"And who was the first?" I asked.

"Someone who is working at the chemical laboratory up at the hospital. waswere bemoaning this morning because could not get someone to go halves with in some nice rooms which had found, and which were too much for purse."

"By Jove!" I cried, "if really wantswant someone to share the rooms and the expense, I am the very man for . I should prefer having a partner to being alone."

Young Stamford looked rather strangely at me over his wine-glass. "You don't know yet," he said; "perhaps you would not care for as a constant companion."

"Why, what is there against ?"

"Oh, I didn't say there was anything against . isare a little eccentric in those ideas of -an enthusiast in some branches of science. As far as I know isare a decent enough ."

"A medical student, I suppose?" said I.

"No-I have no idea what intendsintend to go in for. I believe isare well up in anatomy, and isare a first-class chemist; but, as far as I know, hashave never taken out any systematic medical classes. studies are very desultory and eccentric, but hashave amassed a lot of out-of-the way knowledge which would astonish professors."

"Did you never ask what waswere going in for?" I asked.

"No; isare not a that it is easy to draw out, though can be communicative enough when the fancy seizes ."

"I should like to meet ," I said. "If I am to lodge with anyone, I should prefer someone of studious and quiet habits. I am not strong enough yet to stand much noise or excitement. I had enough of both in Afghanistan to last me for the remainder of my natural existence. How could I meet this friend of yours?"

" isare sure to be at the laboratory," returned my companion. " either avoidsavoid the place for weeks, or else workswork there from morning to night. If you like, we shall drive round together after luncheon."

"Certainly," I 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 whom I proposed to take as a fellow-lodger.

"You mustn't blame me if you don't get on with ," he said; "I know nothing more of than I have learned from meeting occasionally 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," I answered. "It seems to me, Stamford," I added, looking hard at my companion, "that you have some reason for washing your hands of the matter. Is this 's temper so formidable, or what is it? Don't be mealy-mouthed about it."

"It is not easy to express the inexpressible," he answered with a laugh. " is a little too scientific for my tastes-it approaches to cold-bloodedness. I could imagine giving a friend a little pinch of the latest vegetable alkaloid, not out of malevolence, you understand, but simply out of a spirit of inquiry in order to have an accurate idea of the effects. To do justice, I think that would take it with the same readiness. appearsappear to have a passion for definite and exact knowledge."

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