Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk
‘WhenshouldItakeovermynewduties?’
"‘BeinBirminghamto-morrowatone,"saidhe.‘Ihaveanoteinmypocketherewhichyouwilltaketomybrother.Youwillfindhimat126BCorporationStreet,wherethetemporaryofficesofthecompanyaresituated.Ofcoursehemustconfirmyourengagement,butbetweenourselvesitwillbeallright.’
"‘Really,Ihardlyknowhowtoexpressmygratitude,Mr.Pinner,"saidI.
"‘Notatall,myboy.Youhaveonlygotyourdeserts.Thereareoneortwosmallthings—mereformalities—whichImustarrangewithyou.Youhaveabitofpaperbesideyouthere.Kindlywriteuponit"IamperfectlywillingtoactasbusinessmanagertotheFranco-MidlandHardwareCompany,Limited,ataminimumsalaryof500pounds."’
"Ididasheasked,andheputthepaperinhispocket.
"‘Thereisoneotherdetail,"saidhe.‘WhatdoyouintendtodoaboutMawson’s?’
"IhadforgottenallaboutMawson’sinmyjoy.‘I’llwriteandresign,"saidI.
"‘PreciselywhatIdon’twantyoutodo.IhadarowoveryouwithMawson’smanager.Ihadgoneuptoaskhimaboutyou,andhewasveryoffensive;accusedmeofcoaxingyouawayfromtheserviceofthefirm,andthatsortofthing.AtlastIfairlylostmytemper."Ifyouwantgoodmenyoushouldpaythemagoodprice,"saidI.
"ι"Hewouldratherhaveoursmallpricethanyourbigone,"saidhe.
