The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-07-13

gave hin a little brandy all left him
collapsed in a chair, While l made d
most careful examination of the room.
L soon saw that the intruder had left
other races of his presence besides the
rurnpled papers. On the table in the
window were several shreds from a
pencil which had been s~harpened. A
broken tip of lead was lying there also.
Evidently the rascal had copied the
paper in a great hurry, had broken
his pencil, and had been compelled to
put q fresh point to it,
Excellent" said Holiness, who was
recovering his good hulnor as his at
tention became more ~engrossed by the
case. Fortune has been you friend"
This was not all. 1 have a new
writing table with a fine surface of red
leather. l am prepared to SWEAR, and
SO is Bannister, that it was smooth
and unstained. Nov / found a clean
cut in it about three inches long-not a
mere scratch, but a positive cut. Not
only this. but on the table l found a
specks of something which looks like
sawdust in it. 1 am convinced that
these marks We're left by the man who
rifled the papers. There We're no foot
marks and no other evidence as to his
identity. I was at my wits end, when
suddenly the happy thought occurred to
me that you We're in town, and l came
straight aroun to put the matter into
your hands. Do help me, Mr.. Holmes.
You see my dilemma. Either l must
find the man or else the examination
must be postponed until fresh papers
are prepared, n since this cannot be
done without explanation. there will
ensue a hideous scandal, which will
throw a cloud, not only on the college,
but on the university. Above all things,
I desire to settle the matter quietly and
discreetly."
Il shall be happy to look into it and
give you such advice as l San" said
Holmes, rising mo putting on his over
coat. The case is not entirely devoid
of interest. Had anyone visited you
in our room after the papers came to
you?"
Yes, young Daulat Ras. an Indian
student who lives on the same stair.
came in to ask me some particulars
about the examination"
For which he has entered?"
Yes
"And the papers were on the table?'
Ito the best of my belief, they were
rolled up"
But might be recognized as proofs?"
Possibly"
mo one else in your room?"
NO"
Did anyone know that these proofs
would be there?"
mo one save the printer"
Did this man Bannister know"
mo, certainty not. No n knew"
"Where is Bannister now?"
II was very i'll, poor fellow. 1 left
him collapsed in the chair. I was in
such a hurry to come to you"
You left YOU door open?
Il locked up the papers first
Then it amounts to this, Mr.. Soames,
%La% ,,,1l~~ <L~ T,I;or- ~t,,Iorf -N0or-
nized the roll as being proofs. the man
who tempered with them came upon
them accidentally without knowing
that they were there"
so it seems to me-"
Holmes v an enigmatic smile.
Well" said he. "let us go around.
Not one of your cases.. Watson-mental,
not physical. All right; come if you
raj to. Now, Mr.. Soames-at your
disposal!"
The sitting room of our client opened
by a long, low, latticed window onto the
ancient lichen tinted court of the old
college. A Gothic arched door led to a
worn stone staircase. On the ground
floor was the tutors room. Above were
three students. on ZACH story. 1t
was already twilight when we reached
the scene of our problem. Holmes
halted and looked earnestly at b win
dow. Then he approached it, and,
standing on tip-toe with his neck
craned, he looked into the room.
He must have entered through the
door. There is no opening except the
pane" said our learned guide.
Dear mel" said Holmes, inc he
smiled in a singular way as he glanced
at our companion. "Well, If there is
nothing to be learned here, we had best
go inside"
The lecturer unlocked the outer door
and ushered US n his room. We
stood at the entrance while Holmes
made an examination of the carpet.
Il am afraid there are no signs here"
said ne. one could hardly hope for
any upon SC dry q day. Your servant
seems to have quite recovered. You
left him in a chair. o say. Which
chair??"
by the window there"
Il see. Near this little table. You
can come in now. 1 have finished with
the carpet. Let us talk the little table
first. OF course, what has happened
is very clear. The man entered and
took the papers sheet by sheet, from
the central table. He carried them
over to the window table. because
from there he could see you if you
came cross the courtyard, and so
could effect an escape"
"As a matter Of fact he could not,''
said Soames, for l entered by the side
door,"
'Ah, that's good! Well. anyhow,
that was in his mind. Let me see the
three strips. No finger Impressions
no.! Well, he carried over this one
first, and he copied it. How long would
it take him to do that, using every
possible contraction? A quarter of an
hour, not less. Then he tossed it down
and seized the next. He was in the
81