No. 4 The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 4 The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk by Arthur Conan Doyle
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? "

Holmes

giving

? "

" impossible ," answered Pycroft

" why ? "

" that door leads into inner room "

" there_is exit ? "

" none "

" is_it furnished ? "

" it_was empty yesterday "

" then what earth can doing ? there_is something which I don't understand in_his manner ever man was three parts mad with terror , that man 's name Pinner what can_have put the shivers him ? "

" suspects that we_are detectives," I suggested

" that 's ," cried Pycroft

Holmes shook his head " he_did_not turn pale he_was pale when entered the room ," said " it_is just possible that --"

his words were interrupted sharp rat -tat from_the direction of_the inner door

" what the deuce knocking his own door for ? " cried the clerk

again and much louder cam the rat -tat-tat all gazed expectantly at_the closed door Glancing Holmes, I_saw his face turn rigid , and leaned forward intense excitement then suddenly came low gurgling, gargling sound , and brisk drumming upon woodwork Holmes sprang frantically across the room and pushed at_the door it_was fastened on_the inner side Following his example , threw ourselves upon with all our weight one hinge snapped , then the other , and down came the door with crash Rushing over , we_found in_the inner room it_was empty

but it_was only for moment that were fault one corner , the corner nearest the room which had left , there_was second door Holmes sprang to_it and pulled open coat and waistcoat were lying on_the floor , and from hook behind the door , with_his own braces round his neck , was hanging the managing director of_the Franco- midland hardware company his knees were drawn , his head hung dreadful angle to_his body , and_the clatter of_his heels against the door made the noise which had broken upon our conversation instant I had caught him round the waist , and held him while Holmes and Pycroft untied the elastic bands which had disappeared between_the livid creases skin then carried him into_the other room , where lay with clay -coloured face , puffing his purple lips and out with every breath --a dreadful wreck all that had_been but five minutes before

" what do_you_think him , Watson ? " asked Holmes

I stooped over him and examined him his pule was feeble and intermittent , but his breathing grew longer , and there_was little shivering of_his eyelids, which showed thin white slit ball beneath

" it_has_been touch and with_him ," said I, " but 'll live now just open that window , and hand the water carafe " I undid his collar , poured the cold water over his face , and raised and sank his arms until drew long , natural breath " 's only question_of_time now ," said I, I turned away from_him

Holmes stood by_the table , with_his hands deep in_his trousers pockets and_his chin upon his breast

"I suppose ought to_call the police now ," said " and yet I confess that I'd like to_give them complete case when they_come "

" 's blessed mystery to_me ," cried Pycroft, scratching his head " whatever they wanted bring all the way here for , and then --"

"Pooh ! all that_is clear enough ," said Holmes impatiently " is_this last sudden move "

" you understand the rest , then ? "

" i_think that_it_is fairly obvious what do_you say , Watson ? "

I shrugged shoulders " I_must confess that I_am out of_my depths," said I

"Oh surely if_you consider the events first they_can only point one conclusion "

" what do_you make of_them ? "

" well , the whole thing hinges upon two points the first is_the making Pycroft write declaration by_which entered the service of_this preposterous company do_you not see how very suggestive that_is ? "

" I_am afraid I miss the point "

" well , why did they_want him to_do_it ? not business matter , for_these arrangements are usually verbal , and there_was earthly reason why this should_be exception Don't you_see , young friend , that_they were very anxious obtain specimen your handwriting , and had other way doing ? "

" and why ? "

" quite why ? when answer that we_have_made some progress with_our little problem why ? there can_be only_one adequate reason some one wanted learn imitate your writing, and had procure specimen first and now if_we pass to_the second point we_find that each throws light upon_the other that point is_the request made Pinner that you_should_not resign your place , but should leave the manager of_this important business in_the full expectation that Mr hall Pycroft, whom had never seen , was about enter the office upon_the Monday morning "

" god ! " cried our client , " what blind beetle I_have_been ! "

" now you_see the point about_the handwriting suppose that some one turned your place who wrote completely different hand from_that in_which_you had applied for_the vacancy , of_course the game would_have_been but in_the interval the rogue had learned imitate you , and_his position was therefore secure , I presume that nobody in_the office had ever set eyes upon you "

