" ," said he; " that I underrated the difficulty task This list of very material assistance "

"It took ," said I

"And now," said he, " you list furniture shops, for they all sell crockery "

" "

"And come -morrow evening, at seven, and let me know how getting on Don't overwork yourself couple of hours at Day's Music Hall evening would no harm after your labours " He laughed as he spoke, and with thrill that his second tooth left-hand side very badly stuffed with gold

Sherlock Holmes rubbed his hands with delight, and I stared with astonishment at our client

" well look surprised, Dr Watson; but ," said he: "When speaking other chap in London, that he laughed at my not going to Mawson's, I happened to notice that his tooth was stuffed very identical fashion The glint gold in caught my eye, When I put that voice and figure being the same, and only those things altered which changed by razor or wig, doubt the same man you expect two brothers alike, but not the same tooth stuffed same way He bowed me out, and myself street, hardly knowing whether on my head or my heels Back I went to my hotel, put my head in basin of cold water, and tried it out Why had he sent me from London to Birmingham ? Why had he got there before me ? And why had he written letter from himself to himself ? altogether , and make no sense of it And then suddenly it struck me that dark very light to Mr Sherlock Holmes I had just time town night train him , and to bring you both back with me to Birmingham "

pause stock-broker's clerk had concluded his surprising experience Then Sherlock Holmes cocked his eye at me, leaning back cushions with pleased and yet critical face, like connoisseur who has just taken his first sip of comet vintage

"Rather fine, Watson, not ? " said he " points which please me that agree with me that an interview with Mr Arthur Harry Pinner temporary offices Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, rather interesting experience for both of us "

"But how can we ? " I asked

"Oh, easily enough," said Hall Pycroft, cheerily " two friends in want of billet, and what more natural than that bring you both round managing director ? "

"Quite so, ," said Holmes " like look gentleman, if make anything little game What qualities , my friend, which would make your services so valuable ? or possible that--" He began biting his nails and staring blankly window, and we hardly drew another word until we were in New Street

At seven o'clock that evening we were walking, the three of us, down Corporation Street company's offices

" no use our being at all before our time," said our client "He only comes there me, apparently, place is deserted very hour he names "

" suggestive," remarked Holmes

"By Jove, you so ! " cried the clerk "That's he walking ahead of us there "

He pointed to smallish, dark, well-dressed man who was bustling along the other side road watched him he looked across at boy who was bawling out the latest edition evening paper, and running over cabs and busses, he bought one Then, clutching it hand, he vanished through door-way

"There he goes ! " cried Hall Pycroft "These are the company's offices into which he has gone Come with me, and I'll fix it up as easily as possible "

Following his lead, we ascended five stories, until ourselves outside half-opened door, at which our client tapped voice within bade us enter, and we entered bare, unfurnished room such as Hall Pycroft had described single table sat the man whom we had seen street, evening paper spread out in front of him, and as he looked up at us it seemed that I had never looked upon face which bore such marks of grief, and of something beyond grief--of horror such as comes to few men in lifetime His brow glistened wit perspiration, his cheeks were dull, dead white of fish's belly, eyes were wild and staring He looked at his clerk he failed to recognise him, and I astonishment depicted upon our conductor's face was by no means the usual appearance employer

"You look ill, Mr Pinner ! " he exclaimed

"Yes, not ," answered the other, making obvious efforts to pull himself together, and licking his dry lips before he spoke " these gentlemen whom brought ? "

"One is Mr Harris, of Bermondsey, other is Mr Price, town," said our clerk, glibly " friends and gentlemen of experience, but they out of place for some little time, hoped that perhaps find an opening company's employment "

"Very possibly ! Very possibly ! " cried Mr Pinner with ghastly smile "Yes, that something your particular line, Mr Harris ? "

" an accountant," said Holmes

"Ah yes, want something sort And you, Mr Price ? "

"A clerk," said I

" every the company may accommodate you let we come to any conclusion And now I beg that go For God's sake leave me to myself ! "

These last words were shot out of him, the constraint which evidently setting upon himself had suddenly and utterly burst asunder Holmes and I glanced at , and Hall Pycroft took step towards the table

"You forget, Mr Pinner, that here by appointment to receive some directions ," said he

"Certainly, Mr Pycroft, certainly," the other resumed in calmer tone " wait here moment; and no reason why your friends wait entirely at your service in three minutes, if trespass upon your patience " He rose with very courteous air, and, bowing , he passed out through door farther end room, which he closed behind him

"What now ? " whispered Holmes "Is he giving us the slip ? "

"Impossible," answered Pycroft

"Why so ? "

"That door leads into an inner room "

" no exit ? "

"None "

" furnished ? "

" empty yesterday "

"Then what on earth can he be doing ? something which I don't understand manner If ever man was three parts mad with terror, that man's name is Pinner What put the shivers on him ? "

"He suspects that detectives," I suggested

"That's it," cried Pycroft

Holmes shook his head " turn pale pale when we entered the room," said he " just possible that--"

His words were interrupted by sharp rat-tat direction inner door

"What the deuce is he knocking at his own door for ? " cried the clerk

Again and much louder cam the rat-tat-tat We all gazed expectantly closed door Glancing at Holmes, his face turn rigid, and he leaned forward in intense excitement Then suddenly came low gurgling, gargling sound, and brisk drumming upon woodwork Holmes sprang frantically across the room and pushed door fastened inner side Following his example, we threw ourselves upon it with all our weight One hinge snapped, then the other, and down came the door with crash Rushing over it, ourselves inner room empty