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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 re- 
fused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the Assizes. 
Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion during the proceed- 
ings, fainted away at the conclusion and was carried out of court." 

"Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, tossing 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." 

"What will you say?" 

"Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the corner of 
Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Henry Baker can have the same 
by applying at 6:30 this evening at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." 

"Very. But will he see it?" 

"Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor man, the loss was 
a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mischance in breaking the window 
and by the approach of Peterson that he thought of nothing but flight, but since 
then he must have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bird. 
Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to see it, for everyone 
who knows him will direct his attention to it. 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, 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." 

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 



ADVENTURE VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE