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'

"'Good! That's a promise,' said he, rising from his
chair. 'Well, I'm delighted to have got so good a man
for my brother. Here's your advance of a hundred
pounds, and here is the letter. Make a note of the
address, 126b Corporation Street, and remember that
one o'clock to-morrow is your appointment.
Good-night; and may you have all the fortune that you
deserve!'

"That's just about all that passed between us, as near
as I can remember. 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 time for my appointment.
I took my things to a hotel in New Street, and then I
made my way to the address which had been given me.

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

"'Are you Mr. Hall Pycroft?' he asked.

"'Yes,' said I.

"'Oh! I was expecting you, but you are a trifle before
your time. I had a note from my brother this morning
in which he sang your praises very loudly.'

"'I was just looking for the offices when you came.

"'We have not got our name up yet, for we only secured
these temporary premises last week. Come up with me,
and we will talk the matter over.'

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

"'Don't be disheartened, Mr. Pycroft,' said my new
acquaintance, seeing the length of my face. 'Rome was
not built in a day, and we have 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.'

"I gave it to him, and he read it over very carefully.

"'You seem to have made a vast impression upon my
brother Arthur,' said he; 'and I know that he is a
pretty shrewd judge. He swears by London, you know;
and I by Birmingham; but this time I shall follow his
advice. Pray consider yourself definitely engaged."

"'What are my duties?' I asked.

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