"But his stables had been searched?"
"Oh, an old horse-faker like him has many a dodge."
"But are you not afraid to leave the horse in his power now, since hehas every interest in injuring it?"
"My dear fellow, he will guard it as the apple of his eye. He knows thathis only hope of mercy is to produce it safe."
"Colonel Ross did not impress me as a man who would be likely to showmuch mercy in any case."
"The matter does not rest with Colonel Ross. I follow my own methods,and tell as much or as little as I choose. That is the advantage ofbeing unofficial. I don't know whether you observed it, Watson, but theColonel's manner has been just a trifle cavalier to me. I am inclinednow to have a little amusement at his expense. Say nothing to him aboutthe horse."
"Certainly not without your permission."
"And of course this is all quite a minor point compared to the questionof who killed John Straker."
"And you will devote yourself to that?"
"On the contrary, we both go back to London by the night train."
I was thunderstruck by my friend's words. We had only been a few hoursin Devonshire, and that he should give up an investigation which he hadbegun so brilliantly was quite incomprehensible to me. Not a word morecould I draw from him until we were back at the trainer's house. TheColonel and the Inspector were awaiting us in the parlor.
"My friend and I return to town by the night-express," said Holmes. "Wehave had a charming little breath of your beautiful Dartmoor air."
The Inspector opened his eyes, and the Colonel's lip curled in a sneer.
"So you despair of arresting the murderer of poor Straker," said he.
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. "There are certainly grave difficultiesin the way," said he. "I have every hope, however, that your horsewill start upon Tuesday, and I beg that you will have your jockey inreadiness. Might I ask for a photograph of Mr. John Straker?"
The Inspector took one from an envelope and handed it to him.
"My dear Gregory, you anticipate all my wants. If I might ask you towait here for an instant, I have a question which I should like to putto the maid."
"I must say that I am rather disappointed in our London consultant,"said Colonel Ross, bluntly, as my friend left the room. "I do not seethat we are any further than when he came."
"At least you have his assurance that your horse will run," said I.
"Yes, I have his assurance," said the Colonel, with a shrug of hisshoulders. "I should prefer to have the horse."
I was about to make some reply in defence of my friend when he enteredthe room again.
"Now, gentlemen," said he, "I am quite ready for Tavistock."
As we stepped into the carriage one of the stable-lads held the dooropen for us. A sudden idea seemed to occur to Holmes, for he leanedforward and touched the lad upon the sleeve.
"You have a few sheep in the paddock," he said. "Who attends to them?"
"I do, sir."
"Have you noticed anything amiss with them of late?"
"Well, sir, not of much account; but three of them have gone lame, sir."
I could see that Holmes was extremely pleased, for he chuckled andrubbed his hands together.
"A long shot, Watson; a very long shot," said he, pinching my arm."Gregory, let me recommend to your attention this singular epidemicamong the sheep. Drive on, coachman!"
Colonel Ross still wore an expression which showed the poor opinionwhich he had formed of my companion's ability, but I saw by theInspector's face that his attention had been keenly aroused.