"Exactly, Mr. Holmes. You amaze me. How could you possibly know that?"
"Pray continue your very interesting statement."
"For an instant I imagined that Bannister had taken the unpardonableliberty of examining my papers. He denied it, however, with the utmostearnestness, and I am convinced that he was speaking the truth. Thealternative was that someone passing had observed the key in the door,had known that I was out, and had entered to look at the papers. A largesum of money is at stake, for the scholarship is a very valuable one,and an unscrupulous man might very well run a risk in order to gain anadvantage over his fellows.
"Bannister was very much upset by the incident. He had nearly faintedwhen we found that the papers had undoubtedly been tampered with. I gavehim a little brandy and left him collapsed in a chair while I made amost careful examination of the room. I soon saw that the intruder hadleft other traces of his presence besides the rumpled papers. On thetable in the window were several shreds from a pencil which had beensharpened. A broken tip of lead was lying there also. Evidently therascal had copied the paper in a great hurry, had broken his pencil, andhad been compelled to put a fresh point to it."
"Excellent!" said Holmes, who was recovering his good-humour as hisattention became more engrossed by the case. "Fortune has been yourfriend."
"This was not all. I have a new writing-table with a fine surface of redleather. I am prepared to swear, and so is Bannister, that it wassmooth and unstained. Now I found a clean cut in it about three incheslong--not a mere scratch, but a positive cut. Not only this, but onthe table I found a small ball of black dough, or clay, with specksof something which looks like sawdust in it. I am convinced thatthese marks were left by the man who rifled the papers. There were nofootmarks and no other evidence as to his identity. I was at my wits'ends, when suddenly the happy thought occurred to me that you were inthe town, and I came straight round to put the matter into your hands.Do help me, Mr. Holmes! You see my dilemma. Either I must find theman or else the examination must be postponed until fresh papers areprepared, and since this cannot be done without explanation therewill ensue a hideous scandal, which will throw a cloud not only on thecollege, but on the University. Above all things I desire to settle thematter quietly and discreetly."
"I shall be happy to look into it and to give you such advice as Ican," said Holmes, rising and putting on his overcoat. "The case is notentirely devoid of interest. Had anyone visited you in your room afterthe papers came to you?"
"Yes; young Daulat 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?"
"Yes."
"And the papers were on your table?"
"To the best of my belief they were rolled up."
"But might be recognised as proofs?"
"Possibly."
"No one else in your room?"
"No."
"Did anyone know that these proofs would be there?"
"No one save the printer."
"Did this man Bannister know?"
"No, certainly not. No one knew."
"Where is Bannister now?"
"He was very ill, poor fellow. I left him collapsed in the chair. I wasin such a hurry to come to you."
"You left your door open?"
"I locked up the papers first."
"Then it amounts to this, Mr. Soames, that unless the Indian studentrecognised the roll as being proofs, the man who tampered with them cameupon them accidentally without knowing that they were there."
/> "So it seems to me."
Holmes gave an enigmatic smile.
"Well," said he, "let us go round. Not one of your cases,Watson--mental, not physical. All right; come if you want to. Now, Mr.Soames--at your disposal!"
The sitting-room of our client opened by a long, low, latticed window onto the ancient lichen-tinted court of the old college. A Gothic archeddoor led to a worn stone staircase. On the ground floor was the tutor'sroom. Above were three students, one on each story. It was alreadytwilight when we reached the scene of our problem. Holmes halted andlooked earnestly at the window. Then he approached it, and, standing ontiptoe with his neck craned, he looked into the room.
"He must have entered through the door. There is no opening except theone pane," said our learned guide.