No. 1 The Adventure of Silver Blaze by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 1 The Adventure of Silver Blaze by Arthur Conan Doyle
Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4]

Arthur Conan Doyle

" I_am afraid , Watson, that I_shall_have to_go ," said Holmes, as_we sat down together our breakfast one morning

" ! where ? "

" Dartmoor; king 's Pyland "

i_was not surprised indeed , only wonder was_that had_not already been mixed upon_this extraordinary case , which_was the one topic conversation through_the length and breadth England for whole day 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 deaf any of_my questions remarks fresh editions every paper had_been sent our news agent , only to_be glanced over and tossed down into corner yet , silent 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 analysis , and_that was_the singular disappearance of_the favourite for_the Wessex cup , and_the tragic murder of_its trainer when , therefore , suddenly announced his intention setting out for_the scene of_the drama it_was only what I had both expected and hoped for

" i_should_be most happy to_go down with_you I should_not_be in_the way ," said I

" dear Watson, you_would confer great favour upon coming and i_think that your time will_not_be misspent , for there_are points about_the case which promise to_make absolutely unique one we_have , i_think , just time catch our train Paddington, and_I_will further into_the matter upon our journey you_would oblige bringing with_you your very excellent field - glass "

and happened that hour later I_found myself in_the corner first - class carriage flying along en route for Exeter , while Sherlock Holmes, with_his sharp , eager face framed in_his ear -flapped travelling-cap, dipped rapidly into_the bundle fresh papers which had procured Paddington had left Reading far behind before thrust the last one_of_them under the seat , and offered his cigar - case

" we_are going well ," said , looking out the window and glancing his watch " our rate present fifty- three and half miles hour "

" I_have_not observed the quarter - mile posts," said I

" nor have I but the telegraph posts upon_this line are sixty yards apart , and_the calculation simple one I presume that you_have looked into this_matter of_the murder John Straker and_the disappearance silver blaze ? "

" I_have_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 details than for_the acquiring fresh evidence the tragedy has_been uncommon , complete and of_such personal importance so_many people , that we_are suffering from plethora surmise , conjecture , and hypothesis the difficulty detach the framework fact -- absolute undeniable fact -- from_the embellishments theorists and reporters then , 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 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 co-operation

" Tuesday evening ! " I exclaimed " and this_is Thursday morning why didn't you down yesterday ? "

" because I_made blunder , dear Watson-- which_is , I_am afraid , more common occurrence than any_one would think who only knew through your memoirs the fact is_that I_could_not believe possible that_the most remarkable horse England could long remain concealed , especially sparsely inhabited place as_the north Dartmoor from hour hour yesterday I expected hear that had_been found , and_that his abductor was_the murderer John Straker when , however , another morning had come , and I_found that beyond the arrest young Fitzroy Simpson nothing done , I_felt that_it_was time for_me to_take action yet some ways I_feel that yesterday has_not_been wasted "

" you_have formed theory , then ? "

" at_least I_have got grip of_the essential facts of_the case I_shall enumerate them to_you , for nothing clears case so_much stating another person , and I_can hardly expect your co-operation I_do_not show you the position from_which start "

I lay back against the cushions, puffing cigar , while Holmes, leaning forward , with_his long , thin forefinger checking off the points upon_the palm of_his left_hand , gave_me sketch of_the events which had led our journey

" silver blaze ," said , " from_the Somomy stock , and holds brilliant record his famous ancestor he_is now in_his fifth year , and has brought turn each of_the prizes of_the turf colonel Ross, his fortunate owner up_to_the time of_the catastrophe was_the first favourite for_the Wessex cup , the betting being three one him has always , however , been prime favourite with_the racing public , and has never yet disappointed them , so_that even those odds enormous sums money have_been laid upon him it_is obvious , therefore , that there were many people who had the strongest interest preventing silver blaze from being there at_the fall of_the next Tuesday

" the fact was , of_course , appreciated king 's Pyland, where the colonel 's training- stable situated every precaution was taken guard the favourite the trainer , John Straker, retired jockey who rode colonel Ross's colours before became too heavy for_the weighing- chair has served the colonel for five years jockey and for seven trainer , and has always shown himself to_be zealous and honest servant under him were three lads; for_the establishment was small one , containing only four horses all one_of_these lads sat each night in_the stable , while the others slept in_the loft all three bore excellent characters John Straker, who_is married man , lived small villa about two hundred yards from_the stables has children , keeps one maid - servant , and_is comfortably off the country round very lonely , but about half mile to_the north there_is small cluster villas which_have been built Tavistock contractor for_the use invalids and others who_may wish enjoy the pure Dartmoor air Tavistock itself lies two miles to_the west , while across the moor , also about two miles distant , is_the larger training establishment Mapleton, which belongs lord backwater , and_is managed Silas brown every_other direction the moor complete wilderness , inhabited only 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 usual , and_the stables were locked nine o'clock two of_the lads walked up_to_the trainer 's house , where they had supper in_the kitchen , while the third , Ned hunter , remained guard few_minutes after nine the maid , Edith Baxter, carried down to_the stables his supper , which consisted dish curried mutton she took liquid , as_there_was water - tap in_the stables, and was_the rule that_the lad duty should drink nothing else the maid carried lantern with her , it_was very dark and_the path ran across the open moor

