by Arthur Conan Doyle

" afraid, Watson, that ," said Holmes, sat down together to our breakfast one morning

"Go ! Where to ? "

"To Dartmoor; to King's Pyland "

not surprised Indeed, my only wonder he already been mixed extraordinary case, the one topic of conversation length and breadth of England For whole day my companion had rambled room chin upon his chest brows knitted, charging and recharging his pipe strongest black tobacco, and absolutely deaf to any questions or remarks Fresh editions of every paper sent up by our news agent, only glanced over and tossed down into corner Yet, silent as , perfectly well what over which brooding but one problem public which could challenge his powers of analysis, singular disappearance favourite Wessex Cup, tragic murder trainer When, therefore, he suddenly announced his intention of setting out scene drama only what I had both expected and hoped for

" most happy down if I way," said I

"My dear Watson, confer great favour upon me by coming And that your time misspent, for points case which promise it an absolutely unique one , , just time to catch our train at Paddington, go further matter upon our journey oblige me by bringing your very excellent field-glass "

And so it happened that an hour or so later myself corner of first-class carriage flying along en route for Exeter, while Sherlock Holmes, sharp, eager face framed ear-flapped travelling-cap, dipped rapidly bundle of fresh papers which he had procured at Paddington We had left Reading far behind us before he thrust the last under the seat, and offered me his cigar-case

" going well," said he, looking out the window and glancing at his watch "Our rate at present is fifty-three and half miles an hour "

" observed the quarter-mile posts," said I

"Nor have I But the telegraph posts line are sixty yards apart, calculation is simple one I presume that looked into murder of John Straker disappearance of Silver Blaze ? "

" what the Telegraph Chronicle have "

" one cases where the art reasoner used rather sifting of details than acquiring of fresh evidence The tragedy so uncommon, so complete and personal importance to people, that suffering from plethora of surmise, conjecture, and hypothesis The difficulty is to detach the framework of fact--of absolute undeniable fact-- embellishments of theorists and reporters Then, having established ourselves sound basis, our duty what inferences drawn and the special points the whole mystery turns On Tuesday evening I received telegrams from both Colonel Ross, the owner horse, and from Inspector Gregory, looking case, inviting my co-operation

"Tuesday evening ! " I exclaimed "And Thursday morning Why didn't you go down yesterday ? "

"Because blunder, my dear Watson-- , afraid, more common occurrence than would think who only knew me through your memoirs The fact believe is possible most remarkable horse in England could long remain concealed, especially in so sparsely inhabited place north of Dartmoor From hour to hour yesterday I expected to hear that he found, his abductor murderer of John Straker When, however, another morning had come, and that beyond the arrest of young Fitzroy Simpson nothing done, time action Yet in some ways that yesterday wasted "

" formed theory, then ? "

" got grip essential facts case enumerate them , for nothing clears up case as stating it to another person, and hardly expect your co-operation if show you the position we start "

I lay back against the cushions, puffing at my cigar, while Holmes, leaning forward, long, thin forefinger checking off the points palm , sketch events which had led to our journey

"Silver Blaze," said he, "is Somomy stock, and holds as brilliant record as his famous ancestor now fifth year, and has brought in turn each prizes turf to Colonel Ross, his fortunate owner time catastrophe he first favourite Wessex Cup, the betting being three to one on him He has always, however, been prime favourite racing public, and has never yet disappointed them, even at those odds enormous sums of money laid upon him obvious, therefore, that there were many people who had the strongest interest in preventing Silver Blaze from being there fall flag next Tuesday

"The fact was, , appreciated at King's Pyland, where the Colonel's training-stable is situated Every precaution was taken to guard the favourite The trainer, John Straker, is retired jockey who rode in Colonel Ross's colours before he became too heavy weighing-chair He has served the Colonel for five years as jockey and for seven as trainer, and has always shown himself zealous and honest servant Under him were three lads; establishment was small one, containing only four horses in all lads sat up each night stable, while the others slept loft All three bore excellent characters John Straker, married man, lived in small villa about two hundred yards stables He has no children, keeps one maid-servant, comfortably off The country round is very lonely, but about half mile north small cluster of villas been built by Tavistock contractor use of invalids and others wish to enjoy the pure Dartmoor air Tavistock itself lies two miles west, while across the moor, also about two miles distant, larger training establishment of Mapleton, which belongs to Lord Backwater, managed by Silas Brown In direction the moor is complete wilderness, inhabited only be few roaming gypsies Such general situation last Monday night catastrophe occurred

" evening the horses exercised and watered as usual, stables were locked up at nine o'clock Two lads walked trainer's house, where they had supper kitchen, while the third, Ned Hunter, remained on guard At after nine the maid, Edith Baxter, carried down stables his supper, which consisted of dish of curried mutton She took no liquid, water-tap stables, and it rule lad on duty should drink nothing else The maid carried lantern with her, as very dark path ran across the open moor

"Edith Baxter was within thirty yards stables, when man appeared darkness and called to her to stop As he stepped circle of yellow light thrown lantern she saw that person of gentlemanly bearing, dressed in grey suit of tweeds, with cloth cap He wore gaiters, and carried heavy stick with knob She was most impressed, however, extreme pallor face and nervousness manner His age, she thought, rather over thirty than under it

"' tell me where ? ' he asked 'I had almost made up my mind to sleep moor, when the light of your lantern '

"' close King's Pyland training-stables,' said she

"'Oh, indeed ! What stroke of luck ! ' he cried 'I understand that stable-boy sleeps there alone every night Perhaps his supper which carrying to him Now that too proud to earn the price of new dress, would you ? ' piece of white paper folded up out waistcoat pocket 'See boy to-night, and the prettiest frock that money can buy '