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 Gazette, 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