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

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

Arthur Conan Doyle

it_was in_the year '95 that combination events, into which I_need not enter , caused Mr Sherlock Holmes and myself to_spend some weeks one_of_our great university towns, and it_was during this_time that_the small but instructive adventure which I_am about relate befell it_will_be obvious that any details which would help the reader exactly identify the college the criminal would_be injudicious and offensive painful scandal may well allowed die out with due discretion the incident itself may , however , described , since serves illustrate some_of_those qualities for_which friend was remarkable i_will endeavour statement avoid such terms would serve limit the events any particular place , give clue as_to_the people concerned

were residing at_the_time furnished lodgings library where Sherlock Holmes was pursuing some laborious researches early English charters -- researches which led results striking that they_may_be the subject one of_my future narratives here was_that one evening received visit from acquaintance , Mr Hilton Soames, tutor and lecturer at_the college St Luke's Mr Soames was tall , spare man , nervous and excitable temperament I had always known him to_be restless in_his manner , but on_this particular occasion he_was in_such state uncontrollable agitation that_it_was clear something very unusual had occurred

"I trust , Mr Holmes, that you_can spare few hours your valuable time we_have_had very painful incident St Luke's, and really , but for_the happy chance your being in_the town , I should_have_been loss what to_do "

" I_am very busy just now , and I_desire distractions," friend answered " i_should much prefer that you called in_the aid of_the police "

" , , dear_Sir ; such course utterly impossible when once the law evoked cannot_be stayed again , and this_is just one of_those cases where , for_the credit of_the college , it_is most essential avoid scandal your discretion as_well known as_your powers, and you_are the one man in_the_world who_can help I beg you , Mr Holmes, to_do what you_can "

friend 's temper had_not improved since had_been deprived of_the congenial surroundings baker street without his scrap -books, his chemicals, and_his homely untidiness, he_was uncomfortable man shrugged his shoulders ungracious acquiescence , while our visitor hurried words and with much excitable gesticulation poured forth his story

" I_must explain to_you , Mr Holmes, that - morrow is_the first day of_the examination for_the Fortescue scholarship I_am one_of_the examiners subject Greek , and_the first of_the papers consists large passage Greek translation which the candidate has_not seen this passage printed on_the paper , and would naturally immense advantage if_the could prepare advance for_this reason great care taken to_keep the paper secret

" - day about three o'clock the proofs of_this paper arrived from_the printers the exercise consists half chapter Thucydides I had read over carefully , as_the text must_be absolutely correct four-thirty task was not yet completed I had , however , promised to_take tea friend 's rooms, I left the proof upon desk i_was absent rather more than hour

" you_are aware , Mr Holmes, that_our college doors are double -- green baize one within and heavy oak one without I approached outer door i_was amazed to_see key in_it for instant I imagined that I had left own there , but feeling pocket I_found that_it_was all right the only duplicate which existed , so_far I_knew , was_that which belonged servant , Bannister, man who has looked after room for ten years, and whose honesty absolutely above suspicion I_found that_the key was indeed his , that had entered room to_know i_wanted tea , and_that had very carelessly left the key in_the door when he_came out his visit room must_have been within very few_minutes of_my leaving his forgetfulness about_the key would_have mattered little upon any_other occasion , but this_one day has produced the most deplorable consequences

" the moment I looked table i_was aware that someone had rummaged among papers the proof was three long slips I had left them all together now , I_found that one_of_them was lying on_the floor , one was on_the side table near the window , and_the third was where I had left "

Holmes stirred for_the first time

" the first page on_the floor , the second in_the window , the third where you left ," said

" exactly , Mr Holmes you amaze how could you possibly know that ? "

" pray continue your very interesting statement "

" for instant I imagined that Bannister had taken the unpardonable liberty examining papers denied , however , with_the utmost earnestness , and I_am convinced that he_was speaking the truth the alternative was_that someone passing had observed the key in_the door , had known that i_was out , and had entered look at_the papers large sum money stake , for_the scholarship very valuable one , and unscrupulous man might very_well run risk in_order gain advantage over his fellows

"Bannister was very_much upset by_the incident had nearly fainted when we_found that_the papers had undoubtedly been tampered with I_gave him little brandy and left him collapsed chair while I_made most careful examination of_the room I soon saw intruder had left other traces of_his presence besides the rumpled papers on_the table in_the window were several shreds from pencil which had_been sharpened broken tip lead was lying there also Evidently the rascal had copied the paper great hurry , had broken his pencil , and compelled to_put fresh point to_it "

" excellent ! " said Holmes, who was recovering his good -humour his attention became more engrossed by_the case " fortune has_been your friend "

