Спогади Шерлока Холмса
Silver Blaze
Hewasamanofexcellentbirthandeducation,whohadsquanderedafortuneupontheturf,andwholivednowbydoingalittlequietandgenteelbook-makinginthesportingclubsofLondon.Anexaminationofhisbetting-bookshowsthatbetstotheamountoffivethousandpoundshadbeenregisteredbyhimagainstthefavourite.OnbeingarrestedhevolunteeredthestatementthathehadcomedowntoDartmoorinthehopeofgettingsomeinformationabouttheKing’sPylandhorses,andalsoaboutDesborough,thesecondfavourite,whichwasinchargeofSilasBrownattheMapletonstables.Hedidnotattempttodenythathehadactedasdescribedupontheeveningbefore,butdeclaredthathehadnosinisterdesignsandhadsimplywishedtoobtainfirst-handinformation.Whenconfrontedwithhiscravatheturnedverypaleandwasutterlyunabletoaccountforitspresenceinthehandofthemurderedman.Hiswetclothingshowedthathehadbeenoutinthestormofthenightbefore,andhisstick,whichwasapenanglawyerweightedwithlead,wasjustsuchaweaponasmight,byrepeatedblows,haveinflictedtheterribleinjuriestowhichthetrainerhadsuccumbed.Ontheotherhand,therewasnowounduponhisperson,whilethestateofStraker’sknifewouldshowthatoneatleastofhisassailantsmustbearhismarkuponhim.Thereyouhaveitallinanutshell,Watson,andifyoucangivemeanylightIshallbeinfinitelyobligedtoyou.
