Sherlock Holmes: The Blue Carbuncle (Hobbs & Shelly)

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives: "Sherlock Holmes: The Blue Carbuncle (Hobbs & Shelly)" Release Date: January 3, 2025

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Introduction

Welcome to another captivating episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives, where the timeless adventures of Sherlock Holmes come to life. In this episode, titled "The Blue Carbuncle," Holmes and his faithful companion, Dr. John Watson, tackle a perplexing case that intertwines mystery, wit, and the quintessential charm of Christmas.

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Act 1: A Festive Arrival

Timestamp: 00:25 – 02:51

The episode commences on the second morning after Christmas. Dr. Watson pays a visit to Sherlock Holmes, who is leisurely lounging in a purple dressing gown. Despite the seemingly mundane setting, Holmes's surroundings hint at intrigue—a disreputable felt hat hangs haphazardly, accompanied by tools suggesting a recent examination.

Dr. John Watson welcomes Holmes with holiday cheer:

[01:11] Dr. John Watson: "Ah, come in, come in, my dear Watson."

Watson presents Holmes with an unusual combination: a trophy belonging to Commissioner Peterson and a fat goose—both arriving together on Christmas morning. The items immediately spark curiosity and set the stage for the unfolding mystery.

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Act 2: Decoding the Hat

Timestamp: 02:51 – 07:05

Holmes and Watson begin their investigation with the disreputable hat. Using meticulous observation, Watson deduces significant details about the hat's owner, Henry Baker.

Dr. John Watson provides his analysis:

[04:27] Dr. John Watson: "It's the hat of a highly intellectual middle-aged man who's also been fairly well to do within the last three years but has now fallen on evil days."

Holmes, though initially skeptical, acknowledges Watson's deductions, leading them to contemplate the man's recent decline in fortunes and personal troubles, notably the estrangement from his wife.

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Act 3: The Diamond Unveiled

Timestamp: 06:57 – 07:37

The plot thickens when a diamond is discovered in the goose's crop. This revelation categorizes the case as more than a simple loss of a bird, hinting at a sophisticated theft.

Dr. John Watson excitedly reveals the discovery:

[06:57] Dr. John Watson: "A diamond, Mr. Holmes."

Holmes identifies the diamond as the notorious Blue Carbuncle, previously stolen from the Countess of Morcar's room at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. This connection elevates the case's significance, intertwining it with high society and prior criminal activity.

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Act 4: Tracing the Trail

Timestamp: 07:37 – 12:45

Holmes and Watson embark on tracing the goose back to its owner, Henry Baker. They decide to place an advertisement across multiple newspapers to locate Baker, leveraging the public's attention to unravel the mystery.

Sherlock Holmes strategizes the next steps:

[08:57] Sherlock Holmes: "Found at the corner of Good 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."

Their methodical approach showcases Holmes's unparalleled deductive skills and his ability to leverage available resources to solve complex cases.

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Act 5: The Alpha Inn Encounter

Timestamp: 13:28 – 17:58

The investigation leads Holmes and Watson to the Alpha Inn, a frequent haunt of Henry Baker and his associates. Here, they encounter obstruction from the landlord, who initially withholds crucial information about goose sales.

After a tense exchange, the detectives uncover records linking the geese to Mrs. Oakshott of Brixton Road and a salesman named Breckenridge. This breakthrough brings them closer to identifying the true culprits behind the theft.

Landlord reluctantly reveals the sales ledger:

[16:14] Landlord: "This is a list of the folk I buy from. Now, page 227... Sold, Mr. Windigat at the Alpha. 12 shillings each."

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Act 6: Confrontation and Confession

Timestamp: 18:02 – 22:50

Through persistent investigation, Holmes and Watson uncover the involvement of James Ryder, the head attendant at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Ryder confesses to orchestrating the theft by planting the diamond in the goose, aiming to frame Henry Baker.

Sherlock Holmes confronts Ryder with the evidence:

[20:00] Sherlock Holmes: "Seems to me, Ryder, you've the makings of a very pretty villain in you."

