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The Return of Sherlock Holmes #9

مغامرة الطلاب الثلاثة

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يَقعُ السيدُ سومز، الأستاذُ الجامعي، في مَأزقٍ كبيرٍ يحتاجُ معَهُ إلى الاستعانةِ بخدماتِ شيرلوك هولمز والدكتورِ واطسون؛ فقدِ اكتشفَ اطِّلاعَ أحدِ الأشخاصِ على البروفاتِ المَطْبعيةِ للصفحةِ الأولى مِن امتحانِ اللغةِ اليونانيةِ الذي وضَعَه — والذي يأتي في إطارِ الحصولِ على منحةِ فورتسيكو — وذلك قبلَ يومٍ واحدٍ من إجراءِ الامتحان. لم يَعرفْ ماذا يفعل، واحتارَ في معرفةِ المُجرمِ من بينِ ثلاثةِ طلابٍ يعيشونَ في المبنى نفسِه الذي يُقِيمُ فيه. فهل سيَتمكَّنُ هولمز كعادتِهِ من حلِّ اللغزِ ومعرفةِ المُذنِبِ من بينِ الطلابِ الثلاثة؟ وماذا عن الامتحان؛ هل سيُؤجِّلُه الأستاذُ أمْ سيُجرِيهِ في موعدِه؟

26 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 1904

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About the author

Arthur Conan Doyle

17.3k books25k followers
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.

Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.

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5 stars
337 (16%)
4 stars
644 (32%)
3 stars
831 (41%)
2 stars
171 (8%)
1 star
25 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
Profile Image for Aishu Rehman.
1,148 reviews1,202 followers
January 27, 2019
The Adventure of the Three Students is an often overlooked story from the canon of Sherlock Holmes work written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; and perhaps The Adventure of the Three Students is overshadowed by the fact that it was preceded by two of the most famous Sherlock Holmes tales, The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton and The Adventure of the Six Napoleons.

The Adventure of the Three Students was first published in the Strand Magazine in June 1904, before appearing in Collier’s Weekly on 24th September 1904. Then, in 1905, the tale would appear as part of the compilation work titled The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
Profile Image for Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora).
1,009 reviews44.5k followers
October 22, 2023
Este fue un relato bastante sencillo en comparación con los anteriores, pero de todas maneras estuvo algo divertido. La resolución me pareció más tierna que otra cosa, pero en general no disfruté tanto este caso como los otros de este libro. Este se sintió de relleno, por decirlo de alguna manera.
5,780 reviews151 followers
July 27, 2025
4 Stars. A neat little package. Quite enjoyable. Doyle's Sherlock Holmes is so easy to read. Not as complex as modern mysteries and thrillers, but often just as satisfactory. Not all of the stories relate to important matters of state or the indiscreet affairs of Princes and leading actresses. Here he responds to the urgent pleadings of a young tutor and lecturer at Oxford University, or is it Cambridge? Our narrator, Dr. Watson, deliberately conceals that tidbit. It appears that tomorrow's Greek translation exam has been copied and the tutor is in a complete tizzy! Should the exam go on if one of the students is cheating? Holmes doesn't want to but surrenders to a stronger force and visits the rooms of the tutor at college. The scene of the crime, so to speak. Here he finds numerous clues, all of which are perplexing to Watson, Hilton Soames, the tutor, and his servant Bannister. We soon learn that there are three suspects, all students living in rooms in the same building: Gilchrist, a fine scholar and sporting star, Ras, a good student from India, steady and methodical but inscrutable, and McLaren, a brilliant fellow if he choses to apply himself. Can you figure it out? (Au2023/Jul2025)
Profile Image for Katja Labonté.
Author 34 books378 followers
July 7, 2026
5 stars. I have to say this is one of the sweetest Holmes’ stories. He is such a great counsellor and helper! The characters, the storyline, are all so enjoyable and excellent. The mystery is simple, yet very pleasant; the humour excellent. I love it all so much!

