The Press., 1895-02-07

whether It IS possible to get comfortable roolus, at a reasonable price. ' That's strange thing, remarked my companion ''You are the second man today that has used that expression to me "
 And who was the tirst?' l asked
 A fellow who is working at the chemical laboratory up at 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 ound and which were too much for his purse.
 By Jove!" l cried, Eff he really wants some one to share tho rooms and the expense, am the very man for him l should prefer having partner to being alone. '
 Young Stamford 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 anything against him. He is little queer ill his ideas-an enthusiast in some branches of science. As far as know, he is a de- cent fellow enough"
 "A medical student. l suppose?" l said.
 No. have no idea what he intends to go in for. l believe he is we'll up in anatomy, and he is first class chemist. but. as far as know, he has never taken out any systematic medical classes. His studies are very desultory and eccentric, but he has amassCd a lot of out of tho way Knowledge which would astonish his professors. J
 Did you never ask him what he was going in for?" 1 asked.
 No He is not a man that it is easy to draw out, though he can be commu- nicative enough when the fancy sCiZes him. '
 II should like to meet him, . said "If am to lodge with any one, should prefer man of studious and quiet hab- its. l am not strong enough yet to stand much noise or excitement. had enough of both ill Afghanist;n to last mo for the remainder of my E-.tural existence. How could meet this friend of yours?'
 'sHe is sure 10 be at tho laboratory. He either avoids tho place for weeks, or else he works there from morning to night. If you like, we shall drive round together after luncheon.
 Certainly, answered, and tho con versation drifted away into other chan nels
 As we mado our way to tho hospital after leaving the Holborn, Stamford gave me few more particulars about the gentleman whom proposed to take as a fellow lodger.
 "You mustn't blame mo if you don t get on with him." he said. II know nothing moro of him than have learned from meeting him occasionally ill the laboratory. You proposed this arrange ment, so you must not hold me respon- sible. y
 "If we don't get on, it will be easy to part company" 1 answered. "It seems to me, Stamford, ;" I added, look ing 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 mealy mouthed about it."
 ''It is not easy to express tho mex 1 pressible, " he answered, with laugh. "Holmes is little too scientific for my tastes. It approaches to cold blooded- ness. could imagine his giving friend little pinch of the latest vegetable al- kaloid, not out of malevolence, you un- derstand, but simply out of spirit of inquiry in order to have an accurate idea of the effects. To do him justice, I think that he would take it himself with the same readiness. He appears to have a passion for definite and exact knoWl- edge"
 "Very right too" ..s,,.
 "Yes, but it may be pushed to excess. When it comes to beating the subjects ill the dissecting rooms with a stick, it is certainly taking rather a bizarre shape."
 Beating the subjectsP'
 be produced after death. saw him at it with my own eyes,"
 And get you say he is not medical student?''
 "No. Heaven knows what the objects of his studies are! But here we are, and you must form your own impressions about him. " As he spoke we turned down E2rrow lane and passed through small sid( door, which opened into a wing of the great hospital. It was ia miliar ground to me, and I needed nc guiding as we ascended the bleak stone staircase and made our way down the long. corridor with its vista of white washed wall and dun colored doors. Near the farther end low arched pas sage branched away from it and led tc the chemical laboratory.
 This was lofty chamber, lined anG filtered with countless bottles Broad, low tables were scattered about, which bristled with retorts, test tubes and lit tie Bunsen lamps, with their blue flick ering flames. There was only one stu dent in the room, who was bending over a distant table absorbed in hiE work. At the sound of our steps he glanced round and sprang to his feet with a cry of pleasure. 'I've found it I've found it!' he shouted to my com panion, running toward us with tes tube ill his hand. "I have found a re agent which is precipitated by hemoglo bin, and by nothing else" " Had he dis covered gold mine greater deligh could not have shone upon his features
 "Dr. Watson-Mr. Sherlock Holmes, : said Stamford, introducing us.
 ''How are your" he said cordially gripping my hand with strength fo1 which should hardly have given hin credit. "You have been in Afghanistan perceive. '
 ''How on earth did you know that?' 1 asked in astonishment.
 "Never mind" said he, chuckling tt himself. ''The question now is abou hemoglobin. No doubt you see the sig nifcance of this discovery of lnine?'
 ''lt is interesting, chemically, nc doubt, :" answered, "but practically
 Why, man, it is the most practica 1 lon.nl ncnn