who were in need of it, I came right away to you.
And you did very wisely, said Holmes. Your case is an exceedingly
remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. From what you
have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from
it than might at first sight appear.
Grave enough! said Mr. Jabez Wilson. Why, I have lost four pound a
week.
As far as you are personally concerned, remarked Holmes, I do not
see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league. On
the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 30, to say
nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject
which comes under the letter A. You have lost nothing by them.
No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and what
their object was in playing this prank if it was a prank upon me. It
was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty
pounds.
We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, one
or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who first called
your attention to the advertisement how long had he been with you?
About a month then.
How did he come?
In answer to an advertisement.
Was he the only applicant?
No, I had a dozen.
Why did you pick him?
Because he was handy and would come cheap.
At half wages, in fact.
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