VonBorkwasastrong，self-containedman，butitwaseasytosee
thatthenewshadshakenhim。
“HowcouldtheyhavegotontoSteiner？“hemuttered。“That”sthe
worstblowyet。”
“Well，younearlyhadaworseone，forIbelievetheyarenotfar
offme。”
“Youdon”tmeanthat！“
“Surething。MylandladydownFrattonwayhadsomeinquiries，and
whenIheardofitIguesseditwastimeformetohustle。Butwhat
Iwanttoknow，mister，ishowthecoppersknowthesethings？
Steineristhefifthmanyou”velostsinceIsignedonwithyou，andI
knowthenameofthesixthifIdon”tgetamoveon。Howdoyou
explainit，andain”tyouashamedtoseeyourmengodownlikethis？“
VonBorkflushedcrimson。
“Howdareyouspeakinsuchaway！“
“IfIdidn”tdarethings，mister，Iwouldn”tbeinyourservice。But
I”lltellyoustraightwhatisinmymind。I”veheardthatwithyou
Germanpoliticianswhenanagenthasdonehisworkyouarenotsorry
toseehimputaway。”
VonBorksprangtohisfeet。
“DoyoudaretosuggestthatIhavegivenawaymyownagents！“
“Idon”tstandforthat，mister，butthere”sastoolpigeonora
crosssomewhere，andit”suptoyoutofindoutwhereitis。Anyhow
Iamtakingnomorechances。It”smeforlittleHolland，andthe
soonerthebetter。”
VonBorkhadmasteredhisanger。
“Wehavebeenalliestoolongtoquarrelnowattheveryhourof
victory，“hesaid。“You”vedonesplendidworkandtakenrisks，andI
can”tforgetit。ByallmeansgotoHolland，andyoucangetaboat
fromRotterdamtoNewYork。Nootherlinewillbesafeaweekfrom
now。I”lltakethatbookandpackitwiththerest。”
TheAmericanheldthesmallparcelinhishand，butmadenomotion
togiveitup。
“Whataboutthedough？“heasked。
“Thewhat？“
“Theboodle。Thereward。TheL500。Thegunnerturneddamnednastyat
thelast，andIhadtosquarehimwithanextrahundreddollarsor
itwouldhavebeennitskyforyouandme。”Nothin”doin”！”sayshe，
andhemeantit，too，butthelasthundreddidit。It”scostmetwo
hundredpoundfromfirsttolast，soitisn”tlikelyI”dgiveitup
withoutgettin”mywad。”
VonBorksmiledwithsomebitterness。“Youdon”tseemtohaveavery
highopinionofmyhonour，“saidhe，“youwantthemoneybeforeyou
giveupthebook。”
“Well，mister，itisabusinessproposition。”
“Allright。Haveyourway。”Hesatdownatthetableandscribbleda
check，whichhetorefromthebook，butherefrainedfromhandingit
tohiscompanion。“Afterall，sincewearetobeonsuchterms，Mr。
Altamont，“saidhe，“Idon”tseewhyIshouldtrustyouanymore
thanyoutrustme。Doyouunderstand？“headded，lookingbackoverhis
shoulderattheAmerican。“There”sthecheckuponthetable。Iclaim
therighttoexaminethatparcelbeforeyoupickthemoneyup。”
TheAmericanpasseditoverwithoutaword。VonBorkundidawinding
ofstringandtwowrappersofpaper。Thenhesatgazingforamoment
insilentamazementatasmallbluebookwhichlaybeforehim。
AcrossthecoverwasprintedingoldenlettersPracticalHandbookof
BeeCulture。Onlyforoneinstantdidthemasterspyglareatthis
strangelyirrelevantinscription。Thenexthewasgrippedatthe
backofhisneckbyagraspofiron，andachloroformedspongewas
heldinfrontofhiswrithingface。
“Anotherglass，Watson！“saidMr。SherlockHolmesasheextendedthe
bottleofImperialTokay。
Thethicksetchauffeur，whohadseatedhimselfbythetable，
pushedforwardhisglasswithsomeeagerness。
“ItisagoodwineHolmes。”
“Aremarkablewine，Watson。Ourfrienduponthesofahasassured
methatitisfromFranzJosef”sspecialcellarattheSchoenbrunn
Palace。MightItroubleyoutoopenthewindow，forchloroform
vapourdoesnothelpthepalate。”
Thesafewasajar，andHolmesstandinginfrontofitwasremoving
dossierafterdossier，swiftlyexaminingeach，andthenpackingit
neatlyinVonBork”svalise。TheGermanlayuponthesofasleeping
stertorouslywithastraproundhisupperarmsandanotherroundhis
legs。
“Weneednothurryourselves，Watson。Wearesafefrominterruption。
Wouldyoumindtouchingthebell？Thereisnooneinthehouse
exceptoldMartha，whohasplayedherparttoadmiration。Igother
thesituationherewhenfirstItookthematterup。Ah，Martha，you
willbegladtohearthatalliswell。”
Thepleasantoldladyhadappearedinthedoorway。Shecurtseyed
withasmiletoMr。Holmes，butglancedwithsomeapprehensionat
thefigureuponthesofa。
“Itisallright，Martha。Hehasnotbeenhurtatall。”
“I”mgladofthat，Mr。Holmes。Accordingtohislightshehasbeena
kindmaster。HewantedmetogowithhiswifetoGermanyyesterday，
butthatwouldhardlyhavesuitedyourplans，wouldit，sir？“
“No，indeed，Martha。SolongasyouwerehereIwaseasyinmymind。
Wewaitedsometimeforyoursignalto-night。”
“Itwasthesecretary，sir。”
“Iknow。Hiscarpassedours。”
“Ithoughthewouldnevergo。Iknewthatitwouldnotsuityour
plans，sir，tofindhimhere。”
“No，indeed。Well，itonlymeantthatwewaitedhalfanhourorso
untilIsawyourlampgooutandknewthatthecoastwasclear。You
canreporttometo-morrowinLondon，Martha，atClaridge”sHotel。”
“Verygood，sir。”
“Isupposeyouhaveeverythingreadytoleave。”
“Yes，sir。Hepostedsevenlettersto-day。Ihavetheaddressesas
usual。”
“Verygood，Martha。Iwilllookintothemto-morrow。Good-night。
Thesepapers，“hecontinuedastheoldladyvanished，“arenotofvery
greatimportance，for，ofcourse，theinformationwhichtheyrepresent
hasbeensentofflongagototheGermangovernment。Thesearethe
originalswhichcouldnotsafelybegotoutofthecountry。”
“Thentheyareofnouse。”
“Ishouldnotgosofarastosaythat，Watson。Theywillatleast
showourpeoplewhatisknownandwhatisnot。Imaysaythatagood
manyofthesepapershavecomethroughme，andIneednotaddare
thoroughlyuntrustworthy。Itwouldbrightenmydecliningyearsto
seeaGermancruisernavigatingtheSolentaccordingtothemine-field
planswhichIhavefurnished。Butyou，Watson“-hestoppedhiswork
andtookhisoldfriendbytheshoulders-“I”vehardlyseenyouinthe
lightyet。Howhavetheyearsusedyou？Youlookthesameblitheboy
asever。”
“Ifeeltwentyyearsyounger，Holmes。Ihaveseldomfeltsohappyas
whenIgotyourwireaskingmetomeetyouatHarwichwiththecar。
Butyou，Holmes-youhavechangedverylittle-saveforthat
horriblegoatee。”
“Thesearethesacrificesonemakesforone”scountry，Watson，“said
Holmes，pullingathislittletuft。“To-morrowitwillbebuta
dreadfulmemory。Withmyhaircutandafewothersuperficial
changesIshallnodoubtreappearatClaridge”sto-morrowasIwas
beforethisAmericanstunt-Ibegyourpardon，Watson，mywellof