Ryder's admission not only clears Baker's name but also brings the true criminal to justice, showcasing Holmes's unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth.

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Conclusion

Timestamp: 23:00 – 24:39

With the mystery resolved, Holmes ensures that justice prevails while reflecting on the spirit of forgiveness during the festive season. Dr. Watson muses on the unique challenges they've overcome, setting the stage for future adventures.

Dr. John Watson aptly summarizes:

[24:37] Dr. John Watson: "As for you and me, chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem and its solution is its own reward."

The episode concludes with the promise of more intriguing cases, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment.

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Notable Quotes

• Dr. John Watson [04:27]:

  "It's the hat of a highly intellectual middle-aged man who's also been fairly well to do within the last three years but has now fallen on evil days."

• Dr. John Watson [06:57]:

  "A diamond, Mr. Holmes."

• Sherlock Holmes [07:05]:

  "Do you mean this is the blue carbuncle?"

• Landlord [16:14]:

  "Sold, Mr. Windigat at the Alpha. 12 shillings each."

• Sherlock Holmes [20:00]:

  "Seems to me, Ryder, you've the makings of a very pretty villain in you."

• Dr. John Watson [24:37]:

  "As for you and me, chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem and its solution is its own reward."

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Final Thoughts

"The Blue Carbuncle" is a quintessential Sherlock Holmes adventure, blending intricate plotting with the charm of old-time radio storytelling. Choice Classic Radio masterfully brings this beloved tale to life, capturing the essence of the Golden Age of Radio and the enduring brilliance of Sherlock Holmes. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to these classic mysteries, this episode promises an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience.

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Thank you for tuning into Choice Classic Radio Detectives. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube, follow us on Facebook, and consider supporting us through donations at ChoiceClassicRadio.com. Until next time, enjoy the best detectives the Golden Age of Radio has to offer!

Transcript

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[Choice Classic Radio Host]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Sherlock Holmes]

I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas. He was lounging on the sofa in a purple dressing gown. On the back of a wooden chair beside the couch hung a very seedy and disreputable hard felt hat. A lens and forceps lying on the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, come in, come in, my dear Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes, the compliments of the season to you.

[Dr. John Watson]

And to you, my dear fellow. Take a chair. Ah, thanks.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, I just sort of look in, you know. You're busy though.

[Dr. John Watson]

No, no, no. Something perfectly trivial though to tell you the truth, it's not entirely devoid of interest.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No. Well, let's hear it.

[Dr. John Watson]

You know Peterson, the commissioner at the Langham?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Certainly. Good fellow.

[Dr. John Watson]

Yes. Well, this trophy belongs to him.

[Sherlock Holmes]

That hat.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh, my dear Watson, don't be so contemptuous of it. Please look upon it if you will, not as a bet at billycock, but as an intellectual problem.

[Sherlock Holmes]

All right.

[Dr. John Watson]

Trophies that.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Where did it come from then?

[Dr. John Watson]

It arrived here on Christmas morning in company with a fine fat goose which I've no doubt is roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these. About 4:00 on Christmas morning, Peterson was on his way home from some small jollification, as he called it. As he was walking down Tottenham Court Road, he. He saw in the gaslight a tallish man walking with a slight stagger and carrying a goose slung over his shoulder. At the corner of Good street, the fellow ran into a group of rats. One of them promptly knocked his hat off. The man raised his stick to defend himself and in doing so smashed the shop window behind his back. At that moment, Peterson rushed forward to help him. Oh, I should have told you that Peterson was still wearing his uniform. He'd been on his way home since the night before Christmas. Well, it seems that the shock of having smashed the window and immediately seeing imposing figure like Peterson bearing down on him was too much for this poor fellow's nerve. He took to his heels leaving his ghost.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, nice present for him. What did he do then?

