Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes - Silver Blaze [HD]

[0:03]GRANADA TELEVISION PRESENTS

[0:10]JEREMY BRETT EDWARD HARDWICKE IN

[0:19]THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

[0:29]BY SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

[0:40]DEVELOPED FOR TELEVISION BY JOHN HAWKESWORTH

[0:46]PETER BARKWORTH IN

[0:51]SILVER BLAZE

[0:56]DRAMATISED BY JOHN HAWKSWORTH

[2:22]It's no good. I shall have to go. Go, go where? King's Pylon. Last evening, Inspector Gregory of the Debenture Constabulary arrested well-known racing personality Fitzroy Simpson and charged him with the murder of trainer John Straker. Oh, come in. Two more telegrams, Mr. Holmes. Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. You've been bombarded with these the last couple of days. Another one from Inspector Gregory. Ah, that's the horse's owner. Thank you, my dear.

[3:02]Watson, I have made a blunder, which I am afraid is a more common occurrence than anyone would think who only knew me through your memoirs. And the fact is that I could not believe that a remarkable horse is Silver Blaze could disappear, especially in the seclusion of someone like the North of Dartmoor. From hour to hour I've expected to hear that the abductor was the murder of John Straker and the horse had been found, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I should be happy to go with you. No. Tavistock. If I should not be in the way. Oh my dear Watson. You would confirm a great favor upon me by coming. I'm sure your time will not be misspent. The case promises to be absolutely unique. We can just catch our train at Padham. And Watson, would you be so kind as to bring your field glasses?

[4:47]Ah. Watson, we're going well. Our speed at present is 53 and a half miles an hour. I have observed the quarter mile posts. Have that remarkably colored sporting paper anything to say on the subject of our horse? Yes. Here we are. Silver Blaze. Silver Blaze is from Isoonomy stock, and holds as brilliant a record as his famous ancestor.

[5:44]He's now in his fifth year, and has bought in turn each of the prizes of the turf to Colonel Ross's fortunate owner. At the time of the catastrophe, he was first favorite for the Wessex Cup. The odds quoted being two to one against. He's always been a prime favorite of the racing public, and has never yet disappointed them. In spite of the unfavorable price, a great deal of money has been placed upon him. So it is obvious therefore that there are many people with the strongest interest in preventing Silver Blaze from being there at the fall of the flag.

[6:33]All right, Baines, will you stop here please, because this is rather a good view. Now, that's uh, King's Pylon, over there, Mr. Holmes. You know, my training stable where the missing horse was kept. What exactly does your establishment consist of, Colonel Ross? Well, there's a trainer's house where poor Straker lived with his wife and a maidservant. How long had he been with you, sir? Oh, five years a jockey until he got too heavy for the weight. And then seven years as my trainer. He was a first-class man. And I presume the stables are beyond. Yes, yes, not a big yard, no, it's a good one. My side is quality, not quantity. Has anyone connected with the turf will tell you, Mr. Holmes. Yes, thank you, Inspector. You see, at the moment I have only five horses in the yard. I see you have two of them entered for the Wessex Cup, Colonel Ross. That's right. Yes. Silver Blaze and Bayard. But between ourselves, Bayard is intended for a pacemaker. With such valuable animals under his charge, I imagine your trainer, Mr. Straker must have taken some precautions. Oh, yes indeed. The three stable lads live with the horses, and after dark, one of the lads was always on duty in the stables while the other two sleep above in loft.

[7:54]Is that another training stable over there? Yes, that's Mapleton. Lord Bacourt's Yard. Lord Bacourt owns Desper, the second favorite for the Wessex Cup. That's not a bad horse, not in the same class as Silver Blaze. Fellow called Silas Brown trains for Bacourt. I can't stick the fellow myself. No could Straker, can tell you that. It's a natural rivalry, I presume.

[8:22]Rather more than that. Shall we drive on? Yes, please.

[8:32]Inspector Gregory, are there any further developments as to the whereabouts of the horse? Nothing at all. We have made very little progress in that direction. I can't imagine how a horse like Silver Blaze can go missing for so long in a place like this. Nor can I. I must tell you, Mr. Holmes, that at first I was not at all taken with Inspector Gregory's suggestion that you should be asked to come down here. I don't like amateurs, you see. My men have seen every group of Gypsies on Dartmoor in the last two days, Colonel, and searched every stable yard, quarry and cave in South Devon.

[9:23]It's an absolute mystery. But you did send me a telegram, Colonel. Well, no one else seems to be able to find my horse. If you ask me, it's these damn Gypsies wandering all over the moor. It's a perfect scandal. I've said this for years. My men have seen every group of Gypsies on Dartmoor in the last two days, Colonel, and searched every stable yard, quarry and cave in South Devon. It's an absolute mystery. But you did send me a telegram, Colonel. Well, no one else seems to be able to find my horse.

[10:02]I expect a miracle from you, Mr. Holmes.

[12:43]Excuse me, who is it? What do you want, sir? Can you tell me where I am? I'd almost made up my mind to sleep on the moor when I saw the light. This is King's Pylon Training Stable, sir. What a stroke of luck.

[13:03]I understand there's a stable lad who sleeps here at night. No doubt that's his supper you have there. I'm sure you wouldn't be too proud to earn yourself the price of a new dress, would you?

[13:20]I can. Ned, Ned, there's a man stopped me out there. I'm ever so frightened. What do you want? He asked after you. He asked me to give you something. I don't know, it was white. Where is he now? He's gone. We'd best get back to the house quick. Tell the governor. Yes, sir.

[14:45]The governor and the others came down soon enough. We found neither sight nor sound of the man. One moment. When you let the dog out, did you leave the door open behind you? Oh, excellent Watson, excellent, it's just the point I was getting to, Ned. I locked the door behind me, sir. I swear it. The lad here was drugged. Appreciable quantities of powdered opium were found in his curry.

[18:34]Did all the household eat the same dish? Yes, sir. I made it myself and served it.

[18:42]This black and red scarf? The gentleman was wearing that scarf when he talked to me. I'd swear that on the Bible, sir. Thank you.

[48:31]It struck me that such an astute man as Straker would not undertake this tendon nicing without a little practice. My final shot, I must confess, was a long one. It struck me that such an astute man as Straker would not undertake this tendon nicing without a little practice. My final shot, I must confess, was a long one. It struck me that such an astute man as Straker would not undertake this tendon nicing without a little practice.