A Favourite Quote: “As to you, sir, I trust that a bright future awaits you in Rhodesia. For once you have fallen low. Let us see, in the future, how high you can rise.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “He looked at us in a queer way.”
“So would you, if a flock of strangers came in on you when you were preparing for an examination next day, and every moment was of value. No, I see nothing in that. Pencils, too, and knives—all was satisfactory. But that fellow DOES puzzle me.”
“Who?”
“Why, ———. What’s his game in the matter?”
“He impressed me as being a perfectly honest man.”
“So he did me. That’s the puzzling part.”
Profile Image for bookaholic_kim.
601 reviews58 followers
February 5, 2016
I have always loved Sherlock Holmes because of the movie and the series but hasn't actually read any of it. And I hate my self for that so I had to read one at least. But because I am in reading slump, I listened to the audio book instead. The narrator is really awesome. I forgot his name but his voice is really nice.

Sherlock Holmes short stories are always awesome and are good to read when you are in a reading slump. And of course the characters and the humor make it exciting together with the mystery feel it gives.

I will surely read or listen (audiobook) more of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Profile Image for Bill.
1,235 reviews201 followers
November 19, 2018
Having bought (and read) a lot of new books in the last few months I thought it was time to return to an old favourite. I have read Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories many times, but this is one I haven't revisited for a long time. There is no murder this time, just a straightforward mystery to solve. Well, straightforward for the great detective but not for mere mortals like myself!
Profile Image for Jacki.
10 reviews
March 4, 2013
"For once you have fallen low. Let us see, in the future, how high you can rise."
Profile Image for Rebekah Morris.
Author 128 books278 followers
June 17, 2024
This was my first Sherlock Holmes story ever. A friend assured me that there were some short stories that didn’t include murder and suggested this one. I enjoyed it. I did know who did it before I was told, but I didn’t have all the clues so I hadn’t figured out how and why. Overall it was a fun little adventure and clean. I wouldn’t mind reading more of these stories.
484 reviews112 followers
January 4, 2021
This was a good adventure to Cambridge where they were sent to discovery a cheating conspiracy on cheating on a test. It was very well written and kept my attention throughout.
Profile Image for Bassant.
28 reviews1 follower
December 30, 2025
ألم يكن من الطبيعي يا سيدي أن .......؟
Profile Image for Federico DN.
1,167 reviews4,859 followers
July 28, 2024
Meh.

Not worth reviewing it.

For the moment at least.

It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1905] [30p] [Crime] [Not Recommendable]
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★★★★☆ 1. A Study in Scarlet [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 2. The Sign of Four [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 3. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
★★★★☆ 4. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes [3.5]
★★★★☆ 5. The Hound of the Baskervilles
★★★★☆ 6. The Return of Sherlock Holmes <--
★★★☆☆ 7. The Valley of Fear
★★★★☆ 8. His Last Bow [3.5]
★★★☆☆ 9. The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes [2.5]
★★★☆☆ 10. The Complete Sherlock Holmes

-----------------------------------------------

Meh.

No vale la pena reseñarlo.

Al menos por ahora.

Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1905] [30p] [Crimen] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Profile Image for Dr.Abdulwahab Alnaif.
359 reviews16 followers
March 1, 2023
رد فعل هولمز المثير بعد سرد الاحداث له من قبل صاحب المشكلة في كل الروايات يجعلني اتخيل كيف كان شكله قبل سماع ما حدث وبعد .. واخالني صنعت تصوراً في عقلي للطبيب واطسون
هذه الرواية القصيرة جميلة جداً وفيها من المعاني والرسائل ما يجعلها صالحة لان تدرس للطلاب
اعي تماماً ان الكاتب ارثر كونان دويل ليس عبقرياً فقط بل وصل به الحال الى جعلنا نحب شخصية هولمز في جميع جوانبها واضاف في هذه القصة الجانب العاطفي او كون هولمز ليس فقط محقق يتعامل مع الجرائم ، بل هو الانسان الذي يحمل ما يحمله كل انسان آخر من مشاعر .. تمت
Profile Image for Nö Ğå.
608 reviews15 followers
April 16, 2020
يحقق شيرلوك هنا ف واقعه سرقه امتحان ف احدي الجامعات وكانت الاتهامات ل ٣ اشخاص فقط سيخوضون الامتحان
وكانت الادله قلم رصاص مكسور اثناء النسخ وقطع من الطين والخادم الذي نسي مفتاحه ف الباب وكان اهمال منه
Profile Image for Jennifer.
277 reviews8 followers
February 9, 2021
"By Jove! my dear fellow, it is nearly nine, and the landlady babbled of green peas at seven-thirty. What with your eternal tobacco, Watson, and your irregularity at meals, I expect you will get notice to quit, and I shall share your downfall–not, however, before we have solved the problem of the nervous tutor, the careless servant, and the three enterprising students.” -- Sherlock Holmes to Watson

Holmes is uncomfortable being away from Baker Street for long periods of time.

