels. Back I went to my ho- tel, put my head in a. basin of cold water, and tried to think 1t out. Why
 had he sent me from London to Bir- mingham? !? Why had he got there before me? And why had he written letter from himself to himself? It was altogether too much for me, and l could make no sense of it. And then suddenly it struck me that what was dark to me might be very light to MT. Sherlock Holmes had just time to get up to town by the night train to see him this morning, and tc bring you both back with me to Bir- mingham.
 brokers clerk had concluded his sur prfsing experience. Then Sherlock Holmes cooked his eye at me, lean- ing back on the cushions with a pleas ed and yet critical face. like a con- noissuer who has just taken his first sip of a comet vintage.
 Rather fine, Watson, is it not?" said he. 'There are points in it which please me. I think that you will agree with me that an interview I temporary offices of the FVranco-Mid- land Hardware company, Limited, would be rather Interesting experi- ence for both of us."
 ''But how can we do it?'' asked.
 "Oh, easily enough said Hall Py- croft, cheeri1y. "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. fI should like to have a look at the gentlemen, and see if I can make any tics have you, my friend, which would make your services so valu- able? or is it possible that He began biting his nails and staring hardly drew another word from him until we were in New Street.
 At seven o'clock that evening we were walking, the three of us, down Corporation street to the company's offices.
 ''It is no use our being at all before our tinne,' said our client. 'He only comes there to see me, apparently, for the place is deserted up to the very hour he names.''
 'That is suggestive" remarked Holmes.
 By love, I told you sor' cried the clerk. That's he walking, ahead of us there''
 He pointed to smallish, dark, we11-dressed man who was bustIing along the other side of the road. As a boy who was bawling out the latest edition of the evening paper, and run ming over among the cabs and busses he bought one from him. Then, clutching it in his hand, he vanished a doorway.
 There he goesI" cried Hall Py- croft. These are the company's of fees into which he has gone. Come with me and I'll fix it up as easily as
 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 bare, unfurnished room such as Hall Py- croft had described. At the single table sat the man whom we had seen spread out in front of him, and as he looked up at us 1t semed to me that I had never looked upon a, face which bore such marks of grief, and of beyond grief-of a horror such as comes to few men in a, life time. His brow glistened with per spiration, his cheeks were of the dull, dead white of a fish's belly, and his looked at his clerk as though he failed to recognize him, and I could see by the astonishment depicted upon our conductors face that this
 
 ance of his employer.
 You look i'll, MT. Pinner!" he ex- claimed.
 "Yes, I am not very well,'' an forts to puM himself together, and licking his dry lips before he spoke. ''WhG are these gentlemen whom you have brought with you?''
 "One is Mir. Harris, of Bermond- sey, and the other. is MT. Price, of this town said our clerk, glibly. They are friends of mine and gentle men of experience, but they have been and they hoped that perhaIrs you nigh find an opening for them in the employment"
 Very possibly! very possibly;" smile ''Yes, have no doubt that we shall be able to do something for you. What is your particular line, MT. Harris?''
 '.Ah yes, we shall want something l of the sort. And you, MT. Price2" |
 GA clerk,'' said I.
 CT have every hope that the com l let you know about it as soon as we | come to any conclusion. And now | ! beg that you will go. For Gods | sake leave me to myself!" |
 These last words were shot out of | him, as though the constraint which | ne was evidently setting upon him. | elf had suddenly and utterly burst l asunder. Holmes and I glanced at i each other, and Hall Pycroft took a | step towards the table.
 "You forget, MT. Pinner, that I am here by appointment to receive some | directions from you" said he
 Certainly, MT. Pycroft, certainly" | .he other resumed in calmer tone | You may wait here a moment; and | there is no reason why your friends l should not wait with you. I will be | entirely at your service in three min l utes, if I might trespass upon your | patience so far.=' Tie rose with a I very courteous air, and, lowing to usI | he passed out through a door at the | farther end of the room, which he | closed behind him.
 Tomorrow - The Stockholders i Clerk, concluded.