The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-02-07

smooth and unstained. Now I found | a clean cut in it about three inches i long-not mere scratch, but a. posi- tive cut. Not only this, but on the | table I found a small ball of black dough or clay, with specks of some thing which looks like sawdust in it. | am convinced that these marks were left by the man who rifed the papers. There Were no footmarks ana no other evidence as to his iden- hty. I was at my wits ends, when suddenly the happy thought occurred to me that you were in the town, and l came straight round to put the matter into your hands. Do help me, Mir. Holmes. You see my di- lemma. Either I must find the man or else the examination must be post poned until fresh papers are prepar- ed, and since this cannot be done without explanation, there will ensue hideous scandal, which will throw cloud not only on the college, but on the university. Above all things I desire to settle the matter quietly and discreetly.'' T shall be happy to look into it and to give you such advice as can,' ms overcoat The case is not en- | tire1y devoid of interest Had any one visited you in your room after l the papers came to you?'' | 'Yes, young Dau1at Ras, an Indian student who lives on the same stair, came in to ask me some particulars | about the examination ! For which he was entered D 1 "Yes"
 And the papers were on your ta-
 ble?''
 "To the best of my belief, they
 were rolled up.''
 "But might be recognized as
 proofs D
 Possibly"
 'tNo one else in your room?"
 'No.''
 Did any one know that these
 proofs would be there ?''
 No one save the printer Did this man Bannister know?"
 Where is Bannister now?'
 ''He was very i'll, poor fellow I
 left him collapsed in the chair.
 was in such a hurry to come to you," | You left your door open?"
 ..a, d locked up the papers first"
 linen it amounts to this, MT. Soames, that, unless the Indian stu dent recognized 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 gave an enigmatic smile
 We'll said he, "1et us go round
 Not one of your cases. Watson-men-
 you want to. Now, Mr. Soames--
 at your disposal!' The sittng-room of our client open
 ed by long, low, 1atticed window on to the ancient 1ichen-t 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, one on each story. It was already twilight when we reached the scene of our problem. Holmes halted and look
 ed earnestly at the window Then } he approached it, and, standing on } tip-toe with his neck craned, he f looked into the room. l He must have entered through the ! door. There is no opening except the one pane" said our learned guide.
 : Dear me!' said Holmes, and hs t smiled in a singular way as he glanc- : ed at our companion. ssWell, if there . best go inside.''
 e The lecturer unlocked the outer r door and ushered us into his room n We stood at the entrance while t Holmes made an examination of the = carpet.
 s q am afraid there are no signs h here," said he. "One could hardly t hope for any upon so dry day = Your servant seems to have quite re T covered You left him in a chair e you say. Which chair? ?'' l. By the window there!" 1 q You can come in now. I have fin. e ished with the carpet. Let us take it the little table first. Of course, wha Il has happened is very clear. The f man entered and took the papers d sheet by sheet, from the central ta 1T ble. He carried them over to tn, IS window table, because from there h, > could see if you came across thu
 courtyard, and so could effect an es l., cape.'
 d "As matter of fact he could not le said Soames, flor I entered by tn d side door,"
 d "Ah. that's good! Well, anyhow ,e that m was in his mind Let me SC 'e sions-no! Well, he carried over thi
 one first, and he copied it. Ho7
 long would it take him to do thai le using every possible contraction? : ,d squarter of an hour, not less. The
 he tossed it down and seized tn ze next. He was in the midst of tha w when your return caused him t . make a very hurried retreat-ver IL hurried, since he had not time to re
 place the papers which would tell yo at that he had been there. You wer a not aware of any hur>ying feet 's. the stair as you entered the outl t. door?''
 Y 'eNo, I can't say I was.'' no "WelI, he wrote so furiously ths he he broke his pencil, and had as yo nd observe, to- sharpen it again. Thi A is of interest, Watson. The penc or was not an ordinary one. It wa lie above the usual size, with a soft Ieat ht lhe oulef colof Was oafk oiue, th in iiahei hdlHe was printed Tn sliVe
 lettering, and the piece remaining hy only about an inch and a. half lon ed Look for such a pencil, MT. Soame ad anu you nate SoC your hiah, Whe i'm very blunt knife, you have an add , tiona1 aid.''
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