The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-07-12

gave him n little brandy AMI left him
collapsed I'm n chair. while I made n
most careful examination OF the room.
I soon saw that the Intruder had left
other traces Of his presence besides the
rumpied papers. on the table In the
window were several shreds from n
pencil which had been s~harpened. A
broken tip cf lead was lying there also.
Evidently the rascal had copied the
paper In n great hurry. a broken
his pencil. and had been compelled TO
put n fresh point TO H."
Excellent said Holmes. who was
recovering his good humor as his at
tention became more engrossed by the
case. Fortune n been your friend.
This was not all. I have "A new
writing table with n fine surface OF req
leather. i ann prepared to swear. and
80 is Bannister, hat II was smooth
and u~nstnined. q i found n clean
cut in II about three inches long-not n
mere scratch. but n positive cut. Not
only this. but on the table i found a
small ball OF black dough or clay. with
specks OF something which looks Ike
sawdust In IL. I am convinced that
these marks were left by the man VINO
rified the papers, There were no foot
marks and no other evidence as to his
Identity. I was ut my wits end. when
suddenly the happy thought occurred To
me that you were In town, and 1 came
straight around 10 put the matter into
your hands. DO help me. Mr.. Holmes.
You see my dilemma. Either ! must
find the man or else the examination
must be postponed until fresh papers
are prepared, md since this cannot be
done without explanation. there will
ensue a hideous scandal. which VIII
throw n cloud. not only on h college.
but on the university. Above all things,
I desire To settle the matter quietly n
discreetly."
Il shall be happy to look into Il and
give you such advice rs i can" said
Holmes. rising ana putting on his over
coat. The case In not entirely devoid
OF interest. Had anyone visited you
In your room after the papers came to
your
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 enteredT'
Yes"
and the papers were on the table,
"To 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 one knew
Where Is Bannister now"
"He was very III. poor fellow. l left
him collapsed in the chair. ! was In
such "A hurry TO come To YOU
"You left o u door openT"
Il locked up the papers first"
ssrhSn ~ nmnunt2 tO his Mr.. SOames
that. unless the indian student recog-
nized the roll as being proofs. the man
| who tempered with them came upon
! them accidentally without knowing
that they were there"
sc Il seems to me-
Holmes gave an enigmatic smile.
well" said he. let US &c around.
M one OF your cases. watson-mental.
not physical. All right: come IL you
want TO. Now, Mr.. Soames-at your
disposal"
The sitting room OF our client opened
by n long. low. lntticed window onto the
ancient lIchen tinted court OF the old
| college. \ Gothic arched door led TO n
worn stone staircase. ON the ground
floor was the tutors room. Above were
three students. one on zach story. IL
was already twilight when we reached
the scene OF our problem. Holmes
halted and looked earnestly at the win
dow. Then he approached IL, and,
standing on tip-toe with his neck
craned. he looked into the room.
HE must nave entered through the
door. There n no opening except the
one pane" said our learned guide.
Dear me-" said Holmes, and he
smiled In "A singular way as he glanced
ut our companion. We'll, " there Is
nothing To be learned here, we had best
so inside"
The lecturer unlocked the outer door
and ushered us into his room. We
stood at the entrance while Holmes
made an examination OF the carpet.
Il am afraid there are no signs here
said he. One could hardly hope for
any upon so dry "A day. Your servant
seems To have quite recovered. You
left him In a chair. you say. Which
chair"
'By the window there"
II see. Near this little table. You
can come in now. I have finished with
the carpet. Let Us take the little table
first. or course. wha has happened
Ii 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 II you
came across the courtyard, n sc
could effect an escape"
~ u mAtteI ol lhcA ne Couiu HO1,
said Soames, for entered by the side
door"
"Ah, that's good! Well. anyhow
that was In his mind. Let me see tn,
three strips. No finger Impressions
no.! Well. ne carried over this one
first. and he copied IL. How long would
IL take him To do that. using every
possible contraction? A quarter OF an
hour. not less. Then he tossed II dowr
and seized the next He was In tho
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