|
||||||||
But I know nothing about hardware. Tut, my boy, you know about figures. My head buzzed, and I could hardly sit still in the chair. But suddenly a little chill of doubt came over me. I must be frank with you, said I. Mawson only gives me two hundred, but Mawson is safe. Now, really, I know so little about your company that Ah, smart, smart! he cried, in a kind of ecstasy of delight. You are the very man for us! You are not to be talked over, and quite right too. Now heres a note for a hundred pounds; and if you think that we can do business you may just slip it into your pocket as an advance upon your salary. That is very handsome, said I. When shall I take over my new duties? Be in Birmingham tomorrow at one, said he. I have a note in my pocket here which you will take to my brother. You will find him at 126B, Corporation Street, where the temporary offices of the company are situated. Of course he must confirm your engagement, but between ourselves it will be all right. Really, I hardly know how to express my gratitude, Mr Pinner, said I. Not at all, my boy. You have only got your deserts. There are one or two small thingsmere formalitieswhich I must arrange with you. You have a bit of paper beside you there. Kindly write upon it, I am perfectly willing to act as business manager to the Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited, at a minimum salary of £500. I did as he asked, and he put the paper in his pocket. There is one other detail, said he. What do you intend to do about Mawsons? I had forgotten all about Mawsons in my joy. Ill write and resign, said I. Precisely what I dont want you to do. I had a row over you with Mawsons manager. I had gone up to ask him about you, and he was very offensiveaccused me of coaxing you away from the service of the firm, and that sort of thing. At last I fairly lost my temper. If you want good men you should pay them a good price, said I. He would rather have our small price than your big one, said he. Ill lay you a fiver, said I, that when he has my offer you will never so much as hear from him again. Done! said he. We picked him out of the gutter, and he wont leave us so easily. Those were his very words. The impudent scoundrel! I cried. Ive never so much as seen him in my life. Why should I consider him in any way? I shall certainly not write if you would rather that I didnt. Good! Thats a promise! said he, rising from his chair. Well, I am delighted to have got so good a man for my brother. Here is your advance of a hundred pounds, and here is the letter. Make a note of the address, 126B, Corporation Street, and remember that one oclock tomorrow is your appointment. Good-night, and may you have all the fortune that you deserve. Thats just about all that passed between us as near as I can remember it. You can imagine, Dr Watson, how pleased I was at such an extraordinary bit of good fortune. I sat up half the night hugging myself over it, and next day I was off to Birmingham in a train that would take me in plenty of time for my appointment. I took my things to an hotel in New Street, and then I made my way to the address which had been given me. |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||