Englishseemstobepermanentlydefiled-beforethisAmericanjobcame
myway。
“Butyouhaveretired，Holmes。Weheardofyouaslivingthelifeof
ahermitamongyourbeesandyourbooksinasmallfarmupontheSouth
Downs。”
“Exactly，Watson。Hereisthefruitofmyleisuredease，the
magnumopusofmylatteryears！“Hepickedupthevolumefromthe
tableandreadoutthewholetitle，PracticalHandbookofBeeCulture，
withSomeObservationsupontheSegregationoftheQueen。“AloneIdid
it。BeholdthefruitofpensivenightsandlaboriousdayswhenI
watchedthelittleworkinggangsasonceIwatchedthecriminal
worldofLondon。”
“Buthowdidyougettoworkagain？“
“Ah，Ihaveoftenmarvelledatitmyself。TheForeignMinisteralone
Icouldhavewithstood，butwhenthePremieralsodeignedtovisit
myhumbleroof-！Thefactis，Watson，thatthisgentlemanuponthe
sofawasabittoogoodforourpeople。Hewasinaclassby
himself。Thingsweregoingwrong，andnoonecouldunderstandwhythey
weregoingwrong。Agentsweresuspectedorevencaught，butthere
wasevidenceofsomestrongandsecretcentralforce。Itwas
absolutelynecessarytoexposeit。Strongpressurewasbroughtuponme
tolookintothematter。Ithascostmetwoyears，Watson，butthey
havenotbeendevoidofexcitement。WhenIsaythatIstartedmy
pilgrimageatChicago，graduatedinanIrishsecretsocietyat
Buffalo，gaveserioustroubletotheconstabularyatSkibbareen，and
soeventuallycaughttheeyeofasubordinateagentofVonBork，who
recommendedmeasalikelyman，youwillrealizethatthematterwas
complex。SincethenIhavebeenhonouredbyhisconfidence，which
hasnotpreventedmostofhisplansgoingsubtlywrongandfiveofhis
bestagentsbeinginprison。“Iwatchedthem，Watson，andIpicked
themastheyripened。Well，sir，Ihopethatyouarenonetheworse！“
ThelastremarkwasaddressedtoVonBorkhimself，whoaftermuch
gaspingandblinkinghadlainquietlylisteningtoHolmes”sstatement。
HebrokeoutnowintoafuriousstreamofGermaninvective，hisface
convulsedwithpassion。Holmescontinuedhisswiftinvestigationof
documentswhilehisprisonercursedandswore。
“Thoughunmusical，Germanisthemostexpressiveofall
languages，“heobservedwhenVonBorkhadstoppedfrompure
exhaustion。“Hullo！Hullo！“headdedashelookedhardatthecorner
ofatracingbeforeputtingitinthebox。“Thisshouldputanother
birdinthecage。Ihadnoideathatthepaymasterwassucha
rascal，thoughIhavelonghadaneyeuponhim。MisterVonBork，you
haveagreatdealtoanswerfor。”
Theprisonerhadraisedhimselfwithsomedifficultyuponthesofa
andwasstaringwithastrangemixtureofamazementandhatredat
hiscaptor。
“Ishallgetlevelwithyou，Altamont，“hesaid，speakingwith
slowdeliberation。“IfittakesmeallmylifeIshallgetlevel
withyou！“
“Theoldsweetsong，“saidHolmes。“HowoftenhaveIhearditin
daysgoneby。Itwasafavouritedittyofthelatelamented
ProfessorMoriarty。ColonelSebastianMoranhasalsobeenknownto
warbleit。AndyetIliveandkeepbeesupontheSouthDowns。”
“Curseyou，youdoubletraitor！“criedtheGerman，strainingagainst
hisbondsandglaringmurderfromhisfuriouseyes。
“No，no，itisnotsobadasthat，“saidHolmes，smiling。“Asmy
speechsurelyshowsyou，Mr。AltamontofChicagohadnoexistencein
fact。Iusedhimandheisgone。”
“Thenwhoareyou？“
“ItisreallyimmaterialwhoIam，butsincethematterseemsto
interestyou，Mr。VonBork，Imaysaythatthisisnotmyfirst
acquaintancewiththemembersofyourfamily。Ihavedoneagood
dealofbusinessinGermanyinthepastandmynameisprobably
familiartoyou。”
“Iwouldwishtoknowit，“saidthePrussiangrimly。
“ItwasIwhobroughtabouttheseparationbetweenIreneAdlerand
thelateKingofBohemiawhenyourcousinHeinrichwastheImperial
Envoy。ItwasIalsowhosavedfrommurder，bytheNihilistKlopman，
CountVonundZuGrafenstein，whowasyourmother”selderbrother。
ItwasI-“
VonBorksatupinamazement。
“Thereisonlyoneman，“hecried。
“Exactly，“saidHolmes。
VonBorkgroanedandsankbackonthesofa。“Andmostofthat
informationcamethroughyou，“hecried。“Whatisitworth？What
haveIdone？Itismyruinforever！“
“Itiscertainlyalittleuntrustworthy，“saidHolmes。“Itwill
requiresomecheckingandyouhavelittletimetocheckit。Your
admiralmayfindthenewgunsratherlargerthanheexpects，andthe
cruisersperhapsatriflefaster。”
VonBorkclutchedathisownthroatindespair。
“Thereareagoodmanyotherpointsofdetailwhichwill，no
doubt，cometolightingoodtime。Butyouhaveonequalitywhichis
veryrareinaGerman，Mr。VonBork：youareasportsmanandyou
willbearmenoill-willwhenyourealizethatyou，whohaveoutwitted
somanyotherpeople，haveatlastbeenoutwittedyourself。Afterall，
youhavedoneyourbestforyourcountry，andIhavedonemybest
formine，andwhatcouldbemorenatural？Besides，“headded，not
unkindly，ashelaidhishandupontheshoulderoftheprostrate
man，“itisbetterthantofallbeforesomemoreignoblefoe。These
papersarenowready，Watson。Ifyouwillhelpmewithourprisoner，I
thinkthatwemaygetstartedforLondonatonce。”
ItwasnoeasytasktomoveVonBork，forhewasastronganda
desperateman。Finally，holdingeitherarm，thetwofriendswalkedhim
veryslowlydownthegardenwalkwhichhehadtrodwithsuchproud
confidencewhenhereceivedthecongratulationsofthefamous
diplomatistonlyafewhoursbefore。Afterashort，finalstruggle
hewashoisted，stillhoundhandandfoot，intothespareseatof
thelittlecar。Hispreciousvalisewaswedgedinbesidehim。
“Itrustthatyouareascomfortableascircumstancespermit，“
saidHolmeswhenthefinalarrangementsweremade。“ShouldIbeguilty
ofalibertyifIlitacigarandplaceditbetweenyourlips？“
ButallamenitieswerewastedupontheangryGerman。
“Isupposeyourealize，Mr。SherlockHolmes，“saidhe，“thatifyour
governmentbearsyououtinthistreatmentitbecomesanactofwar。”
“Whataboutyourgovernmentandallthistreatment？“saidHolmes，
tappingthevalise。
“Youareaprivateindividual。Youhavenowarrantformyarrest。
Thewholeproceedingisabsolutelyillegalandoutrageous。”
“Absolutely，“saidHolmes。
“KidnappingaGermansubject。”
“Andstealinghisprivatepapers。”
“Well，yourealizeyourposition，youandyouraccomplicehere。IfI
weretoshoutforhelpaswepassthroughthevillage-“
“Mydearsir，ifyoudidanythingsofoolishyouwouldprobably
enlargethetwolimitedtitlesofourvillageinnsbygivingus”The
