"The second floor is inhabited by Daulat Ras, the Indian quiet, inscrutable fellow, as most Indians are well up work, though his Greek is his weak subject steady and methodical

"The top floor belongs to Miles McLaren brilliant fellow when he chooses to work -- brightest intellects University, but wayward, dissipated, and unprincipled nearly expelled over card scandal first year He idling all this term, and look forward with dread examination "

"Then he whom you suspect ? "

"I dare not go But three perhaps the least unlikely "

"Exactly Now, Mr Soames, look at your servant, Bannister "

little, white-faced, clean-shaven, grizzly-haired fellow of fifty still suffering sudden disturbance quiet routine life His plump face was twitching nervousness, fingers keep still

" investigating this unhappy business, Bannister," said his master

"Yes, sir "

"I understand," said Holmes, "that you left your key door ? "

"Yes, sir "

" not very extraordinary that very day when there were these papers inside ? "

" most unfortunate, sir But occasionally done the same thing at other times "

"When did you enter the room ? "

" about half-past four Mr Soames's tea time "

"How long did you stay ? "

"When that absent I withdrew at once "

"Did you look papers table ? "

"No, sir; certainly not "

"How came you to leave the key door ? "

"I had the tea-tray in my hand come back key Then I forgot "

" outer door spring lock ? "

"No, sir "

"Then open all the time ? "

"Yes, sir "

"Anyone room could get out ? "

"Yes, sir "

"When Mr Soames returned and called , you were disturbed ? "

"Yes, sir Such thing has never happened during the many years that here I nearly fainted, sir "

"So I understand Where were you began bad ? "

"Where was I, sir ? Why, here, near the door "

" singular, because you sat down chair over yonder near the corner Why did you pass these other chairs ? "

"I don't know, sir It didn't matter where I sat "

"I really don't think much , Mr Holmes looking very bad -- quite ghastly "

"You stayed here when your master left ? "

"Only for minute or so Then I locked the door and went to my room "

"Whom suspect ? "

"Oh, venture , sir I don't believe any gentleman University capable of profiting by such an action No, sir, I'll not believe it "

" ; do," said Holmes "Oh, one more word mentioned to any three gentlemen whom you attend that anything is amiss ? "

"No, sir; not word "

"You haven't seen any ? "

"No, sir "

" Now, Mr Soames, take walk quadrangle, please "

Three yellow squares of light shone above us gathering gloom "

"Your three birds are all in their nests," said Holmes, looking up "Halloa ! What's that ? seems restless enough "

It Indian, whose dark silhouette appeared suddenly upon his blind pacing swiftly up and down his room

" like peep at each ," said Holmes " possible ? "

"No difficulty ," Soames answered "This set of rooms is quite the oldest college, and unusual for visitors over them Come along, personally conduct you "

"No names, please ! " said Holmes, knocked at Gilchrist's door tall, flaxen-haired, slim young fellow opened it, and made us welcome when he understood our errand There were some really curious pieces of mediaeval domestic architecture within Holmes was so charmed with that he insisted on drawing it note-book, broke his pencil, had to borrow one host, and finally borrowed knife to sharpen his own The same curious accident happened to him rooms Indian -- silent, little, hook-nosed fellow, who eyed us askance and was obviously glad when Holmes's architectural studies had come to an end I that in either case Holmes had come clue searching Only third did our visit prove abortive The outer door open to our knock, and nothing more substantial than torrent of bad language came from behind it "I don't care who go to blazes ! " roared the angry voice "To-morrow's the exam, and I won't be drawn by anyone "

"A rude fellow," said our guide, flushing with anger withdrew down the stair " , realise I who was knocking, but none the less his conduct was very uncourteous, and, indeed, under the circumstances rather suspicious "

Holmes's response was curious one

" tell me his exact height ? " he asked

"Really, Mr Holmes, undertake taller Indian, not so tall as Gilchrist I suppose five foot six "

" ," said Holmes "And now, Mr Soames, you good-night "

Our guide cried aloud astonishment and dismay "Good gracious, Mr Holmes, surely not going to leave me abrupt fashion ! You don't seem to realise the position To-morrow examination take some definite action to-night allow the examination held if papers tampered with The situation faced "

" leave it drop round early to-morrow morning and chat the matter over possible that then to indicate some course of action Meanwhile you change nothing -- nothing at all "

" , Mr Holmes "

" perfectly easy in your mind certainly find some way out of your difficulties black clay with me, also the pencil cuttings Good-bye "

When we were out darkness quadrangle we again looked up windows The Indian still paced his room The others were invisible

"Well, Watson, what of it ? " Holmes asked, came out main street "Quite little parlour game -- sort of three-card trick, not ? your three men It You take your choice yours ? "

"The foul-mouthed fellow top He one worst record And yet that Indian was sly fellow also Why should he be pacing his room all the time ? "

" nothing Many men are trying to learn anything by heart "

"He looked at us in queer way "

"So would you if flock of strangers came in on you were preparing for an examination , and every moment was of value No, nothing Pencils, too, and knives -- all was satisfactory But that fellow DOES puzzle me "

"Who ? "