The Memoirs of Sherlock, Holmes by Sir, Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to
volunteer, please visit librivox.org.
Recording by David Clarke, BG David dot, wordpress.com and BG
coffee dotnet, the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Adventure one,
Silver Blaze. I'm afraid Watson that I shall
have to go said, Holmes, as we sat down together to our
breakfast one morning, go where to, to Dartmoor to King's
pyland. I was not surprised indeed.
My only Wonder was that he had not already been mixed up in
this extraordinary case, which was the one topic of
conversation through the length and breadth of England for a
whole day. My companion had rambled about
the room with his chin upon his chest.
And his brows knitted charging and recharging his pipe with the
strongest black tobacco and absolutely death to any of my
questions or remarks fresh editions of every paper, had
been sent up by our newsagent owners.
You be glanced over and tossed down into a corner.
Yet silent as he was, I knew perfectly.
Well, what it was over, which he was brooding, there was but one
problem before the public, which could challenge his powers of
analysis. And that was the singular.
Disappearance of the favorite, for the Wessex Cup and the
tragic murder of its trainer. When therefore, he suddenly
announced his intention of setting out for the scene of the
drama. It was only what I had been
expecting and hoped for I should be most happy to go down with
you if I should not be in the way.
So did I my dear Watson? You would confer a great favor
upon me by coming. And I think that your time will
not be misspent for there are points about the case, which
promised to make it an absolutely unique one.
We have I think just time to catch our train at Paddington
and I will go further into the matter Upon Our Journey.
You would oblige Me by bringing with you.
You're very excellent, feel glass.
And so, it happened that an hour or so later.
I found myself in the corner of a First-Class Carriage flying
along. En route for Exeter while
Sherlock Holmes with his sharp. Eager face framed in his ear,
flapping traveling cap dipped rapidly into the bundle of fresh
papers, which he had procured at Paddington.
We had left reading far behind us before he thrust the last one
of them under the seat and offered me.
His Cigar Case. We are going well, said, he
looking out the window and glancing at his watch.
Our rate at present is 53 and a half miles an hour.
I have not observed. The quarter mile posts said, I
nor have I, but the telegraph post upon this line, are 60
yards apart. And the calculation is a simple
one. I presumed you have looked into
this matter of the murder of John straker and The
Disappearance of Silver Blaze. I've seen what the Telegraph and
the chronicle have to say. It is one of those cases where
the art of the Reasoner should be used rather for the sifting
of details, and for the acquiring of fresh evidence.
The tragedy has been so uncommon, so complete and of
such personal importance to so many people that we are
suffering from a plethora of surmise conjecture and
hypothesis. The difficulty is to detach the
framework of fact of absolute undeniable fact, from
Embellishments theorists and reporters, Zen having
established ourselves upon this sound basis.
It is our duty to see what inferences may be drawn.
And what are the special points upon which the whole mystery
turns on Tuesday evening. I received telegrams from both
Colonel, Ross, the owner of the horse and from inspector
Gregory, who is looking after the case inviting my
cooperation. Tuesday, evening, I exclaimed.
This is Thursday morning. Why did you go down yesterday?
Because I made a blunder my dear Watson, which is, I'm afraid, a
more common occurrence than anyone would think who only knew
me through your Memoirs. The fact is that I could not
believe it possible that the most remarkable horse in
England. Could longer remain concealed,
especially in so sparsely inhabited a place as the north
of Dartmoor. From hour to hour yesterday.
I expected to hear that. He had been found and that his
abductor was the murderer of John straker when however
another morning had come and I found that beyond the arrest of
young fitzroy-simpson. Nothing had been done.
I felt that it was time for me to take action yet in some ways.
I feel that yesterday has not been wasted.
You form the Siri then? At least I have got a grip of
the essential facts of the case. I shall enumerate them to you
for nothing, clears up a case. So much as stating it to another
person and I can hardly expect your cooperation.
If I do not show you the position from which we start.
I lay back against the cushions puffing at my cigar while Holmes
leaning forward with his long thin forefinger checking, off
the points, upon the palm of his left, hand gave me a sketch of
the events which had led to our journey.
Silver Blaze said he is from the somos, me, stock and holds His
Brilliant record as his famous ancestor.
He is now in his fifth year and has brought in turn each of the
prizes of the turf to Colonel Ross.
His fortunate owner up to the time of the catastrophe was the
first favorite for the Wessex cup.
The betting being 321 on him. He is always however been a
prime favorite with the racing public and has never yet.
Pointed them. So that even at those odds
enormous sums of money have been laid upon him.
It is obvious. Therefore, that there were many
people who had the strongest interest in preventing Silver.
Blaze from being there at the fall of the flag next Tuesday.
The fact was, of course, appreciated at King's pyland
where the Colonel's training, stable is situated.
Every precaution was taken to guard the favorite.
The trainer John straker is a retired.
Jockey who rode in Colonel? Ross has colors before he became
too heavy for the weighing chair.
He has served the colonel for five years as jockey and 47 as
trainer. And as always shown himself to
be a zealous. And honest servant under him
were three Lads for the establishment was a small one.
Containing only four horses in all one of these Lads setup each
night in the stable while the others slept in The Loft.
All three more, excellent characters.
John straker who is a married man.
Lived in a small village about 200 yards from The Stables.
He has no children keeps one maidservant and is Comfortably
off. The country round is very
lonely, but about half a mile to the north.