" not soul ," groaned hall Pycroft

" very_good of_course it_was of_the utmost importance to_prevent you from thinking better , and also to_keep you from coming into contact with any_one who_might tell you that your double was work Mawson's office therefore they gave_you handsome advance on_your salary , and ran you off to_the Midlands, where they enough work to_do to_prevent your going London , where you might_have burst their little game that_is all plain enough "

" but why should this man pretend to_be his won brother ? "

" well , that_is pretty clear also there_are evidently only two of_them in_it the other personating you at_the office this_one acted as_your engager, and then found that he_could_not find you employer without admitting third person into his plot that he_was most unwilling to_do changed his appearance far , and trusted that_the likeness , which you_could_not fail observe , would_be put down family resemblance but for_the happy chance of_the gold stuffing, your suspicions would probably never have_been aroused "

hall Pycroft shook his clinched hands in_the air " good lord ! " cried , " while I_have_been fooled in_this_way , what has_this other hall Pycroft been doing Mawson's ? what should we_do , Mr Holmes ? tell what to_do "

" we_must wire Mawson's "

" they shut twelve Saturdays "

" never mind there_may_be some door - keeper attendant --"

"Ah yes , they keep permanent guard there account of_the value of_the securities that_they hold I remember hearing talked in_the city "

" very_good ; we_shall wire him , and_see all well , and clerk your_name working there that_is clear enough ; but what_is not clear why sight one_of_the rogues should instantly walk out_of_the room and hang himself "

" the paper ! " croaked voice behind the man was sitting , blanched and ghastly , with returning reason in_his eyes , and hands which rubbed nervously at_the broad red band which still encircled his throat

" the paper ! of_course ! " yelled Holmes, paroxysm excitement " idiot that i_was ! i_thought must of_our visit that_the paper never entered head for instant to_be_sure , the secret must_be there " flattened out upon_the table , and cry triumph burst from_his lips " look at_this , Watson," cried " it_is London paper , early edition of_the evening standard here_is what we_want look at_the headlines: ' crime in_the city murder Mawson & Williams's gigantic attempted robbery capture of_the criminal ' here , Watson, we_are all equally anxious hear , kindly read aloud to_us "

appeared from its position in_the paper to_have_been the one event importance town , and_the account ran in_this_way :

"A desperate attempt robbery , culminating in_the death one man and_the capture of_the criminal , occurred this afternoon in_the city for some_time back Mawson & Williams, the famous financial house , have_been the guardians securities which amount in_the aggregate sum considerably over million sterling conscious was_the manager of_the responsibility which devolved upon him consequence of_the great interests stake that safes of_the very latest construction have_been employed , and armed watchman has_been left day and night in_the building appears that last week new clerk named hall Pycroft was engaged by_the firm this person appears to_have_been none other that Beddington, the famous forger and cracksman, who , with_his brother , had only recently emerged from five years' spell penal servitude some mean , which are_not yet clear , succeeded wining, under false name , this official position in_the office , which utilised in_order_to_obtain moulding various locks, and thorough knowledge of_the of_the strong room and_the safes

" it_is customary Mawson's for_the clerks leave midday Saturday sergeant Tuson, of_the city police , was somewhat surprised , therefore to_see gentleman with carpet bag come down the steps twenty minutes past one his suspicions being aroused, the followed the man , and with_the aid constable Pollack succeeded , after most desperate resistance , arresting him it_was once clear that daring and gigantic robbery had_been committed nearly hundred thousand pounds' worth American railway bonds, with large amount scrip mines and other companies, was discovered in_the bag examining the premises the body of_the unfortunate watchman was found doubled and thrust into_the largest of_the safes, where would_not_have_been until Monday morning had not been for_the prompt action sergeant Tuson the man 's skull had_been shattered blow from poker delivered from behind there could_be no_doubt that Beddington had obtained entrance pretending that had left something behind him , and having murdered the watchman , rapidly rifled the large safe , and then made off with_his booty his brother , who usually works with_him , has_not appeared in_this job far can present ascertained, although the police are making energetic inquiries to_his whereabouts "

" well , we_may save the police some little trouble in_that direction ," said Holmes, glancing at_the haggard huddled by_the window " human nature strange mixture , Watson you_see that even villain and murderer can inspire such affection that his brother turns suicide when learns that his neck forfeited however , we_have choice as_to our action the doctor and_I_will remain guard , Mr Pycroft, you_will_have the kindness step out for_the police "

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