Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-07-20

CuicrJ tucT0 - auOtu0r ujVeruuuVcs
Mr.. Holmes. don't know whether
You observed my bedroom Window"
Lattice paued, lead framework,
three separate windows, one swinging
on hinge and large enough to admit II
man."
Exactly. And It looks out on an
angle Of the courtyard 10 as to be
partly Invisible. The man might have
effected his entrance there, left traces
as he passed through the bedroom, and
anally, 0nding the door open, have es-
capped that way"
Holmes shook his head impatlently.
"1.et Us be practical" said he. II
understand you to say that there are
three students who use this stair and
are In the habit Of passing your door7'
Yes. there are"
"And they are all in for this examina-
tion7"
"Yes."
Have you any reason to suspect any
one Of them more than the others?"
Soames hesitated.
1T 10 a very delicate question" said
he. "One hardly likes to throw sus.
picion where there are no proofs"
"Iet us hear the suspicious. will
look after the proofs
II will tell you, then, IN a few words
the character of the three men who in
habit these riems. The lower of the
three Is Gilctrist, fine scholar and
athlete; plays In the Rugby team and
the cricket team for tile college and
got his blue for the hurdles and the
long Jump. He Is a fine, manly fellow.
His father was the notorious Sir Jabez
Gilchrist, who ruined himself on the
turf. My scholar has been left very
poor, but he Is Woodworking and in
dustrious. He will do we'll
1.-The second floor Is inhabited by
Daulat Ras. the Indian. He Is a
quiet, inscrutable fellow, as most of
those Indians are. He Ia we'll up In
his work, though his Greek Is his weak
subject. He Ia steady and methodical.
1.-THE top floor belongs to Miles Nc
Laren. He IL brilliant fellow when
est intellects Of the university-but he
10 hayward. disslpated and unprincl-
pied. He was nearly expelled over a
card scandal In his first year. He has
been ldling ali this term. and he must
look forward with dread to the ex-
animation"
Then it is he whom you suspect"
II dare not 60 80 far as that. hut of
the three he is perhaps the least un.
likely"
Exactly. Now, Mr.. Soames. let us
have look at your servant, Bannis-
ter"
He was a little, white faced. clean
shaver, grizzly haired fellow Of fifty.
He was still suffering from this sud
den disturbance OF the quiet routine of
his life. His plump face was twitchinR
with his nervousness, and his fingers
could not keep still.
I'VE are investigating this unhappy
business. Bannister," said his master.
Eyes. sir"
II understand" said Holiness that
you left your key In the door?"
Eyes, sir"
"Was 1t not very extraordinary that
you should do this on the very day
when there were these papers inside?"
ut was most unfortunate. sir. But !
have occasionally done the same thing
at other times"
when did you enter the room?"
ut was about half past 4. That is
Mr.. Soames' tea time"
How long did you stay?'
"When l saw that he was absent, I
withdrew at once"
Did you look at these papers on the
tablet"
mo, sir; certainly not"
How came you to leave the key in
the door,"
Il had the tea tray In my hand.
thought l would come back for the
key. Then forgot"
HAS the outer door Il spring lock"
mo. sir"
"Then it was open all the timer"
Eyes, SIR"
"Any one in the room could get out?"
Eyes. sir"
"When Mr.. Soames returned and
called for you you We're very much dis
turbed"
Eyes. sir. Such a thing has never
happened during the many years that
l have been here. nearly tainted
sir"
$50 understand. Where were you
when you began to feel badT'
where was l, sir? Why. here, near
the door,"
That is singular, because you eat
down in that chair over yonder nenr
the corner. Why did you pass these
other chairs?"
Il don't know. sir. 1t didn't matter
to me where | sat"
II really don't think he knew much
about It. Mr.. Holmes. He was looking
very bad-Quite ghastly."
You stayed here when your master
left?"
"Only for minute or so; then lock-
ed the door and went to my room"
Whom did you suspect
"Oh, ! would not venture to say, sir
I don't believe there is any gentleman
IN this university who is capable OF
profting by such an action. No. sir
I'll not believe it,"
THANK you; that will do" said
Holmes. "Oh, one more word You
have not mentioned to any of the TIRES
gentlemen whom you attend that any
thing u amiss2"
mo. sir; not word"