There is a small cluster of Villas, which have been built by
a Tavistock contractor for the use of invalids and others who
may wish to enjoy the pure Dartmoor are Tavistock itself.
Lies two miles to the West while across the Moor.
Also about two miles distant, is the larger training
establishment of Mapleton, which belongs to Lord Backwater and is
managed by Silas Brown. In every other direction, the
more is a complete Wilderness. Inhabited only by a few roaming
gypsies such was the General situation last Monday night.
When the catastrophe occurred on that evening, the horses had
been exercised and watered as usual, and the Stables were
locked up at 9:00 two of The Lads.
Walked up to trainer's house, where they had supper in the
kitchen while the third Ned Hunter remained on guard.
At a few minutes after 9:00 the maid, Edith Baxter.
Carried down to the Stables, his supper, which consisted of a
dish of curried mutton. She took no liquid as there was
a water tap in the stables and it was the rule that the lad on
duty should drink nothing else. The made carried a lantern with
her as it was very dark and the path ran across the open more.
Edith Baxter was within 30 yards of the Stables.
When a man appeared out of the darkness and call to her to
stop, as he stepped into the circle of yellow light thrown by
the lantern. She saw that, he was a person of
gentlemanly bearing dressed in a grey suit of Tweeds with a cloth
cap. He wore Gators and carried a
heavy stick with a knob to it. She was most impressed.
However, by the extreme pallor of his face.
And by the nervousness of his manner, his age.
She thought would be rather over 30 than under it.
Can you tell me where I am? He asked, I'd almost made up my
mind to sleep on the more when I saw the light of your Lantern.
You are close to the king's pyland training.
Stables said she. Oh indeed, What A Stroke of
Luck, he cried. I understand that a stableboy
sleeps there alone every night. Perhaps that is his supper,
which you're carrying to him. Now.
I'm sure that you would not be too proud to earn the price of a
new dress. Would you?
He took a piece of white paper folded up out of his
waistcoat-pocket. See that the boy has this
tonight and you shall have the prettiest frock that money can
buy. She was frightened by the
earnestness of his Manner and ran past him to the window
through which she was accustomed to hand a meals.
It was already opened and Hunter was seated at the small table
inside. She had begun to tell him of
what had happened when the stranger came up again.
Good evening said, he looking through the window.
I wanted to have a word with you.
The girl has sworn that as he spoke.
She noticed the corner of the little paper packet protruding
from his closed hand. What business have you here?
Asked the lad? It's business that may put
something into your pocket. Said the other you've two horses
in for the Wessex cup, Silver Blaze and Bayard.
Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser.
Is it a fact that at the weights Bayard could give the other a
hundred yards in five furlongs and that the stable of put their
money on him. So you're one of those damn
touts cried the lad. I'll show you how we serve them
in King's pyland. He sprang up and rushed across
the stable to unloose the dog, the girl fled away to the house.
But as she ran, she looked back and saw that the stranger was
leaning through the window. A minute later.
However, when Hunter rushed out with the Hound, he was gone.
And though he ran all around the buildings.
He failed to find any trace of him.
One moment. I asked did the stable boy when
he ran out with a dog? Leaves a door unlocked behind
him. Excellent Watson, excellent
moment. My companion, the importance of
the point struck me. So forcibly that I sent a
special wire to Dartmoor yesterday to clear.
The matter up the boy, lock the door before he left it.
The window. I may add was not large enough
for a man to get through. Hunter waited until his fellow
groom's had returned. When he sent a message to the
trainer and told him, what had occurred straker was excited at
hearing the account. Although he does not seem to
have quite realized. It's true, significance.
It left him. However, vaguely uneasy and mrs.
Straker waking at 1:00 in the morning found that he was
dressing in reply to her inquiries.
He said that he could not sleep on account of his anxiety about
the horses. And that he intended to walk
down to the Stables to see that all was well.
She begged him to remain at home as she could hear the rain
pattering against a window. But in spite of her entreaties,
he pulled on his large MacIntosh and left the house.
Mrs. Straker awoke at 7, in the morning, to find that her
husband had not yet returned. She dressed herself, hastily
called the maid and set off for the Stables.
The door was open inside. Huddle together upon a chair.
Hunter was sunk in a state of absolute stupa favorite store
was empty. And there were no signs of his
trainer. The two Labs who slept in the
chaff cutting Loft above. The harness room were quickly
aroused. They had heard nothing during
the night for they are both sound sleepers.
Hunter was obviously under the influence of some powerful drug
and has no sense could be got out of him.
He was left to sleep it off. While the two Lads and are two
women ran out in search of the absentees.
They still had hopes that the trainer had for some reason,
taken out the horse for early exercise.
But on a sending the null near the house from which all the
neighboring Moors were visible. They not only could see no signs
of the missing favorite, but they perceived something, which
warned them that they were in the presence of a tragedy.
About a quarter of a mile from the Stables.
John Strikers. Overcoat was flapping from a
furze bush immediately Beyond it was a bowl-shaped depression in
the more. And at the bottom of this was
found the dead body of the unfortunate.
His had been Shattered by a Savage Blow, from some heavy
weapon, and he was wounded on the side where there was a long
clean-cut inflicted evidently by some very sharp instrument.
It was clear. However, that straker had
defended himself vigorously against his assailants for in
his right hand. He held a small knife which is
clotted with blood up to the handle while in his left.
He clasped a red and black silk cravat, which was recognized by
the maid as having been On the preceding evening by The
Stranger who had visited the Stables.
Hunter on recovering from his stupor was also quite positive
as to the ownership of the cravat.
