The Adventures of Holds and Wayson

Scarlet Study

AUTHOR'S NOTE: It took 3 weeks for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write A Study in Scarlet (Doyle's original working title for the story was A Tangled Skein). Ward, Lock, & Co originally published his tale in "Beeton's Christmas Annual" in November of 1887.

8 months later, in July of 1888, A Study in Scarlet was published in book format.

To celebrate the 131st anniversary of the 1st edition, Swell Owl Stories is proud to present this short tale for your entertainment.

*****SCARLET STUDY*******

I stepped off the train and took the wet London air into my lungs. It felt good to breathe something other than heat and sand. London seemed like a good spot to go after my time in the army, even though I had neither kit nor kin England. I had heard nothing but good things about the big city from my fellow soldiers and so, after securing myself a position as a surgeon, which paid eleven shillings and sixpence a day, I, Doctor Josh Wayson, decided it was time to become a civilian.

I was worn with pain and weak from my prolonged hardships, which I had undergone. I wanted nothing more to do with action or adventure and was looking forward to finding myself a wife and settling down, but before I could settle down, the first thing I had to do was find a place to stay.

After spending a week in The Stranded Hotel and spending more of my money I had originally intended, I came to the conclusion that I had only one of two options. The first was to find a roommate in this metropolis or the second, which was to move out into the country and make a daily commute to work. My finances were not secure enough for me to have a place of my own, and so it was my only option to choose the first option.

While sitting in The Critical Bar, having a drink and venting my problems for all to hear, a young man from Stratford-upon-Avon tapped me on the shoulder with the intention of helping me to solve my problem.

"Do not fear," he said with cheer in his voice. "You are in good company. Why you are the third man today I have heard with this problem and I do have a solution for you. A Mister Samuel Holds at one twenty-two a Barker Street just so happens to be looking for a roommate."

"Is he a friendly chap?" I asked the man.

He hesitated as though he didn't know how to answer my question before he finally came forth and said, "He is not as friendly as you or I, but he is friendly enough."

My eyebrows leaned in and my mustache twitched. "Is there something wrong with him?" I asked with concern in my voice that there wasn't.

"Nothing as far as I know," he said while shaking his head and his free, open hand. "He is a little...weird, especially when it comes to his ideas and hobbies. He dabbles in science, mostly anatomy and chemistry, maybe a few others, but I am not quite sure."

"Is he a student?" I asked.

"He is an amateur," was the answer I got.

"He sounds like an interesting fellow," I said with joy in my voice. "I should like to meet him." I finished my drink and the man finished his, not to be outdone by me. He paid my tab and his with an enthusiasm I had never seen in a public house before and we were on our way to meet Mister Samuel Holds.

During our walk to Barker Street, my excitement grew as the man continued to describe to me just exactly who it was I was about to meet. I explained to the gentleman that I had hoped my future roommate was a studios man with quiet habits as I was not yet strong enough to stand much noise or excitement.