DanglingPrussian”asasignpost。TheEnglishmanisapatient
creature，butatpresenthistemperisalittleinflamed，anditwould
beaswellnottotryhimtoofar。No，Mr。VonBork，youwillgo
withusinaquiet，sensiblefashiontoScotlandYard，whenceyou
cansendforyourfriend，BaronVonHerling，andseeifevennowyou
maynotfillthatplacewhichhehasreservedforyouinthe
ambassadorialsuite。Astoyou，Watson，youarejoininguswithyour
oldservice，asIunderstand，soLondonwon”tbeoutofyourway。
Standwithmehereupontheterrace，foritmaybethelastquiettalk
thatweshalleverhave。”
Thetwofriendschattedinintimateconverseforafewminutes，
recallingonceagainthedaysofthepast，whiletheirprisonervainly
wriggledtoundothebondsthatheldhim。Astheyturnedtothecar
Holmespointedbacktothemoonlitseaandshookathoughtfulhead。
“There”saneastwindcoming，Watson。”
“Ithinknot，Holmes。Itisverywarm。”
“GoodoldWatson！Youaretheonefixedpointinachangingage。
There”saneastwindcomingallthesame，suchawindasneverblewon
Englandyet。Itwillbecoldandbitter，Watson，andagoodmanyofus
maywitherbeforeitsblast。Butit”sGod”sownwindnonetheless，
andacleaner，better，strongerlandwilllieinthesunshinewhenthe
stormhascleared。Startherup，Watson，forit”stimethatwewereon
ourway。Ihaveacheckforfivehundredpoundswhichshouldbecashed
early，forthedrawerisquitecapableofstoppingitifhecan。”-
THEEND。
1892
SHERLOCKHOLMES
SILVERBLAZE
bySirArthurConanDoyle
SilverBlaze
“IAmafraid，Watson，thatIshallhavetogo，“saidHolmesaswe
satdowntogethertoourbreakfastonemorning。
“Go！Whereto？“
“ToDartmoor；toKing”sPyland。”
Iwasnotsurprised。Indeed，myonlywonderwasthathehadnot
alreadybeenmixedupinthisextraordinarycase，whichwastheone
topicofconversationthroughthelengthandbreadthofEngland。Fora
wholedaymycompanionhadrambledabouttheroomwithhischinupon
hischestandhisbrowsknitted，chargingandrecharginghispipewith
thestrongestblacktobacco，andabsolutelydeaftoanyofmy
questionsorremarks。Fresheditionsofeverypaperhadbeensentup
byournewsagentonlytobeglancedoverandtosseddownintoa
corner。Yet，silentashewas，Iknewperfectlywellwhatitwas
overwhichhewasbrooding。Therewasbutoneproblembeforethe
publicwhichcouldchallengehispowersofanalysis，andthatwas
thesingulardisappearanceofthefavouritefortheWessexCup，and
thetragicmurderofitstrainer。When，therefore，hesuddenly
announcedhisintentionofsettingoutforthesceneofthedrama，
itwasonlywhatIhadbothexpectedandhopedfor。
“IshouldbemosthappytogodownwithyouifIshouldnotbein
theway。”saidI。
“MydearWatson，youwouldconferagreatfavouruponmeby
coming。AndIthinkthatyourtimewillnotbemisspent，forthereare
pointsaboutthecasewhichpromisetomakeitanabsolutelyunique
one。Wehave，Ithink，justtimetocatchourtrainatPaddington，and
Iwillgofurtherintothematteruponourjourney。Youwouldoblige
mebybringingwithyouyourveryexcellentfield-glass。”
AndsoithappenedthatanhourorsolaterIfoundmyselfinthe
cornerofafirst-classcarriageflyingalongenrouteforExeter，
whileSherlockHolmes，withhissharp，eagerfaceframedinhis
ear-flappedtravelling-cap，dippedrapidlyintothebundleoffresh
paperswhichhehadprocuredatPaddington。WehadleftReadingfar
behindusbeforehethrustthelastoneofthemundertheseatand
offeredmehiscigar-case。
“Wearegoingwell，“saidhe，lookingoutofthewindowandglancing
athiswatch。“Ourrateatpresentisfifty-threeandahalfmiles
anhour。”
“Ihavenotobservedthequarter-mileposts，“saidI。
“NorhaveI。Butthetelegraphpostsuponthislinearesixty
yardsapart，andthecalculationisasimpleone。Ipresumethatyou
havelookedintothismatterofthemurderofJohnStrakerandthe
disappearanceofSilverBlaze？“
“IhaveseenwhattheTelegraphandtheChroniclehavetosay。”
“Itisoneofthosecaseswheretheartofthereasonershouldbe
usedratherforthesiftingofdetailsthanfortheacquiringoffresh
evidence。Thetragedyhasbeensouncommon，socomplete，andofsuch
personalimportancetosomanypeoplethatwearesufferingfroma
plethoraofsurmise，conjecture，andhypothesis。Thedifficultyis
todetachtheframeworkoffact-ofabsoluteundeniablefactfromthe
embellishmentsoftheoristsandreporters。Then，havingestablished
ourselvesuponthissoundbasis，itisourdutytoseewhatinferences
maybedrawnandwhatarethespecialpointsuponwhichthewhole
mysteryturns。OnTuesdayeveningIreceivedtelegramsfromboth
ColonelRoss，theownerofthehorse，andfromInspectorGregory，
whoislookingafterthecase，invitingmycooperation。”
“Tuesdayevening！“Iexclaimed。“AndthisisThursdaymorning。Why
didn”tyougodownyesterday？“
“BecauseImadeablunder，mydearWatson-whichis，Iamafraid，a
morecommonoccurrencethananyonewouldthinkwhoonlyknewme
throughyourmemoirs。ThefactisthatIcouldnotbelieveitpossible
thatthemostremarkablehorseinEnglandcouldlongremainconcealed，
especiallyinsosparselyinhabitedaplaceasthenorthof
Dartmoor。FromhourtohouryesterdayIexpectedtohearthathehad
beenfound，andthathisabductorwasthemurdererofJohnStraker。
When，however，anothermorninghadcomeandIfoundthatbeyondthe
arrestofyoungFitzroySimpsonnothinghadbeendone，Ifeltthat
itwastimeformetotakeaction。YetinsomewaysIfeelthat
yesterdayhasnotbeenwasted。”
Youhaveformedatheory，then？“
“AtleastIhavegotagripoftheessentialfactsofthecase。I
shallenumeratethemtoyou，fornothingclearsupacasesomuchas
statingittoanotherperson，andIcanhardlyexpectyourcooperation
ifIdonotshowyouthepositionfromwhichwestart。”
Ilaybackagainstthecushions，puffingatmycigar，while
Holmes，leaningforward，withhislong，thinforefingercheckingoff
thepointsuponthepalmofhislefthand，gavemeasketchofthe
eventswhichhadledtoourjourney。
“SilverBlaze，“saidhe，“isfromtheSomomystockandholdsas
brilliantarecordashisfamousancestor。Heisnowinhisfifthyear
andhasbroughtinturneachoftheprizesoftheturftoColonel
Ross，hisfortunateowner。Uptothetimeofthecatastrophehewas
thefirstfavouritefortheWessexCup，thebettingbeingthreetoone
onhim。Hehasalways，however，beenaprimefavouritewiththeracing
publicandhasneveryetdisappointedthem，sothatevenatthoseodds