He was equally certain that the same stranger had while standing
at the window, drugged, his curried mutton, and so deprived
The Stables of their Watchman. As to the missing horse.
There were abundant proofs in the mud, which lay at the bottom
of the Fatal Hollow that he had been there at a time of the
struggle, but from that morning, he has disappeared.
And although a large reward. Been offered and all the gypsies
of Dartmoor are on the alert. No news has come of him.
Finally, an analysis has shown that the remains of his supper
left by the stable lad contained.
An appreciable quantity of powdered opium while the people
at the house. Partook.
Of the same dish on the same night without any ill effect.
Those are the main facts of the case, stripped of all surmise
and stated as baldly as possible.
I shall now recapitulate. What the police have done in the
matter, inspector Gregory to whom the case has been committed
is an extremely competent officer were he, but gifted with
imagination, he might rise to Great Heights.
In his profession on his arrival.
He promptly found and arrested the man upon whom suspicion
naturally rested. It was little difficulty in
finding him for he inhabited one of those Villas which I've
mentioned his name. It appears was Fitzroy Simpson.
He was a man of excellent birth and education who had
squandered, a fortune upon the turf and who live now by doing a
little quiet and gentle bookmaking in the sporting clubs
of London, an examination of his betting book shows that bets to
the amount of five thousand pounds had been registered by
him against the favorite. On being arrested.
He volunteered the statement that he had come down to
Dartmoor in the hope of getting some information about the
king's pyland horses and also about Desborough the second
favorite, which was in charge of Silas Brown at the Mapleton
Stables. He did not attempt to deny that
he had acted as described upon the evening before but declared
that he had no Sinister Designs and had simply wished to obtain
first-hand information. When confronted with his cravat,
he turned very pale and was utterly unable to account for
its presence in the hand of the murdered man.
His wet clothing showed that he had been out in the storm of the
night before and his stick which was a Penang lawyer weighted.
With lead was just such a weapon as might by repeated blows have
inflicted the terrible injuries to which the trainer had
succumbed. On the other hand.
There was no wound. His person, while the state of
Strikers knife would show that one at least of his assailants.
Must bear. His Mark upon him, there.
You have it all in a nutshell, Watson.
And if you can give me any light I shall be infinitely obliged to
you. I had listened with the greatest
interest to the statement which homes with characteristic
clearness had laid before me though.
Most of the facts were familiar to me.
I had not sufficiently appreciated their relative
importance nor their connection to each other.
Is it not possible? I suggested that the incised
wound upon straker may have been caused by his own knife in the
convulsive struggles, which follow any brain injury.
It is more than possible. It is probable said Holmes, in
that case, one of the main points in favour of the accused
disappears. And yet said, I even now, I
failed to understand what the theory of the police can be.
I am afraid that whatever Theory we State as very grave
objections to it return? My companion, the police.
Imagine, I take it that this fitzroy-simpson.
Having drugged a lad and having in some way obtained, a
duplicate key opened the stable door and took out the horse with
the intention apparently of kidnapping him altogether.
His Idol is missing so that Simpson must have put this on.
Then having left the door open behind him.
He was leading the horse away over the Moor.
When he was either met or overtaken by the trainer around
naturally ensued Simpson beat out the trainer's brains with
his heavy stick without receiving any injury from the
small knife which straker used in self-defense and then the
thief either led the horse on to, some secret hiding place or
else. It may have been Bolted during
the struggle and be now wondering out on the Moors.
That is the case as it appears to the police and improbable as
it is all other explanations, are more improbable still.
However, I shall very quickly test the matter when I am once
upon the spot and until then, I cannot really see how we can get
much further than our present position.
It was evening, before we reach the little town of Tavistock
which lies like the boss of a shield in the middle of the huge
circle of Dartmoor, Two Gentlemen, were waiting Us in
the station, the one at all fair, man with lion, like hair
and beard and curiously, penetrating light blue eyes the
other a small alert person, very neat, and Dapper in a frock-coat
and Gators with trim, little side-whiskers and an eyeglass.
The latter was Colonel, Ross, the well-known Sportsman, the
other inspector Gregory a man who was rapidly making his name
in the English detective service.
I am delighted that you have come down.
Mr. Holmes said the colonel. The inspector here has done all.
That could possibly be suggested with I wish to leave.
No stone unturned in trying to avenge poor straker and in
recovering my horse have there, been any fresh developments
asked Holmes. I'm sorry to say that we have
made very little progress. So the inspector we have an open
Carriage outside and as would no doubt like to see the place
before the light falls, we might talk it over as we drive.
A minute later. We were all seated in a
comfortable Landau and were rattling through the quaint old
Devonshire city. Inspector Gregory was full of
his case and poured out, a stream of remarks while Holmes
through in an occasional question or interjection
Colonel. Ross, leaned back with his arms
folded and his hat tilted over his eyes while I listened with
interest to the dialogue of the two detectives Gregory was
formulating his theory. Which was almost exactly what
homes had foretold in the Train. The net is drawn pretty close
round fitzroy-simpson. He remarked and I believe myself
that he is our man. At the same time.
I recognize that the evidence is purely circumstantial and that
some new development may upset. How about Strikers knife?
We have quite come to the conclusion that he wounded
himself and his fall. My dear friend.
Dr. Watson made that suggestion to me as we came down.
If so, it would tell against this man Simpson.
