The Adventure of Silver Blaze

Stub

“The Adventure of Silver Blaze”
Illustration by Sidney Paget
Informations
Foreign names	See section
Parution	December, 1892 January, 1893 (The Strand) February 25, 1893 (Harper's Weekly)
Client(s)	No informations
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Followed by	The Adventure of the Cardboard Box

“The Adventure of Silver Blaze” is the first short story from the twelve in the cycle collected as The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in The Strand Magazine in December, 1892.

Plot

Sherlock Holmes and the Dr. Watson travel to Dartmoor to investigate the disappearance of a famous racehorse, Silver Blaze, and the murder of its trainer, John Straker. The case has baffled the local authorities, as the horse vanished from its stable on the night of the murder, just days before an important race.

When Holmes and Watson arrive at the King's Pyland stables, owned by Colonel Ross, they learn the details of the case. Straker was found dead on the moor with a deep head wound and a small knife in his hand. The stable boy, who had been guarding the horse that night, was drugged with opium-laced curry. There were no signs of forced entry, and the only possible suspect, a bookmaker named Fitzroy Simpson, had been seen in the area but had no clear motive for the crime.

Holmes investigates the crime scene and notices several peculiar details. Straker’s clothing was cut in an unusual way, and a strange surgical knife was found near his body. Holmes also examines the footprints around the site, including those of the missing horse. He deduces that Silver Blaze was not stolen but had bolted after Straker's fatal injury.

The key to solving the case lies in Straker’s secret activities. Holmes discovers that Straker had planned to sabotage Silver Blaze by making a subtle but crippling injury to the horse’s leg. Straker, an experienced trainer, had acquired a delicate knife to make a small incision that would cause lameness without being immediately detectable. However, when he attempted to do so, Silver Blaze reacted violently, striking out and delivering a fatal kick to Straker’s head.

Holmes also explains how Silver Blaze remained undetected. The horse had wandered onto the property of a rival stable, Mapleton, where the staff unknowingly sheltered it. To ensure the horse was not recognized, someone had removed its distinctive white markings by covering them with dye. Holmes presents his findings just in time for the big race. Silver Blaze, now restored to his true appearance, competes and wins easily. Colonel Ross is shocked to learn that his own trusted trainer was responsible for the scheme. With the mystery solved, Holmes and Watson return to London.

Characters

To be added

Illustrations

Illustrations by Sidney Paget in The Strand Magazine (December, 1892)
Holmes gave me a sketch of the events.
A man appeared out of the darkness.
They found the dead body of the unfortunate trainer.
I am delighted that you have come down, Mr Holmes.
'Have you found them?' she panted.
Be off!
Holmes was extremely pleased.
He laid his hand upon the glossy neck.
Silver Blaze

Illustrations in The Courier-Journal (January 29, 1893)
Silver Blaze
Holmes gave me a sketch of the events.
He laid his hand upon the glossy neck.

Illustrations by William H. Hyde in Harper's Weekly (February 1893)
The maid carried his supper to the stables.
His head had been shattered by a savage blow.

Illustrations by Stanley E. Armstrong in The San Francisco Call (October 22, 1905)
Inside huddled together upon a chair. Hunter was sunk in a state of resolute stupor.
At the bottom of this was found the dead body of the unfortunate trainer.