enormoussumsofmoneyhavebeenlaiduponhim。Itisobvious，
therefore，thatthereweremanypeoplewhohadthestrongest
interestinpreventingSilverBlazefrombeingthereatthefallof
theflagnextTuesday。
“Thefactwas，ofcourse，appreciatedatKing”sPyland，wherethe
colonel”straining-stableissituated。Everyprecautionwastakento
guardthefavourite。Thetrainer，JohnStraker，isaretiredjockey
whorodeinColonelRoss”scoloursbeforehebecametooheavyfor
theweighing-chair。Hehasservedthecolonelforfiveyearsasjockey
andforsevenastrainer，andhasalwaysshownhimselftobeazealous
andhonestservant。Underhimwerethreelads，fortheestablishment
wasasmallone，containingonlyfourhorsesinall。Oneoftheselads
satupeachnightinthestable，whiletheotherssleptintheloft。
Allthreeboreexcellentcharacters。JohnStraker，whoisamarried
man，livedinasmallvillaabouttwohundredyardsfromthe
stables。Hehasnochildren，keepsonemaidservant，andiscomfortably
off。Thecountryroundisverylonely，butabouthalfamiletothe
norththereisasmallclusterofvillaswhichhavebeenbuiltbya
Tavistockcontractorfortheuseofinvalidsandotherswhomaywish
toenjoythepureDartmoorair。Tavistockitselfliestwomilestothe
west，whileacrossthemoor，alsoabouttwomilesdistant，isthe
largertrainingestablishmentofMapleton，whichbelongstoLord
BackwaterandismanagedbySilasBrown。Ineveryotherdirection
themoorisacompletewilderness，inhabitedonlybyafewroaming
gypsies。SuchwasthegeneralsituationlastMondaynightwhenthe
catastropheoccurred。
“Onthateveningthehorseshadbeenexercisedandwateredasusual，
andthestableswerelockedupatnineo”clock。Twooftheladswalked
uptothetrainer”shouse，wheretheyhadsupperinthekitchen，while
thethird，NedHunter，remainedonguard。Atafewminutesafter
ninethemaid，EdithBaxter，carrieddowntothestableshissupper，
whichconsistedofadishofcurriedmutton。Shetooknoliquid，as
therewasawater-tapinthestables，anditwastherulethatthelad
ondutyshoulddrinknothingelse。Themaidcarriedalanternwith
her，asitwasverydarkandthepathranacrosstheopenmoor。
“EdithBaxterwaswithinthirtyyardsofthestableswhenaman
appearedoutofthedarknessandcalledtohertostop。Asshestepped
intothecircleofyellowlightthrownbythelanternshesawthat
hewasapersonofgentlemanlybearing，dressedinagraysuitof
tweeds，withaclothcap。Heworegaitersandcarriedaheavystick
withaknobtoit。Shewasmostimpressed，however，bytheextreme
pallorofhisfaceandbythenervousnessofhismanner。Hisage，
shethought，wouldberatheroverthirtythanunderit。
“”CanyoutellmewhereIam？”heasked。”Ihadalmostmadeupmy
mindtosleeponthemoorwhenIsawthelightofyourlantern。”
“”YouareclosetotheKing”sPylandtrainingstables”saidshe。
“”Oh，indeed！Whatastrokeofluck！”hecried。”Iunderstandthata
stable-boysleepstherealoneeverynight。Perhapsthatishis
supperwhichyouarecarryingtohim。NowIamsurethatyouwouldnot
betooproudtoearnthepriceofanewdress，wouldyou？”Hetooka
pieceofwhitepaperfoldedupoutofhiswaistcoatpocket。”See
thattheboyhasthisto-night，andyoushallhavetheprettiestfrock
thatmoneycanbuy。”
“Shewasfrightenedbytheearnestnessofhismannerandranpast
himtothewindowthroughwhichshewasaccustomedtohandthe
meals。Itwasalreadyopened，andHunterwasseatedatthesmalltable
inside。Shehadbeguntotellhimofwhathadhappenedwhenthe
strangercameupagain。
“”Good-evening”saidhe，lookingthroughthewindow。”Iwantedto
haveawordwithyou。”Thegirlhasswornthatashespokeshenoticed
thecornerofthelittlepaperpacketprotrudingfromhisclosedhand。
“”Whatbusinesshaveyouhere？”askedthelad。
“”It”sbusinessthatmayputsomethingintoyourpocket”saidthe
other。”You”vetwohorsesinfortheWessexCup-SilverBlazeand
Bayard。Letmehavethestraighttipandyouwon”tbealoser。Isita
factthatattheweightsBayardcouldgivetheotherahundredyards
infivefurlongs，andthatthestablehaveputtheirmoneyonhim？”
“”So，you”reoneofthosedamnedtouts！”criedthelad。”I”llshow
youhowweservetheminKing”sPyland。”Hesprangupandrushed
acrossthestabletounloosethedog。Thegirlfledawaytothehouse，
butassheranshelookedbackandsawthatthestrangerwasleaning
throughthewindow。Aminutelater，however，whenHunterrushedout
withthehoundhewasgone，andthoughheranallroundthe
buildingshefailedtofindanytraceofhim。”
“Onemoment，“Iasked。“Didthestable-boy，whenheranoutwiththe
dog，leavethedoorunlockedbehindhim？“
“Excellent，Watson，excellent！“murmuredmycompanion。“The
importanceofthepointstruckmesoforciblythatIsentaspecial
wiretoDartmooryesterdaytoclearthematterup。Theboylocked
thedoorbeforeheleftit。Thewindow，Imayadd，wasnotlarge
enoughforamantogetthrough。
“Hunterwaiteduntilhisfellow-groomshadreturned，whenhesent
amessagetothetrainerandtoldhimwhathadoccurred。Strakerwas
excitedathearingtheaccount，althoughhedoesnotseemtohave
quiterealizeditstruesignificance。Itlefthim，however，vaguely
uneasy，andMrs。Straker，wakingatoneinthemorning，foundthat
hewasdressing。Inreplytoherinquiries，hesaidthathecould
notsleeponaccountofhisanxietyaboutthehorses，andthathe
intendedtowalkdowntothestablestoseethatallwaswell。She
beggedhimtoremainathome，asshecouldheartherainpattering
againstthewindow，butinspiteofherentreatieshepulledonhis
largemackintoshandleftthehouse。
“Mrs。Strakerawokeatseveninthemorningtofindthatherhusband
hadnotYetreturned。Shedressedherselfhastily，calledthemaid，
andsetoffforthestables。Thedoorwasopen；inside，huddled
togetheruponachair，Hunterwassunkinastateofabsolute
stupor，thefavourite”sstallwasempty，andtherewerenosignsof
histrainer。
“Thetwoladswhosleptinthechaff-cuttingloftabovethe
harness-roomwerequicklyaroused。Theyhadheardnothingduringthe
night，fortheyarebothsoundsleepers。Hunterwasobviouslyunder
theinfluenceofsomepowerfuldrug，andasnosensecouldbegot
outofhim，hewaslefttosleepitoffwhilethetwoladsandthetwo
womenranoutinsearchoftheabsentees。Theystillhadhopesthat
thetrainerhadforsomereasontakenoutthehorseforearly
exercise，butonascendingtheknollnearthehouse，fromwhichall
theneighbouringmoorswerevisible，theynotonlycouldseeno