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, being an honest fellow, he wondered how to trace the owner. There was a card tied to the bird's left leg with for Mrs. Henry Baker printed on it. Yeah, and on the lining of the hat here, you see, look, you can just see it. That of the initials H.B.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Be well, Henry Baker, whether there must be hundreds of Henry Bakers in London.

[Dr. John Watson]

Exactly. Peterson hadn't a notion where to begin. That's why he brought the hat and the goose round to me on Christmas morning. Ah, as he we kept the goose until this morning, but it became obvious that in spite of the frost it needed eating without unnecessary delay. So I advised Peterson to carry it off to fulfill the ultimate destiny of a goose while I retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner. It's, it's quite an eloquent old hat. Oh, here, take this lens. Yeah, you know my methods. Let's see what you can tell me about the man who's worn this hat.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, there's no maker's name.

[Dr. John Watson]

A sound opening gambit. What's that?

[Sherlock Holmes]

There's a red silk lining, pretty discolored though, a lot of dust in the felt and spots or something. Yes, it looks as though he's been trying to cover some of the blemishes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Up with ink capital. My dear Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Otherwise Holmes, it's just a very ordinary round black hat that's seen better days.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then tell me what you deduce.

[Peterson]

Deduce?

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh Watson, you disappoint me after such an admirable display of your powers of observation too.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh well, come on Holmes, better tell me what I should have found.

[Dr. John Watson]

Very well. But this is the hat of a highly intellectual middle aged man who's also been fairly well to do within the last three years but has now fallen on evil days. Drink probably. Yes, that would account for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him.

[Sherlock Holmes]

My dear Holmes, what on earth are you talking about?

[Dr. John Watson]

But he's retained some degree of self respect. Oh, and it's extremely improbable that he has the gas laid on in his house.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes, you're pulling my lane.

[Dr. John Watson]

Not in the least. Watson. Is it possible that even when I give you these results you still can't see how they're attained?

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, I'm blessed if I can. Well, how do you know the man's an intellectual?

[Dr. John Watson]

See what happens when I try the hat on It Comes right down over my nose. You'll be capacity Watson. So large a brain must have something in it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well what about the decline of his fortunes then?

[Dr. John Watson]

This hat is three years old. This is one of the first of these flat brims curled at the edge. You notice the excellent lining. It's a hat of the very best quality. If this man could afford to buy it three years ago and he's still having to wear it in this state, then he's certainly gone down in the world. But his self respect hasn't gone entirely because he's tried to cover up some of the stains with ink.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, that's what I said.

[Dr. John Watson]

We can tell he's middle aged simply by examining the lining. You see all these graying hair ends cut off recently by the barber.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, of course. But his wife, you. You said she'd cease to love him.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, I'm afraid it's true. This hat hasn't been brushed for weeks.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He might be a bachelor.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh no. He was bringing home that goose as a peace offering to his wife. Remember the card on its leg?

[Sherlock Holmes]

My dear Holmes, you've an answer for everything. But how on earth can you tell from a man's hat that he has no gas laid on in his house?

[Dr. John Watson]

Quite simply, one tallow stain or even two might have got onto the hat by chance. But when I see no less than five, I begin to picture him walking upstairs at night, probably with his hat in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Satisfied?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh well, Holmes is all very ingenious, remarkable.

[Dr. John Watson]

But there's been no crime committed.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I mean dash, if there's only the loss of a goose, consider. It all seems rather a waste of energy to me.

[Dr. John Watson]

Watson, there are times when you're almost. Yes, come in.

[Peterson]

Mr. Holmes, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Peterson, what's the matter, ma'am?

[Peterson]

The goose, Mr. Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Dr. Watson. The goose sir. For heaven's sake Peterson, has it flown out of your kitchen window? Look sir, look at this what the missus found in its crop. What?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good lord.

[Dr. John Watson]

A diamond, Mr. Holmes.

[Peterson]

Isn't it?

[Dr. John Watson]

Trod it on the window pane, cut into the glass like putty.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Precious stone. All right.

[Dr. John Watson]

It's more than a precious stone. What sir? It's the precious stone.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Eh?

