"The net is drawn pretty close round Fitzroy Simpson," he remarked, "and I believe myself that our man same time I recognise evidence is purely circumstantial, some new development may upset it "

"How about Straker's knife ? "

" quite come conclusion that he wounded himself fall "

"My friend Dr Watson made that suggestion came down , it would tell against this man Simpson "

"Undoubtedly He has neither knife nor any sign of wound The evidence against him is certainly very strong He had great interest disappearance favourite He lies under suspicion of having poisoned the stable-boy, undoubtedly out storm, armed with heavy stick, cravat was found dead man's hand I really think enough before jury "

Holmes shook his head "A clever counsel would tear it all to rags," said he "Why should he horse stable ? If to injure it why could he not there ? Has duplicate key been found possession ? What chemist sold him the powdered opium ? Above all, where could he, stranger district, hide horse, and such horse ? his own explanation paper which the maid stable-boy ? "

" ten-pound note One was found purse But your other difficulties so formidable seem stranger district He has twice lodged at Tavistock summer The opium was probably brought from London The key, having served its purpose, hurled away The horse bottom of pits or old mines moor "

"What does he say cravat ? "

"He acknowledges his, and declares that he had lost it But new element introduced case account leading the horse stable "

Holmes pricked up his ears

" found traces which show that party of gypsies encamped on Monday night within mile spot where the murder took place On Tuesday they were gone Now, presuming that some understanding between Simpson and these gypsies, might he not leading the horse when overtaken, and may they not have him now ? "

" certainly possible "

"The moor is being scoured gypsies also examined every stable and out-house in Tavistock, and for radius of ten miles "

" another training-stable quite close, I understand ? "

"Yes, is factor which certainly not neglect As Desborough, their horse, was second betting, they had an interest disappearance favourite Silas Brown, the trainer, is known to large bets event, and no friend to poor Straker , however, examined the stables, and nothing to connect him affair "

"And nothing to connect this man Simpson interests Mapleton stables ? "

"Nothing at all "

Holmes leaned back carriage, conversation ceased later our driver pulled up at neat little red-brick villa with overhanging eaves which stood road Some distance off, across paddock, lay long grey-tiled out-building In direction the low curves moor, bronze-coloured fading ferns, stretched away sky-line, broken only steeples of Tavistock, and by cluster of houses away westward which marked the Mapleton stables We all sprang out exception of Holmes, who continued to lean back eyes fixed sky in front of him, entirely absorbed own thoughts only when I touched his arm that he roused himself with violent start and stepped carriage

"Excuse me," said he, turning to Colonel Ross, who had looked at him in some surprise " day-dreaming " gleam eyes and suppressed excitement manner which convinced me, used as ways, that his hand was upon clue, though imagine where he had found it

"Perhaps prefer at once on scene crime, Mr Holmes ? " said Gregory

" that prefer to stay here little and go into questions of detail Straker was brought back here, I presume ? "

"Yes; he lies upstairs The inquest is to-morrow "

"He in your service , Colonel Ross ? "

" always found him an excellent servant "

"I presume that an inventory of what he had pockets death, Inspector ? "

" the things themselves sitting-room, care them "

" " We all filed front room and sat round the central table while the Inspector unlocked square tin box and laid small heap of things box of vestas, two inches of tallow candle, an D P brier-root pipe, pouch of seal-skin with half an ounce of long-cut Cavendish, silver watch with gold chain, five sovereigns in gold, an aluminium pencil-case, few papers, and an ivory-handled knife with very delicate, inflexible bade marked Weiss & Co , London

" very singular knife," said Holmes, lifting it up and examining it minutely "I presume, as blood-stains upon it, the one found dead man's grasp Watson, this knife is surely in your line ? "

" what we call cataract knife," said I

" so very delicate blade devised for very delicate work strange thing for man to carry upon rough expedition, especially as it shut pocket "

"The tip was guarded by disk of cork which beside his body," said the Inspector "His wife tells us knife had lain dressing-table, he had picked it up as he left the room poor weapon, but perhaps the best that lay his hands on moment "

"Very possible How about these papers ? "

"Three are receipted hay-dealers' accounts is letter of instructions from Colonel Ross This other is milliner's account for thirty-seven pounds fifteen made out by Madame Lesurier, of Bond Street, to William Derbyshire Mrs Straker tells us that Derbyshire was friend of her husband's occasionally his letters were addressed here "

"Madam Derbyshire had somewhat expensive tastes," remarked Holmes, glancing down the account "Twenty-two guineas is rather heavy for single costume However there appears nothing more to learn, and now go down scene crime "

emerged sitting-room woman, who waiting passage, took step forward and laid her hand Inspector's sleeve Her face was haggard and thin and eager, stamped print of recent horror

" got them ? found them ? " she panted

"No, Mrs Straker But Mr Holmes here from London to , and do all possible "

"Surely I met you in Plymouth at garden-party some little time ago, Mrs Straker ? " said Holmes

"No, sir; mistaken "

"Dear me ! Why, sworn You wore costume of dove-coloured silk with ostrich-feather trimming "

"I never had such dress, sir," answered the lady

"Ah, that quite settles it," said Holmes And with an apology he followed the Inspector outside short walk across the moor took us hollow body found brink of it furze-bush the coat hung

" no wind that night, I understand," said Holmes

"None; but very heavy rain "