The Adventure of the Reigate Squire / The Adventure of the Reigate Puzzle by Arthur Conan Doyle. Short summary

5 seconds

Holmes investigates a strange theft and the ensuing murder of a coachman. He discovers that the coachman was killed by his masters. The servant saw them commit the theft and blackmails him.

1 minute

Dr. Watson brings Holmes to rest near the town of Reigate.

On the day he arrives, it is discovered that the squire has been robbed. The thieves have taken unnecessary change. On the same night, Mr. Cunningham’s coachman, William, is killed. The local police inspector turns to Holmes for help.

He discovers that the Cunninghams and the squire are in a long-standing dispute. Witnessing the murder of the coachman is Cunningham’s son, who saw William being shot by an unknown assailant. The coachman had a fragment of note clutched in his hand.

Holmes gets into the Cunningham house on the sly. He provokes the owners and they try to kill the detective. Holmes is saved. He advises the inspector to arrest the Cunninghams for killing the coachman.

Holmes explains that the Cunninghams wanted to steal important documents from the squire’s house. Failing to find the necessary papers, they took the change. The coachman, who saw it, began to blackmail the owners. They lured him into a trap and killed him.