[Dr. John Watson]

Watson, you've no doubt spotted the advertisement about it in the agony column every day lately.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Do you mean this is the blue carbuncle, Holmes. Countess of. What's her name?

[Dr. John Watson]

The Countess of Morcar. It's none other. I recognized its size and shape the moment I saw it. Any idea of the value you're holding in the palm of your hand there, Peterson? Well, I don't know. Quite a bit, eh? A couple of hundred, say. I should say it's worth at least 20 times the amount they're offering as the finder's reward.

[Peterson]

Reward, Mr. Holt?

[Dr. John Watson]

How much? A thousand pounds. What? This is the stone, that is the reward and you are the finder. Peterson, you're a rich man.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, I'm blessed.

[Dr. John Watson]

But Holmes, wasn't this stone supposed to.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Been stolen from the Countess of Morcar's room at the Cosmopolitan Hotel?

[Dr. John Watson]

Precisely.

[Sherlock Holmes]

By a goose?

[Dr. John Watson]

Hardly. Oh, by one John Horner, plumber. He'd been welding a bar on the grate in her room two or three days before Christmas. He was left alone the room for a few minutes by Ryder, the head attendant of the hotel. Silly devil left the chap there. When he come back, the plumber had gone, the bureau had been forced.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, I remember now. Wasn't there something about this chap Horner having had a previous conviction of a.

[Dr. John Watson]

Robbery for robbery, yes. Reckon that clinch things against him remanded for assizes. Well, the question for us to look into is the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel case at one end to the crop of a goose and the Putnam Court Road at the other.

[Sherlock Holmes]

This fellow Henry Baker, who lost the goose, you think he's mixed up in it?

[Dr. John Watson]

Here is the stone. The stone came from the goose, the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the man with the bad hat and all the other characteristics we discovered. So now we must set ourselves very seriously to binding this gentleman.

[Sherlock Holmes]

How we do that?

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, hand me a slip of paper and that pencil, will you?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Certainly. There you are.

[Dr. John Watson]

Thank you. Now then, found at the corner of Good 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. Here you are. Peterson, Be so good as to run down to the advertising agency and have this put in the evening papers, will you? You know, the Globe, Star Pell, Mell, St. James's Gazette, Evening News, Standard, Echo, any others that occur to you. Very good, Mr. Holmes. Oh, and Peterson, sir, Take this sovereign, just buy a goose and bring it back here to me, will you? We must have one to give this gentleman in place of the one your family are preparing to devour. Very good, Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

See that stone, Holmes?

[Dr. John Watson]

See how it glints and sparkles, Watson? It's a bunny thing, yet it's a nucleus and focus of crime. There have been two murders, a Vitriol, throwing a suicide and several robberies all over this 40 grain weight of crystallized charcoal. Who'd think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows and the prison. Well, I'd better lock it in the strong box now and drop a line to the Countess to let her know we have it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And I better get on with my professional rounds. I can't sit here gossiping all day, you know.

[Dr. John Watson]

No, Watson, of course you can't.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'll be back this evening though. I'd like to see if there's any answers to that advancement.

[Dr. John Watson]

Very glad to see you, my dear fellow. I dine at seven. There's a woodcock, I believe.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, lovely.

[Dr. John Watson]

In view of recent occurrences though, perhaps I better ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop. Oh, Watson, come in. This is my colleague and friend, Dr. Watson. Ah, Watson, this is Mr. Henry Baker. You only just missed him on the stair.

[Henry Baker]

How do you do, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Now Mr. Baker, is this your hat?

[Henry Baker]

Yes sir, that is undoubtedly my hat. And I'm sorry you've been troubled, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh, no trouble, Mr. Baker, Baker, but about the bird. Now we were compelled to eat it. Eat it? Yes, but I presume that this other goose on the sideboard will answer your purpose equally well.

[Henry Baker]

Oh, certainly, certainly. It's a very civil of you, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Of course we still have the feathers, legs, crop and so on of your own bird if you wish.