"Edith Baxter was within thirty yards of_the stables, when man appeared out_of_the darkness and called her stop stepped into_the circle yellow light thrown by_the lantern she saw that he_was person gentlemanly bearing, dressed grey suit tweeds, with cloth cap wore gaiters, and carried heavy stick with 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 thirty than under

"' can_you tell where I_am ? ' asked 'I had almost made mind sleep on_the moor , when I_saw the light your lantern '

"' you_are to_the king 's Pyland training-stables,' said she

"'Oh, indeed ! what stroke luck ! ' cried 'I understand that stable - boy sleeps there alone every night perhaps that_is his supper which you_are carrying him now I_am_sure that you_would_not_be too proud earn the price new dress , would you ? ' he_took piece white paper folded out of_his waistcoat pocket ' see that_the boy has_this - night , 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 hand the meals it_was already opened , and hunter was seated at_the small table inside she had begun to_tell him what had happened , when_the stranger came again

"' good - evening ,' said , looking through_the window ' i_wanted to_have word with_you ' the girl has sworn that spoke she noticed the corner of_the little paper packet protruding from_his closed hand

"' what business have_you here ? ' asked the lad

"' 's business that_may put something into your pocket ,' said the other ' you 've two horses for_the Wessex cup -- silver blaze and Bayard let have the straight tip and you won 't loser is_it fact that at_the weights Bayard could give the other hundred yards five furlongs, and_that the stable have put their money him ? ' "' , you 're one of_those damned touts ! ' cried the lad 'I'll show you how serve them king 's Pyland ' sprang and rushed across the stable unloose the dog the girl fled away to_the house , but she ran she looked back and saw that_the stranger was leaning through_the window minute later , however , when hunter rushed out with_the hound he_was gone , and though ran all round the buildings failed to_find any trace him "

" one moment ," I asked " did the stable - boy , when ran out with_the dog , leave the door unlocked behind him ? "

" excellent , Watson, ! " murmured companion " the importance of_the point struck forcibly that I_sent special wire Dartmoor yesterday clear the matter the boy locked the door before left the window , I_may add , was not large enough for man to_get through

" hunter waited until his fellow -grooms had returned , when sent message to_the trainer and told him what had occurred Straker was excited hearing the account , although he_does_not seem to_have quite realised its true significance left him , however , vaguely uneasy , and Mrs Straker, waking one in_the morning , found that he_was dressing reply her inquiries , he_said that he_could_not sleep account of_his anxiety about_the horses, and_that intended walk down to_the stables to_see that all was well she begged him remain home , she_could hear the rain pattering against the window , but in_spite her entreaties pulled on_his large mackintosh and left the house

" Mrs Straker awoke seven 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 , huddled together upon chair , hunter was sunk state absolute stupor , the favourite's stall was empty , and there were signs of_his trainer

" the two lads 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 some powerful drug , and sense could_be got out him , he_was left sleep off while the two lads and_the two women ran out of_the absentees they still had hopes that_the trainer had for some reason taken out the horse for early exercise , but ascending the knoll near the house , from_which all the neighbouring moors were visible , they not_only could_see signs of_the missing favourite, but they perceived something which warned them that_they were in_the presence tragedy

" about quarter mile from_the stables John Straker's overcoat was flapping from furze - bush immediately beyond there_was bowl - shaped depression in_the moor , and at_the bottom this_was found the dead body of_the unfortunate trainer his head had_been shattered savage blow from some heavy weapon , and he_was wounded on_the thigh , where long , clean cut , inflicted evidently some very sharp instrument it_was clear , however , that Straker had defended himself vigorously against his assailants, for in_his right hand held small knife , which_was clotted with blood up_to_the handle , while in_his left clasped red and black silk cravat , recognised by_the maid having been worn on_the preceding evening by_the stranger who had visited the stables hunter , recovering from_his stupor , was also quite positive as_to_the ownership of_the cravat he_was equally certain that_the same had , while standing at_the window , drugged his curried mutton , and deprived the stables of_their watchman missing horse , there were abundant proofs in_the mud which lay at_the bottom of_the fatal hollow that had_been there at_the_time of_the struggle but from_that morning has disappeared , and although large reward has_been offered , and all the gypsies Dartmoor are on_the alert , news has_come him

Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4]