[00:00.00]Chapter two.
[00:01.79]On the trail.
[00:04.57]When we arrived at the station, we met Colonel Ross and Inspector Gregory.
[00:10.75]They helped us into their carriage, and we set off for King's Pyland.
[00:17.70]Thank you for coming, Mr. Holmes, said the colonel.
[00:23.29]I am determined to avenge poor Straker and to recover my horse.
[00:31.24]The evidence against Simpson is very strong, said the inspector calmly.
[00:38.43]He had much to gain if Silver Blaze could not race.
[00:43.76]Things like the stick and the cravat are very much against him.
[00:50.50]Holmes shook his head.
[00:53.66]A clever defense lawyer would tear it to shreds, he said.
[01:00.03]Why take the horse out of the stable?
[01:03.70]He could injure it where it was.
[01:07.99]Has a copy of the key been found?
[01:12.10]Where did he get the opium?
[01:16.31]Above all, where would he hide a horse?
[01:22.22]The inspector nodded.
[01:24.69]He did not resent Holmes's objections, and he took a while to reply.
[01:31.40]A key could be thrown away on the moors.
[01:36.23]He could obtain opium in London, where he came from, and the horse may very well be at the bottom of one of the many pits or mines in the area.
[01:49.03]What does he say about the cravat?
[01:52.84]He admits it was his, and says that he lost it.
[01:58.53]There is one other clue, however.
[02:02.47]Yes, asked Holmes.
[02:07.71]A party of gypsies were camped within a mile of the spot where Straker was found.
[02:15.88]The following day, they had gone.
[02:20.44]Simpson may have passed the horse onto them.
[02:24.79]We are searching for them now.
[02:28.72]And the other stables, the Mapleton stables?
[02:34.21]We have been there.
[02:37.13]The trainer at Mapleton, Silas Brown, certainly had large bets on the race, and he was no friend of poor Straker.
[02:47.91]But there is nothing to connect him with the affair.
[02:53.63]And nothing to connect this man Simpson with the interests of the Mapleton stables?
[03:03.50]Nothing at all.
[03:06.73]Holmes leaned back in the carriage, and the conversation ceased.
[03:14.12]When we stepped out of the carriage, I noticed that Holmes had a gleam in his eye.
[03:21.14]I knew he had already thought of something that the others had missed.
[03:27.35]I should like to see what Straker had with him at the time of his death, he said.
[03:36.02]The inspector nodded amiably, and led him into the front room of the house.
[03:43.46]On the table was a small heap of things.
[03:47.92]A box of matches, a piece of candle, a pipe, a tobacco pouch, a silver watch with a gold chain, five sovereigns, a pencil case, a few papers, and an ivory handled knife with a blade marked Vice & Co.
[04:13.07]It was still stained with blood.
[04:17.80]This is a very special knife, said Holmes.
[04:25.80]This is in your line, Watson.
[04:30.43]Yes, I said.
[04:33.50]It is what we call a cataract knife, a very delicate blade for very delicate work.
[04:45.50]A strange thing for a man to carry on a rough night, especially as it would not close in his pocket.
[04:56.61]His wife told us it was on the dressing table before he went out, said the inspector.
[05:04.77]It had a cork to guard the tip.
[05:09.35]Perhaps it was the best weapon he could think of as he left the house.
[05:18.73]The papers are of interest, said Holmes, turning over a pile of documents with his long fingers.
[05:29.03]In particular, this bill from a dress shop for £37 made out to William Darbishire.
[05:40.10]This Darbishire was a friend of Straker's, according to his wife.
[05:48.44]Someone has expensive tastes, I smiled.
[05:55.74]As we left, a woman, pale and haggard, stopped us.
[06:02.32]What have you found?
[06:05.59]She asked.
[06:08.98]Holmes did not answer her directly.
[06:13.57]Smiling gently, he said, surely we have met.
[06:21.07]The woman shook her head.
[06:24.86]You were dressed in dove colored silk with ostrich feather trimming.
[06:32.90]You are mistaken.
[06:35.94]I never had such a dress, said the woman.
[06:42.32]Holmes apologized and followed the inspector outside.
[06:48.38]A short walk took us to the murder spot, where Holmes bent to examine the ground.
[06:55.57]He took a long time, and the colonel became impatient, often looking at his watch while Holmes continued his systematic search.
[07:07.87]Aha!
[07:10.74]Holmes said at last, and picked out a half-burnt match.
[07:18.16]He then took some time comparing the prints in the mud with a boot of John Straker's and one of Silver Blaze's horseshoes.
[07:30.51]Finally, he turned back to the colonel.
[07:35.20]Now, if you would excuse us, Watson and I will take a walk a little over the moors.
[07:43.60]I shall put the horseshoe in my pocket for luck.
[07:51.10]As we walked away in the direction of Mapleton, he said, where is the horse?
[07:58.40]It is a puzzle.
[08:01.50]Let us imagine what might happen to it.
[08:06.51]Would it run loose for long?
[08:10.71]No.
[08:14.31]Horses seek company.
[08:18.61]Kidnapped by gypsies?
[08:23.19]They would never be able to sell a horse like that.
[08:28.86]A loose horse would make for Mapleton or King's Pyland.
[08:35.86]It is not at King's Pyland.
[08:41.01]Therefore, it must be at Mapleton.
[08:52.40]We soon came to a dip in the land where Holmes stopped.
[08:57.40]This must have been wet on Monday night.
[09:01.32]Let us see if there are tracks here.
[09:05.99]He soon gave a shout.
[09:08.96]I ran over and found him fitting the horseshoe into the mark in the mud.
[09:17.05]Such is the value of imagination, Watson.
[09:21.87]It is the one thing Inspector Gregory lacks.
[09:30.77]As we got closer to Mapleton, we saw the marks of the horse once more, this time with a man's tracks beside them.
[09:41.03]Suddenly, they changed direction again towards King's Pyland.
[09:48.76]Holmes whistled.
[09:51.68]Then I spotted the same tracks returning towards Mapleton.
[09:58.23]Well done, said Holmes.
[10:02.20]You have saved us a walk.
[10:06.94]As we came near to the gates of Mapleton Stables, a groom ran out and asked what we wanted.
[10:16.19]If I called at 5:00 tomorrow morning to see your master, Silas Brown, would I be too early?
[10:27.73]Inquired Holmes genially.
[10:31.71]No, sir.
[10:33.87]He is always the first up and about, but here he comes now.
[10:42.07]A cross looking gentleman came through the gate.
[10:47.20]What the devil do you want here?
[10:52.71]10 minutes of your time, said Holmes calmly.
[10:59.62]I've no time for gossiping, said the man.
[11:05.80]He turned as if to go, but Holmes stepped forward, laid a hand on his arm and whispered in his ear.
[11:17.08]Immediately, Brown's face reddened with fury.
[11:22.54]It's a lie, he cried, an infernal lie.
[11:31.24]Very well, said Holmes.
[11:36.00]Shall we argue about it in public or indoors?
[11:43.68]Oh, come in if you must, said the man.