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-=====The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier=====
+=====The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle=====
 ===Sir Arthur Conan Doyle===
-The ideas of my friend Watson, though limited, are exceedingly
+I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning
-pertinacious. For a long time he has worried me to write an experience
+after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of
-of my own. Perhaps I have rather invited this persecution, since I have
+the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a
-often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his own
+pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled
-accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of
+morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch
-confining himself rigidly to facts and figures. "Try it yourself,
+was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and
-Holmes!" he has retorted, and I am compelled to admit that, having
+disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in
-taken my pen in my hand, I do begin to realize that the matter must be
+several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair
-presented in such a way as may interest the reader. The following case
+suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the
-can hardly fail to do so, as it is among the strangest happenings in my
+purpose of examination.
-collection though it chanced that Watson had no note of it in his
-collection. Speaking of my old friend and biographer, I would take this
-opportunity to remark that if I burden myself with a companion in my
-various little inquiries it is not done out of sentiment or caprice,
-but it is that Watson has some remarkable characteristics of his own to
-which in his modesty he has given small attention amid his exaggerated
-estimates of my own performances. A confederate who foresees your
-conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one to whom
-each development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to whom the future
-is always a closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate.
-I find from my notebook that it was in January, 1903, just after the
+“You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”
-conclusion of the Boer War, that I had my visit from Mr. James M. Dodd,
-a big, fresh, sunburned, upstanding Briton. The good Watson had at that
-time deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action which I can recall
-in our association. I was alone.
-It is my habit to sit with my back to the window and to place my
+“Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my
-visitors in the opposite chair, where the light falls full upon them.
+results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one”—he jerked his thumb in
-Mr. James M. Dodd seemed somewhat at a loss how to begin the interview.
+the direction of the old hat—“but there are points in connection with
-I did not attempt to help him, for his silence gave me more time for
+it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction.”
-observation. I have found it wise to impress clients with a sense of
-power, and so I gave him some of my conclusions.
-"From South Africa, sir, I perceive."
+I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his
+crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were
+thick with the ice crystals. “I suppose,” I remarked, “that, homely as
+it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it—that it is
+the clue which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the
+punishment of some crime.”
-"Yes, sir," he answered, with some surprise.
+“No, no. No crime,” said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. “Only one of those
+whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million
+human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square
+miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity,
+every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and
+many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and
+bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of
+such.”
-"Imperial Yeomanry, I fancy."
+“So much so,” I remarked, “that of the last six cases which I have
+added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime.”
-"Exactly."
+“Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers,
+to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of
+the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small
+matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know Peterson,
+the commissionaire?”
-"Middlesex Corps, no doubt."
+“Yes.”
-"That is so. Mr. Holmes, you are a wizard."
+“It is to him that this trophy belongs.”
-I smiled at his bewildered expression.
+“It is his hat.”
-"When a gentleman of virile appearance enters my room with such tan
+“No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look
-upon his face as an English sun could never give, and with his
+upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problem.
-handkerchief in his sleeve instead of in his pocket, it is not
+And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning,
-difficult to place him. You wear a short beard, which shows that you
+in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting
-were not a regular. You have the cut of a riding-man. As to Middlesex,
+at this moment in front of Peterson’s fire. The facts are these: about
-your card has already shown me that you are a stockbroker from
+four o’clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a
-Throgmorton Street. What other regiment would you join?"
+very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification and was
+making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he
+saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and
+carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the
+corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a
+little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man’s hat, on
+which he raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his
+head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward
+to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at
+having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in
+uniform rushing towards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and
+vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of
+Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of
+Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and
+also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a
+most unimpeachable Christmas goose.”
-"You see everything."
+“Which surely he restored to their owner?”
-"I see no more than you, but I have trained myself to notice what I
+“My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that ‘For Mrs.
-see. However, Mr. Dodd, it was not to discuss the science of
+Henry Baker’ was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird’s
-observation that you called upon me this morning. What has been
+left leg, and it is also true that the initials ‘H. B.’ are legible
-happening at Tuxbury Old Park?"
+upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some thousands of Bakers,
+and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy
+to restore lost property to any one of them.”
-"Mr. Holmes---!"
+“What, then, did Peterson do?”
-"My dear sir, there is no mystery. Your letter came with that heading,
+“He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning,
-and as you fixed this appointment in very pressing terms it was clear
+knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The
-that something sudden and important had occurred."
+goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in
+spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten
+without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to
+fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the
+hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner.”
-"Yes, indeed. But the letter was written in the afternoon, and a good
+“Did he not advertise?”
-deal has happened since then. If Colonel Emsworth had not kicked me out
----"
-"Kicked you out!"
+“No.”
-"Well, that was what it amounted to. He is a hard nail, is Colonel
+“Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?”
-Emsworth. The greatest martinet in the Army in his day, and it was a
-day of rough language, too. I couldn't have stuck the colonel if it had
-not been for Godfrey's sake."
-I lit my pipe and leaned back in my chair.
+“Only as much as we can deduce.”
-"Perhaps you will explain what you are talking about."
+“From his hat?”
-My client grinned mischievously.
+“Precisely.”
-"I had got into the way of supposing that you knew everything without
+“But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt?”
-being told," said he. "But I will give you the facts, and I hope to God
-that you will be able to tell me what they mean. I've been awake all
-night puzzling my brain, and the more I think the more incredible does
-it become."
-"When I joined up in January, 1901---just two years ago---young
+“Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as
-Godfrey Emsworth had joined the same squadron. He was Colonel
+to the individuality of the man who has worn this article?”
-Emsworth's only son---Emsworth the Crimean V. C.---and he had the
-fighting blood in him, so it is no wonder he volunteered. There was not
-a finer lad in the regiment. We formed a friendship---the sort of
-friendship which can only be made when one lives the same life and
-shares the same joys and sorrows. He was my mate---and that means a
-good deal in the Army. We took the rough and the smooth together for a
-year of hard fighting. Then he was hit with a bullet from an elephant
-gun in the action near Diamond Hill outside-Pretoria. I got one letter
-from the hospital at Cape Town and one from Southampton. Since then not
-a word---not one word, Mr. Holmes, for six months and more, and he my
-closest pal."
-"Well, when the war was over, and we all got back, I wrote to his
+I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather
-father and asked where Godfrey was. No answer. I waited a bit and then
+ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape,
-I wrote again. This time I had a reply, short and gruff. Godfrey had
+hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, but
-gone on a voyage round the world, and it was not likely that he would
+was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker’s name; but, as Holmes
-be back for a year. That was all."
+had remarked, the initials “H. B.” were scrawled upon one side. It was
+pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For
+the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several
+places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the
+discoloured patches by smearing them with ink.
-"I wasn't satisfied, Mr. Holmes. The whole thing seemed to me so damned
+“I can see nothing,” said I, handing it back to my friend.