signsofthemissingfavourite，buttheyperceivedsomethingwhich
warnedthemthattheywereinthepresenceofatragedy。
“AboutaquarterofamilefromthestablesJohnStraker”s
overcoatwasflappingfromafurze-bush。Immediatelybeyondthere
wasabowl-shapeddepressioninthemoor，andatthebottomofthis
wasfoundthedeadbodyoftheunfortunatetrainer。Hisheadhad
beenshatteredbyasavageblowfromsomeheavyweapon，andhewas
woundedonthethigh，wheretherewasalong，cleancut，inflicted
evidentlybysomeverysharpinstrument。Itwasclear，however，that
Strakerhaddefendedhimselfvigorouslyagainsthisassailants，forin
hisrighthandheheldasmallknife，whichwasclottedwithblood
uptothehandle，whileinhisleftheclaspedaredandblacksilk
cravat，whichwasrecognizedbythemaidashavingbeenwornonthe
precedingeveningbythestrangerwhohadvisitedthestables。Hunter，
onrecoveringfromhisstupor，wasalsoquitepositiveastothe
ownershipofthecravat。Hewasequallycertainthatthesamestranger
had，whilestandingatthewindow，druggedhiscurriedmutton，and
sodeprivedthestablesoftheirwatchman。Astothemissinghorse，
therewereabundantproofsinthemudwhichlayatthebottomofthe
fatalhollowthathehadbeenthereatthetimeofthestruggle。But
fromthatmorninghehasdisappeared，andalthoughalargereward
hasbeenoffered，andallthegypsiesofDartmoorareonthealert，no
newshascomeofhim。Finally，ananalysishasshownthatthe
remainsofhissupperleftbythestable-ladcontainedan
appreciablequantityofpowderedopium，whilethepeopleatthe
housepartookofthesamedishonthesamenightwithoutanyill
effect。
“Thosearethemainfactsofthecase，strippedofallsurmise，
andstatedasbaldlyaspossible。Ishallnowrecapitulatewhatthe
policehavedoneinthematter。
“InspectorGregory，towhomthecasehasbeencommitted，isan
extremelycompetentofficer。Werehebutgiftedwithimaginationhe
mightrisetogreatheightsinhisprofession。Onhisarrivalhe
promptlyfoundandarrestedthemanuponwhomsuspicionnaturally
rested。Therewaslittledifficultyinfindinghim，forheinhabited
oneofthosevillaswhichIhavementioned。Hisname，itappears，
wasFitzroySimpson。Hewasamanofexcellentbirthandeducation，
whohadsquanderedafortuneupontheturf，andwholivednowbydoing
alittlequietandgenteelbook-makinginthesportingclubsof
London。Anexaminationofhisbetting-bookshowsthatbetstothe
amountoffivethousandpoundshadbeenregisteredbyhimagainst
thefavourite。Onbeingarrestedhevolunteeredthestatementthat
hehadcomedowntoDartmoorinthehopeofgettingsomeinformation
abouttheKing”sPylandhorses，andalsoaboutDesborough，the
secondfavourite，whichwasinchargeofSilasBrownattheMapleton
stables。Hedidnotattempttodenythathehadactedasdescribed
upontheeveningbefore，butdeclaredthathehadnosinister
designsandhadsimplywishedtoobtainfirsthandinformation。When
confrontedwithhiscravatheturnedverypaleandwasutterly
unabletoaccountforitspresenceinthehandofthemurderedman。
Hiswetclothingshowedthathehadbeenoutinthestormofthenight
before，andhisstick，whichwasapenang-lawyerweightedwithlead，
wasjustsuchaweaponasmight，byrepeatedblows，haveinflictedthe
terribleinjuriestowhichthetrainerhadsuccumbed。Ontheother
hand，therewasnowounduponhisperson，whilethestateofStraker”s
knifewouldshowthatoneatleastofhisassailantsmustbearhis
markuponhim。Thereyouhaveitallinanutshell，Watson，andifyou
cangivemeanylightIshallbeinfinitelyobligedtoyou。”
Ihadlistenedwiththegreatestinteresttothestatementwhich
Holmes，withcharacteristicclearness，hadlaidbeforeme。Thoughmost
ofthefactswerefamiliartome，Ihadnotsufficientlyappreciated
theirrelativeimportance，northeirconnectiontoeachother。
“Isitnotpossible，“Isuggested，“thattheincisedwoundupon
Strakermayhavebeencausedbyhisownknifeintheconvulsive
struggleswhichfollowanybraininjury？“
“Itismorethanpossible；itisprobable，“saidHolmes。“Inthat
caseoneofthemainpointsinfavouroftheaccuseddisappears。”
“Andyet，“saidI，“evennowIfailtounderstandwhatthetheoryof
thepolicecanbe。”
“Iamafraidthatwhatevertheorywestatehasverygraveobjections
toit，“returnedmycompanion。“Thepoliceimagine，Itakeit，that
thisFitzroySimpson，havingdruggedthelad，andhavinginsomeway
obtainedaduplicatekey，openedthestabledoorandtookoutthe
horse，withtheintention，apparently，ofkidnappinghimaltogether。
Hisbridleismissing，sothatSimpsonmusthaveputthison。Then，
havingleftthedooropenbehindhim，hewasleadingthehorseaway
overthemoorwhenhewaseithermetorovertakenbythetrainer。A
rownaturallyensued。Simpsonbeatoutthetrainer”sbrainswithhis
heavystickwithoutreceivinganyinjuryfromthesmallknifewhich
Strakerusedinself-defence，andthenthethiefeitherledthe
horseontosomesecrethiding-place，orelseitmayhavebolted
duringthestruggle，andbenowwanderingoutonthemoors。Thatis
thecaseasitappearstothepolice，andimprobableasitis，all
otherexplanationsaremoreimprobablestill。However，Ishallvery
quicklytestthematterwhenIamonceuponthespot，anduntilthenI
cannotreallyseehowwecangetmuchfurtherthanourpresent
position。”
ItwaseveningbeforewereachedthelittletownofTavistock，which
lies，likethebossofashield，inthemiddleofthehugecircleof
Dartmoor。Twogentlemenwereawaitingusinthestation-theonea
tall，fairmanwithlionlikehairandbeardandcuriously
penetratinglightblueeyes；theotherasmall，alertperson，very
neatanddapper，inafrock-coatandgaiters，withtrimlittle
side-whiskersandaneyeglass。ThelatterwasColonelRoss，the
well-knownsportsman；theother，InspectorGregory；amanwhowas
rapidlymakinghisnameintheEnglishdetectiveservice。
“Iamdelightedthatyouhavecomedown，Mr。Holmes，“saidthe
colonel。“Theinspectorherehasdoneallthatcouldpossiblybe
suggested，butIwishtoleavenostoneunturnedintryingtoavenge
poorStrakerandinrecoveringmyhorse。”
“Havetherebeenanyfreshdevelopments？“askedHolmes。
“Iamsorrytosaythatwehavemadeverylittleprogress，“saidthe
inspector。Wehaveanopencarriageoutside，andasyouwouldnodoubt
liketoseetheplacebeforethelightfails，wemighttalkitoveras
wedrive。”
Aminutelaterwewereallseatedinacomfortablelandauandwere
