Now, Soames, I am going to ask you to have
the great kindness to go up to the room of young Gilchrist,
and to ask him to step down into yours."
An instant later the tutor returned, bringing with him the
student. He was a fine figure of a man, tall, lithe, and agile,
with a springy step and a pleasant, open face. His troubled blue
eyes glanced at each of us, and finally rested with an expression
of blank dismay upon Bannister in the farther corner.
"Just close the door," said Holmes. "Now, Mr. Gilchrist,
we are all quite alone here, and no one need ever know one word
of what passes between us. We can be perfectly frank with each
other. We want to know, Mr. Gilchrist, how you, an honourable
man, ever came to commit such an action as that of yesterday?"
The unfortunate young man staggered back and cast a look full
of horror and reproach at Bannister.
"No, no, Mr. Gilchrist, sir; I never said a word -- never one
word!" cried the servant.
"No, but you have now," said Holmes. "Now, sir, you must
see that after Bannister's words your position is hopeless,
and that your only chance lies in a frank confession.
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