-unnatural. He was a good lad, and he would not drop a pal like that. It
-was not like him. Then, again, I happened to know that he was heir to a
-lot of money, and also that his father and he did not always hit it off
-too well. The old man was sometimes a bully, and young Godfrey had too
-much spirit to stand it. No, I wasn't satisfied, and I determined that
-I would get to the root of the matter. It happened, however, that my
-own affairs needed a lot of straightening out, after two years'
-absence, and so it is only this week that I have been able to take up
-Godfrey's case again. But since I have taken it up I mean to drop
-everything in order to see it through."
-Mr. James M. Dodd appeared to be the sort of person whom it would be
+“On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to
-better to have as a friend than as an enemy. His blue eyes were stern
+reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your
-and his square jaw had set hard as he spoke.
+inferences.”
-"Well, what have you done?" I asked.
+“Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?”
-"My first move was to get down to his home, Tuxbury Old Park, near
+He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fashion
-Bedford, and to see for myself how the ground lay. I wrote to the
+which was characteristic of him. “It is perhaps less suggestive than it
-mother, therefore---I had had quite enough of the curmudgeon of a
+might have been,” he remarked, “and yet there are a few inferences
-father---and I made a clean frontal attack: Godfrey was my chum, I had
+which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a
-a great deal of interest which I might tell her of our common
+strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is
-experiences, I should be in the neighbourhood, would there be any
+of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly
-objection, et cetera? In reply I had quite an amiable answer from her
+well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon
-and an offer to put me up for the night. That was what took me down on
+evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing
-Monday."
+to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his
+fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at
+work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife
+has ceased to love him.”
-"Tuxbury Old Hall is inaccessible---five miles from anywhere. There
+“My dear Holmes!”
-was no trap at the station, so I had to walk, carrying my suitcase, and
-it was nearly dark before I arrived. It is a great wandering house,
-standing in a considerable park. I should judge it was of all sorts of
-ages and styles, starting on a half-timbered Elizabethan foundation and
-ending in a Victorian portico. Inside it was all panelling and tapestry
-and half-effaced old pictures, a house of shadows and mystery. There
-was a butler, old Ralph, who seemed about the same age as the house,
-and there was his wife, who might have been older. She had been
-Godfrey's nurse, and I had heard him speak of her as second only to his
-mother in his affections, so I was drawn to her in spite of her queer
-appearance. The mother I liked also---a gentle little white mouse of a
-woman. It was only the colonel himself whom I barred."
-"We had a bit of barney right away, and I should have walked back to
+“He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect,” he continued,
-the station if I had not felt that it might be playing his game for me
+disregarding my remonstrance. “He is a man who leads a sedentary life,
-to do so. I was shown straight into his study, and there I found him, a
+goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has
-huge, bow-backed man with a smoky skin and a straggling gray beard,
+grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which
-seated behind his littered desk. A red-veined nose jutted out like a
+he anoints with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts which are
-vulture's beak, and two fierce gray eyes glared at me from under tufted
+to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely
-brows. I could understand now why Godfrey seldom spoke of his father."
+improbable that he has gas laid on in his house.”
-"'Well, sir,' said he in a rasping voice, 'I should be interested to
+“You are certainly joking, Holmes.”
-know the real reasons for this visit.'"
-"I answered that I had explained them in my letter to his wife."
+“Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these
+results, you are unable to see how they are attained?”
-"'Yes, yes, you said that you had known Godfrey in Africa. We have, of
+“I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am
-course, only your word for that.'"
+unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was
+intellectual?”
-"I have his letters to me in my pocket."
+For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the
+forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. “It is a question of
+cubic capacity,” said he; “a man with so large a brain must have
+something in it.”
-"'Kindly let me see them.'"
+“The decline of his fortunes, then?”
-"He glanced at the two which I handed him, and then he tossed them
+“This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came
-back."
+in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of
+ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy
+so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hat since, then he
+has assuredly gone down in the world.”
-"'Well, what then?' he asked."
+“Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and
+the moral retrogression?”
-"'I was fond of your son Godfrey, sir. Many ties and memories united
+Sherlock Holmes laughed. “Here is the foresight,” said he putting his
-us. Is it not natural that I should wonder at his sudden silence and
+finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. “They are
-should wish to know what has become of him?'"
+never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a
+certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take this
+precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the
+elastic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has
+less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a
+weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some
+of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign
+that he has not entirely lost his self-respect.”
-"'I have some recollections, sir, that I had already corresponded with
+“Your reasoning is certainly plausible.”
-you and had told you what had become of him. He has gone upon a voyage
-round the world. His health was in a poor way after his African
-experiences, and both his mother and I were of opinion that camplete
-rest and change were needed. Kindly pass that explanation on to any
-other friends who may be interested in the matter.'"
-"'Certainly,' I answered. 'But perhaps you would have the goodness to
+“The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled,
-let me have the name of the steamer and of the line by which he sailed,
+that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to
-together with the date. I have no doubt that I should be able to get a
+be gathered from a close examination of the lower part of the lining.
-letter through to him.'"
+The lens discloses a large number of hair-ends, clean cut by the
+scissors of the barber. They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a
+distinct odour of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the
+gritty, grey dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house,
+showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the
+marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wearer
+perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the best of
+training.”
-"My request seemed both to puzzle and to irritate my host. His great
+“But his wife—you said that she had ceased to love him.”
-eyebrows came down over his eyes, and he tapped his fingers impatiently
-on the table. He looked up at last with the expression of one who has
-seen his adversary make a dangerous move at chess, and has decided how
-to meet it."
-"'Many people, Mr. Dodd,' said he, 'would take offence at your
+“This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear
-infernal pertinacity and would think that this insistence had reached
+Watson, with a week’s accumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your
-the point of damned impertinence."
+wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you also
+have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife’s affection.”
-"'You must put it down, sir, to my real love for your son.'"
+“But he might be a bachelor.”
-"'Exactly. I have already made every allowance upon that score. I must
+“Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wife.
-ask you, however, to drop these inquiries. Every family has its own
+Remember the card upon the bird’s leg.”
-inner knowledge and its own motives, which cannot always be made clear
-to outsiders, however well-intentioned. My wife is anxious to hear
-something of Godfrey's past which you are in a position to tell her,
-but I would ask you to let the present and the future alone. Such
-inquiries serve no useful purpose, sir, and place us in a delicate and
-difficult position.'"
-"So I came to a dead end, Mr. Holmes. There was no getting past it. I
+“You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that
-could only pretend to accept the situation and register a vow inwardly
+the gas is not laid on in his house?”
-that I would never rest until my friend's fate had been cleared up. It
-was a dull evening. We dined quietly, the three of us, in a gloomy,
-faded old room. The lady questioned me eagerly about her son, but the
-old man seemed morose and depressed. I was so bored by the whole
-proceeding that I made an excuse as soon as I decently could and
-retired to my bedroom. It was a large, bare room on the ground floor,
-as gloomy as the rest of the house, but after a year of sleeping upon
-the veldt, Mr. Holmes, one is not too particular about one's quarters.
-I opened the curtains and looked out into the garden, remarking that it
-was a fine night with a bright half-moon. Then I sat down by the
-roaring fire with the lamp on a table beside me, and endeavoured to
-distract my mind with a novel. I was interrupted, however, by Ralph,
-the old butler, who came in with a fresh supply of coals."