rattlingthroughthequaintoldDevonshirecity。InspectorGregorywas
fullofhiscaseandpouredoutastreamofremarks，whileHolmes
threwinanoccasionalquestionorinterjection。ColonelRossleaned
backwithhisarmsfoldedandhishattiltedoverhiseyes，whileI
listenedwithinteresttothedialogueofthetwodetectives。
Gregorywasformulatinghistheory，whichwasalmostexactlywhat
Holmeshadforetoldinthetrain。
“ThenetisdrawnprettycloseroundFitzroySimpson，“he
remarked，“andIbelievemyselfthatheisourman。AtthesametimeI
recognizethattheevidenceispurelycircumstantial，andthatsome
newdevelopmentmayupsetit。”
“HowaboutStraker”sknife？“
“Wehavequitecometotheconclusionthathewoundedhimselfinhis
fall。”
“MyfriendDr。Watsonmadethatsuggestiontomeaswecamedown。If
so，itwouldtellagainstthismanSimpson。”
“Undoubtedly。Hehasneitheraknifenoranysignofawound。The
evidenceagainsthimiscertainlyverystrong。Hehadagreatinterest
inthedisappearanceofthefavourite。Heliesundersuspicionof
havingpoisonedthestable-boy，hewasundoubtedlyoutinthestorm；
hewasarmedwithaheavystick，andhiscravatwasfoundinthe
deadman”shand。Ireallythinkwehaveenoughtogobeforeajury。”
Holmesshookhishead。“Aclevercounselwouldtearitalltorags，“
saidhe。“Whyshouldhetakethehorseoutofthestable？Ifhewished
toinjureit，whycouldhenotdoitthere？Hasaduplicatekeybeen
foundinhispossession？Whatchemistsoldhimthepowderedopium？
Aboveall，wherecouldhe，astrangertothedistrict，hideahorse，
andsuchahorseasthis？Whatishisownexplanationastothe
paperwhichhewishedthemaidtogivetothestable-boy？“
Hesaysthatitwasaten-poundnote。Onewasfoundinhispurse。
Butyourotherdifficultiesarenotsoformidableastheyseem。He
isnotastrangertothedistrict。HehastwicelodgedatTavistockin
thesummer。TheopiumwasprobablybroughtfromLondon。Thekey，
havingserveditspurpose，wouldbehurledaway。Thehorsemaybeat
thebottomofoneofthepitsoroldminesuponthemoor。”
“Whatdoeshesayaboutthecravat？“
“Heacknowledgesthatitishisanddeclaresthathehadlostit。
Butanewelementhasbeenintroducedintothecasewhichmay
accountforhisleadingthehorsefromthestable。”
Holmesprickeduphisears。
“Wehavefoundtraceswhichshowthatapartyofgypsiesencampedon
Mondaynightwithinamileofthespotwherethemurdertookplace。On
Tuesdaytheyweregone。Now，presumingthattherewassome
understandingbetweenSimpsonandthesegypsies，mighthenothave
beenleadingthehorsetothemwhenhewasovertaken，andmaytheynot
havehimnow？“
“Itiscertainlypossible。”
“Themoorisbeingscouredforthesegypsies。Ihavealsoexamined
everystableandouthouseinTavistock，andforaradiusoften
miles。”
“Thereisanothertraining-stablequiteclose，Iunderstand？“
“Yes，andthatisafactorwhichwemustcertainlynotneglect。As
Desborough，theirhorse，wassecondinthebetting，theyhadan
interestinthedisappearanceofthefavourite。SilasBrown，the
trainer，isknowntohavehadlargebetsupontheevent，andhewasno
friendtopoorStraker。Wehave，however，examinedthestables，and
thereisnothingtoconnecthimwiththeaffair。”
“AndnothingtoconnectthismanSimpsonwiththeinterestsofthe
Mapletonstables？“
“Nothingatall。”
Holmesleanedbackinthecarriage，andtheconversationceased。A
fewminuteslaterourdriverpulledupataneatlittlered-brick
villawithoverhangingeaveswhichstoodbytheroad。Somedistance
off，acrossapaddock，layalonggray-tiledoutbuilding。Inevery
otherdirectionthelowcurvesofthemoor，bronze-colouredfromthe
fadingfernsstretchedawaytothesky-line，brokenonlybythe
steeplesofTavistock，andbyaclusterofhousesawaytothewestward
whichmarkedtheMapletonstables。Weallsprangoutwiththe
exceptionofHolmes，whocontinuedtoleanbackwithhiseyesfixed
upontheskyinfrontofhim，entirelyabsorbedinhisownthoughts。
ItwasonlywhenItouchedhisarmthatherousedhimselfwitha
violentstartandsteppedoutofthecarriage。
“Excuseme，“saidhe，turningtoColonelRoss，whohadlookedathim
insomesurprise。“Iwasday-dreaming。”Therewasagleaminhis
eyesandasuppressedexcitementinhismannerwhichconvincedme，
usedasIwastohisways，thathishandwasuponaclue，thoughI
couldnotimaginewherehehadfoundit。
“Perhapsyouwouldpreferatoncetogoontothesceneofthe
crime，Mr。Holmes？“saidGregory。
“IthinkthatIshouldprefertostayherealittleandgointo
oneortwoquestionsofdetail。Strakerwasbroughtbackhere，I
presume？“
“Yes，heliesupstairs。Theinquestisto-morrow。”
“Hehasbeeninyourservicesomeyears，ColonelRoss？“
“Ihavealwaysfoundhimanexcellentservant。”
“Ipresumethatyoumadeaninventoryofwhathehadinhis
pocketsatthetimeofhisdeath，Inspector？“
“Ihavethethingsthemselvesinthesitting-roomifyouwould
caretoseethem。”
“Ishouldbeveryglad。”Weallfiledintothefrontroomandsat
roundthecentraltablewhiletheinspectorunlockedasquaretin
boxandlaidasmallheapofthingsbeforeus。Therewasaboxof
vestas，twoinchesoftallowcandle，anADPbrier-rootpipe，apouch
ofsealskinwithhalfanounceoflong-cutCavendish，asilverwatch
withagoldchain，fivesovereignsingold，analuminumpencil-case，a
fewpapers，andanivory-handledknifewithaverydelicate，
inflexibleblademarkedWeiss&Co。，London。
“Thisisaverysingularknife，“saidHolmes，liftingitupand
examiningitminutely。“Ipresume，asIseeblood-stainsuponit，that
itistheonewhichwasfoundinthedeadman”sgrasp。Watson，this
knifeissurelyinyourline？“
“Itiswhatwecallacataractknife，“saidI。
“Ithoughtso。Averydelicatebladedevisedforverydelicatework。
Astrangethingforamantocarrywithhimuponaroughexpedition，
especiallyasitwouldnotshutinhispocket。”
“Thetipwasguardedbyadiscofcorkwhichwefoundbesidehis
body，“saidtheinspector。“Hiswifetellsusthattheknifehad
lainuponthedressing-table，andthathehadpickeditupashe
lefttheroom。Itwasapoorweapon，butperhapsthebestthathe
couldlayhishandsonatthemoment。”
“Verypossibly。Howaboutthesepapers？“
“Threeofthemarereceiptedhay-dealers”accounts。Oneofthemisa
letterofinstructionsfromColonelRoss。Thisotherisamilliner”s
accountforthirty-sevenpoundsfifteenmadeoutbyMadameLesurier，
ofBondStreet，toWilliamDerbyshire。Mrs。Strakertellsusthat
