No. 9 The Adventure of the Three Students by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 9 The Adventure of the Three Students by Arthur Conan Doyle
Section [1 | 2 | 3]

powers,

, Soames ! Watson, you

! I'll

sufficiently imposing

! "

Bannister entered , and shrunk back evident surprise and fear our judicial appearance

" you_will kindly the door ," said Holmes " now , Bannister, will_you_please tell the truth about yesterday 's incident ? "

the man turned white to_the roots of_his hair

" I_have told you everything , sir "

" nothing add ? "

" nothing all , sir "

" well , then , I_must make some suggestions to_you when_you sat down on_that chair yesterday , did you_do in_order conceal some object which would_have shown who had_been in_the room ? "

Bannister's face was ghastly

" , sir ; certainly not "

" it_is only suggestion ," said Holmes, suavely "I frankly admit that I_am unable to_prove but seems probable enough , since_the moment that Mr Soames's back was turned you released the man who was hiding in_that bedroom "

Bannister licked his dry lips

" there_was man , sir "

"Ah, that 's pity , Bannister up_to now you_may_have spoken the truth , but now I_know that you_have lied "

the man 's face set sullen Defiance

" there_was man , sir "

" come , come , Bannister ! "

" , sir ; there_was one "

" in_that case you_can_give further information would you please remain in_the room ? stand over there near the bedroom door now , Soames, I_am going ask_you to_have the great kindness to_go up_to_the room young Gilchrist, and ask him step down into yours "

instant later the tutor returned , bringing with_him the student he_was fine man , tall , lithe , and agile , with springy step and pleasant , open face his troubled blue eyes glanced each , and finally rested with expression dismay upon Bannister in_the farther corner

" just the door ," said Holmes " now , Mr Gilchrist, we_are all quite alone here , and one need ever know one word what passes between_us we_can_be perfectly frank with each_other we_want to_know , Mr Gilchrist, how you , honourable man , ever came commit such action as_that yesterday ? "

the unfortunate young man staggered back and cast look full horror and reproach Bannister

" , , Mr Gilchrist, sir ; I never said word -- never one word ! " cried the servant

" , but you_have now ," said Holmes " now , sir , you_must see that after Bannister's words your position hopeless , and_that your only chance lies frank confession "

for moment Gilchrist, with upraised hand , tried control his writhing features the next had thrown himself on_his knees beside the table and , burying his face in_his hands, had burst into storm passionate sobbing

" come , come ," said Holmes, kindly ; " it_is human err , and at_least one can accuse you being callous criminal perhaps would_be easier for_you I were to_tell Mr Soames what occurred , and you_can check where I_am wrong shall I do_so ? well , well , don't trouble answer listen , and_see that I do_you injustice

" from_the moment , Mr Soames, that you said to_me that one , not even Bannister, could_have told that_the papers were your room , the case began to_take definite shape mind the printer one could , of_course , dismiss he_could examine the papers in_his own office the Indian I also thought nothing if_the proofs were roll he_could_not possibly know what they were on_the other hand , seemed unthinkable coincidence that man should dare enter the room , and_that chance on_that very day the papers were on_the table I dismissed that the man who entered knew that_the papers were there how did know ?

" when I approached your room I examined the window you amused supposing that i_was contemplating the possibility someone having broad daylight , under the eyes all these opposite rooms, forced himself through such idea was absurd i_was measuring how tall man would need to_be in_order_to_see passed what papers were on_the central table I_am six feet high , and I_could do_it with effort one less_than that_would_have chance already you_see I had reason to_think that one your three students was man unusual height was_the most worth watching of_the three

"I entered and i_took you into confidence as_to_the suggestions of_the side table of_the centre table I_could make nothing , until your description Gilchrist you mentioned that he_was long - distance jumper then the whole thing came to_me instant , and I only needed certain corroborative proofs, which I speedily obtained

" what happened was_this this young fellow had employed his afternoon at_the athletic grounds, where had_been practising the jump returned carrying his jumping shoes , which are provided , as_you_are aware , with several sharp spikes passed your window he_saw , by_means of_his great height , these proofs upon your table , and conjectured what they were harm would_have_been done had not been that passed your door perceived the key which had_been left by_the carelessness your servant sudden impulse came over him enter and_see if_they were indeed the proofs it_was not dangerous exploit , for he_could always pretend that had simply looked ask question

" well , when he_saw that_they were indeed the proofs, it_was then that yielded temptation put his shoes on_the table what_was you put on_that chair near the window ? "

"Gloves," said the young man

Holmes looked triumphantly Bannister " put his gloves on_the chair , and he_took the proofs, sheet sheet , copy them thought the tutor must return by_the main gate , and_that he_would see him we_know , he_came back by_the side gate suddenly heard him at_the very door there_was possible escape forgot his gloves, but caught his shoes and darted into_the bedroom you observe that_the scratch on_that table slight one side , but deepens in_the direction of_the bedroom door that itself enough show shoe had_been drawn in_that and_that the culprit had taken refuge there the earth round the spike left on_the table , and second sample was loosened and fell in_the bedroom I_may add that I walked out to_the athletic grounds this_morning , saw that tenacious black clay used in_the jumping- pit , and carried away specimen , together with some_of_the fine tan sawdust which_is strewn over to_prevent the athlete from slipping have i_told the truth , Mr Gilchrist ? "

the student had drawn himself erect

" yes , sir , it_is true ," said

" good heavens, have_you nothing add ? " cried Soames

" yes , sir , I_have , but the shock of_this disgraceful exposure has bewildered I_have letter here , Mr Soames, which i_wrote to_you early this_morning in_the middle restless night it_was before I_knew that sin had found out here it_is , sir you_will_see that I_have said , ` I_have determined not to_go for_the examination I_have_been offered commission in_the Rhodesian police , and I_am going out south Africa once "'

" I_am indeed pleased hear that you_did_not intend profit your unfair advantage ," said Soames " but why did you change your purpose ? "

Gilchrist pointed Bannister

" there_is the man who set in_the right path ," said

" come now , Bannister," said Holmes " it_will_be clear to_you from what I_have said that only you_could_have let this young man out , since you were left in_the room , and must_have locked the door when_you went out to_his escaping by_that window , it_was incredible can_you not clear the last point in_this mystery , and tell the reasons for your action ? "

" it_was simple enough , sir , if_you only had known ; but with all your cleverness it_was impossible that you_could know time was , sir , when i_was butler old sir Jabez Gilchrist, this young gentleman 's father when he_was ruined I_came to_the college servant , but I never forgot old employer because he_was down in_the_world I watched his son all I_could for_the sake of_the old days well , sir , when I_came into_this room yesterday when_the alarm was given , the very first thing I_saw was Mr Gilchrist's tan gloves a-lying in_that chair I_knew those gloves well , and I understood their message Mr Soames saw them the game was I flopped down into that chair , and nothing would budge until Mr Soames went for_you then out came poor young master , whom I had dandled knee, and confessed all to_me Wasn't natural , sir , that i_should save him , and wasn't natural also that try to_speak him his dead father would_have done , and make him understand that he_could_not profit such deed ? could you blame , sir ? "

" , indeed ," said Holmes, heartily , springing to_his feet " well , Soames, i_think we_have cleared your little problem , and_our breakfast awaits home come , Watson ! to_you , sir , I trust that bright future awaits you Rhodesia for once you_have fallen low let_us_see in_the_future how high you_can rise "

Section [1 | 2 | 3]