-"'I thought you might run short in the night-time, sir. It is bitter
+“One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see no
-weather and these rooms are cold.'"
+less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that the
+individual must be brought into frequent contact with burning
+tallow—walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in one hand and a
+guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never got tallow-stains from
+a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?”
-"He hesitated before leaving the room, and when I looked round he was
+“Well, it is very ingenious,” said I, laughing; “but since, as you said
-standing facing me with a wistful look upon his wrinkled face."
+just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done save the
+loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of energy.”
-"'Beg your pardon, sir, but I could not help hearing what you said of
+Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew open,
-young Master Godfrey at dinner. You know, sir, that my wife nursed him,
+and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with
-and so I may say I am his foster-father. It's natural we should take an
+flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment.
-interest. And you say he carried himself well, sir?'"
-"'There was no braver man in the regiment. He pulled me out once from
+“The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!” he gasped.
-under the rifles of the Boers, or maybe I should not be here.'"
-"The old butler rubbed his skinny hands."
+“Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off through
+the kitchen window?” Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get
+a fairer view of the man’s excited face.
-"'Yes, sir, yes, that is Master Godfrey all over. He was always
+“See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!” He held out his
-courageous. There's not a tree in the park, sir, that he has not
+hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly
-climbed. Nothing would stop him. He was a fine boy---and oh, sir, he
+scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of
-was a fine man.'"
+such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric point in the
+dark hollow of his hand.
-"I sprang to my feet."
+Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. “By Jove, Peterson!” said he,
+“this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got?”
-"'Look here!' I cried. 'You say he was. You speak as if he were dead.
+“A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it were
-What is all this mystery? What has become of Godfrey Emsworth?'"
+putty.”
-"I gripped the old man by the shoulder, but he shrank away."
+“It’s more than a precious stone. It is //the// precious stone.”
-"'I don't know what you mean, sir. Ask the master about Master
+“Not the Countess of Morcar’s blue carbuncle!” I ejaculated.
-Godfrey. He knows. It is not for me to interfere.'"
-"He was leaving the room, but I held his arm."
+“Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have
+read the advertisement about it in //The Times// every day lately. It is
+absolutely unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but the
+reward offered of £ 1000 is certainly not within a twentieth part of
+the market price.”
-"'Listen,'" I said. 'You are going to answer one question before you
+“A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!” The commissionaire plumped
-leave if I have to hold you all night. Is Godfrey dead?'"
+down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us.
-"He could not face my eyes. He was like a man hypnotized The answer was
+“That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are
-dragged from his lips. It was a terrible and unexpected one."
+sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the
+Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recover the
+gem.”
-"'I wish to God he was!' he cried, and, tearing himself free he dashed
+“It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan,” I
-from the room."
+remarked.
-"You will think, Mr. Holmes, that I returned to my chair in no very
+“Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, a
-happy state of mind. The old man's words seemed to me to bear only one
+plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady’s
-interpretation. Clearly my poor friend had become involved in some
+jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has
-criminal or, at the least, disreputable transaction which touched the
+been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter here, I
-family honour. That stern old man had sent his son away and hidden him
+believe.” He rummaged amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates,
-from the world lest some scandal should come to light. Godfrey was a
+until at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and read the
-reckless fellow. He was easily influenced by those around him. No doubt
+following paragraph:
-he had fallen into bad hands and been misled to his ruin. It was a
-piteous business, if it was indeed so, but even now it was my duty to
-hunt him out and see if I could aid him. I was anxiously pondering the
-matter when I looked up, and there was Godfrey Emsworth standing before
-me."
-My client had paused as one in deep emotion.
+“Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was
+brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., abstracted
+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 to the effect 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 solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had
+remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called
+away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the
+bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco casket in
+which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was accustomed to keep
+her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly
+gave the alarm, 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, deposed to having heard Ryder’s cry of
+dismay on discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room,
+where she found matters as described by the last witness. Inspector
+Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who
+struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the strongest
+terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given
+against the prisoner, the magistrate refused to deal summarily with the
+offence, but referred it to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of
+intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion
+and was carried out of court.”
-"Pray continue," I said. "Your problem presents some very unusual
+“Hum! So much for the police-court,” said Holmes thoughtfully, tossing
-features."
+aside the paper. “The question for us now to solve is the sequence of
+events 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 assumed a much more important and less
+innocent aspect. 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 set ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and
+ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To do
+this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie undoubtedly
+in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If this fail, I shall
+have recourse to other methods.”
-"He was outside the window, Mr. Holmes, with his face pressed against
+“What will you say?”
-the glass. I have told you that I looked out at the night. When I did
-so I left the curtains partly open. His figure was framed in this gap.
-The window came down to the ground and I could see the whole length of
-it, but it was his face which held my gaze. He was deadly pale---never
-have I seen a man so white. I reckon ghosts may look like that; but his
-eyes met mine, and they were the eyes of a living man. He sprang back
-when he saw that I was looking at him, and he vanished into the
-darkness."
-"There was something shocking about the man, Mr. Holmes. It wasn't
+“Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: ‘Found at the
-merely that ghastly face glimmering as white as cheese in the darkness.
+corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker
-It was more subtle than that---something slinking, something furtive,
+can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker
-something guilty---something very unlike the frank, manly lad that I
+Street.’ That is clear and concise.”
-had known. It left a feeling of horror in my mind."
-"But when a man has been soldiering for a year or two with brother Boer
+“Very. But will he see it?”
-as a playmate, he keeps his nerve and acts quickly. Godfrey had hardly
-vanished before I was at the window. There was an awkward catch, and I
-was some little time before I could throw it up. Then I nipped through
-and ran down the garden path in the direction that I thought he might
-have taken."
-"It was a long path and the light was not very good, but it seemed to
+“Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor man,
-me something was moving ahead of me. I ran on and called his name, but
+the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mischance in
-it was no use. When I got to the end of the path there were several
+breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that he thought of
-others branching in different directions to various outhouses. I stood
+nothing but flight, but since then he must have bitterly regretted the
-hesitating, and as I did so I heard distinctly the sound of a closing
+impulse which caused him to drop his bird. Then, again, the
-door. It was not behind me in the house, but ahead of me, somewhere in
+introduction of his name will cause him to see it, for everyone who
-the darkness. That was enough, Mr. Holmes, to assure me that what I had
+knows him will direct his attention to it. Here you are, Peterson, run
-seen was not a vision. Godfrey had run away from me, and he had shut a
+down to the advertising agency and have this put in the evening
-door behind him. Of that I was certain."
+papers.”
-"There was nothing more I could do, and I spent an uneasy night turning
+“In which, sir?”
-the matter over in my mind and trying to find some theory which would
-cover the facts. Next day I found the colonel rather more conciliatory,
-and as his wife remarked that there were some places of interest in the
-neighbourhood, it gave me an opening to ask whether my presence for one
-more night would incommode them. A somewhat grudging acquiescence from
-the old man gave me a clear day in which to make my observations. I was
-already perfectly convinced that Godfrey was in hiding somewhere near,
-but where and why remained to be solved."
