: Before the exam, someone is trying to write off the text of the assignment, for which they give a good scholarship. Sherlock Holmes discovers that this is the son of a ruined aristocrat, who previously worked as an examiner's servant.
Sherlock Holmes is contacted by a college teacher, Greek Soames, for help. A difficult Greek exam is due tomorrow, and Mr. Soames is one of the examiners. Today he received from the printing house a passage of text that students should translate. At half past four, leaving three pieces of text on his desktop, Mr. Soames left. Returning an hour later, he saw a key in the door. One key to his office was in his pocket, and the second belonged to Bennister, a faithful servant who had served with Mr. Soames for many years. The galleys of the text were scattered. Nearby, on the table, were pencil shavings, a lump of clay and a deep scratch. Upon learning of the incident, Bennister lost consciousness and fell into a chair. Since those who pass the exams will receive a large scholarship, Mr. Soames begs the great detective to find an attacker.
Sherlock Holmes arrives at college. Mr. Soames's office is on the ground floor. Further, one above the other, the rooms of three students are located.Inspecting the office, he restores the picture of what happened. Someone walked into the room and saw a piece of text on the table. Taking them, he began to rewrite the text on a small table by the window to see when Mr. Soames returned. The attacker broke a pencil, and he repaired it, as evidenced by the chips on the table. Having noticed something, the unknown ran into the bedroom, as his traces were also found there. While Mr. Soames was talking with Bennister, an unknown person was nearby. It is impossible to climb into the window, therefore, he entered through the door. This could be done only by students who live at college. The first is Gilchrist, a capable and diligent young man, an athlete who comes from a noble but ruined family. The second is Daulat Ras, a Hindu, a reserved, but zealous student. And the third is Maclaren, also capable, but dissolute. Of all three, he is most suspicious.
Sherlock Holmes talks with Bennister, who is very worried about what happened. It seems strange to Holmes that the servant, having lost consciousness, sat down in a distant chair. Under the guise of a tourist visiting the old building, the great detective visits Gilchrist, a tall, well-built young man, and a short Indian. The third student rudely drives away visitors. Holmes is not very upset, since the answer to his question about the growth of a student is given by Mr. Soames, a middle-aged youth.
The next morning, Sherlock Holmes calls the attacker - this is Gilchrist, who was covered by Bennister.
No one knew that Mr. Soames brought the galleys of text into the office, but they could be seen through the window.To do this, you need to have a fairly high growth, just like that of Gilchrist. Seeing the key forgotten by Bennister at the door, the young man entered the office. In his hands were sports shoes with spikes. He put them on the table, so on the table there was a lump of clay, and put gloves on the chair. Hearing the steps outside the door, he tore the shoes so that there was a scratch from the spike, and he hid himself in the bedroom. Bennister sat in the back seat so that the teacher would not notice the gloves.
Bennister admits that he once served as a butler with Gilchrist's father. He did not forget his old master when he went broke. Realizing that Gilchrist was committing a dishonest act, Bennister tried to set him on the right path. Gilchrist decides to leave college and go to war in South Africa.