Derbyshirewasafriendofherhusband”s，andthatoccasionallyhis
letterswereaddressedhere。”
“MadameDerbyshirehadsomewhatexpensivetastes，“remarked
Holmes，glancingdowntheaccount。“Twenty-twoguineasisratherheavy
forasinglecostume。However，thereappearstobenothingmoreto
learn，andwemaynowgodowntothesceneofthecrime。”
Asweemergedfromthesitting-roomawoman，whohadbeenwaitingin
thepassage，tookastepforwardandlaidherhanduponthe
inspector”ssleeve。Herfacewashaggardandthinandeager，stamped
withtheprintofarecenthorror。
“Haveyougotthem？Haveyoufoundthem？“shepanted。
“No，Mrs。Straker。ButMr。HolmesherehascomefromLondonto
helpus，andweshalldoallthatispossible。”
“SurelyImetyouinPlymouthatagarden-partysomelittletime
ago，Mrs。Straker？“saidHolmes。
“No，sir。Youaremistaken。”
“Dearme！Why，Icouldhavesworntoit。Youworeacostumeof
dove-colouredsilkwithostrich-feathertrimming。”
“Ineverhadsuchadress，sir，“answeredthelady。
“Ah，thatquitesettlesit，“saidHolmes。Andwithanapologyhe
followedtheinspectoroutside。Ashortwalkacrossthemoortookus
tothehollowinwhichthebodyhadbeenfound。Atthebrinkofitwas
thefurze-bushuponwhichthecoathadbeenhung。
“Therewasnowindthatnight，Iunderstand，“saidHolmes。
“None，butveryheavyrain。”
“Inthatcasetheovercoatwasnotblownagainstthefurze-bush，but
placedthere。”
“Yes，itwaslaidacrossthebush。”
“Youfillmewithinterest。Iperceivethatthegroundhasbeen
trampledupagooddeal。Nodoubtmanyfeethavebeenheresince
Mondaynight。”
“Apieceofmattinghasbeenlaidhereattheside，andwehave
allstooduponthat。”
“Excellent。”
“InthisbagIhaveoneofthebootswhichStrakerwore，oneof
FitzroySimpson”sshoes，andacasthorseshoeofSilverBlaze。”
“MydearInspector，yousurpassyourself！“Holmestookthebag，and，
descendingintothehollow，hepushedthemattingintoamore
centralposition。Thenstretchinghimselfuponhisfaceandleaning
hischinuponhishands，hemadeacarefulstudyofthetrampledmud
infrontofhim。“Hullo！“saidhesuddenly。“What”sthis？“Itwasa
waxvesta，halfburned，whichwassocoatedwithmudthatitlookedat
firstlikealittlechipofwood。
“IcannotthinkhowIcametooverlookit“saidtheinspectorwith
anexpressionofannoyance。
“Itwasinvisible，buriedinthemud。IonlysawitbecauseIwas
lookingforit。”
“What！youexpectedtofindit？“
“Ithoughtitnotunlikely。”
Hetookthebootsfromthebagandcomparedtheimpressionsof
eachofthemwithmarksupontheground。Thenheclambereduptothe
rimofthehollowandcrawledaboutamongthefernsandbushes。
“Iamafraidthattherearenomoretracks，“saidtheinspector。
“Ihaveexaminedthegroundverycarefullyforahundredyardsineach
direction。”
“Indeed“saidHolmes，rising。“Ishouldnothavetheimpertinenceto
doitagainafterwhatyousay。ButIshouldliketotakealittle
walkoverthemoorbeforeitgrowsdarkthatImayknowmyground
to-morrow，andIthinkthatIshallputthishorseshoeintomy
pocketforluck。”
ColonelRoss，whohadshownsomesignsofimpatienceatmy
companion”squietandsystematicmethodofwork，glancedathiswatch。
“Iwishyouwouldcomebackwithme，Inspector，“saidhe。“Thereare
severalpointsonwhichIshouldlikeyouradvice，andespeciallyas
towhetherwedonotoweittothepublictoremoveourhorse”sname
fromtheentriesforthecup。”
“Certainlynot，“criedHolmeswithdecision。“Ishouldletthe
namestand。”
Thecolonelbowed。“Iamverygladtohavehadyouropinion，sir，“
saidhe。“YouwillfindusatpoorStraker”shousewhenyouhave
finishedyourwalk，andwecandrivetogetherintoTavistock。”
Heturnedbackwiththeinspector，whileHolmesandIwalked
slowlyacrossthemoor。Thesunwasbeginningtosinkbehindthe
stableofMapleton，andthelong，slopingplaininfrontofuswas
tingedwithgold，deepeningintorich，ruddybrownswherethefaded
fernsandbramblescaughttheeveninglight。Butthegloriesofthe
landscapewereallwasteduponmycompanion，whowassunkinthe
deepestthought。
“It”sthisway，Watson，“saidheatlast。“Wemayleavethe
questionofwhokilledJohnStrakerfortheinstantandconfine
ourselvestofindingoutwhathasbecomeofthehorse。Now，
supposingthathebrokeawayduringorafterthetragedy，where
couldhehavegoneto？Thehorseisaverygregariouscreature。If
lefttohimselfhisinstinctswouldhavebeeneithertoreturnto
King”sPylandorgoovertoMapleton。Whyshouldherunwildupon
themoor？Hewouldsurelyhavebeenseenbynow。Andwhyshould
gypsieskidnaphim？Thesepeoplealwaysclearoutwhentheyhearof
troublefortheydonotwishtobepesteredbythepolice。They
couldnothopetosellsuchahorse。Theywouldnotrunagreatrisk
andgainnothingbytakinghim。Surelythatisclear。”
“Whereishe，then？“
“IhavealreadysaidthathemusthavegonetoKing”sPylandorto
Mapleton。HeisnotatKing”sPyland。ThereforeheisatMapleton。Let
ustakethatasaworkinghypothesisandseewhatitleadsusto。This
partofthemoor，astheinspectorremarked，isveryhardanddry。But
itfallsawaytowardsMapleton，andyoucanseefromherethatthere
isalonghollowoveryonder，whichmusthavebeenveryweton
Mondaynight。Ifoursuppositioniscorrect，thenthehorsemust
havecrossedthat，andthereisthepointwhereweshouldlookforhis
tracks。”
Wehadbeenwalkingbrisklyduringthisconversation，andafewmore
minutesbroughtustothehollowinquestion。AtHolmes”srequestI
walkeddownthebanktotheright，andhetotheleft，butIhadnot
takenfiftypacesbeforeIheardhimgiveashoutandsawhimwaving
hishandtome。Thetrackofahorsewasplainlyoutlinedinthe
softearthinfrontofhim，andtheshoewhichhetookfromhispocket
exactlyfittedtheimpression。
“Seethevalueofimagination，“saidHolmes。“Itistheone
qualitywhichGregorylacks。Weimaginedwhatmighthavehappened，
acteduponthesupposition，andfindourselvesjustified。Letus
proceed。”
Wecrossedthemarshybottomandpassedoveraquarterofamile
ofdry，hardturf。Againthegroundsloped，andagainwecameonthe
tracks。Thenwelostthemforhalfamile，butonlytopickthemup
oncemorequiteclosetoMapleton。ItwasHolmeswhosawthemfirst，
andhestoodpointingwithalookoftriumphuponhisface。Aman”s
trackwasvisiblebesidethehorse”s。
“Thehorsewasalonebefore，“Icried。
“Quiteso。Itwasalonebefore。Hullo，whatisthis？“
ThedoubletrackturnedsharpoffandtookthedirectionofKing”s
Pyland。Holmeswhistled，andwebothfollowedalongafterit。Hiseyes
