Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 1

Chapter 62 Adventure History 21
"Of course. He would have read the papers, and you think it's not a small loss for a poor man. He was so panicked when Peterson approached him when he broke the glass and made trouble, that he had nothing else to do but run away." Unexpectedly, afterward, he must regret it very much, regretting that he lost the goose in a moment of panic. In addition, since his name was published in the newspaper, he would definitely read the newspaper, and everyone who knew him would remind him. Peterson, send it to the advertising agency and publish it in today's evening paper."

"Which paper, sir?"

"Oh, the Globe, the Star, the Padmer, the St. James' Court, the Evening News, the Echo, and any paper you can think of."

"Yes, sir, what to do with this gemstone?"

"I'll keep it first. Also, Peterson, I bought a goose on the way back. I have to give the gentleman a goose to pay for. Your family has already eaten that goose."

After Peterson had left, Holmes held the jewel up to the light and looked at it carefully. "It's a fine gem," he said, "how it shines! That's where evil comes from. It's true of every precious gem. This gem hasn't been in the world for twenty years, and it's It was found on the banks of the Xiamen River. Its strangeness is not only that it is blue, but it has all the characteristics of a ruby. Although it has not been around for a long time, its unfortunate history is very long. For this Forty grams of crystalline carbon, there have been two murders, one disfigurement, one suicide and several robberies. Who would have thought that a small and lovely ornament would become a transport to the gallows and prisons? The prisoner's supplier? I will put it in my safe, and write to the countess, telling her that the gem has been found."

"Do you think Horner is innocent?"

"I'm not sure."

"Then you think Henry? Baker is involved in this matter?"

"I think that Henry Baker is probably innocent, and it would never occur to him that the goose in his hands is worth more than a golden goose. In any case, if my admonition is answered, I can find out by a very simple test." Measure this."

"What were you doing before this?"

"Nothing?"

"If that's the case, I'll go back and deal with my business. But tonight I will definitely come back at the time you said, and see how you solve such a complicated matter."

"Nice to see you again."

It was past 06:30 when I came back to Baker Street again.As I approached the apartment, I saw a tall man standing in the light outside.When I got to the door, it just opened and we went in together.

"I suppose you are Henry? Mr. Baker," said Holmes, standing up. "Mr. Baker, it is cold to-night. Please sit in a chair near the fire. Watson, you have come just in time. Is this your hat, sir?"

"Yes, sir."

He has a big shoulder, a big head, a bright face, and trembling hands.These remind one of Holmes' predictions about him.His speech is not coherent, and his words are also very careful, which makes people feel that he is a broken intellectual.

"These things have been with us for several days," said Holmes. "Because we supposed to have your address from your notice, and I wonder why you didn't put it in the paper?"

He smiled embarrassingly. "I'm richer now than I used to be," he said. "I think the gangsters who attacked me took my hat and goose away. There's no hope of finding them. I don’t want to spend money on it either.”

"You're right. Sorry, we had to eat your goose."

"Eat!" The guest stood up with an excited expression.

"Yes, that goose would be inedible to anyone unless it was eaten. However, I think the goose on the sideboard weighs about the same as yours, and tastes good, and I don't think you will Do you mind?"

"Oh, it's okay, it's okay." He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course, we still have your goose's feathers, legs, crop, etc., so if you..."

He burst out laughing, "These things would be nice as a memento of my adventure," he said, "except that I don't see how the goose bits and pieces are of any use to me, sir, if you will, my concern Items will be limited to the goose I saw on the sideboard."

Holmes shrugged slightly.

"Here's your hat, and your goose," he said, "can you tell us where you got it? I'm interested in poultry, and your goose is so beautiful, and I never never seen it."

"No problem," he said, standing up and tucking his lost goose and hat under his arm. "Some of us used to go to the little Alpha Hotel near the museum, because we were in the museum during the day. This year, the owner Wendy Putt opened We paid the club a few pennies a week, so everyone received a club goose at Christmas. I always pay the bills and nothing after that. Sir, I wear a Scotch bonnet, neither my age nor my identity, but you have done me a favor, and I thank you for that." He bowed to us in a comically self-righteous manner. bowed, and left.

"His business is over," said Holmes, shutting the door. "It is evident that he knows nothing. Are you hungry, Watson?"

"Not too hungry."

"Then I suggest not having dinner and waiting for supper. We should seize the time to follow the vine and strike while the iron is hot."

"Ok."

It was a cold and windy night, so we all put on our coats and scarves.Outside, the cold night sky is full of stars, and the breath of pedestrians coming and going condenses into mist, just like firing multiple pistols.Accompanied by crisp, loud footsteps.We strode through the Physician's Quarter, Wimbler Street, Harley Street, across Vigomore Street to Oxford Street, and in less than a quarter of an hour we arrived at the Alpha Hotel in the Museum Quarter.The hotel is small and sits on the corner of a street leading into Holbairn.We went in and ordered two beers from the rosy innkeeper in his clean white apron.