-"The house was so large and so rambling that a regiment might be hid
+“Oh, in the //Globe//, //Star//, //Pall Mall//, //St. James’s Gazette//,
-away in it and no one the wiser. If the secret lay there it was
+//Evening News//, //Standard//, //Echo//, and any others that occur to you.”
-difficult for me to penetrate it. But the door which I had heard close
-was certainly not in the house. I must explore the garden and see what
-I could find. There was no difficulty in the way, for the old people
-were busy in their own fashion and left me to my own devices."
-"There were several small outhouses, but at the end of the garden there
+“Very well, sir. And this stone?”
-was a detached building of some size---large enough for a gardener's
-or a gamekeeper's residence. Could this be the place whence the sound
-of that shutting door had come? I approached it in a careless fashion
-as though I were strolling aimlessly round the grounds. As I did so, a
-small, brisk, bearded man in a black coat and bowler hat---not at all
-the gardener type---came out of the door. To my surprise, he locked it
-after him and put the key in his pocket. Then he looked at me with some
-surprise on his face."
-"'Are you a visitor here?' he asked."
+“Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, 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.”
-"I explained that I was and that I was a friend of Godfrey's."
+When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and held it
+against the light. “It’s a bonny thing,” said he. “Just see how it
+glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and focus of crime.
+Every good stone is. They are the devil’s pet baits. In the larger and
+older jewels every facet may stand for a bloody deed. This stone is not
+yet twenty years old. It was found in the banks of the Amoy River in
+southern China and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the
+carbuncle, save that it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite
+of its youth, it has already a sinister history. There have been two
+murders, a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought
+about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal.
+Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows
+and the prison? I’ll lock it up in my strong box now and drop a line to
+the Countess to say that we have it.”
-"'What a pity that he should be away on his travels, for he would have
+“Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?”
-so liked to see me,' I continued.
-"'Quite so. Exactly,' said he with a rather guilty air. 'No doubt you
+“I cannot tell.”
-will renew your visit at some more propitious time.' He passed on, but
-when I turned I observed that he was standing watching me,
-half-concealed by the laurels at the far end of the garden."
-"I had a good look at the little house as I passed it, but the windows
+“Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had
-were heavily curtained, and, so far as one could see, it was empty. I
+anything to do with the matter?”
-might spoil my own game and even be ordered off the premises if I were
-too audacious, for I was still conscious that I was being watched.
-Therefore, I strolled back to the house and waited for night before I
-went on with my inquiry. When all was dark and quiet I slipped out of
-my window and made my way as silently as possible to the mysterious
-lodge."
-"I have said that it was heavily curtained, but now I found that the
+“It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely
-windows were shuttered as well. Some light, however, was breaking
+innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying was
-through one of them, so I concentrated my attention upon this. I was in
+of considerably more value than if it were made of solid gold. That,
-luck, for the curtain had not been quite closed, and there was a crack
+however, I shall determine by a very simple test if we have an answer
-in the shutter, so that I could see the inside of the room. It was a
+to our advertisement.”
-cheery place enough, a bright lamp and a blazing fire. Opposite to me
-was seated the little man whom I had seen in the morning. He was
-smoking a pipe and reading a paper."
-"What paper?" I asked.
+“And you can do nothing until then?”
-My client seemed annoyed at the interruption of his narrative.
+“Nothing.”
-"Can it matter?" he asked.
+“In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall come
+back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should like
+to see the solution of so tangled a business.”
-"It is most essential."
+“Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I believe.
+By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs.
+Hudson to examine its crop.”
-"I really took no notice."
+I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past six
+when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the
+house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coat which was
+buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bright semicircle which
+was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I arrived the door was opened,
+and we were shown up together to Holmes’ room.
-"Possibly you observed whether it was a broad-leafed paper or of that
+“Mr. Henry Baker, I believe,” said he, rising from his armchair and
-smaller type which one associates with weeklies."
+greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he could so
+readily assume. “Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker. It is a
+cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for
+summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right
+time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?”
-"Now that you mention it, it was not large. It might have been the
+“Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat.”
-Spectator. However, I had little thought to spare upon such details,
-for a second man was seated with his back to the window, and I could
-swear that this second man was Godfrey. I could not see his face, but I
-knew the familiar slope of his shoulders. He was leaning upon his elbow
-in an attitude of great melancholy, his body turned towards the fire. I
-was hesitating as to what I should do when there was a sharp tap on my
-shoulder, and there was Colonel Emsworth beside me."
-"'This way, sir!' said he in a low voice. He walked in silence to the
+He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broad,
-house, and I followed him into my own bedroom. He had picked up a
+intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. A
-time-table in the hall."
+touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended
+hand, recalled Holmes’ surmise as to his habits. His rusty black
+frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up,
+and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff
+or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with
+care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and
+letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune.
-"'There is a train to London at 8:30,' said he. 'The trap will be at
+“We have retained these things for some days,” said Holmes, “because we
-the door at eight.'"
+expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address. I am at
+a loss to know now why you did not advertise.”
-"He was white with rage, and, indeed, I felt myself in so difficult a
+Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. “Shillings have not been so
-position that I could only stammer out a few incoherent apologies in
+plentiful with me as they once were,” he remarked. “I had no doubt that
-which I tried to excuse myself by urging my anxiety for my friend."
+the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat and the
+bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at
+recovering them.”
-"'The matter will not bear discussion,' said he abruptly. 'You have
+“Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eat
-made a most damnable intrusion into the privacy of our family. You were
+it.”
-here as a guest and you have become a spy. I have nothing more to say,
-sir, save that I have no wish ever to see you again.'"
-"At this I lost my temper, Mr. Holmes, and I spoke with some warmth."
+“To eat it!” Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement.
-"'I have seen your son, and I am convinced that for some reason of
+“Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. But I
-your own you are concealing him from the world. I have no idea what
+presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the
-your motives are in cutting him off in this fashion, but I am sure that
+same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally
-he is no longer a free agent. I warn you, Colonel Emsworth, that until
+well?”
-I am assured as to the safety and well-being of my friend I shall never
-desist in my efforts to get to the bottom of the mystery, and I shall
-certainly not allow myself to be intimidated by anything which you may
-say or do.'"
-"The old fellow looked diabolical, and I really thought he was about to
+“Oh, certainly, certainly,” answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief.
-attack me. I have said that he was a gaunt, fierce old giant, and
-though I am no weakling I might have been hard put to it to hold my own
-against him. However, after a long glare of rage he turned upon his
-heel and walked out of the room. For my part, I took the appointed
-train in the morning, with the full intention of coming straight to you
-and asking for your advice and assistance at the appointment for which
-I had already written."
-Such was the problem which my visitor laid before me. It presented, as
+“Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your
-the astute reader will have already perceived, few difficulties in its
+own bird, so if you wish—”
-solution, for a very limited choice of alternatives must get to the
-root of the matter. Still, elementary as it was, there were points of
-interest and novelty about it which may excuse my placing it upon
-record. I now proceeded, using my familiar method of logical analysis,
-to narrow down the possible solutions.
-"The servants," I asked; "how many were in the house?"
+The man burst into a hearty laugh. “They might be useful to me as
+relics of my adventure,” said he, “but beyond that I can hardly see
+what use the //disjecta membra// of my late acquaintance are going to be
+to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I will confine my
+attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard.”
-"To the best of my belief there were only the old butler and his wife.
+Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his
-They seemed to live in the simplest fashion."
+shoulders.
-"There was no servant, then, in the detached house?"
+“There is your hat, then, and there your bird,” said he. “By the way,
+would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one from? I am
+somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better grown
+goose.”
-"None, unless the little man with the beard acted as such. He seemed,
+“Certainly, sir,” said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gained
-however, to be quite a superior person."
+property under his arm. “There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha
+Inn, near the Museum—we are to be found in the Museum itself during the
+day, you understand. This year our good host, Windigate by name,
+instituted a goose club, by which, on consideration of some few pence
+every week, we were each to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were
+duly paid, and the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you,
+sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity.”
+With a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and
+strode off upon his way.
-"That seems very suggestive. Had you any indication that food was
+“So much for Mr. Henry Baker,” said Holmes when he had closed the door
-conveyed from the one house to the other?"
+behind him. “It is quite certain that he knows nothing whatever about
+the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?”
-"Now that you mention it, I did see old Ralph carrying a basket down
+“Not particularly.”
-the garden walk and going in the direction of this house. The idea of
-food did not occur to me at the moment."
-"Did you make any local inquiries?"
+“Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow up
+this clue while it is still hot.”
-"Yes, I did. I spoke to the station-master and also to the innkeeper in
+“By all means.”
-the village. I simply asked if they knew anything of my old comrade,
-Godfrey Emsworth. Both of them assured me that he had gone for a voyage
-round the world. He had come home and then had almost at once started
-off again. The story was evidently universally accepted."
-"You said nothing of your suspicions?"
+It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cravats
+about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in a
+cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into smoke
+like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly as
+we swung through the doctors’ quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street,
+and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an
+hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small
+public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into
+Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door of the private bar and ordered two
+glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord.
-"Nothing."
+“Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese,” said
+he.
-"That was very wise. The matter should certainly be inquired into. I
+“My geese!” The man seemed surprised.
-will go back with you to Tuxbury Old Park."
-"To-day?"
+“Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, who was
+a member of your goose club.”
-It happened that at the moment I was clearing up the case which my
+“Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them’s not //our// geese.”
-friend Watson has described as that of the Abbey School, in which the
-Duke of Greyminster was so deeply involved. I had also a commission
-from the Sultan of Turkey which called for immediate action, as
-political consequences of the gravest kind might arise from its
-neglect. Therefore it was not until the beginning of the next week, as
-my diary records, that I was able to start forth on my mission to
-Bedfordshire in company with Mr. James M. Dodd. As we drove to Euston
-we picked up a grave and tacitum gentleman of iron-gray aspect, with
-whom I had made the necessary arrangements.
-"This is an old friend," said I to Dodd. "It is possible that his
+“Indeed! Whose, then?”
-presence may be entirely unnecessary, and, on the other hand, it may be
-essential. It is not necessary at the present stage to go further into
-the matter."
-The narratives of Watson have accustomed the reader, no doubt, to the
+“Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden.”
-fact that I do not waste words or disclose my thoughts while a case is
-actually under consideration. Dodd seemed surprised, but nothing more
-was said, and the three of us continued our journey together. In the
-train I asked Dodd one more question which I wished our companion to
-hear.
-"You say that you saw your friend's face quite clearly at the window,
+“Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?”
-so clearly that you are sure of his identity?"
-"I have no doubt about it whatever. His nose was pressed against the
+“Breckinridge is his name.”
-glass. The lamplight shone full upon him."
-"It could not have been someone resembling him?"
+“Ah! I don’t know him. Well, here’s your good health landlord, and
+prosperity to your house. Good-night.”
-"No, no, it was he."
+“Now for Mr. Breckinridge,” he continued, buttoning up his coat as we
+came out into the frosty air. “Remember, Watson that though we have so
+homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have at the
+other a man who will certainly get seven years’ penal servitude unless
+we can establish his innocence. It is possible that our inquiry may but
+confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have a line of investigation
+which has been missed by the police, and which a singular chance has
+placed in our hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to
+the south, then, and quick march!”
-"But you say he was changed?"
+We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag
+of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls bore the
+name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor a horsey-looking man,
+with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was helping a boy to put up
+the shutters.
-"Only in colour. His face was---how shall I describe it?---it was of
+“Good-evening. It’s a cold night,” said Holmes.
-a fish-belly whiteness. It was bleached."
-"Was it equally pale all over?"
+The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion.
-"I think not. It was his brow which I saw so clearly as it was pressed
+“Sold out of geese, I see,” continued Holmes, pointing at the bare
-against the window."
+slabs of marble.
-"Did you call to him?"
+“Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning.”
-"I was too startled and horrified for the moment. Then I pursued him,
+“That’s no good.”
-as I have told you, but without result."
-My case was practically complete, and there was only one small incident
+“Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare.”
-needed to round it off. When, after a considerable drive, we arrived at
-the strange old rambling house which my client had described, it was
-Ralph, the elderly butler, who opened the door. I had requisitioned the
-carriage for the day and had asked my elderly friend to remain within
-it unless we should summon him. Ralph, a little wrinkled old fellow,
-was in the conventional costume of black coat and pepper-and-salt
-trousers, with only one curious variant. He wore brown leather gloves,
-which at sight of us he instantly shuffled off, laying them down on the
-hall-table as we passed in. I have, as my friend Watson may have
-remarked, an abnormally acute set of senses, and a faint but incisive
-scent was apparent. It seemed to centre on the hall table. I turned,
-placed my hat there, knocked it off, stooped to pick it up, and
-contrived to bring my nose within a foot of the gloves. Yes, it was
-undoubtedly from them that the curious tarry odour was oozing. I passed
-on into the study with my case complete. Alas, that I should have to
-show my hand so when I tell my own story! It was by concealing such
-links in the chain that Watson was enabled to produce his meretricious
-finales.
-Colonel Emsworth was not in his room, but he came quickly enough on
+“Ah, but I was recommended to you.”
-receipt of Ralph's message. We heard his quick, heavy step in the
-passage. The door was flung open and he rushed in with bristling beard
-and twisted features, as terrible an old man as ever I have seen. He
-held our cards in his hand, and he tore them up and stamped on the
-fragments.
-"Have I not told you, you infernal busybody, that you are warned off
+“Who by?”
-the premises? Never dare to show your damned face here again. If you
-enter again without my leave I shall be within my rights if I use
-violence. I'll shoot you, sir! By God, I will! As to you, sir," turning
-upon me, "I extend the same warning to you. I am familiar with your
-ignoble profession, but you must take your reputed talents to some
-other field. There is no opening for them here."
-"I cannot leave here," said my client firmly, "until I hear from
+“The landlord of the Alpha.”
-Godfrey's own lips that he is under no restraint."
-Our involuntary host rang the bell.
+“Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen.”
-"Ralph," he said, "telephone down to the county police and ask the
+“Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?”
-inspector to send up two constables. Tell him there are burglars in the
-house."