Watson begins this entry with some vague vagaries about things he will not tell the reader. Shame on him. He is kind enough to relay the events of this scandal, vaguely, if only to highlight his friend’s unique abilities that make him remarkable. Such a nice fellow.

At a local university, where Holmes and Watson are staying because of unknown reasons, a Mr. Soames’ office has been burgled where the papers for an examination are kept. Copies were made of the papers with a pencil (clue #1) that broke and was sharpened. Holmes then states that if you find the owner of the small, blue pencil with a soft lead, you will find your man. There is also the mystery of the black, triangular-shaped clay, filled with sawdust (clue #2) left at the scene.

The three students come into question as they all use the stairs and pass by Soames’ office (clue #3). They also are to do the examination. By this account, they are suspect. The servant, Bannister, left his key in the lock on the night in question (clue #4). Holmes sees this as purposeful and suspicious.

Holmes studies windows.

Apparently, the smallest of scandals seem to make grown men faint.

Holmes visits each student, save one, and uses a pencil to sketch until it breaks. He then borrows one from the student and a knife to sharpen his own. Smart, this. Holmes then says he’s ready to retire for the night and he will check in with Soames the next morning.

The next morning, Holmes wakes Watson, denies him breakfast, and they go to solve the case. Soames fetches Bannister, who is very suspicious, and then the student Mr. Gilchrist, who breaks down into tears at the accusation. Holmes finds that the clay is from the shoes of Gilchrist who is a long-distance jumper and has special shoes for such an activity, shoes that left triangular-shaped molds behind. Bannister only helps Gilchrist since he was once the family butler of the Gilchrist’s and wished to protect the young man.

I personally feel like this ‘scandal’ is a bit stretched for Doyle. It’s not exactly a matter of murder or grand theft -- It’s a college test that can be delayed a day or two due to possible cheating. But I suppose Holmes needs something to do while he and Watson are on their mystery trip and, of course, Watson’s life mission is to make Holmes look good. Such a good friend. Not my favorite story but I will admit that Holmes’ methods are quite nicely executed.

Profile Image for Crime Addict Sifat.
177 reviews96 followers
August 8, 2017
It's 1895 and Holmes and Watson are at an anonymous English college. It's anonymous on the grounds that this case is somewhat outrageous, and Watson wouldn't like to get anybody in a bad position. Be that as it may, you have a 50/50 possibility of speculating effectively since Watson depicts the college as a renowned one with loads of gothic design. So it's likely either Oxford or Cambridge. Anyway, Holmes is there doing examination or something, and a man named Hilton Soames comes up and asks for offer assistance. Holmes needs him to leave however Hilton is stubborn. Holmes at long last says OK and Hilton recounts his story. He's a Greek educator and is going to regulate a major exam tomorrow for a grant prize. The test includes interpreted a long Greek passage.Soames had the content in his office, and he needed to venture out for a bit. His steward, Banister (extraordinary compared to other head servant names at any point) inadvertently left the key in the workplace entryway. At the point when Soames returned he discovered papers scattered around the room and fears that somebody duplicated the test and plans to cheat tomorrow. Rail flipped out and needed to take a seat. Soames forgot him cracking and went to discover some assistance. Holmes is intrigued, and he flame broils Soames for more subtle elements. Soames depicts a few intimations left at the scene. He additionally says an Indian understudy, named Daulat Ras, came to visit him before, yet that the exam was moved up at the time. Thus, Ras couldn't have seen anything. Holmes goes to explore the scene and does his super investigator schedule, discovering a wide range of modest hints. He discovers pencil shavings, a little triangle of dark putty on the floor, and a scratch on a table. He chooses that the likeliest suspects are the three understudies who live in dormitories over Hilton's office.
2,000 reviews30 followers
November 5, 2022
The final exam at a prestigious school has been compromised and the professor in charge knows he must cancel the exam if he can't identify the culprit from amongst three students who might have done the deed. He calls upon Holmes to identify the perpetrator.
As usual, our hero identifies the person responsible and then arrives at a solution to the case that saves the day for everybody.
A great read.
Profile Image for Alice O..
3 reviews
August 24, 2020
Entertaining and great practice!