Undoubtedly. He has neither a knife, nor any
sign of a wound. The evidence against him is
certainly very strong. He had a great interest in The
Disappearance of the favorite. He lies under suspicion of
having poisoned the stable boy. He was undoubtedly out in the
storm. He was armed with a heavy stick
when his cravat was found in. The dead man's hand.
I really think we have enough to go before a jury.
Holmes shook his head, a clever counsel, would tear it all to
rags. Said he, why should he take the
horse out of the stable if you wish to injure it, why could he
not do it? There has a duplicate key been
found in his possession. What chemists sold him?
The powdered opium above all. Where could he a stranger to the
district? Hide a horse and such a horse's
this? What is his own explanation?
As to the paper which he wished the made to give to the stable
boy? He says that was a ten pound
note. One was found in his purse, but
your other difficulties are not so familiar ball as they seem.
He is not a stranger to the district.
He has twice lodged at Tavistock in the summer.
The Opium was probably brought from London.
The key having served, its purpose will be held at way.
Horse may be at the bottom of one of the pits are old mines
upon the Moor. What does he say about the
cravat? He acknowledges that it is is
and declares that he lost it but a new element has been
introduced into the case which may account for his leading.
The horse from the stable homes, pricked up, his ears.
We are found traces which show that a party of gypsys encamped
on Monday night within a mile of the spot where the murder took
place on Tuesday. They were gone.
Now presuming that there was some understanding between
Simpson and he's gypsies mine. I have been leading the austere
them when he was overtaken and may they not have him.
Now? It is certainly possible.
The more is being scoured for these gypsies.
I've also examined every stable and Outhouse in Tavistock.
And for a radius of ten miles. There is another training
stable, quite close. I understand.
Yes. I'm not as a factor, which we
must certainly not neglect as Despereaux.
Their office was second in the betting, they had an interest in
The Disappearance of the favorite Silas Brown.
The trainer is known to have had large bets upon the event and he
was no friend to poor straker. We have our ever examined the
stables and there is nothing to connect him with the affair.
And nothing to connect, this man's Simpson, with the
interests of the Mapleton Stables.
Nothing at all. Holmes, leaned back in the
carriage and the conversation ceased.
A few minutes later. Our driver pulled up at a neat.
Little red brick Villa with overhanging Eaves which stood by
the road. Some distance off across a
paddock. Lay along, great.
I'll doubt building in every other direction, the low curves
of the more bronze colored from The Fading ferns stretched away
to the skyline broken only by the Steeples of Tavistock and by
a cluster of houses away to the westward, which marked the
Mapleton Stables. We all sprang out with the
exception of homes, who continue to lean back with his eyes fixed
upon the sky in front of him, entirely absorbed in his own
thoughts. It was only when I touched his
arm, but he roused himself with a violent start and stepped out
of the carriage. Excuse me, said he turning to
Colonel Ross, who had looked at him in some surprise.
I was daydreaming there was a gleam in his eyes and a
suppressed excitement in his manner, which convinced me used,
as I was to his ways and his hand was upon a clue so I could
not imagine where he had found it.
Perhaps you would prefer once to go onto the scene of the crime.
Mr. Holmes said Gregory. I think that I should prefer to
stay here a little and go into one or two questions of detail
straker was brought back here. I presume.
Yes, me lies upstairs. The inquest is tomorrow.
He has been in your service some years Colonel, Ross.
I have always found him an excellent servant.
I presume that. You made an inventory of what he
had in his pockets at the time of his death inspector.
I have the things themselves in the sitting room if you would
care to see them. I should be very glad.
We all filed into the front room and sat around the central
table, while the inspector unlocked a square tin box and
laid a small heap of things before us now, is a box of
Esters, two inches of Tallow candle, an ADP Breyer route
pipe, a pouch of seal skin with a half an ounce of long cut.
Cavendish a silver watch with a gold chain.
Five sovereigns in gold and aluminium pencil case a few
papers and an ivory. Old knife with a very delicate
in flexible blade marked. Vison Co London.
This is a very singular knife, said Holmes lifting it up and
examining minutely. I presume as I see bloodstains
upon it, that it is the one which was found in the Dead
Man's grasp Watson. This knife is surely in your
line. It's what we call a cataract
knife said, I I thought. So a very delicate blade devised
for very delicate work. A strange thing for a man to
carry with him upon a rough Expedition, especially as it
would not shut in his pocket. The tip was guarded by disc of
cork, which he found beside his body.
Said the inspector. His wife tells us that the knife
had Lain upon the dressing-table, and they have
picked it up as he left the room.
It was a poor weapon, but perhaps the best that he could
lay his hands on at the moment. Very possible.
How about these papers? Three of them are receipted.
Hey, dealers accounts. One of them is a letter of
instructions. From Colonel Ross.
This other Is a Millionaire's account for 37 pounds 15 made
out by Madame, Le zuria of Bond Street to William Derbyshire.
This is Striker tells us that Derbyshire was a friend of her
husband's and that occasionally is letters were addressed here.
Madame Derbyshire has somewhat expensive.
Tastes remarked Holmes, glancing down.
The account. 22, guineas is rather heavy for a single
costume. However, there appears to be
nothing more to learn and we may now go down to the scene of the
crime. As we emerge from the sitting
room, a woman who had been waiting in the passage took a
step forward and laid her hand upon the inspectors sleeve.
Her face was Haggard and sin and eager stamped with the print of
a recent horror. Have you got them?
Have you found them? She panted now.
Mrs. Striker, but Mr. Holmes, here has come from London to
help us and we shall do all these possible.