" this_was not all I_have new writing- table with fine surface red leather I_am prepared swear , and Bannister, that_it_was smooth and unstained now I_found clean cut in_it about three inches long -- not mere scratch , but positive cut not_only this , but on_the table I_found small ball black dough , clay , with specks something which looks like sawdust in_it I_am convinced that_these marks were left by_the man who rifled the papers there were footmarks and other evidence to_his identity i_was wits' ends, when suddenly the happy thought occurred to_me that you were in_the town , and I_came straight round to_put the matter into your hands help , Mr Holmes ! you_see dilemma either I_must find the man else the examination must_be postponed until fresh papers are prepared , 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 settle the matter quietly and discreetly "

" I_shall_be happy look into_it and to_give_you such advice I_can ," said Holmes, rising and putting on_his overcoat " the case is_not entirely devoid interest had anyone visited you your room after_the papers came to_you ? "

" yes ; young Daulat Ras, Indian student who lives on_the same stair , came ask some particulars about_the examination "

" for_which he_was entered ? "

" yes "

" and_the papers were on_your table ? "

" to_the best of_my belief they were rolled "

" but might_be recognised proofs ? "

" possibly "

" one else your room ? "

" "

" did anyone know that_these proofs would_be there ? "

" one save the printer "

" did this man Bannister know ? "

" , certainly not one knew "

" where Bannister now ? "

" he_was very ill , poor fellow I left him collapsed in_the chair i_was in_such hurry to_come to_you "

" you left your door open ? "

"I locked the papers first "

" then amounts to_this , Mr Soames, that unless the Indian student recognised the roll being proofs, the man who tampered with_them came upon them accidentally without knowing that_they were there "

" seems to_me "

Holmes gave enigmatic smile

" well ," said , " let_us round not one your cases, Watson -- mental , not physical all right ; come if_you_want now , Mr Soames -- your disposal ! "

the sitting- room of_our client opened long , low , latticed window to_the ancient lichen - tinted court of_the old college Gothic arched door led worn stone staircase on_the ground floor was_the tutor 's room above were three students, one each story it_was already twilight when reached the scene of_our problem Holmes halted and looked earnestly at_the window then approached , and , standing tiptoe with_his neck craned , looked into_the room

" he_must_have entered through_the door there_is opening except the one pane ," said our learned guide

" dear ! " said Holmes, and smiled singular way glanced our companion " well , if_there_is nothing to_be learned here had best inside "

the lecturer unlocked the outer door and ushered into his room stood at_the entrance while Holmes made examination of_the carpet

" I_am afraid there_are signs here ," said " one could hardly hope for any upon dry day your servant seems to_have quite recovered you left him chair , you say ; which chair ? "

" by_the window there "

" I_see near this little table you_can come now I_have finished with_the carpet let_us take_the little table first of_course , what has happened very clear the man entered and took the papers, sheet sheet , from_the central table carried them over to_the window table , because from there could_see if_you came across the courtyard , and could effect escape "

" matter fact he_could_not ," said Soames, " for I entered by_the side door "

"Ah, that 's good ! well , anyhow, that was in_his mind let see the three strips finger impressions -- ! well , carried over this_one first and copied how long would take him do_that , using every possible contraction ? quarter hour , not less then tossed down and seized the next he_was in_the midst of_that when your return caused him to_make very hurried retreat -- very hurried, since had_not time replace the papers which would tell you that had_been there you were_not aware any hurrying feet on_the stair as_you entered the outer door ? "

" , I_can 't say i_was "

" well , wrote furiously that broke his pencil , and had , as_you observe , sharpen again this_is interest , Watson the pencil was not ordinary one it_was above the usual size , with soft lead ; the outer colour was dark blue , the maker 's name was printed silver lettering, and_the piece remaining only about inch and half long look for such pencil , Mr Soames, and you_have got your man when I add that possesses large and very blunt knife , additional aid "

Mr Soames was somewhat overwhelmed by_this flood information " I_can follow the other points," said , " but really , in_this_matter of_the length ----"

Holmes held out small chip with_the letters NN and space clear wood after them

" you_see ? "

" , I_fear that even now ----"

"Watson, I_have always done you injustice there_are others what could this NN ? it_is at_the end word you_are aware that Johann Faber is_the most common maker 's name is_it not clear that_there_is just as_much of_the pencil left usually follows the Johann ? " held the small table sideways to_the electric light " i_was hoping that if_the paper on_which wrote was thin some trace might come through upon_this polished surface , I_see nothing I don't think there_is anything more to_be learned here now for_the central table this small pellet , I presume , the black , doughy mass you spoke roughly pyramidal shape and hollowed out , I perceive as_you say , there appear to_be grains sawdust in_it dear , this_is very interesting and_the cut -- positive tear , I_see began with thin scratch and ended jagged hole I_am much indebted to_you for directing attention this_case , Mr Soames where does that door lead ? "