Great for practicing and increasing french language level of comprehension. Entertaining and awesome read.
It is a must have in your library...
Profile Image for Marcus.
1,229 reviews29 followers
September 28, 2025
Cheats never prosper with Mr Holmes around. When a student has been sneaking a peek at examination papers there's only one man to call in.
Profile Image for Marwa Ahmed.
227 reviews64 followers
March 18, 2022
قضية يعُمها التسامح و الندم مع الرغبة بالتغيير دون توجيه اتهامات من مَحض الضمير و ولاء المحبين و حُسن نُصحهم
Profile Image for Claire Nadine.
4 reviews
March 3, 2025
Listened to this as an audiobook in French while packing to go to Vietnam for spring break. I’m trying to brush up on my French for when I meet my gf’s mom’s French bf next week. It was a decent, simple enough story with complex enough language that it did the job. Huge shoutout to the Libby app + my local library for having French audiobooks online.
Profile Image for Alexa.
28 reviews
December 30, 2020
"For once, you have fallen low. Let us see in the future how high you can rise."
-Sherlock Holmes

An inspirational quote that reminds me of the saying that goes something like "All Saints have a past, and all sinners can have a future."
Profile Image for Cintia.
147 reviews95 followers
July 31, 2015
Good Sherlock Holmes mystery, as usual. I love his power of deduction, that will never change. With his stories, it's never time wasted!
Profile Image for Jason Parent.
Author 50 books691 followers
May 6, 2016
Meh. No murders. I like murder. :) A nice little mystery, but the stakes were of little importance to all but one or two people.
Profile Image for John Yelverton.
4,481 reviews41 followers
March 12, 2019
It is a rather "elementary" Sherlock Holmes story as the master detective is able to easily detect who the culprit is and bring the case to a swift and satisfactory conclusion.
Profile Image for Kishore.
126 reviews
Want to Read
September 2, 2026
Summary

In "The Adventure of the Three Students," Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves embroiled in an academic scandal at a prestigious English university. Mr. Hilton Soames, a nervous and agitated college tutor, approaches Holmes with a delicate problem: the proofs of an important Greek examination paper have been tampered with just hours before the Fortescue Scholarship exam. These proofs, containing a translation passage from Thucydides, are supposed to remain secret to preserve exam integrity.

Soames had left the proofs on his desk while he briefly attended a tea appointment. Upon returning, he discovered that the papers were disturbed, and the key to his locked room, held by his servant Bannister, had been left carelessly in the door. There was evidence of someone hastily copying the proofs with a broken pencil and leaving a distinctive indentation on a leather writing table, along with small black pellets of a doughy clay containing sawdust.

Holmes visits the college, examining the scene and interviewing the tutor, Bannister, and the three students living on the same staircase: Gilchrist, a hardworking athlete with a troubled family past; Daulat Ras, a quiet Indian student weak in Greek; and Miles McLaren, a brilliant but wayward and suspicious character. Holmes’s investigations focus on physical clues, especially peculiar pencil remnants and the unusual black clay found on the table and in the servant's quarters.

Using careful deductions, Holmes reveals the culprit to be Gilchrist. The tall athlete had been practicing long jumps earlier that day, wearing spiked shoes that left telltale scratches and the clay residues traced back to the athletic field’s jumping pit. Tempted by the opportunity, he had entered Soames’s room, copied the exam proofs in haste, and hidden in the tutor’s bedroom when the tutor unexpectedly returned, only to be released by the servant Bannister, who was secretly trying to protect him out of loyalty to the student's ruined family.

In a private confrontation, Gilchrist confesses and offers to withdraw from the exam, planning to accept a commission abroad. Holmes and Soames agree to a discreet resolution to avoid scandal, allowing the exam to proceed without Gilchrist's participation. The story concludes with Holmes encouraging Gilchrist toward a better future despite his lapse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews