The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-17


ing because he could not get some one
to go halves with him in some nice
rooms which he had found, and which
were too much for his purse"
by Jove" cried; "if he really wants
some one to share the rooms and the
expense, am the very man for him.
l should prefer having partner to be-
ing alone"
Young Stanford looked rather
strangely at me over his wineglass
"You don't know Sherlock Holmes
yet" he said; perhaps you would not
care for him as a constant companion" 4"
"Why, what is there against him?"
"Oh, | didn't say there was any
thing against him. He is little queer
in his ideas-an enthusiast in some
branches of science. As far as | know,
he is decent fellow enough"
"A medical student, suppose?" said
I.
"No--I have no idea what he intends
to 90 in for. believe he is well up in
anatomy, and he is a first-class
chemist; but, as far as know, he has
never taken out any systematic medi-
cal classes, His studies are very
desultory and eccentric, but he has
amassed lot of out-of-the-way
knowledge which would astonish his
professors
did you never ask him what he was
going in for?" asked.
"No; he IS not Ia man that it is easy
to draw out, though he can be COM
municative enough when the fancy
sei2es him.
81 should like to meet him." said.
"If l am to lodge with anyone, l
should prefer a man with studlous and
quiet habits. | am not strong enough
yet to stand much noise or excitement.
/ had enough of both in Atghanistan
to last me for the remainder of my
natural existehce. How could meet
this friend of yours?'
HE is sure TO be at the laboratory.
He either avoids the pace for weeks,
or else he works there from morning
to night. If you like, we shall drive
round together after luncheon"
Certainly" l answered, and the
conversation drifted away into other
/ channels
I As we made our way to the hospital
after leaving the Holborn, Stamford
gave me q few more particulars about
the gentleman whom l proposed to
take as a fellow lodger.
"You mustn't blame me if you don't
get on with him." he said; 81 know
nothing more Of him than l have
learned from meeting him OCCASIONAL
ly in the laboratory. You proposed
this arrangement, so oyoumust not hold
me responsible"
IF we don't get on it will be easy tC
part company" | answered. ut seems
to me, Stamford" l added, looking
hard at my companion, that you have
some reason for washing your hands
Of the matter. Is this fellows tempe
so formidable, or what is it? Don't be
mealy-mouthed about it,"
at is not easy to express the mex
pressible," he answered, with u laugh
Holmes is Il little too scientific formy
tastes-it approaches to cold-blooded
ness. l could imagine his giving {
friend little pinch Of the latest vege
table alkaloid not out of malevolence
you understand, but simply out of a
spirit of inquiry in order to have al
accurate idea of the effects. TO d,
him Justice, think that he would talk,
it himself with the same readiness. III
appears to have a passion for definit,
and exact knowledge"
"yery right, too"
"Yes; but it may be pushed to eX
cess, When it comes to beating tn
subjects in the dissecting-rooms will
stick it is certainly taking rather ;
bizarre shape"
Beating the subjects" '''''
"Yes, to verify how far bruises ma,
be produced after death. saw him a
it with my own eyes"
"And yet you say he is not a medica
student?" ....... ....... ......
mo. Heaven knows what the oh
jects of his studies are! But here W
are, and you must form your own i'm
pressions about him" AS he spoke w
turned down q narrow lane and passeC
through u small side door whicl
opened into wing of the great hos
pital. 1t was familiar ground to M
and | needed no guiding as we as
cended the bleak stone staircase ant
made our way down the long corrido
with its vista of whitewashed wall ant
dun-colored doors. Near the farthe
end low, arched passage branchet
away from it and led to the chemica
laboratory.
This was lofty chamber, lined an
Uttered with countless bottles. Broad
low tables were scattered about, whicl
bristled with retorts, test-tubes ant
little Bunsen lamps, with their blu,
flickering flames. There was only on
student in the room, who was bendin
over distant table absorbed in hi
work, At the sound of our steps b