"If your beer is like your goose, your beer will be the best beer in the world," he said.

"My goose!" The boss seemed surprised.

"Yes, I just spoke to Mr. Henry Baker, a member of your club, half an hour ago."

"Oh, I see. But sir, those geese are not mine at all!"

"Really? Whose is it, then?"

"Oh, a salesman in Covent Garden sold me 24 of them."

"Really? I know several of them. Which one do you mean?"

"Brackenridge."

"Oh, I don't know him, boss. I wish you good health and prosperity. Good-bye."

"Now we'll go to Breckenridge at once," said he, leaving the hotel as we stepped out into the crisp, dry, cold air; Usual stuff, but at the other end of the spectrum we're sure to find a guy with a seven-year sentence, unless we can prove his innocence during the investigation; but it's likely our investigation will only prove his guilt. But anyway, By a peculiar coincidence a lead which the police had neglected fell into our possession. We could follow it till the light came out, and now we headed south at a rapid pace."

We crossed Holborn Street and came to Covent Garden Market.Among the large stalls, I saw one with Breckenridge's name on the signboard.The shopkeeper is closing the stall with a boy.

"Good night," said Holmes.

The shop owner nodded and eyed us suspiciously.

"The geese are sold out," said Holmes, pointing to the empty counter.

"I can sell you five hundred tomorrow morning."

"But that didn't work."

"Well, there are a few more in the stall with the gas lamp still on."

"Oh, I was introduced to you by someone else."

"Who introduced it?"

"The owner of the Alpha Hotel."

"Oh, I sent him twenty-four geese."

"Those geese are very nice. Excuse me, where did you get those geese?"

Surprisingly, the shopkeeper was furious.

"Well, then, sir," he said, with his head held high and his hands on his hips, "I don't understand what you mean? We'd better say something straight."

"I've made it very clear. I just want to know, who provided you with the geese you sold to the Alpha Hotel?"

"Oh, so it is, but I don't want to tell you."

"Oh, but I don't understand how you can get so mad over such a small matter?"

"Get mad! If you were me, you'd probably be mad too if you were pestered. I pay good prices for good things, but you keep asking, 'Where's the goose?' 'Who did you sell the goose to?' ' and 'What did you trade those geese for?' People might think that these geese are unique in the world when they hear your questions."

"Oh, but I am not like the others who ask such questions," said Holmes. "If you won't tell us, the bet is off. But I'm pretty sure of my opinion on poultry, and I'll bet five pounds that the goose I'm eating must have been bred in the country."

"Hey, you've lost your five pounds, because the goose was bred in town," said the proprietor.

"impossible."

"I said so."

"I do not believe."

"Don't you think you know better about poultry than I do? I've worked with them since I was a boy. Tell you, the geese that come to the Alpha Hotel are all raised in the city."

"You can't make me believe your words."

"So, are you still willing to bet?"

"Of course, because I am sure I am right. But even so, I am willing to bet you with a gold coin, just to teach you not to be stubborn in the future."

The shopkeeper laughed wildly. "Bill, go get my books," he said.

The little boy fetched a large ledger and a thin little ledger, and spread them together under the chandelier.

"Well, sir, who is too sure of himself," said the shopkeeper, "I thought the geese were all sold out just now. But now I see we have one left in our shop. Do you see this little ledger?"

"That is how the matter?"

"This is the list of all the people who sold my geese, do you understand? The names on this page are all country people, and the numbers after their names are the page numbers of the general ledger. They are recorded on that page. Here! Look at another page, written in red ink, that has a list of the men in town who sold me the goose. Good! Look carefully at the name of that third man, and read it to me."

"Mrs. Oakshott, 117 Brixton Road—page 249," read Holmes.

"Now let's look at the ledger."

Holmes turned to the page to which he pointed. "Right here, Mrs Oakshott, 117 Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier."

"Then what was the last account?"

"22nd December, seven shillings and sixpence for twenty-four geese."

"Yes, what do you see in the next line?"

"Sold to the Alpha Hotel, Wendigate, for twelve shillings."

"What else can you say now?"

Holmes feigned chagrin, took a gold coin from his pocket, threw it on the counter, and went away.After walking a few steps, he stopped under a lamppost and smiled knowingly.

"In the future, when you meet someone who doesn't want to reveal the secret, you can make a bet on him to tell the truth," he said. "I dare say that if you put a hundred pounds in front of that person just now, he will never be like Bet on that, giving us such a comprehensive account. Oh, Watson, I didn't expect our investigation to be nearly over. Now it's up to you to decide whether you should go to that Mrs. Oakshott this evening or tomorrow morning. From that fellow We can know that not only we, but many others are equally anxious to know about it. Therefore, we should..."

(End of this chapter)