Surely. I Met You in Plymouth at a
garden party some little time ago.
Mrs. Straker said Holmes. No, sir.
You are mistaken. Dear me why I could have sworn
to it. You wore a costume of Dove
colored silk with ostrich. Feather trimming.
Our never had such a dresser answer.
The lady that quite settles. It said, Holmes.
And with an apology. He followed the inspector
outside. Short walk across the Moor.
Took us to the hollow in which the body had been found at the
brink of. It was the first Bush upon which
the coat had been hung. There was no wind that night.
I understand said Holmes non, but very heavy rain.
In that case. The Overcoat was not blown
against the furze bush but place there.
Yes, it was laid across the bush.
You fill me with interest. I perceive that the ground has
been trampled up a good deal. No doubt many feet have been
here since Monday night. A piece of matin has been laid
here at the side and we've all stood upon it.
Excellent in this bag. I have one of the boots.
Which straker wore one of Fitzroy, Simpson shoes and a
cast horseshoe of Silver. Blaze.
My dear inspector, you surpass yourself.
Holmes took the bag and descending into the hollow.
He pushed the matting into a more Central position, then
stretching himself upon his face and leaning his chin upon his
hands. He made a careful study of the
trampled mud in front of him. Hello said he suddenly what's
this? It was a wax Vesta.
Half-burned, which was so coated with mud that it looked at first
like a little chip of wood. I cannot think I came to
overlook. It said, the inspector with an
expression of annoyance. It was invisible.
Buried in the mud. I only saw it because I was
looking for it. What you expected to find it.
I thought it not unlikely. He took the boots from the bag
and compared the impressions of each of them, with marks upon
the ground. Then he clambered up to the rim
of the Halo and crawled about, among the ferns and bushes.
I'm afraid that there are no more tracks said the inspector.
I've examined the ground, very carefully for 100 yards in each
Direction. Indeed, said, Holmes Rising.
I should not have the impertinence to do it again
after what you say, but I should like to take a little walk over
the more before it grows dark, as I may know my ground tomorrow
and I think that I shall put this horseshoe into my pocket
for luck. Colonel Ross, who has shown some
signs of impatience at my companions, quiet and systematic
method of work glanced at his watch.
I wish you would come back with me.
Inspector said, he there are several points on which I should
like to advise and especially as to, whether we do not owe it to
the public to remove our horses name, from the entries for the
cup. Certainly not cried Holmes with
decision. I should let the name stand the
colonel bowed. I am very glad to have had your
opinion. Sir said he you will find us at
poor straker's house when you have finished your walk and we
can drive together into Tavistock.
He turned back with the inspector while Holmes and I
walked slowly across the Moor. The sun was beginning to sink
behind the Stables of Mapleton and the long sloping plain in
front, of us was tinged with gold.
Deepening into Rich ready Browns, where the faded Ferns
and brambles caught the evening light, but the glories of the
landscape were all wasted upon my companion.
Who was sunk in the deepest thought, it's this way.
Watson said he, at last, we met leaves.
A question of who killed John straker for the instant and
confine ourselves to finding out what has become of the horse.
Now, supposing that he broke away during or after the
tragedy. Where could he have gone to?
The horse is a very gregarious Creature.
If left to himself, his instincts would have been either
to return to King's pyland or go over to Mapleton.
Why should he run wild upon the more?
He would surely have been seen by now, and why should gypsies
kidnap him? These people always clear out,
when they hear of trouble for, they do not wish to be pestered
by the police. He could not hope to sell such a
horse, who would run a great risk and gain Nothing by taking
him. Surely that is clear.
Where is he? Then I have already said that he
must have gone to King's pyland or to Mapleton.
He is not at King's pyland therefore.
He is at Mapleton. Let us take that as a working
hypothesis and see what it leads us to.
This part of the more as the inspector remarked is very hard
and dry but it falls away towards Mapleton.
And you can see from here that there is a Long Hollow Over
Yonder, which must have been very wet on Monday night.
If our supposition is correct and the horse must have crossed
that and there is a point where we should look for his tracks.
We've been walking, briskly during this conversation and a
few more minutes brought us to the hollow in question.
At homes request. I walked down the bank to the
right and he to the left, but I had not taken 50 Paces before I
heard him. Give a shout and saw him waving
his hand to me the track of a horse was plainly, outlined in
the soft Earth in front of him and the shoe, which he took from
his pocket, exactly fitted, the impression, see the value of
imagination said Holmes. It is a one quality, which
Gregory lacks. We imagined what might have
happened. Up and acted upon the
supposition and find ourselves Justified.
Let us proceed. We cross the marshy bottom and
passed over a quarter of a mile of dry hard Turf again, the
ground sloped. And again, we came on the tracks
then we lost them for half a mile.
But only to pick them up. Once more quite close to
Mapleton. It was homes, who saw them
first? And he stood pointing with a
look of Triumph upon his face, a man's track was visible beside
the horses. The horse was alone before I
cried quite. So it was a loan before.
Hello. What is this?
The double track turned sharp off and took the direction of
King's pyland Holmes whistled and we both followed along after
it. His eyes were on the trail, but
I happened to look a little to one side and saw to my surprise
the same tracks, coming back again in the opposite direction.
One for you Watson. I said, Holmes, when I pointed
it out, you have saved us. A long walk, which would have
brought us back on our own traces.
That is follow the return track. We had not to go far.
It ended at the paving of asphalt which led up to the
gates of the Mapleton Stables as we approached.
A groom ran out from them. We don't want any loiterers
about here. Said he I only wish to ask a
question said Holmes with his finger and thumb in his
waistcoat, pocket. Should I be too early to see
your master? Mr. Silas Brown.
If I were to call it five o'clock tomorrow morning, bless
you sir, if anyone is about it. B4 is always the first airing
but area sir to answer your questions for himself.
No, sir. No, it is as much as my place is
worth to let him. See me touch your money
afterwards if you like as Sherlock Holmes, replace the
half crown, which he had drawn from his pocket.
A fierce-looking elderly man, Strode out from the gate with a
hunting-crop swinging in his hand.
What's this Dawson? He cried.
No. Gossiping go about your business
and you what the devil do you want here?
10 minutes, talk with you. My good sir.
Said, Holmes in the sweetest of voices, or even though tied to
talk every gun about we want no, stranger here, be off, or you
may find a dog at your heels, Holmes leaned forward and
whispered something in the trainer's.
Here. He started violently and flush
to the temples. It's a lie.
He shouted an infernal. I very good.
Shall we argue about it here in public or talk it over in your
parlor. No come in if you wish to Holmes
smiled I shall not keep you more than a few minutes.
Watson said he now mr. Brown.
I'm quite at your disposal. It was 20 minutes and the red
said all faded into Gray's before homes and the trainer
reappeared never have. I seen such a change.
Has had been brought about in Silas Brown in that short time.
His face was ashy pale, beads of perspiration Shone upon his brow
and His Hands shook until the hunting crop wagged.
Like a branch in the wind. His bullying.
Overbearing manner was all gone to and he cringed along at my
Inside like a dog with its master.
Your instructions will be done. We shall all be done.
Said he, there must be no mistake said Holmes, looking
round at him. The other winced as he read the
Menace, in his eyes. Oh, no, they shall be no
mistake. It shall be here.
Should I change it first or not? Holmes thought a little and then
burst out laughing. No, don't said he I shall write
to you about it. No tricks now or oh you're and
trust me you can trust me. Yes.
I think I can. Well you shall hear from me
tomorrow. He turned upon his heel.
Disregarding the trembling hand which the other held out to him.
And we set off for King's pyland, a more perfect compound
of the bully coward and sneak than Master Silas Brown.
I have seldom met with Remarked Holmes as we trudged along
together. He has the horse then he tried
to Bluster out of it, but I described to him so exactly what
his actions had been upon that morning, but he is convinced
that I was watching him. Of course, you observe the
peculiarly square toes in The Impressions and that his own
boots, exactly correspondent to them again, of course, no
subordinate would have dared to do such a thing.
I described to him. How, when, according to his
custom. He was the first down.
He perceived a strange horse. Wandering over the more how he
went out to it and his astonishment at recognizing,
from the white forehead, which is given the favorite its name
that chance had put in his power.
The only horse which could beat the one upon, which he had put
his money, then I described how his first impulse had been to
lead him back to King's pyland and how the devil had shown him.
How he could hide the horse until a race was over and how he
had let it back and concealed it at Mapleton.
When I told him every detail he gave it up and thought only of
saving his own skin, but his Stables have been searched.
Oh and old horse, Faker like him as many a Dodge.
But are you not afraid to leave the horse in his power now since
he has every interest in injuring?
It. My dear fellow, he will guard it
as the apple of his eye. He knows that his only hope of
Mercy is to produce it. Safe Colonel, Ross, did not
impress me as a man who would be likely to show much Mercy in any
case. The matter does not rest with
Colonel Ross. I follow my own methods and tell
as much or as little as I choose.
That is the advantage of being unofficial.
I don't know whether you observed it Watson, but the
Colonel's Manor has been just a trifle Cavalier to me.
I am inclined now to have a little amusement, at his
expense. Say nothing to him about the
horse, certainly not without your permission.
And of course, this is all quite a minor Point compared to the
question of who killed John straker.
And you will devote yourself to that on the contrary.
We both go back to London by the Night Train.
I was Thunderstruck by my friends words.
We had only been a few hours in Devonshire and that he should
give up an investigation, which had begun.
So brilliantly was quite incomprehensible to me, not a
word more. Could I draw from him until we
were back at the trainer's house?
The colonel and the inspector were awaiting Us in The Parlor.
My friend and I returned to town by the night express said
Holmes. We have had a Charming little
breath of your beautiful. Dark more are the inspector
opened his eyes and the Colonel's lip curled in a sneer.
So you were despair of arresting the murderer of poor straker
said he Holmes Shrugged his shoulders.
There are certainly grave difficulties in the way.
Said he, I have every hope. However, that's your horse will
start up on Tuesday and I beg that you will have your jockey
in Readiness. Might I ask for a photograph of
mr. John straker.
Inspector took one from an envelope and handed it to him.
My dear Gregory. You anticipate all my wants.
If I might ask you to wait here for an instant.
I have a question, which I should like to put to the maid.
I must say that I am rather disappointed in our London.
Consultant said Colonel Ross bluntly as my friend left the
room. I do not see that we are any
further than when he came. At least.
You have his assurance that your horse will.
Run said I yes my have his Assurance, said the colonel with
a shrug of his shoulders. I should prefer to have the
horse. I was about to make some reply
in defense of my friend when he entered the room again now,
gentlemen, he said I am quite ready for Tavistock.
As we stepped into the carriage, one of the stable Lads held the
door open for us, a sudden idea seemed to occur to homes for, he
leaned forward and touch the lad upon the sleeve.
