Silver Blaze

A singular case hit the headlines: Silver Blaze, the favourite for the Wessex Cup, has disappeared and his trainer, John Straker, was found dead. Colonel Ross, owner of the horse and Inspector Gregory, in charge of the enquiry, have both called for Sherlock's help. Holmes and Watson go to Tablestock, Dartmoor, where the events took place.

A man named Fitroy has been arrested. He had a suspicious behavior on the evening before the drama. He came to the stables, first pretending to be lost, then insisted on speaking with the stable boy. But the lad denied him any access nor talk.

A few hours later, John Straker, anxious to check if everything was all right, went out under a heavy rain to see the champion. When his wife awoke, he was still absent. The lad was found deeply drugged and Silver Blaze's stall was empty. After a brief search, Straker's body was found on the moor. Of the famous horse, no hint nor sign.

The plot in itself is not especially interesting -the identity of the "murderer", for instance, is rather predictable. But in each adventure, there is a particular source of interest. Here, I was impressed by Doyle's intuition -or demonstration- of what would become "forensic": in that story, we have a competent policeman, even to Sherlock's eyes -an unusual fact! He collects datas, testimonies and evidences, takes care of the crime scene... And reaches nevertheless a wrong conclusion. But knowing that he may be wrong, he is wise enough to call Holmes.

I also liked the scenery of Dartmoor. Although it is not really described, it gives a special atmosphere to the enquiry. Adventures taking place outside London also allow Watson's character to be a little bit more present, as a narrator and as an assistant. 
As for the lack of long description, it is coherent with Holmes' point of view: he blames regularly Watson about useless details in his narration, a supposed tendancy to embroider and embellish the facts. Let's better quote Watson himself: "The long, sloping plain in front of us was tinged with gold, deepening into rich, ruddy browns where the faded ferns and brambles caught the evening light. But the glories of the landscape were all wasted upon my companion, who was sunk in the deepest thought."