PROBLEM No. 35.
To anyone not in the secret, the conduct of Mr. Pipkin would appear inexplicable, for on March 3rd, 1914, he very deliberately entered a Tobacconist's shop, ordered a threepenny cigar, and afterwards resigned his position as Assistant Book-keeper in Messrs. Macfarlane's Grocery Establishment.
The secret, however, lay in the fact that Mrs. Pipkin had come into money, and Mr. Pipkin very naturally felt himself independent of other people and yearned for the ease and comfort appertaining to the position of a retired gentleman of means.
Mrs. Pipkin's fortune consisted of a life interest in the Property left by Mr. Austen Friars, who died on the 28th February, 1914.
This property was represented by the following assets:—
£2,000 31⁄2% Hongkong Stock, interest payable half-yearly, on the 1st April and 1st October.
200 Shares of £5 each (£2 10s. 0d. called up and paid) in the Commercial Banking Co., Ltd.
Freehold House bringing in £80 a year, payable quarterly, on the usual Quarter Days. This house was assessed at £67, and the Income Tax was paid by the Tenant on the 5th January, 1914.