You have a few Sheep In The Paddock.
He said, who attends to them? I do sir.
Have you noticed anything amiss with them of late?
Well, sir, not of much account, but three of them have gone
lame, sir. I could see that Holmes was
extremely pleased for he chuckled and rubbed his hands
together. A long shot Watson, a very long
shot said, he pinching my arm Gregory.
Let me recommend to your attention this singular epidemic
among the Sheep drive on Coachman Colonel.
Ross, still wore an expression. Which showed the poor opinion,
which he had formed my companions ability, but I saw by
the inspectors face that his attention had been keenly
aroused. You consider that to be
important. He asked exceedingly, so, So is
there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention
to the Curious incident of the dog?
In the night-time, the dog did nothing in a nighttime?
That was the Curious incident remarked Sherlock Holmes, four
days later homes and I were again in the train Bound for
Winchester to see the race for the Wessex cup.
Kind of Ross Matters by appointment outside the station
and we drove in his drag to the course, beyond the town.
His face was grave and his manner was cold in the extreme.
I have seen, nothing of my horse.
Said he, I suppose that you would know him.
When you saw him asked Holmes. The colonel was very angry.
I have been on the turf for 20 years and never was asked such a
question as that before said he a child would know, Silver
Blaze. With his white forehead and is
modeled off for leg. How is the betting?
Well, that is a curious part of it.
You could have got 12:45 yesterday, but the price has
become shorter and shorter until you can hardly get three, two,
one. Now hum said, Holmes.
Somebody knows something that is clear.
As the drag Drew up in the enclosure near the grandstand.
I glanced at the card to see the entries.
Wessex plate. It ran 50 solves, each H feet
with 1000 solves added for four and five-year-olds.
S l-- 303rd L200 new course, one mile and five furlongs.
Mr. Heath Newton's the Negro redcap, cinnamon jacket Colonel,
Ward laws pugilist, pink cap, blue, and black jacket, Lord,
backwaters Desborough Yellow Cap and sleeves.
Colonel Ross has Silver Blaze, Black Cap, Red Jacket Duke of
Balmoral Cyrus. on black stripes Lord single fits grasper purple
cap, black sleeves We scratched our other one, and put all our
hopes on your word, said, the colonel.
Why, what is that? Silver Blaze?
Favorite 524 against Silver, Blaze brought the ring 524
against Silver. Blaze 5 to 15 against
Desborough, 524 on the field. There are the numbers up.
I cried. They are all six.
They're all six there. The my horse is running cried
the colonel in great agitation, but I don't see him.
My colors have not passed. Only 5 of past.
This must be. He as I spoke a powerful bay
horse swept out from the weighing enclosure and canted
pastors bearing on its back, the well-known black and red of the
colonel. That's not my horse ride.
The owner that Beast has not a white hair upon his body.
What is this? That you've done?
Mr. Holmes? Well, well, let us see how he
gets on said my friend imperturbable e for a few
minutes, he gaze through my fieldglass Capital, an excellent
start. He cried suddenly, there.
They are, coming around the curve, from our drag.
We had a super view as they came up.
The street. The six horses were so close
together. The carpet could have covered
them but halfway up the yellow of the Mapleton stable show to
the front before they reached us.
However, desperate as Bolt was shot and the Colonel's horse
coming away with a rush past the post a good six lengths before
its rival. The Duke of Balmoral Cyrus
making a bad third. It's my race.
Anyhow, gasps the colonel passing, his hand over his eyes.
I confess that I can make neither head nor tail of it.
Don't you think that you've kept up your mystery long enough?
Mr. Holmes? Certainly Colonel.
You shall know everything. Let us all go round and have a
look at the horse together. Here.
He is. He continued as we made our way
into the weighing enclosure where only owners and their
friends find admittance. You have only to wash his face
and his leg in the spirits of wine.
And you will find that he is the same old Silver Blaze as ever.
You Take My Breath Away. I found him in the hands of a
fakir and took the liberty of running him just as he was sent
over. My dear sir, you have done
wonders, the horse looks very fit.
And well, it never went better in his life.
I owe you a thousand, apologies for having doubted your ability.
You have done me a great service by recovering my horse.
You would do me a greater still. If you could lay your hands on
the murderer of John straker. I have done so said, Holmes
quietly, the colonel and I stared at him in amazement.
You've got him. Where is he?
Then he is here. Here.
We're in my company at the present moment.
The colonel flushed, angrily. I quite recognize a time under
obligations to you. Mr. Holmes said he, but I must
regard what you have just said as either a very Joke or an
insult Sherlock Holmes laughed. I assure you that I have not
associated you with the crime. Colonel said he the real
murderer is standing immediately behind you.
He stepped past and laid his hand upon the glossy neck of the
thoroughbred. The horse cried, both the kernel
and myself. Yes, the horse and it may lessen
his guilt. If I say that it was done in
self-defense and that John straker was a man who was
entirely Unworthy of your confidence, but there goes the
bell. And as I stand to win a little
on this next race, I shall defer a lengthy explanation until a
more fitting time. We had the corner of a Pullman
car to ourselves that evening as we world back to London.
And I fancy that the journey was a short one to Colonel Ross as
well as to myself, as we listen to our companions Narrative of
the events, which had occurred at the Dartmoor training Stables
upon the Monday night, and the means by which he had unravelled
them. I confess said he that any
theories which I had formed from the newspaper reports were
entirely erroneous and yet there were indications there had they
not been overlaid by other details which concealed their
true import. I went to Devonshire with the
conviction that Fitzroy Simpson was the true culprit.
