The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-30

" in so sparsely inhabited place as
the north Of Dartmoor From hour to
hour yesterday I expected to hear that
he had been found, and that his alb
ductor was the murderer of John Stra-
ker. When. however. another morning
had come, and I found that beyond the
arrest Of young F'itzrcy Simpson, moth
ing had been done. felt that il was
time for me to take action. Yet in
some ways I feel that yesterday has
not been wasted"
You have formed a theory, then?'
AT least I have got grip Of the
essential facts OF the case. I shall
enumerate them to you, for nothing
clears up case SO much as stating 1t
to another person. and I can hardly
expect your cooperation il L do not
show you the position from which we
start
I lay back against the cushions.
putting at my, cigar. while Holmes.
leaning forward, with his long, thin
forefinger checking off the points upon
the palm Of his left hand, gave me q
sketch OF the events which had led to
our journey.
Silver Blaze" said he, "is from the
Somomy Stock and holds as brilliant
! q record as his famous ancestor. He
is now IN his fifth year. and has
brought in turn each OF the prizes OF
the turf to Colonel Ross, his fortunate
owner. Up TO the time of the catas-
trophe he was the first fayorite for the
Wessex Cup. the betting being three
10 one on him He has always, how
ever, been q prime favorite with the
racing public. and has never yet dis
appointed them, so that even at those
odds enormous sums of money have
been laid upon him It is obvious.
therefore, that there were many people
who had the strongest interest in pre-
venting Silver Blaze from being there
at the fail Of the flag next Tuesday.
z: y
1.-The fact was. of course. appreciated
/ at Kings Pyland, where the COLONEL
/ training stable is situated. Every pre-
! caution was taken to guard the ia
! vcrite The trainer. John Straker. Is a
! retired jockey gho rode IN Colonel Ross
| colors befor. he became Loo heavy for
| the Weighing chair. He has served the
| colonel for FIVE years as jockey and for
seven as trainer, and has always shown
| himself to be u jealous and honest
| servant Under him were three lads;
for the establishment WAS small one.
/ containing only four horses In ali. One
Of these lads sat up each night III the
stable while the others slept in the loft
All three bore excellent characters.
/ John StrakeT. who is Il married man.
lived in a small villa about go yards
| from the stables He has no children,
keeps one maid-servant, and is com
fortably off. The country round is Ytry
| lonely, but about half Il mile to the
| north there is a small cluster of villas
| which have been built by Tavistock
contractor for the use of invali1s and
others who may wish 10 enjoy the pure
Dartmoor air Tayistock itself lies two
miles to the west, while across the
| moor. also about twc miles distant, IS
the larger training establishment OF
MapIeton which belongs 10 Lord Back
| water, and is managed by Silas Brown
| In every ether direction tha moor Is =
complete wilderness. Inhabited only by
a few roaming gypsies. Such was this
general situation last Monday night
when the catastrophe occurred
|. Y
ION that evening the horses had beer
Ie exercised and watered as usun1, and
the stables were locked up at 8 u'2lcck
Two of the lads walked mp 10 the train
ier's house, where they had supper In thu
kitchen. while the third. Ned Hunter
remainder on guard. At few minutes
altar he maid Edith ,.urrief