A Study in Scarlet (Serial Edition Cover) — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

52 A STUDY IN SCARLET. Rance resumed his seat, without, however, losing his mystified expression. “T went back to the gate and sounded my whistle. That brought Murcher and two more to the spot.” “Was the street empty, then?” “Well, it was, as far as anybody that could be of any good goes.” “What do you mean?” The constable’s features broadened into a grin. “T’ve seen many a drunk chap in my time,” he said, “but never any one so cryin’ drunk as that cove. He was at the gate when I came out, a-leanin’ up agin the railin’s and a-singin’ at the pitch of his lungs about Columbine’s New-fangled Banner, or some such stuff. He couldn’t stand, far less help.” “What sort of a man was hee” asked Sherlock Holmes. John Rance appeared to be somewhat mrritated at this digression. “He was an uncommon drunk sort o’ man,” he said. “He'd ha’ found hisself in the station if we hadn’t been so took up.” “His face—his dress—didn’t you notice them?” Holmes broke in impatiently. “T should think I did notice them, seeing that I had to prop him up—me and Murcher between us. He was a long chap, with a red face, the lower part muffled round—” “That will do,” cried Holmes. “What became of him? +B “We'd enough to do without lookin’ after him,” the Gomilcboo