-"One moment," said I. "You must be aware, Mr. Dodd, that Colonel
+To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the
-Emsworth is within his rights and that we have no legal status within
+salesman.
-his house. On the other hand, he should recognize that your action is
-prompted entirely by solicitude for his son. I venture to hope that if
-I were allowed to have five minutes conversation with Colonel Emsworth
-I could certainly alter his view of the matter."
-"I am not so easily altered," said the old soldier. "Ralph, do what I
+“Now, then, mister,” said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo,
-have told you. What the devil are you waiting for? Ring up the police!"
+“what are you driving at? Let’s have it straight, now.”
-"Nothing of the sort," I said, putting my back to the door. "Any police
+“It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese
-interference would bring about the very catastrophe which you dread." I
+which you supplied to the Alpha.”
-took out my notebook and scribbled one word upon a loose sheet. "That,"
-said I as I handed it to Colonel Emsworth, "is what has brought us
-here."
-He stared at the writing with a face from which every expression save
+“Well then, I shan’t tell you. So now!”
-amazement had vanished.
-"How do you know?" he gasped, sitting down heavily in his chair.
+“Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don’t know why you should
+be so warm over such a trifle.”
-"It is my business to know things. That is my trade."
+“Warm! You’d be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. When I
+pay good money for a good article there should be an end of the
+business; but it’s ‘Where are the geese?’ and ‘Who did you sell the
+geese to?’ and ‘What will you take for the geese?’ One would think they
+were the only geese in the world, to hear the fuss that is made over
+them.”
-He sat in deep thought, his gaunt hand tugging at his straggling beard.
+“Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making
-Then he made a gesture of resignation.
+inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly. “If you won’t tell us the bet is
+off, that is all. But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter
+of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country
+bred.”
-"Well, if you wish to see Godfrey, you shall. It is no doing of mine,
+“Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the
-but you have forced my hand. Ralph, tell Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Kent that
+salesman.
-in five minutes we shall be with them."
-At the end of that time we passed down the garden path and found
+“It’s nothing of the kind.”
-ourselves in front of the mystery house at the end. A small bearded man
-stood at the door with a look of considerable astonishment upon his
-face.
-"This is very sudden, Colonel Emsworth," said he. "This will disarrange
+“I say it is.”
-all our plans."
-"I can't help it, Mr. Kent. Our hands have been forced. Can Mr. Godfrey
+“I don’t believe it.”
-see us?"
-"Yes, he is waiting inside." He turned and led us into a large plainly
+“D’you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled them
-furnished front room. A man was standing with his back to the fire, and
+ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that went to the
-at the sight of him my client sprang forward with outstretched hand.
+Alpha were town bred.”
-"Why, Godfrey, old man, this is fine!"
+“You’ll never persuade me to believe that.”
-But the other waved him back.
+“Will you bet, then?”
-"Don't touch me, Jimmie. Keep your distance. Yes, you may well stare! I
+“It’s merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I’ll
-don't quite look the smart Lance-Corporal Emsworth, of B Squadron, do
+have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate.”
-I?"
-His appearance was certainly extraordinary. One could see that he had
+The salesman chuckled grimly. “Bring me the books, Bill,” said he.
-indeed been a handsome man with clear-cut features sunburned by an
-African sun, but mottled in patches over this darker surface were
-curious whitish patches which had bleached his skin.
-"That's why I don't court visitors," said he. "I don't mind you,
+The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great
-Jimmie, but I could have done without your friend. I suppose there is
+greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp.
-some good reason for it, but you have me at a disadvantage."
-"I wanted to be sure that all was well with you, Godfrey. I saw you
+“Now then, Mr. Cocksure,” said the salesman, “I thought that I was out
-that night when you looked into my window, and I could not let the
+of geese, but before I finish you’ll find that there is still one left
-matter rest till I had cleared things up."
+in my shop. You see this little book?”
-"Old Ralph told me you were there, and I couldn't help taking a peep at
+“Well?”
-you. I hoped you would not have seen me, and I had to run to my burrow
-when I heard the window go up."
-"But what in heaven's name is the matter?"
+“That’s the list of the folk from whom I buy. D’you see? Well, then,
+here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers after their
+names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Now, then! You
+see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a list of my town
+suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just read it out to me.”
-"Well, it's not a long story to tell," said he, lighting a cigarette.
+“Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road—249,” read Holmes.
-"You remember that morning fight at Buffelsspruit, outside Pretoria, on
-the Eastern railway line? You heard I was hit?"
-"Yes, I heard that but I never got particulars."
+“Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger.”
-"Three of us got separated from the others. It was very broken country,
+Holmes turned to the page indicated. “Here you are, ‘Mrs. Oakshott,
-you may remember. There was Simpson---the fellow we called Baldy
+, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.’”
-Simpson---and Anderson, and I. We were clearing brother Boer, but he
-lay low and got the three of us. The other two were killed. I got an
-elephant bullet through my shoulder. I stuck on to my horse, however,
-and he galloped several miles before I fainted and rolled off the
-saddle.
-"When I came to myself it was nightfall, and I raised myself up,
+“Now, then, what’s the last entry?”
-feeling very weak and ill. To my surprise there was a house close
-beside me, a fairly large house with a broad //stoep// and many windows. It
-was deadly cold. You remember the kind of numb cold which used to come
-at evening, a deadly, sickening sort of cold, very different from a
-crisp healthy frost. Well, I was chilled to the bone, and my only hope
-seemed to lie in reaching that house. I staggered to my feet and
-dragged myself along, hardly conscious of what I did. I have a dim
-memory of slowly ascending the steps, entering a wide-opened door,
-passing into a large room which contained several beds, and throwing
-myself down with a gasp of satisfaction upon one of them. It was
-unmade, but that troubled me not at all. I drew the clothes over my
-shivering body and in a moment I was in a deep sleep.
-"It was morning when I wakened, and it seemed to me that instead of
+“‘December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7//s//. 6//d//.’”
-coming out into a world of sanity I had emerged into some extraordinary
-nightmare. The African sun flooded through the big, curtainless
-windows, and every detail of the great, bare, whitewashed dormitory
-stood out hard and clear. In front of me was standing a small,
-dwarf-like man with a huge, bulbous head, who was jabbering excitedly
-in Dutch, waving two horrible hands which looked to me like brown
-sponges. Behind him stood a group of people who seemed to be intensely
-amused by the situation, but a chill came over me as I looked at them.
-Not one of them was a normal human being. Every one was twisted or
-swollen or disfigured in some strange way. The laughter of these
-strange monstrosities was a dreadful thing to hear.
-"It seemed that none of them could speak English, but the situation
+“Quite so. There you are. And underneath?”
-wanted clearing up, for the creature with the big head was growing
-furiously angry, and, uttering wild-beast cries, he had laid his
-deformed hands upon me and was dragging me out of bed, regardless of
-the fresh flow of blood from my wound. The little monster was as strong
-as a bull, and I don't know what he might have done to me had not an
-elderly man who was clearly in authority been attracted to the room by
-the hubbub; He said a few stern words in Dutch, and my persecutor
-shrank away. Then he turned upon me, gazing at me in the utmost
-amazement.
