Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса
Silver Blaze
Simpsonbeatoutthetrainer’sbrainswithhisheavystickwithoutreceivinganyinjuryfromthesmallknifewhichStrakerusedinself-defence,andthenthethiefeitherledthehorseontosomesecrethiding-place,orelseitmayhaveboltedduringthestruggle,andbenowwanderingoutonthemoors.Thatisthecaseasitappearstothepolice,andimprobableasitis,allotherexplanationsaremoreimprobablestill.However,IshallveryquicklytestthematterwhenIamonceuponthespot,anduntilthenIcannotreallyseehowwecangetmuchfurtherthanourpresentposition."
ItwaseveningbeforewereachedthelittletownofTavistock,whichlies,likethebossofashield,inthemiddleofthehugecircleofDartmoor.Twogentlemenwereawaitingusinthestation—theoneatall,fairmanwithlion-likehairandbeardandcuriouslypenetratinglightblueeyes;theotherasmall,alertperson,veryneatanddapper,inafrock-coatandgaiters,withtrimlittleside-whiskersandaneyeglass.ThelatterwasColonelRoss,thewell-knownsportsman;theother,InspectorGregory;amanwhowasrapidlymakinghisnameintheEnglishdetectiveservice.
"Iamdelightedthatyouhavecomedown,Mr.Holmes,"saidthecolonel."Theinspectorherehasdoneallthatcouldpossiblybesuggested,butIwishtoleavenostoneunturnedintryingtoavengepoorStrakerandinrecoveringmyhorse."
"Havetherebeenanyfreshdevelopments?"askedHolmes.
