" good memory ? " said he

"Pretty fair," I answered, modestly

" kept in touch market while out of work ? " he asked

"Yes the stock exchange list every morning "

"Now that shows real application ! " he cried " way to prosper ! You won't mind my testing you, ? Let me see How are Ayrshires ? "

"A hundred and six and quarter to hundred and five and seven-eighths "

"And New Zealand consolidated ? "

"A hundred and four "

"And British Broken Hills ? "

"Seven to seven-and-six "

"Wonderful ! " he cried, hands up "This quite fits in with all that I had heard My boy, my boy, too good clerk at Mawson's ! "

This outburst rather astonished me, think "Well," said I, "other people don't think quite of me seem , Mr Pinner I had hard enough fight this berth, and very it "

"Pooh, man; soar above it in your true sphere Now, I'll tell you how it stands with me What to offer is little enough when measured by your ability, but when compared with Mawson's, it's light to dark Let me see When go to Mawson's ? "

"On Monday "

"Ha, ha ! risk little sporting flutter that you don't go there at all "

"Not go to Mawson's ? "

"No, sir day the business manager Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, with hundred and thirty-four branches towns and villages of France, not counting one in Brussels and one in San Remo "

This took my breath away "I never heard of it," said I

"Very likely not kept very quiet, capital was all privately subscribed, and it's too good thing to let the public into My brother, Harry Pinner, is promoter, and joins the board after allotment as managing director swim down here, and asked me to pick up good man cheap young, pushing man with plenty of snap about him Parker spoke of you, brought me here tonight only offer you beggarly five hundred to start with "

"Five hundred year ! " I shouted

"Only that beginning; but an overriding commission of one per cent on all business done by your agents, and take my word will come to more than your salary "

"But nothing about hardware "

"Tut, my boy; about figures "

My head buzzed, and hardly sit still in my chair But suddenly little chill of doubt came upon me

" frank ," said I "Mawson only gives me two hundred, but Mawson is safe Now, really, so little company that--"

"Ah, smart, smart ! " he cried, in kind of ecstasy of delight " the very man talked over, and quite right, too Now, here's note for hundred pounds, and that do business just slip it into your pocket as an advance upon your salary "

" very handsome," said I "When should I take over my new duties ? "

"Be in Birmingham to-morrow at one," said he " note in my pocket here which take to my brother him at 126b Corporation Street, where the temporary offices company are situated confirm your engagement, but between ourselves all right "

"Really, I hardly know how to express my gratitude, Mr Pinner," said I

"Not at all, my boy only got your desserts small things--mere formalities--which arrange bit of paper beside you there Kindly write upon it ' perfectly willing to act as business manager Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, at minimum salary of L500 "

as he asked, and he put the paper pocket

" one other detail," said he "What intend about Mawson's ? "

I had forgotten all about Mawson's in my joy "I'll write and resign," said I

"Precisely what I don't want you I had row over you with Mawson's manager I had gone ask him about you, and very offensive; accused me of coaxing you away service firm, sort of thing At last I fairly lost my temper ' good men pay them good price,' said I

"' rather have our small price than your big one,' said he

"'I'll lay you fiver,' said I, 'that when he has my offer you'll never as again '

"'Done ! ' said he 'We picked him gutter, and he won't leave us so easily ' Those were his very words "

"The impudent scoundrel ! " I cried "I've never as seen him in my life Why should I consider him in ? certainly not write rather I didn't "

"Good ! That's promise," said he, rising chair "Well, I'm delighted got so good man brother Here's your advance of hundred pounds, and letter Make not address, 126b Corporation Street, and remember that one o'clock to-morrow is your appointment Good-night; and may all the fortune that you deserve ! "

That's just about all that passed , as near as remember imagine, Dr Watson, how pleased at such an extraordinary bit of good fortune I sat up half the night hugging myself over it, and off to Birmingham in train take me in plenty time appointment my things to hotel in New Street, and then my way address which given me

quarter of an hour before , but make no difference 126b was passage between two large shops, which led to winding stone stair, there were many flats, let as offices to companies or professional men The names occupants were painted bottom wall, but no such name Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited I stood with my heart in my boots, wondering whether the whole thing was an elaborate hoax or not, when up came man and addressed me very like the chap I had seen the night before, the same figure and voice, but clean shaven hair was lighter

" Mr Hall Pycroft ? " he asked

"Yes," said I

"Oh ! expecting you, but trifle time I had note from my brother he sang your praises very loudly "

" just looking offices came "

" got our name up yet, for we only secured these temporary premises last week Come up with me, and talk the matter over "

I followed him top of very lofty stair, and there, right under the slates, were couple of empty, dusty little rooms, uncarpeted and uncurtained, into which he led me I had thought of great office with shining tables and rows of clerks, such as used to, and I dare say I stared rather straight two deal chairs and one little table, which, with ledger and waste paper basket, made up the whole furniture

"Don't be disheartened, Mr Pycroft," said my new acquaintance, seeing the length face "Rome was not built in day, and lots of money at our backs, though we don't cut much dash yet in offices Pray sit down, and let me have your letter "

it to him, and her read it over very carefully

"You seem to vast impression upon my brother Arthur," said he; "and that pretty shrewd judge Hew swears by London, ; and I by Birmingham; but follow his advice Pray consider yourself definitely engaged "

" my duties ? " I asked

" eventually manage the great depot in Paris, which will pour flood of English crockery shops of hundred and thirty-four agents in France The purchase completed in week, and meanwhile remain in Birmingham and make yourself useful "

"How ? "

For answer, big red book out of drawer

" directory of Paris," said he, " trades names people you it home , and to mark off al the hardware sellers, with their addresses It greatest use them "

"Surely classified lists ? " I suggested

"Not reliable ones Their system is different from ours Stick at it, and let me have the lists by Monday, at twelve Good-day, Mr Pycroft continue to show zeal and intelligence the company good master "