Приключения Шерлока Холмса / The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (сборник)

“Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was accused of having upon the 22d inst., stolen from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fix the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called away. When he returned, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the bureau had been open, and that the small jewel-case in which the Countess used to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder gave the alarm immediately, and Horner was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the Countess, declared that she had heard Ryder’s cry of dismay when the robbery was discovered, and had rushed into the room, where she found out the gem was missing. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who struggled madly, and insisted on his innocence. He had shown signs of intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was carried out of court.”

“Hum! So much for[60] the police-court,” said Holmes thoughtfully, putting aside the paper. “The question is what sequence of events is leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly become much more important and less innocent. Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must find this gentleman and reveal his part in this little mystery. To do this, we must try the simplest means first and advertise in all the evening papers.”

“What will you say?”

“Give me a pencil and that sheet of paper. Now, then:

Found at the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker can have these things by applying at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker Street.

That is short and clear.”

“Very. But will he see it?”

“Well, I am sure he is keeping an eye on the papers because he has lost too much for a poor man. He was clearly so scared by breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that all he wanted was to run away, but since then he must have bitterly regretted dropping the bird. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and have this put in the evening papers.”

“In which, sir?”

“Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James’s, Evening News Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you.”

“Very well, sir. And this stone?”

“Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say[61], Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of the one which your family is now devouring.”