Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-07-12
BY a. CONAN DOYLE

SO is Bannister, that it was smooth
and unstained. Now | found clean
cut in it about three inches long--not a
mere scratch, but Il positive cut. Not
only this. but on the table I found a
small bah of black dough or clay, with
specks of something which looks like
sawdust in il. l am convinced that
these marks We're left by the man who
rified the papers. There We're no foot
marks and no other evidence as to his
identity. was at my wits end, when
suddenly the happy thought occurred to
me that you We're in town, and l came
straight around 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, and since this cannot be
done without explanation, there will
ensue Il hideous scandal. which will
throw Il cloud, not only on the college,
but on the university. Above all things.
| desire to settle the matter quietly and
discreetly"
Il shall be happy to look into 1T and
give you such advice AIS l can" said
Holmes. rising ana putting on his over
coat. The case is not entirely devoid
OF interest. Had anyone visited you
in your 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 examinations
'F'cr which he has entered?"
And the papers We're on the table,"
TO the best of my belief, they We're
rolled up.
But might be recognized as proofs"
'Possibly.'
NO one else in your room?"
No"
did anyone know that these proofs
would be there
No one save the printer
Did this man BanniSter know"
NO, certainty not No one knew"
Where is Bannister now"
He was very i'll, poor fellow. 1 left
him collapsed in the chair. l was in
such IL hurry to come to you"
You left your door open 2?
II locked up the papers first"
Then it amounts to this, 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 We're there
so it seems to me-"
Holmes gave an enigmatic smile.
Well" said he. "let us so around.
Not one of your cases. Warson-mental,
not physical. All right; come if you
want TO. Now, Mr.. Soames-at your
dfsposal."
The sitting roor1 of our client opened
by Il 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 We're
three students, one on each story. 1t
was already twilight when we reached
the scene of our problem. Holmes
halted and looked earnestly at the win
dow. Then he approached it, and.
GRAINED, he looked into the room.
He must have entered through the
door, There is no opening except the
one pane" said our learned guide.
Dear mel" said Holmes, and he
smiled in IL singular way as he glanced
at our companion. We'll, if there is
nothing TO be learned here, we had best
go 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 ann afraid there are no signs here
said he. One could hardly hope for
amy upon so dry a day. Your servant
seems to have quite recovered. You
chair?"
"By the window there"
81 see Near this little table. You
can come in now. | have finished with
the carpet. Let us take 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 across 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. WE'LL 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
ana seized the next. He WAS in the
midst of that when your return caused
! him to make II very hurried retreat
| Very hurried. SINCE he had not time to
! replace the papers which would tell you
| that he had been there You We're not
aware of any hurrying feet on the