Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-10-26
ca WIN an expression OF olanK ulsnay

Cd WIN an expression OF DlanK ulSmay
upon Bannister in the farther
"Just close the door," said Holmes.
"Now, Mr.. Gilchrist, we are all quite
alone here, and no one need ever know
one word Of what passes between US.
We can be perfectly frank with each
other. We want to know, Mr.. Gilchrist,
how you, an honorable man, ever came
to commit such an action as that of
yesterday"
The unfortunate young a stagger-
ed back and cast a look full of horror
and reproach at Bannister.
mo, no, Mr.. Gilchrist, sir, l never
said a word-never one word..' cried
the servant.
"No, but you have now said Holmes.
"Now. sir, you must see that after
Bannister's words your position is
hopeless and that your only chance lies
in a frank confession
For a moment Gilchrist, with uprais-
ed hand, tried to control his writing
features. The next he had thrown him
self on his knees beside the table. and,
burying his face in his hands, he had
burst into a storm of passionate Sob
bling.
"Come, GOMEZ said Holmes kindly,
1T is human to err, and at least no one
can accuse you Of being a callous Grim
inal. Perhaps it would be easier for
you if l were to tell Mr.. Soames what
occurred, and you can check me where
I am wrong. Shall 1 do so? Well. we'll,
don't trouble to answer. Listen. and
see that do you no injustice"
From the moment, Mr.. Soames. that
you said to me that no one, not even
Bannister, could have told that the pa
pers were in your DON the case began
to take a definite shape in my mind.
The printer one could. Of course. dis
miss. He could examine the papers in
his W office. The Indian l also
thought nothing of. If the proofs were
in roll he could not possibly know
what they were. On the other hand. it
seemed an unthinkable coincidence
that a man should dare to enter the
room, and that by chance on that very
day the papers were on the table. I
dismissed that. The man who entered
knew that the papers We're there. How
did he know?
When l approached your room l
examined the window. You amused
me by supposing that l was contem-
plating the possibility of some one hay
ing in broad daylight, under the eyes
OF all these opposite rooms, forced him
self through it. Such an idea was alb
surd. l was measuring how tall a
man would need to be in order to see
as he passed what papers were on the
central table. I am six feet high. and
could do it with an effort. No one
less than that would have a chance.
Already, YOU see, | had reason to think
that II one of your three students was
a man of unusual height he was the
most worth watching of the three.
i entered, and | took you into my
confidence as to the suggestions of the
slde table. OF the center table | could
make nothing until in your description
or Gllchrist you mentioned that he was
Il long distance jumper. Then the
"hole thing came to me in an instant,
ana | only needed certain corroborative
proofs, which speedily obtained.
"hat happened was this: This young
Fellow had employed his afternoon at
1hc athletic grounds. where he had
oecii practicing the jump. He return.
ed carrying his jumping shoes, which
are provided, MS you are aware, with
several sharp spikes. As he passed
your window he saw. by means OF his
great height, these proofs upon your
'ao'e II ~conjectured what they were.