Although of course, I saw that the evidence against him was by
no means complete. It was while I was in The
Carriage just as we reached the trainer's.
Was that the immense significance of the curried
mutton occurred to me? You may remember that I was
distrait and remained sitting after you had all alighted.
I was marveling in my own mind how I could possibly have
overlooked. So obvious a clue I confess.
So the kernel that even now I cannot see how it helps us.
It was the first link in my chain of reasoning.
Powdered opium is by no means tasteless.
The flavor is not disagreeable, but it is perceptible where it
mixed with any ordinary dish. The eater would undoubtedly
detect it and would probably eat no more.
A curry was exactly the medium which would disguise this.
Taste by no possible. Supposition could destroy
Ranger. Fitzroy-simpson, have caused
Curry to be served in the trainer's family.
Night, and it is surely to monstrous a coincidence to
suppose that he happened to come along with powdered opium upon
the very night when a dish happened to be served which
would disguise the flavor that is Unthinkable.
Therefore Simpson becomes eliminated from the case and our
attention centers upon straker and his wife.
The only two people who could have chosen curried mutton for
supper that night. The Opium was added after the
Dish was set aside for the stable boy, for the others had
the same for supper with no ill effects, which of them then had
access to that dish without the made seeing them before.
Deciding that question. I had grasped the significance
of the Silence of the dog for one true inference, invariably
suggests others. The Simpson incident had shown
me that a dog was kept in the stables.
And yet, though someone had been in and had fetched out a horse.
He had not booked enough to arouse the two Lads in The Loft.
Obviously the midnight visitor, was someone whom the dog knew.
Well, I was already convinced or almost convinced that John
straker went down to the stables in the dead of the night and
took out Silver. Blaze for what, purpose for a
dishonest one, obviously, or why should he drugged his own stable
boy? And yet I was at a loss to know
why? There have been cases before
now, where trainers have made sure of great sums of money by
laying against their own horses through agents and then
preventing them from winning by fraud.
Sometimes it is a pulling jockey.
Sometimes it is some sure and subtler means what was it here?
I hope that the contents of his pockets might help me to form a
conclusion and they did. So you cannot have forgotten the
singular knife, which was found in the dead man's hand.
A knife which certainly no sane man would choose for a weapon.
It was as dr. Watson told us a form of knife
which is used for the most delicate operations known in
surgery and it was to be used for a delicate operation that
night. You must know with your wide
experience of turf matters Colonel Ross that it is possible
to make a slight Nick upon the tendons of a horse's ham and to
do it subcutaneously. So as to leave absolutely.
Trace a horse. So treated would develop a
slight lameness, which will be put down to a strain in exercise
or a touch of rheumatism. But never to Foul, Play a
villain scoundrel, cried the colonel, we have here.
The explanation of why John straker wished to take the horse
out onto the Moor. So spirited a creature would
have certainly roused the soundest of sleepers when it
felt the prick of the knife. It was absolutely necessary to
do it in the open air. I have been blind cried the
colonel. Of course, that was why he
needed the candle and struck the match and doubtedly.
But in examining his belongings, I was fortunate enough to
discover not only the method of the crime but even its motives
as a man of the world Colonel, you know that men do not carry
other people's bills about in their pockets.
We have most of us quite enough to do to settle our own.
I at once concluded that It was leading a double life and
keeping a second establishment. The nature of the bill showed
that there was a lady in the case and one who had expensive
tastes liberal. As you are with your servants.
One can hardly expect that they can buy 20, guineas walking
dresses for their ladies. I question mrs.
Straker as to the Dress without her knowing it and having
satisfied myself, that it had never reached her.
I made a note of the milliner's address and felt that by calling
their with strike. His photograph, I could easily
dispose of the mythical Derbyshire.
From that time on all was plain straker.
Had let out the horse to a hollow where his light would be
invisible Simpson in his flight, had dropped his cravat and
strikeout picked it up with some idea, perhaps that he might use
it in, securing the horse's leg. Once in the hollow.
He had got behind the horse, and it struck a light, but the
creature frightened at the sudden glare, and with a strange
Instinct of animals feeling that some Mischief was intended.
Add lashed out. And the steel shoe had struck
straker full on the forehead. He had already in spite of the
rain, taken off his Overcoat in order to do his delicate task.
And so as he fell his knife, gashed his thigh.
Do I make it clear? Wonderful?
Cried, the colonel. Wonderful.
You might have been there. My final shot was I confess a
very long one. It struck me that.
So astute, a man, as Striker would not undertake this
delicate tender nicking without a little practice.
What could he practice on my eyes?
Fell upon the sheep? And I asked a question, which
rather to my surprise showed that my surmise was correct.
When I returned to London, I called upon the milliner who
would recognize straker as an excellent customer of the name
of Derbyshire, who had a Dashing wife with a strong partiality
for expensive dresses. I have no doubt that this woman
had plunged him over head and ears in debt.
And so let him into this miserable plot.
You have explained all but one thing cried the colonel.
Where was the horse it bolted and was cared for by one of your
neighbors. We must have an amnesty in that
direction. I think this is Clapham Junction
if I'm not mistaken. And and we shall be in Victoria
in less than 10 minutes. If you care to smoke a cigar in
our rooms Colonel, I shall be happy to give you any other
details, which might interest you.
End of Silver Blaze. End of Silver Blaze.