The Adventure of the Three Students: Part One

Summary

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Sherlock Holmes Short Stories – "The Adventure of the Three Students: Part One"

Podcast: Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
Host/Narrator: Hugh Bonneville
Episode Date: March 19, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Hugh Bonneville narrates "The Adventure of the Three Students: Part One," a classic Sherlock Holmes mystery set in a university town. Holmes and Watson are called upon to discreetly investigate a suspected cheating incident that threatens the reputation of St. Luke's College, centering on the unauthorized disclosure of an important Greek examination paper. The main theme revolves around academic integrity, college scandal, and Holmes’ trademark deductive prowess.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Structure

1. Setting the Stage: Holmes and Watson Go to University

• Holmes and Watson are described as spending several weeks near a great university, with Holmes engaged in research.
• Their peace is disturbed by the arrival of Mr. Hilton Soames, a visibly agitated tutor from St. Luke’s College.
• Soames requests Holmes’ aid in handling a delicate matter, as involving the police would create a scandal (03:03-03:40).

2. The Incident Explained

• The forthcoming Fortescue Scholarship Greek exam is of great importance, and secrecy is paramount (04:07-04:53).
• Soames left the exam proofs unattended for just over an hour. Upon returning, he discovered evidence of tampering: the papers left disarranged (06:03), shavings from a pencil, a small cut in the writing table, and a mysterious pellet of black clay or dough (07:14).
• "On the table in the window were several shreds from a pencil which had been sharpened. A broken tip of lead was lying there also. Evidently the rascal had copied the paper in a great hurry, had broken his pencil and had been compelled to put a fresh point to it." — Hilton Soames (07:07)
• The only people with authorized access were Soames and his trusted servant, Bannister.

3. Holmes’ Initial Observations and Deductions

• Holmes immediately notes the importance of the sequence and placement of the papers (06:23-06:33).
• Holmes points out the distinctive qualities of the evidence: the pencil is "of above the usual size, with a soft lead," the clay is pyramidal, and the cut on the desk is not just a scratch (13:49-15:39).
• "Look for such a pencil, Mr. Soames, and you have got your man. When I add that he possesses a large and very blunt knife, you have an additional aid." — Sherlock Holmes (13:49)

4. Reconciliation of Evidence

• Holmes and Watson, guided by Soames, examine the crime scene: the window, the tables, and eventually Soames’ bedroom (11:00-17:32).
• They discover another pellet of black clay hidden in the bedroom, suggesting the intruder hid there during Soames’ return (16:50-17:04).
• Holmes dismisses the theory of entry via the bedroom window as impractical (17:57-18:17).

5. Identifying the Main Suspects

• Soames details the backgrounds of the three student residents, all candidates for the exam:
  • Gilchrist: Athletic, studious, financially constrained (19:07-19:27).
  • Daulat Ras: Indian student, methodical, struggles with Greek (19:29-19:39).
  • Miles McLaren: Brilliant but undisciplined, previous scandals (19:42-20:04).
• "But of the three, he is perhaps the least unlikely [to be guilty]." — Sherlock Holmes, referencing McLaren (20:11).

6. Interviewing Bannister, the Servant

• Bannister appears genuinely shocked; he left his key in the door accidentally and denies looking at the papers (20:54-21:37).
• Bannister claims that he sat near the door due to feeling faint, but Watson points out that he actually settled in a different chair, casting some doubt (22:08-22:28).
• Bannister refuses to suspect any student, citing their good character (22:50).

7. Surveying the Quadrangle

• Holmes and party observe all three students’ windows alight as dusk falls. Ras is seen pacing anxiously (23:30-23:54).
• Soames agrees to take Holmes and Watson to inspect the students’ rooms (24:00-24:26).

8. End of Part One

• The episode ends on a cliffhanger, teasing Holmes’ forthcoming interviews with the three suspects. “Next time, the great detective visits the three students for a tutorial. The morning of the big exam approaches…” (24:26).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Soames, on the gravity of the incident:
  “Either I must find the man or else the examination must be postponed… and since this cannot be done without explanation, there will ensue a hideous scandal…” (09:03-09:06)
• Holmes, on investigating clues:
  “The pencil was not an ordinary one. It was above the usual size with a soft lead. The outer colour was dark blue. The maker's name was printed in silver lettering and the piece remaining is only about an inch and a half long.” (13:49)
• Discussion on suspects:
  “One hardly likes to throw suspicion where there are no proofs.” — Soames (18:40) “But of the three, he [McLaren] is perhaps the least unlikely.” — Holmes (20:11)
• Watson, drawing attention to Bannister’s behavior:
  “That is singular. Because you sat down in that chair over yonder, near the corner. Why did you pass these other chairs?” (22:19-22:28)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Incident Introduction & Request to Holmes: 02:19 – 03:40
• Discovery of Tampered Exam Papers: 04:05 – 06:23
• Holmes’ Initial Analysis: 06:23 – 09:26
• Examination of Physical Evidence: 13:07 – 15:36
• Discussion of Student Suspects: 18:27 – 20:11
• Interview with Bannister: 20:26 – 22:50
• Quadrangle Observation and Student Rooms Survey: 23:30 – 24:26
• Cliffhanger and Preview for Part Two: 24:26 – end

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Tone and Style

Hugh Bonneville’s narration is atmospheric, leaning into the tension and intellectual intrigue characteristic of Sherlock Holmes tales. The dialogue maintains the original flavor of Conan Doyle’s prose, balancing formality with subtle humor during Holmes’ deductions and Watson’s observations.

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Conclusion

"The Adventure of the Three Students: Part One" immerses listeners in a classic academic mystery, rich in detail and character. The episode methodically sets up the intrigue with subtle clues, a cast of suspicious students, and Holmes’ methodical reasoning. The cliffhanger ending primes audiences for the next installment, promising a satisfying continuation of deduction and revelation.

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Transcript

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm Hugh Bonneville and welcome to Sherlock Holmes Short Stories, the series where we delve into the files of fiction's most brilliant detective. Following his keen mind and unerring instincts from the first subtle clue to the final dramatic revelation.

[Hilton Soames]

This time, Holmes and Watson go up to University.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Someone at St. Luke's College has cheated on their Greek exam, threatening to bring this ancient seat of learning into disrepute. With three potential suspects in his sights, can Sherlock Holmes tell his Alpha from his Omega before the guilty party scoops

[Dr. John Watson]

a grade they don't deserve?

[Sherlock Holmes]

And with it, a coveted scholarship from the Noiser Podcast Network. This is the Adventure of the Three Students, Part one. It was in the year 95 that a combination of events into which I need not enter caused Mr. Sherlock Holmes and myself to spend some weeks in one of our great university towns. And it was during this time that the small but instructive adventure which I am about to relate befell us. It will be obvious that any details which would help the reader to exactly identify the college or the criminal would be injudicious and offensive. So painful a scandal may well be allowed to die out with due discretion. The incident itself may, however, be described, since it serves to illustrate some of those qualities for which my friend was remarkable. I will endeavour in my statement to avoid such terms as would serve to limit the events to any particular place or give a clue as to the people concerned. We were residing at the time in furnished lodgings close to a library where Sherlock Holmes was pursuing some laborious researches in early English charters. Researches which led to results so striking that they may be the subject of one of my future narratives.

[Dr. John Watson]

Here it was that one evening we

[Sherlock Holmes]

received a visit from an acquaintance. Mr. Hilton Soames, tutor and lecturer at the College of St Luke's Mr. Soames was a tall, spare man of a nervous and excitable temperament. A I had always known him to be restless in his manner, but on this particular occasion he was in such a state of uncontrollable agitation that it was clear something very unusual had occurred.

[Hilton Soames]

I trust, Mr. Holmes, that you can spare me a few hours of your valuable time. We have had a very painful incident at St. Luke's and really, but for the happy chance of your being in the town, I should have been at a loss what to do.

[Dr. John Watson]

I am very busy just now and I desire no distractions.

[Sherlock Holmes]

My friend answered, I should much prefer

[Dr. John Watson]

that you called in the aid of the police.

[Hilton Soames]

No, no, my dear sir, such a course is utterly impossible when once the law is evoked, it cannot be stayed again. And this is just one of those cases where, for the credit of the college, it is most essential to avoid scandal. Your discretion is as well known as your powers. And you are the one man in the world who can help me. I beg you, Mr. Holmes, to do what you can.

[Sherlock Holmes]

My friend's temper had not improved since he had been deprived of the congenial surroundings of Baker Street. Without his scrap books, his chemicals and his homely untidiness, he was an uncomfortable man. He shrugged his shoulders in ungracious acquiescence while our visitor, in hurried words and with much excitable gesticulation, revelation poured forth his story.

[Hilton Soames]

I must explain to you, Mr. Holmes,

[Dr. John Watson]

that to morrow is the first day

[Hilton Soames]

of the examination for the Fortescue Scholarship. I am one of the examiners. My subject is Greek and the first of the papers consists of a large passage of Greek translation which the candidate has not seen. This passage is printed on the examination paper and it would naturally be an immense advantage if the candidate could prepare it in advance. For this reason great care is taken to keep the paper secret. Today, about 3 o', clock, the proofs of this paper arrived from the printers. The exercise consists of half a chapter of Thucydides. I had to read it over carefully, as the text must be absolutely correct. At 4.30 my task was not yet completed.

[Dr. John Watson]

I had, however, promised to take tea in a friend's rooms.

[Hilton Soames]

So I left the proof upon my desk and I was absent rather more than an hour. You are aware, Mr. Holmes, that our college doors are double A green baize one within and a heavy oak one without. As I approached my outer door I was amazed to see a key in it. For an instant I imagined that I had left my own there, but on feeling in my pocket I found that it was all right. The only duplicate which existed, so far as I knew, was was that which belonged to my servant Bannister, a man who has looked after my room for 10 years and whose honesty is absolutely above suspicion. I found that the key was indeed his, that he had entered my room to know if I wanted tea, and that he had very carelessly left the key in the door when he came out. His visit to my room must have been within a very few minutes of my leaving it. His forgetfulness about the key would have mattered little upon any other occasion, but on this one day it has produced the most deplorable consequences.

[Dr. John Watson]

The moment I looked at my table

[Hilton Soames]

I was aware that someone had rummaged among my Papers. The proof was in three long slips.

[Dr. John Watson]

I had left them all together.

[Hilton Soames]

Now I found that one of them

[Dr. John Watson]

was lying on the floor.

[Hilton Soames]

One was on the side table near the window and the third was where I had left it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes stirred for the first time.

[Dr. John Watson]

The first page on the floor, the second in the window, the third where you left it, said he.

[Hilton Soames]

Exactly. Mr. Holmes, you amaze me. How could you possibly know that?

[Dr. John Watson]

Pray continue your very interesting statement.

[Hilton Soames]

For an instant I imagined that Bannister had taken the unpardonable liberty of examining my papers. He denied it, 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 to look at the papers. A large sum of money is at

[Sherlock Holmes]

stake for the scholarship is a very

[Hilton Soames]

valuable one and an unscrupulous man might very well run a risk in order to gain an advantage over his fellows. Bannister was very much upset by the incident. He had nearly fainted when we found that the papers had undoubtedly been tampered with. I gave him a little brandy and left him collapsed in a chair while I made a most careful examination of the room. I soon saw that the intruder had left other traces of his presence besides the rumpled papers. On the table in the window were several shreds from a pencil which had been sharpened. A broken tip of lead was lying there also. Evidently the rascal had copied the paper in a great hurry, had broken his pencil and had been compelled to put a fresh point to it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Excellent, said Holmes, who was recovering his good humour as his attention became more engrossed by the case.

[Dr. John Watson]

Fortune has been your friend.

[Hilton Soames]

This was not all. I have a new writing table with a fine surface of red leather. I am prepared to swear, and so is Bannister, that it was smooth and unstained. Now I found a clean cut in it, about 3 inches long.

[Dr. John Watson]

Not a mere scratch, but a positive cut.

[Hilton Soames]

Not only this, but on the table I found a small ball of black dough or clay with specks of something which looks like sawdust in it. I am convinced that these marks were left by the man who rifled the papers. There were no footmarks and no other evidence as to his identity. I was at my wit's end 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. Do help me, Mr. Holmes. You see my dilemma. Either I must find the man or

[Dr. John Watson]

else the examination must be Postponed until

[Hilton Soames]

fresh papers are prepared. And and since this cannot be done without explanation, there will ensue a hideous scandal which will throw a cloud not only on the college but on the university. Above all things, I desire to settle the matter quietly and discreetly.

[Dr. John Watson]

I shall be happy to look into it and to give you such advice as I can, said Holmes, rising and

[Sherlock Holmes]

putting on his overcoat.

[Dr. John Watson]

The case is not entirely devoid of interest. Had anyone visited you in your room after the papers came to you?

[Hilton Soames]

Yes. Young Dowlat Rass, an Indian student who lives on the same stair, came in to ask me some particulars about the

[Dr. John Watson]

examination for which he was entered.

[Hilton Soames]

Yes.

[Dr. John Watson]

And the papers were on your table?

[Hilton Soames]

To the best of my belief they were rolled up but might be recognized as proofs? Possibly. No one else in your room? No.

[Dr. John Watson]

Did anyone know that these proofs would be there?

[Hilton Soames]

No one save the printer.

[Dr. John Watson]

Did this man Bannister know?

[Hilton Soames]

No, certainly not. No one knew.

[Dr. John Watson]

Where is Bannister now?

[Hilton Soames]

He was very ill, poor fellow. I left him collapsed in the chair. I was in such a hurry to come to you.

[Dr. John Watson]

You left your door open.

[Hilton Soames]

I looked up the papers first.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then it amounts to this, Mr. Soames, that unless Dowlat Rass recognised the roll as being proofs, the man who tampered with them came upon them accidentally without knowing that they were there.

[Hilton Soames]

So it seems to me.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes gave an enigmatic smile. Well, said he. Let us go round.

[Dr. John Watson]

Not one of your cases, Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mental, not physical.

[Dr. John Watson]

All right, come if you want to. Now, Mr. Soames.

[Sherlock Holmes]

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 arched door led to a worn stone staircase. On the ground floor was the tutor's room. Above were three students, one on each story. It was already twilight when we reached the scene of our problem. Holmes halted and looked earnestly at the window.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then he approached it and standing on

[Sherlock Holmes]

tiptoe with his neck craned, he looked into the room.

[Hilton Soames]

He must have entered through the door. There is no opening except the one

[Sherlock Holmes]

pane, said our learned guide. Dear me, he said, Holmes. And he smiled in a singular way as he glanced at our companion.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, if there is nothing to be learned here, we had best go inside.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The lecturer unlocked the outer door and ushered us into his room. We stood at the entrance while Holmes made an examination of the carpet.

[Dr. John Watson]

I am afraid there are no signs here, said he.

[Sherlock Holmes]

One could hardly hope for any upon

[Dr. John Watson]

so dry a day. Your servant seems to have quite recovered. You left him in a chair, you say? Which chair?

[Hilton Soames]

By the window. There.

[Dr. John Watson]

I see. Near this little table. You can come in now. I have finished with the carpet. Let us take the little table first. Of course. What has happened is very clear. The man entered and took the papers sheet by sheet from the central table. He carried them over to the window table because from there he could see if you came across the courtyard and so could effect an escape.

[Hilton Soames]

As a matter of fact he could not, said Soames, for I entered by the side door.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, that's good. Well, anyhow, that was in his mind. Let me see the three strips.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No finger impressions?

[Hilton Soames]

No.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, he carried over this one first and he copied it. How long would it take him to do that? Using every possible contraction?

[Sherlock Holmes]

A quarter of an hour, not less.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then he tossed it down and seized the next. He was in the midst of that when your return caused him to make a very hurried retreat. Very hurried, since he had not time to replace the papers which would tell you that he had been there. You were not aware of any hurrying feet on the stair as you entered the outer door?

[Hilton Soames]

No, I can't say I was.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, he wrote so furiously that he broke his pencil and had, as you

[Sherlock Holmes]

observe, to sharpen it again.

[Dr. John Watson]

This is of interest, Watson. The pencil was not an ordinary one. It was above the usual size with a soft lead. The outer colour was dark blue. The maker's name was printed in silver lettering and the piece remaining is only about an inch and a half long. Look for such a pencil, Mr. Soames, and you have got your man. When I add that he possesses a large and very blunt knife, you have an additional aid.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mr. Soames was somewhat overwhelmed by this flood of information.

[Hilton Soames]

I can follow the other points, said he, but really, in this matter of

[Sherlock Holmes]

the length, Holmes held out a small

[Dr. John Watson]

chip with the letters NN And a

[Sherlock Holmes]

space of clear wood after them.

[Dr. John Watson]

You see?

[Hilton Soames]

No. I fear that even now, Watson, I

[Dr. John Watson]

have always done you an injustice.

[Sherlock Holmes]

There are others.

[Dr. John Watson]

What could this NN Be? It is at the end of a 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

[Sherlock Holmes]

as usually follows the Johann? He held the small table sideways to the electric light.

[Dr. John Watson]

I was hoping that if the paper on which you wrote was thin, some trace of it might come through upon this polished surface. No, I see nothing. I don't think there is anything more to be learned here. Now for the central table. This small pellet is, I presume the black doughy mass you spoke of. Roughly pyramidal in shape and hollowed out, I perceive. As you say, there appear to be grains of sawdust in it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Dear me, this is very interesting.

[Dr. John Watson]

And the cut? A positive tear, I see. It began with a thin scratch and ended in a jagged hole. I am much indebted to you for directing my attention to this case, Mr. Soames. Where does that door lead to?

[Hilton Soames]

To my bedroom.

[Dr. John Watson]

Have you been in it since your adventure?

[Hilton Soames]

No, I came straight away for you.

[Dr. John Watson]

I should like to have a glance round. What a charming old fashioned room. Perhaps you will kindly wait a minute until I have examined the floor. No, I see nothing. What about this curtain? You hang your clothes behind it. If anyone were forced to conceal himself in this room he must do it there since the bed is too low and the wardrobe too shallow. No one there, I suppose.

[Sherlock Holmes]

As Holmes drew the curtain I was aware from some little rigidity and alertness of his attitude that he was prepared for an emergency. As a matter of fact, the drawn curtain disclosed nothing but three or four suits of clothes hanging from a line of pegs. Holmes turned away and stooped suddenly to the floor.

[Hilton Soames]

Hello.

[Dr. John Watson]

What's this?

[Sherlock Holmes]

It was a small pyramid of black putty like stuff. Exactly like the one upon the table of the study. Holmes held it out in his open palm in the glare of the electric light.

[Dr. John Watson]

Your visitor seems to have left traces in your bedroom as well as in your sitting room, Mr. Soames.

[Hilton Soames]

What could he have wanted there?

[Dr. John Watson]

I think it is clear enough. You came back by an unexpected way and so he had no warning until you were at the very door. What could he do? He caught up everything which would betray him and he rushed into your bedroom to conceal himself.

[Hilton Soames]

Good gracious, Mr. Holmes. Do you mean to tell me that all the time I was talking to Bannister in this room we had the man prisoner? If we had only known it.

[Dr. John Watson]

So I read it.

[Hilton Soames]

Surely there is another alternative, Mr. Holmes, I don't know whether you observed my bedroom window.

[Dr. John Watson]

Lattice paned lead framework, three separate windows, one swinging on hinge and large enough to admit a man.

[Hilton Soames]

Exactly.

[Dr. John Watson]

And it looks out on an angle

[Hilton Soames]

of the courtyard so as to be partly invisible. The man might have effected his entrance there, left traces as he passed through the bedroom and finally finding the door

[Dr. John Watson]

open, have escaped that way.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes shook his head impatiently.

[Dr. John Watson]

Let us be practical, said he. I understand you to say that there are three students who use this stair and are in the habit of passing your door.

[Hilton Soames]

Yes, there are.

[Dr. John Watson]

And they Are all in for this examination?

[Hilton Soames]

Yes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Have you any reason to suspect any

[Sherlock Holmes]

one of them more than the others? Soames hesitated.

[Hilton Soames]

It is a very delicate question, said he.

[Sherlock Holmes]

One hardly likes to throw suspicion where

[Hilton Soames]

there are no proofs.

[Dr. John Watson]

Let us hear these suspicions. I will look after the proofs.

[Hilton Soames]

I will tell you then in a

[Sherlock Holmes]

few words the character of the three men who inhabit these rooms. The lower of the three is Gilchrist, a fine scholar and athlete.

[Hilton Soames]

Plays in the rugby team and the cricket team for the college and got

[Sherlock Holmes]

his blue for the hurdles and the long jump.

[Hilton Soames]

He is a fine, manly fellow.

[Sherlock Holmes]

His father was the notorious Sir Jabez

[Hilton Soames]

Gilchrist, who ruined himself on the turf.

[Sherlock Holmes]

My scholar has been left very poor,

[Hilton Soames]

but he is hard working and industrious.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He will do well.

[Hilton Soames]

The second floor is inhabited by Daulat Ras. He is a quiet, inscrutable fellow.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He is well up in his work, though his Greek is his weak subject.

[Hilton Soames]

He is steady and methodical.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The top floor belongs to Miles McLaren. He is a brilliant fellow when he chooses to work. One of the brightest intellects of the university.

[Hilton Soames]

But he is wayward, dissipated and unprincipled.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He was nearly expelled over a card

[Hilton Soames]

scandal in his first year.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He has been idling all this term and he must look forward with dread to the examination.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then it is he whom you suspect?

[Hilton Soames]

I dare not go so far as that.

[Sherlock Holmes]

But of the three, he is perhaps the least unlikely.

[Dr. John Watson]

Now, Mr. Soames, let us have a look at your servant Bannister. He was a little white faced, clean shaven, grizzly haired fellow of 50.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He was still suffering from this sudden disturbance of the quiet routine of his life. His plump face was twitching with his nervousness and his fingers could not keep still.

[Hilton Soames]

We are investigating this unhappy business, Bannister, said his master.

[Dr. John Watson]

Yes, sir. I understand, said Holmes, that you left your key in the door. Yes, sir. Was it not very extraordinary that you

[Hilton Soames]

should do this on the very day

[Dr. John Watson]

when there were these papers inside?

[Hilton Soames]

It was most unfortunate, sir, but I have occasionally done the same thing at other times.

[Dr. John Watson]

When did you enter the room?

[Hilton Soames]

It was about half past four. That is Mr. Soames's tea time.

[Dr. John Watson]

How long did you stay?

[Hilton Soames]

When I saw that he was absent, I withdrew at once.

[Dr. John Watson]

Did you look at these papers on the table?

[Hilton Soames]

No, sir, certainly not.

[Dr. John Watson]

How came you to leave the key in the door?

[Hilton Soames]

I had the tea tray in my hand. I thought I would come back for the key. Then I forgot.

[Dr. John Watson]

Has the outer door a spring lock?

[Hilton Soames]

No, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then it was open all the time?

[Hilton Soames]

Yes. Sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Anyone in the room could get out?

[Hilton Soames]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

When Mr. Soames returned and called for you, you were very much disturbed?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, sir.

[Hilton Soames]

Such a thing has never happened during the many years that I have been here. I nearly fainted, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

So I understand. Where were you when you began to feel bad?

[Hilton Soames]

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

[Dr. John Watson]

That is singular. Because you sat down in that chair over yonder, near the corner. Why did you pass these other chairs?

[Hilton Soames]

I don't know, sir. It didn't matter to me where I sat. I really don't think he knew much about it, Mr. Holmes. He was looking very bad. Quite ghastly.

[Dr. John Watson]

You stayed here when your master left?

[Hilton Soames]

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

[Dr. John Watson]

Whom do you suspect?

[Hilton Soames]

Oh, I would not venture to say, sir. I don't believe there is any gentleman in this university who is capable of profiting by such an action. No, sir, I'll not believe it.

[Dr. John Watson]

Thank you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

That will do, said Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh, one more word. You have not mentioned to any of the three gentlemen whom you attend that anything is amiss?

[Hilton Soames]

No, sir, not a word.

[Dr. John Watson]

You haven't seen any of them?

[Hilton Soames]

No, sir.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Very good.

[Dr. John Watson]

Now, Mr. Soames, we will take a walk in the quadrangle, if you please.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Three yellow squares of light shone above us in the gathering gloom.

[Dr. John Watson]

Your three birds are all in their

[Sherlock Holmes]

nests, said Holmes, looking up.

[Dr. John Watson]

Hullo, what's that? One of them seems restless enough.

[Sherlock Holmes]

It was the Indian student Ras, whose dark silhouette appeared suddenly upon his blind. He was pacing swiftly up and down his room.

[Dr. John Watson]

I should like to have a peep

[Hilton Soames]

at each of them, said Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Is it possible?

[Hilton Soames]

No difficulty in the world, Soames answered. This set of rooms is quite the oldest in the college and it is not unusual for visitors to go over them. Come along and I will personally conduct you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Next time on Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. The great detective visits the three students for a tutorial. The morning of the big exam approaches and Holmes rises early for a most instructive walk. That's next time.

[Dr. John Watson]

Can't wait a week until the next episode.

[Hilton Soames]

Well, listen to it right away by subscribing to Noiser Plus. Head to www.noiser.comscriptions for more information or click the link in the episode description.