The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-07-13
PART THREE,

IAN IHhEE,
There were only four stationers OF
any consequence in the town, and at
each Holmes produced his pencil
chips, and bid high for a duplicate.
All were agreed that one could be or
dered, but that it'was not a usual size
OF pencil, and that it was seldom kept
in stock. My friend did not appear to
be depressed by his failure, but
shrugged his shoulders in half.humor-
Gus resignation.
No good, my dear Watson. This,
the best and only final clue, has run to
nothing. But, indeed, | have little
doubt that we can build up a sufficient
case without it. BY Jove! my dear
fellow, 1t is nearly nine and the land
lady babbled OF green peas at seven
thirty. What with your eternal tobac-
co, Watson. and your irregularity at
meals, expect that you will get notice
to quit, and that l shall share your
downfall-not however, before we have
solved the problem of the nervous
tutor, the careless servant, and the
three enterprising students"
Holmes made no further allusion to
the matter that day, though he sat lost
in thought for long time after our
belated dinner. At eight in the morn
ing, he came into my room just as
finished my toilet
Well, Watson" said he, st is time
we went down to ST. Luke's. Can you
do without breakfast"
Certainly"
Soames will be in a dreadful fdge:
until we are able to tell him something
positive"
Have you anything positive to tell
him?"
Il think So"
You have formed a conclusion"
Yes, my dear Watson, have solved
the mystery"
But what fresh evidence could you
have got?"
Aha! 1t is not for nothing that |
have turned myself out Of bed at the
untimely hour of six. l have put in
two hours hard work and covered at
least five miles, with something to
show for it. Look at that"
He held out his hand. On the palm
were three little pyramids of black,
doughty clay.
Why. Holmes, you had only two
yesterday"
And one more this morning. It is a
fair argument that wherever No. 8
came from is also the source of Nos
! and 2. Eth, Watson Well, come
along and put friend Soames out of his
pain"
The unfortunate tutor was certainly
in state OF pitiable agitatS~l when
we found him in his chambers. In 2
lew hours the examination would com
mence, and he was still in the
dilemma between making the fact:
public and allowing the culprit tC com
pete for the valuable scholarship He
could hardly stand still, so great wa:
his mental agitation, and he raj
towards Holmes with two eager hand!
outstretched.
Thank Heaven. that you have
come! | feared that you had given i
up in despair What am ! to do
Shall the examination proceed"
Yes, let it proceed, by all means"
But this rascal"
He shall not compete"
you know him."
Il think so. If this matter is not Il
become public, We must give ourselves
certain powers, and resolve ourselve
into small private courtmartial. Yol
there, if you please, Soames' Watson
you herei III take the armchair II
the middle. I think that we are nov
sufficiently imposing to strike terro
into guilty breast. Kindly ring tn
bell!"
Bannister entered, and shrank bac
in evident surprise and fear at ou
judicial appearance.
You will kindly close the door,
said Holmes. Now, Bannister, wi
YOU please tell us the truth about ye!
terday's incident"
The man turned white to the root
of his hair.
Il have told YOU everything, sir
Nothing to add?"
Nothing at all. sir"
We'll, then, must make some SUI
gestions TO you. When you sat dow
on that chair yesterday. did you do s
in order to conceal some object whic
would have shown who had been 1
the room?"
Bannister's face was CHASTITY.
NO, sir, certainly not"
at is only suggestion" sal