Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk
Iwasfairlyattheendofmytetheratlast,andcouldhardlyfindthestampstoanswertheadvertisementsortheenvelopestostickthemto.Ihadwornoutmybootspaddlingupofficestairs,andIseemedjustasfarfromgettingabilletasever.
"AtlastIsawavacancyatMawson&Williams’s,thegreatstock-brokingfirminLombardStreet.IdaresayE.C.isnotmuchinyourline,butIcantellyouthatthisisabouttherichesthouseinLondon.Theadvertisementwastobeansweredbyletteronly.Isentinmytestimonialandapplication,butwithouttheleasthopeofgettingit.Backcameananswerbyreturn,sayingthatifIwouldappearnextMondayImighttakeovermynewdutiesatonce,providedthatmyappearancewassatisfactory.Nooneknowshowthesethingsareworked.Somepeoplesaythatthemanagerjustplungeshishandintotheheapandtakesthefirstthatcomes.Anyhowitwasmyinningsthattime,andIdon’teverwishtofeelbetterpleased.Thescrewwasapoundaweekrise,andthedutiesjustaboutthesameasatCoxon’s.
"AndnowIcometothequeerpartofthebusiness.IwasindiggingsoutHampsteadway,17Potter’sTerrace.Well,IwassittingdoingasmokethatveryeveningafterIhadbeenpromisedtheappointment,whenupcamemylandladywithacardwhichhad‘ArthurPinner,FinancialAgent,"printeduponit.Ihadneverheardthenamebeforeandcouldnotimaginewhathewantedwithme,butofcourseIaskedhertoshowhimup.
