The Globe-republican., 1894-04-06

ly, after ne naO llSCeneu 10 my mlSIOT-
tunes. "What are you up to now?"
Looking for lodgings" answered.
TRYING to solve the problem as to
whether it is possible to get comforta-
BILE rooms at reasonable price"
That's strange thing" remarked
my companion ''you are the second
man to-day that has used that express
sion to me-"
'.And who was the frst?' l asked.
"A fellow who is working at the
chemical laboratory upat the hospital.
He was bemoaning himself this morn
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"
sBy Jove." cried; IF he really wants
some one to share the rooms and the
expense. am the very man for him.
1 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 constant companion
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 ii some
branches of science. AS far as know,
he is decent fellow enough"
"a medical student. l SUPPOSE" said
'.No-I have no idea what he intends
to go in for. 1 believe he is well up in
anatomy, and he is first-class
chemist; but, as far as l know. he has
never taken out any systematic medi-
cal classes. His studies are very
desultory AID eccentric, but he has
amassed 4 lot of out-of-the-way
knowledge which would astonish his
professors.
Ibid YOU never ask him what he was
going in for?" l asked.
NO; he is not man that it is easy
to draw out, though he can be COM
municative enough when the fancy
seizes him"
81 should like to meet him." said.
''If l am to lodge with anyone, l
should prefer man with studlous and
quiet habits. l am not strong enough
vet to stand much noise or excitement.
l had enough of both in Afghanistan
to last me for the remainder of my
natural existence. How could l meet
this friend of yours?"
'sHe is sure to be at the laboratory.
He either avoids the place 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.
AS we made our way to the hospital
| after leaving the Holborn, Stamford
| gave me a few more particulars about
the gentleman whom l proposed to
take as fellow ledger.
"You mustn't blame me if you don't
| get on with him." he said; Il know
nothing more of him than l have
learned from meeting him occasional
ly in the laboratory. You proposed
this arrangement, SO you must not hold
me responsible"
..If we don't get on it will be easy to
part company l answered. 1T seems
to me, Stamford" added, looking
hard at my companion. that You have
some reason for washing your hands
of the matter. Is this fellows temper
so formidable, or what is it? Don't be
mcaly-mouthcd about it.
st is not easy to express the mex
prcssible," he answered. with a laugh.
Holmes is little too scientific for my
tastes-it approaches to cold-blooded'
ness. / could imagine his giving q
friend little pinch of the latest vcGe'
table all1aloid not out of malevolcnce
you understand, but simply out of q
spirit of inquiry in order to have ar
accurate idea of the effects. To dc
him justice, l think that he would take
. it himself with the same readiness. He
. appears to have passion for definite
and exact knowledge"
''Ve-y right, too
"Ycs; but it may be pushed to ex
. cess. When it comes to beating thu
subjects in the dissectirg-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 q
: it with my own eyes"
/, 'And yet you say he is not a nedica
, studcnt?''
mo. Heaven knows what the OF
jects of his studies are! But here w
D are. and you must form your own i'm
a pressions about him" As he spoke W
4 turned down a narrow lane and passe
, through a snall side door whic
/. opened into o wing of the great no:
I p;tal. It was familiar ground to n
e and I needed no guiding rs we o:
a cended the bleak stone staircase an
|. made our way down the long corridc
n with its vista of whitewashed wall an
I dun-colored doors. Near the farthe
!. end low, arched passage branchc
q away from it and led to the chcnics
l laboratory.
C This was lofty chamber, lined al
n Uttered with countless bottles Broai
low tables were scattered about, whic
g bristlcd with rctorts, test-tubcs az