Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Stock-Broker’s Clerk
’
"Iwentbacktothehotelwiththebigbookundermyarm,andwithveryconflictingfeelingsinmybreast.Ontheonehand,Iwasdefinitelyengagedandhadahundredpoundsinmypocket;ontheother,thelookoftheoffices,theabsenceofnameonthewall,andotherofthepointswhichwouldstrikeabusinessmanhadleftabadimpressionastothepositionofmyemployers.However,comewhatmight,Ihadmymoney,soIsettleddowntomytask.AllSundayIwaskepthardatwork,andyetbyMondayIhadonlygotasfarasH.Iwentroundtomyemployer,foundhiminthesamedismantledkindofroom,andwastoldtokeepatituntilWednesday,andthencomeagain.OnWednesdayitwasstillunfinished,soIhammeredawayuntilFriday—thatis,yesterday.ThenIbroughtitroundtoMr.HarryPinner.
"‘Thankyouverymuch,"saidhe,‘IfearthatIunderratedthedifficultyofthetask.Thislistwillbeofverymaterialassistancetome.’
"‘Ittooksometime,"saidI.
"‘Andnow,"saidhe,‘Iwantyoutomakealistofthefurnitureshops,fortheyallsellcrockery.’
"‘Verygood.’
"‘Andyoucancomeupto-morroweveningatsevenandletmeknowhowyouaregettingon.Don’toverworkyourself.AcoupleofhoursatDay’sMusicHallintheeveningwoulddoyounoharmafteryourlabours."Helaughedashespoke,andIsawwithathrillthathissecondtoothupontheleft-handsidehadbeenverybadlystuffedwithgold.