wereonthetrail，butIhappenedtolookalittletoonesideandsaw
tomysurprisethesametrackscomingbackagainintheopposite
direction。
“Oneforyou，Watson，“saidHolmeswhenIpointeditout。“You
havesavedusalongwalk，whichwouldhavebroughtusbackonourown
traces。Letusfollowthereturntrack。”
Wehadnottogofar。Itendedatthepavingofasphaltwhichledup
tothegatesoftheMapletonstables。Asweapproached，agroomran
outfromthem。
“Wedon”twantanyloiterersabouthere，“saidhe。
“Ionlywishedtoaskaquestion，“saidHolmes，withhisfinger
andthumbinhiswaistcoatpocket。“ShouldIbetooearlytosee
yourmaster，Mr。SilasBrown，ifIweretocallatfiveo”clock
to-morrowmorning？“
“Blessyou，sir，ifanyoneisabouthewillbe，forheisalwaysthe
firststirring。Buthereheis，sir，toansweryourquestionsfor
himself。No，sir，no，itisasmuchasmyplaceisworthtolethim
seemetouchyourmoney。Afterwards，ifyoulike。”
AsSherlockHolmesreplacedthehalf-crownwhichhehaddrawnfrom
hispocket，afierce-lookingelderlymanstrodeoutfromthegatewith
ahunting-cropswinginginhishand。
“What”sthis，Dawson！“hecried。“Nogossiping！Goaboutyour
business！Andyou，whatthedevildoyouwanthere？“
“Tenminutes”talkwithyou，mygoodsir，“saidHolmesinthe
sweetestofvoices。
“I”venotimetotalktoeverygadabout。Wewantnostrangers
here。Beoff，oryoumayfindadogatyourheels。”
Holmesleanedforwardandwhisperedsomethinginthetrainer”s
ear。Hestartedviolentlyandflushedtothetemples。
“It”salie！“heshouted。“Aninfernallie！“
“Verygood。Shallweargueaboutithereinpublicortalkitover
inyourparlour？“
“Oh，comeinifyouwishto。”
Holmessmiled。“Ishallnotkeepyoumorethanafewminutes，
Watson，“saidhe。“Now，Mr。Brown，Iamquiteatyourdisposal。”
Itwastwentyminutes，andtheredshadallfadedintograys
beforeHolmesandthetrainerreappeared。NeverhaveIseensucha
changeashadbeenbroughtaboutinSilasBrowninthatshorttime。
Hisfacewasashypale，beadsofperspirationshoneuponhisbrow，and
hishandsshookuntilthehunting-cropwaggedlikeabranchinthe
wind。Hisbullying，overbearingmannerwasallgonetoo，andhe
cringedalongatmycompanion”ssidelikeadogwithitsmaster。
“Yourinstructionswillbedone。Itshallallbedone，“saidhe。
“Theremustbenomistake，“saidHolmes，lookingroundathim。The
otherwincedashereadthemenaceinhiseyes。
“Oh，no，thereshallbenomistake。Itshallbethere。ShouldI
changeitfirstornot？“
Holmesthoughtalittleandthenburstoutlaughing。“No，don”t，“
saidhe，“Ishallwritetoyouaboutit。Notricks，now，or-“
“Oh，youcantrustme，youcantrustme！“
“Yes，IthinkIcan。Well，youshallhearfrommeto-morrow。”He
turneduponhisheel，disregardingthetremblinghandwhichthe
otherheldouttohim，andwesetoffforKing”sPyland。
“Amoreperfectcompoundofthebully，coward，andsneakthanMaster
SilasBrownIhaveseldommetwith，“remarkedHolmesaswetrudged
alongtogether。
“Hehasthehorse，then？“
“Hetriedtoblusteroutofit，butIdescribedtohimsoexactly
whathisactionshadbeenuponthatmorningthatheisconvinced
thatIwaswatchinghim。Ofcourseyouobservedthepeculiarly
squaretoesintheimpressions，andthathisownbootsexactly
correspondedtothem。Again，ofcoursenosubordinatewouldhavedared
todosuchathing。Idescribedtohimhow，whenaccordingtohis
customhewasthefirstdown，heperceivedastrangehorsewandering
overthemoor。Howhewentouttoit，andhisastonishmentat
recognizing，fromthewhiteforeheadwhichhasgiventhefavouriteits
name，thatchancehadputinhispowertheonlyhorsewhichcouldbeat
theoneuponwhichhehadputhismoney。ThenIdescribedhowhis
firstimpulsehadbeentoleadhimbacktoKing”sPyland，andhow
thedevilhadshownhimhowhecouldhidethehorseuntiltheracewas
over，andhowhehadleditbackandconcealeditatMapleton。When
Itoldhimeverydetailhegaveitupandthoughtonlyofsavinghis
ownskin。”
“Buthisstableshadbeensearched？“
“Oh，anoldhorse-fakerlikehimhasmanyadodge。”
“Butareyounotafraidtoleavethehorseinhispowernow，since
hehaseveryinterestininjuringit？“
“Mydearfellow，hewillguarditastheappleofhiseye。He
knowsthathisonlyhopeofmercyistoproduceitsafe。”
“ColonelRossdidnotimpressmeasamanwhowouldbelikelyto
showmuchmercyinanycase。”
“ThematterdoesnotrestwithColonelRoss。Ifollowmyownmethods
andtellasmuchoraslittleasIchoose。Thatistheadvantageof
beingunofficial。Idon”tknowwhetheryouobservedit，Watson，but
thecolonel”smannerhasbeenjustatriflecavaliertome。Iam
inclinednowtohavealittleamusementathisexpense。Saynothingto
himaboutthehorse。”
“Certainlynotwithoutyourpermission。”
“Andofcoursethisisallquiteaminorpointcomparedtothe
questionofwhokilledJohnStraker。”
“Andyouwilldevoteyourselftothat？“
“Onthecontrary，webothgobacktoLondonbythenighttrain。”
Iwasthunderstruckbymyfriend”swords。Wehadonlybeenafew
hoursinDevonshire，andthatheshouldgiveupaninvestigationwhich
hehadbegunsobrilliantlywasquiteincomprehensibletome。Nota
wordmorecouldIdrawfromhimuntilwewerebackatthetrainees
house。Thecolonelandtheinspectorwereawaitingusintheparlour。
“MyfriendandIreturntotownbythenight-express，“said
Holmes。“Wehavehadacharminglittlebreathofyourbeautiful
Dartmoorair。”
Theinspectoropenedhiseyes，andthecolonel”slipcurledina
sneer。
“SoyoudespairofarrestingthemurdererofpoorStraker，“saidhe。
Holmesshruggedhisshoulders。“Therearecertainlygrave
difficultiesintheway，“saidhe。“Ihaveeveryhope，however，that
yourhorsewillstartuponTuesday，andIbegthatyouwillhave
yourjockeyinreadiness。MightIaskforaphotographofMr。John
Straker？“
Theinspectortookonefromanenvelopeandhandedittohim。
“MydearGregory，youanticipateallmywants。IfImightaskyouto
waithereforaninstant，IhaveaquestionwhichIshouldliketoput
tothemaid。”
“ImustsaythatIamratherdisappointedinourLondonconsultant，“
saidColonelRossbluntlyasmyfriendlefttheroom。“Idonotsee
thatweareanyfurtherthanwhenhecame。”
“Atleastyouhavehisassurancethatyourhorsewillrun，“saidI。
“Yes，Ihavehisassurance，“saidthecolonelwithashrugofhis
shoulders。“Ishouldprefertohavethehorse。”
Iwasabouttomakesomereplyindefenceofmyfriendwhenhe
enteredtheroomagain。
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