-"'How in the world did you come here?' he asked in amazement. 'Wait a
+“‘Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12//s//.’”
-bit! I see that you are tired out and that wounded shoulder of yours
-wants looking after. I am a doctor, and I'll soon have you tied up.
-But, man alive! you are in far greater danger here than ever you were
-on the battlefield. You are in the Leper Hospital, and you have slept
-in a leper's bed.'"
-"Need I tell you more, Jimmie? It seems that in view of the approaching
+“What have you to say now?”
-battle all these poor creatures had been evacuated the day before.
-Then, as the British advanced, they had been brought back by this,
-their medical superintendent, who assured me that, though he believed
-he was immune to the disease, he would none the less never have dared
-to do what I had done. He put me in a private room, treated me kindly,
-and within a week or so I was removed to the general hospital at
-Pretoria."
-"So there you have my tragedy. I hoped against hope, but it was not
+Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his
-until I had reached home that the terrible signs which you see upon my
+pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a
-face told me that I had not escaped. What was I to do? I was in this
+man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he stopped
-lonely house. We had two servants whom we could utterly trust. There
+under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless fashion which
-was a house where I could live. Under pledge of secrecy, Mr. Kent, who
+was peculiar to him.
-is a surgeon, was prepared to stay with me. It seemed simple enough on
-those lines. The alternative was a dreadful one---segregation for life
-among strangers with never a hope of release. But absolute secrecy was
-necessary, or even in this quiet countryside there would have been an
-outcry, and I should have been dragged to my horrible doom. Even you,
-Jimmie---even you had to be kept in the dark. Why my father has
-relented I cannot imagine."
-Colonel Emsworth pointed to me.
+“When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the ‘Pink ’un’
+protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet,” said
+he. “I daresay that if I had put £ 100 down in front of him, that man
+would not have given me such complete information as was drawn from him
+by the idea that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I
+fancy, nearing the end of our quest, and the only point which remains
+to be determined is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott
+to-night, or whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear
+from what that surly fellow said that there are others besides
+ourselves who are anxious about the matter, and I should---”
-"This is the gentleman who forced my hand." He unfolded the scrap of
+His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke out
-paper on which I had written the word "Leprosy." "It seemed to me that
+from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a little
-if he knew so much as that it was safer that he should know all."
+rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of yellow light
+which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Breckinridge, the
+salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shaking his fists
+fiercely at the cringing figure.
-"And so it was," said I. "Who knows but good may come of it? I
+“I’ve had enough of you and your geese,” he shouted. “I wish you were
-understand that only Mr. Kent has seen the patient. May I ask, sir, if
+all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your
-you are an authority on such complaints, which are, I understand,
+silly talk I’ll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oakshott here and
-tropical or semi-tropical in their nature?"
+I’ll answer her, but what have you to do with it? Did I buy the geese
+off you?”
-"I have the ordinary knowledge of the educated medical man," he
+“No; but one of them was mine all the same,” whined the little man.
-observed with some stiffness.
-"I have no doubt, sir, that you are fully competent, but I am sure that
+“Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it.”
-you will agree that in such a case a second opinion is valuable. You
-have avoided this, I understand, for fear that pressure should be put
-upon you to segregate the patient."
-"That is so," said Colonel Emsworth.
+“She told me to ask you.”
-"I foresaw this situation," I explained, "and I have brought with me a
+“Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I’ve had enough
-friend whose discretion may absolutely be trusted. I was able once to
+of it. Get out of this!” He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer
-do him a professional service, and he is ready to advise as a friend
+flitted away into the darkness.
-rather than as a specialist. His name is Sir James Saunders."
-The prospect of an interview with Lord Roberts would not have excited
+“Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road,” whispered Holmes. “Come
-greater wonder and pleasure in a raw subaltern than was now reflected
+with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow.” Striding
-upon the face of Mr. Kent.
+through the scattered knots of people who lounged round the flaring
+stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little man and touched him
+upon the shoulder. He sprang round, and I could see in the gas-light
+that every vestige of colour had been driven from his face.
-"I shall indeed be proud," he murmured.
+“Who are you, then? What do you want?” he asked in a quavering voice.
-"Then I will ask Sir James to step this way. He is at present in the
+“You will excuse me,” said Holmes blandly, “but I could not help
-carriage outside the door. Meanwhile, Colonel Emsworth, we may perhaps
+overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I
-assemble in your study, where I could give the necessary explanations."
+think that I could be of assistance to you.”
-And here it is that I miss my Watson. By cunning questions and
+“You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?”
-ejaculations of wonder he could elevate my simple art, which is but
-systematized common sense, into a prodigy. When I tell my own story I
-have no such aid. And yet I will give my process of thought even as I
-gave it to my small audience, which included Godfrey's mother in the
-study of Colonel Emsworth.
-"That process," said I, "starts upon the supposition that when you have
+“My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other
-eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however
+people don’t know.”
-improbable, must be the truth. It may well be that several explanations
-remain, in which case one tries test after test until one or other of
-them has a convincing amount of support. We will now apply this
-principle to the case in point. As it was first presented to me, there
-were three possible explanations of the seclusion or incarceration of
-this gentleman in an outhouse of his father's mansion. There was the
-explanation that he was in hiding for a crime, or that he was mad and
-that they wished to avoid an asylum, or that he had some disease which
-caused his segregation. I could think of no other adequate solutions.
-These, then, had to be sifted and balanced against each other.
-"The criminal solution would not bear inspection. No unsolved crime had
+“But you can know nothing of this?”
-been reported from that district. I was sure of that. If it were some
-crime not yet discovered, then clearly it would be to the interest of
-the family to get rid of the delinquent and send him abroad rather than
-keep him concealed at home. I could see no explanation for such a line
-of conduct."
-"Insanity was more plausible. The presence of the second person in the
+“Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to trace some
-outhouse suggested a keeper. The fact that he locked the door when he
+geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman
-came out strengthened the supposition and gave the idea of constraint.
+named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and
-On the other hand, this constraint could not be severe or the young man
+by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member.”
-could not have got loose and come down to have a look at his friend.
-You will remember, Mr. Dodd, that I felt round for points, asking you,
-for example, about the paper which Mr. Kent was reading. Had it been
-the Lancet or the British Medical Journal it would have helped me. It
-is not illegal, however, to keep a lunatic upon private premises so
-long as there is a qualified person in attendance and that the
-authorities have been duly notified. Why, then, all this desperate
-desire for secrecy? Once again I could not get the theory to fit the
-facts."
-"There remained the third possibility, into which, rare and unlikely as
+“Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet,” cried the
-it was, everything seemed to fit. Leprosy is not uncommon in South
+little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. “I can
-Africa. By some extraordinary chance this youth might have contracted
+hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter.”
-it. His people would be placed in a very dreadful position, since they
-would desire to save him from segregation. Great secrecy would be
-needed to prevent rumours from getting about and subsequent
-interference by the authorities. A devoted medical man, if sufficiently
-paid, would easily be found to take charge of the sufferer. There would
-be no reason why the latter should not be allowed freedom after dark.
