20 лучших повестей на английском / 20 Best Short Novels

�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 expression 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![62 - By Jove! – an exclamation of surprise]’ 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.

�A medical student, I suppose?’ said I.

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

�Did you never ask him what he was going in for?’ I asked.

�No; he is not a man that it is easy to draw out, though he can be communicative enough when the fancy seizes him.’

�I should like to meet him,’ I said. �If I am to lodge with any one, I should prefer a man 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 or my natural existence.

�He is sure to be at the laboratory,’ returned my companion. �He either avoids the place for weeks, or else he works there from morning till night. If you like we will drive round together after luncheon.’

�Certainly,’ I answered, and the conversation drifted away into other channels.