A Study in Scarlet (Serial Edition Cover) — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

8 A STUDY IN SCARLET. “Poor devil! ”’ he said, commiseratingly, after he had listened to my misfortunes. ‘‘ What are you up to now ?” | “Looking for lodgings,” I answered. “Trying to solve the problem as to whether it is possible to get comfortable rooms at a reasonable price.” “That’s a strange thing,” remarked my companion; “you are the second man to-day that has used that ex- pression to me.” , «And who was the first ?” I asked. “A fellow who is working at the chemical laboratory up at the hospital He was bemoaning himself this morning 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!” I cried, “if he really wants some one to share the rooms and the expense, I am the very man for him. I should prefer having a partner to being alone.” Young Stamford looked rather strangely at me over his wine-glass. “You don’t know Sherlock Holmes yet,” he said; “perhaps you would not care for him as a constant companion.” “Why, what is there against him ?” “‘Oh, I didn’t say there was anything against him. He is a little queer in his ideas—an enthusiast in some branches of science. As far as I know, he is a decent fellow enough.” “A medical student, I suppose ?”’ said I. “No; I have no idea what he intends to goin for. I believe he is well up in anatomy, and he is a first-class Gomicboo Sale