-Bleaching of the skin is a common result of the disease. The case was a
-strong one---so strong that I determined to act as if it were actually
-proved. When on arriving here I noticed that Ralph, who carries out the
-meals, had gloves which are impregnated with disinfectants, my last
-doubts were removed. A single word showed you, sir, that your secret
-was discovered, and if I wrote rather than said it, it was to prove to
-you that my discretion was to be trusted."
-I was finishing this little analysis of the case when the door was
+Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. “In that case
-opened and the austere figure of the great dermatologist was ushered
+we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wind-swept
-in. But for once his sphinx-like features had relaxed and there was a
+market-place,” said he. “But pray tell me, before we go farther, who it
-warm humanity in his eyes. He strode up to Colonel Emsworth and shook
+is that I have the pleasure of assisting.”
-him by the hand.
-"It is often my lot to bring ill-tidings and seldom good," said he.
+The man hesitated for an instant. “My name is John Robinson,” he
-"This occasion is the more welcome. It is not leprosy."
+answered with a sidelong glance.
-"What?"
+“No, no; the real name,” said Holmes sweetly. “It is always awkward
+doing business with an alias.”
-"A well-marked case of pseudo-leprosy or ichthyosis, a scalelike
+A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. “Well then,” said
-affection of the skin, unsightly, obstinate, but possibly curable, and
+he, “my real name is James Ryder.”
-certainly noninfective. Yes, Mr. Holmes, the coincidence is a
-remarkable one. But is it coincidence? Are there not subtle forces at
+“Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into
-work of which we know little? Are we assured that the apprehension from
+the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you everything which you
-which this young man has no doubt suffered terribly since his exposure
+would wish to know.”
-to its contagion may not produce a physical effect which simulates that
-which it fears? At any rate, I pledge my professional reputation---But
+The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with
-the lady has fainted! I think that Mr. Kent had better be with her
+half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure whether he
-until she recovers from this joyous shock."
+is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped into
+the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the sitting-room at Baker
+Street. Nothing had been said during our drive, but the high, thin
+breathing of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of
+his hands, spoke of the nervous tension within him.
+“Here we are!” said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. “The
+fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Mr. Ryder.
+Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my slippers before we
+settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! You want to know what
+became of those geese?”
+“Yes, sir.”
+“Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which
+you were interested—white, with a black bar across the tail.”
+Ryder quivered with emotion. “Oh, sir,” he cried, “can you tell me
+where it went to?”
+“It came here.”
+“Here?”
+“Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don’t wonder that you
+should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dead—the
+bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have it here
+in my museum.”
+Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with his
+right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the blue
+carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, brilliant,
+many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a drawn face, uncertain
+whether to claim or to disown it.
+“The game’s up, Ryder,” said Holmes quietly. “Hold up, man, or you’ll
+be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson. He’s not
+got blood enough to go in for felony with impunity. Give him a dash of
+brandy. So! Now he looks a little more human. What a shrimp it is, to
+be sure!”
+For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy brought
+a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring with frightened
+eyes at his accuser.
+“I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I could
+possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Still, that
+little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete. You had
+heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Countess of Morcar’s?”
+“It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it,” said he in a crackling
+voice.
+“I see---her ladyship’s waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sudden
+wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has been for
+better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in the means
+you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the making of a very
+pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Horner, the plumber, had
+been concerned in some such matter before, and that suspicion would
+rest the more readily upon him. What did you do, then? You made some
+small job in my lady’s room—you and your confederate Cusack—and you
+managed that he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you
+rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man
+arrested. You then—”
+Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my
+companion’s knees. “For God’s sake, have mercy!” he shrieked. “Think of
+my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I never went
+wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I’ll swear it on a Bible.
+Oh, don’t bring it into court! For Christ’s sake, don’t!”
+“Get back into your chair!” said Holmes sternly. “It is very well to
+cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this poor Horner
+in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing.”
+“I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the charge
+against him will break down.”
+“Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of
+the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the goose
+into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your only hope
+of safety.”
+Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. “I will tell you it just
+as it happened, sir,” said he. “When Horner had been arrested, it
+seemed to me that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at
+once, for I did not know at what moment the police might not take it
+into their heads to search me and my room. There was no place about the
+hotel where it would be safe. I went out, as if on some commission, and
+I made for my sister’s house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and
+lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the
+way there every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a
+detective; and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring
+down my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what
+was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had been
+upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went into the back yard
+and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be best to do.
+“I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and has just
+been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me, and fell
+into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they could get rid of what
+they stole. I knew that he would be true to me, for I knew one or two
+things about him; so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn, where
+he lived, and take him into my confidence. He would show me how to turn
+the stone into money. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the
+agonies I had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any
+moment be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my
+waistcoat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and
+looking at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and
+suddenly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the
+best detective that ever lived.
+“My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the pick of
+her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was always as
+good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in it I would carry my
+stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the yard, and behind this
+I drove one of the birds—a fine big one, white, with a barred tail. I
+caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust the stone down its throat
+as far as my finger could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the
+stone pass along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature
+flapped and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the
+matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fluttered
+off among the others.
+“‘Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?’ says she.
+“‘Well,’ said I, ‘you said you’d give me one for Christmas, and I was
+feeling which was the fattest.’
+“‘Oh,’ says she, ‘we’ve set yours aside for you—Jem’s bird, we call it.
+It’s the big white one over yonder. There’s twenty-six of them, which
+makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for the market.’
+“‘Thank you, Maggie,’ says I; ‘but if it is all the same to you, I’d
+rather have that one I was handling just now.’
+“‘The other is a good three pound heavier,’ said she, ‘and we fattened
+it expressly for you.’
+“‘Never mind. I’ll have the other, and I’ll take it now,’ said I.
+“‘Oh, just as you like,’ said she, a little huffed. ‘Which is it you
+want, then?’
+“‘That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the
+flock.’
+“‘Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.’
+“Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the
+way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a man that it
+was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he choked, and
+we got a knife and opened the goose. My heart turned to water, for
+there was no sign of the stone, and I knew that some terrible mistake
+had occurred. I left the bird, rushed back to my sister’s, and hurried
+into the back yard. There was not a bird to be seen there.
+“‘Where are they all, Maggie?’ I cried.
+“‘Gone to the dealer’s, Jem.’
+“‘Which dealer’s?’
+“‘Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.’
+“‘But was there another with a barred tail?’ I asked, ‘the same as the
+one I chose?’
+“‘Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell
+them apart.’
+“Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my feet
+would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at
+once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had gone. You
+heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always answered me like
+that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sometimes I think that I am
+myself. And now—and now I am myself a branded thief, without ever
+having touched the wealth for which I sold my character. God help me!
+God help me!” He burst into convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in
+his hands.
+There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by the
+measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes’ finger-tips upon the edge of the
+table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door.
+“Get out!” said he.
+“What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!”
+“No more words. Get out!”
+And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the
+stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running footfalls
+from the street.
+“After all, Watson,” said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay
+pipe, “I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies. If
+Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this fellow will
+not appear against him, and the case must collapse. I suppose that I am
+commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul.
+This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened.
+Send him to gaol now, and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides,
+it is the season of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most
+singular and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If
+you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin
+another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief
+feature.”

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