[Henry Baker]

Well sir, they, they might be useful relics of my adventure, but I can hardly see what other use the disjector member of my late acquaintance are going to be to me.

[Dr. John Watson]

Very true. Then there is your hat, Mr. Baker. Thank you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And here's your bird, by the way.

[Dr. John Watson]

Would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one from? I'm something of a foul fancy and I've seldom seen a better grown goose. Not at all.

[Henry Baker]

A few of us frequent the Alpha.

[Dr. John Watson]

Inn near the British Museum.

[Henry Baker]

Do you know it?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, yes I do.

[Henry Baker]

Well this year our good host Windigate got up a goose club. We put in a few pence a week and each of us were to have a bird for Christmas. Nice bird, as you say. I hope you enjoyed it.

[Dr. John Watson]

Delightful. I hope this other will be adequate compensation.

[Henry Baker]

Oh, I'm sure it will.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, good night gentlemen and the compliments.

[Henry Baker]

Of the season to you.

[Dr. John Watson]

The same to you, sir. Good night.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, well, so much, Mr. Henry Baker.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then it's quite certain he knows nothing whatever of this matter. You hungry, Watson?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, not particularly.

[Dr. John Watson]

Then I suggest that we ask Mrs. Hudson to preserve our woodcock for supper. We must follow up this clue while it's still hot.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, quite right.

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[Dr. John Watson]

The Alpha. This is it. Come along then. Good evening, gentlemen. Evening, landlord. And what may your pleasure be this evening, gents? Oh, beer, please. Yes, beer and a better job you won't find north of the rivers, eh? It should be excellent if it's as good as your geese. Geese, eh? My gees. Why yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to a member of your goose club, Mr. Henry Baker. Oh, yes, I'll follow you. But them's on our geese, of course.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, who's that?

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, I got the old two dozen.

[Peterson]

From a chap in Covent Garden.

[Dr. John Watson]

Indeed? Who was that? Breckenridge is his name. You know him, sir? Breckinridge? No, but no matter. Well, here's your good health then. Lord and prosperity to your house. Good health and the compliments of the season to you, gentlemen. Thank you, landlord.

[Sherlock Holmes]

There's this stall, Holmes. Breaking. Roger. Hello. You're shutting up, Truck.

[Dr. John Watson]

We're just in time. Good evening. Cold again? That's right. Oh, sold out of geese, I see.

[Landlord]

You have 500 tomorrow, Gav.

[Dr. John Watson]

I'd sooner have one now.

[Landlord]

Try him over there with the gas there. He's got some left.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh dear. And I was specially recommended to you.

[Landlord]

Recommended? Who by?

[Dr. John Watson]

By the landlord of the Alpha up by the museum.

[Landlord]

Oh, that's right. Send him a couple of dozen.

[Dr. John Watson]

Very fine birds. They were too.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Beautiful.

[Dr. John Watson]

Where'd you manage to get such specimens?

[Landlord]

Ah then, mister, what you driving at?

[Dr. John Watson]

I beg your pardon?

[Landlord]

Let's have it straight out now.

[Dr. John Watson]

Quite straight enough. I simply wondered who sold you the geese you supplied to the Alpha.

[Landlord]

Well then, I shan't tell you so now.

[Dr. John Watson]

I don't know why you should get so warm about it.

[Landlord]

Warm, d'ye say? You'd be warm maybe, if you were pestered like I am. Pestered?

[Sherlock Holmes]

How do you mean?

[Landlord]

Look, I pay good money for an article. That ought to be the end of the business, eh? But it's. Where are those geese? Who'd you sell Them to and that sort of thing.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, I've no connection with anyone else's inquiries, I can assure you. If you won't tell us then the bet's off, that's all.

[Peterson]

Bet?

[Dr. John Watson]

What bet? I like to think I know a fowl's quality. I'm ready to back my opinion on it. Half a dozen mouthfuls of one of those geese the other night and I put a fiber on it that I was eating a country bread bird.

[Landlord]

Oh you did, did you? Well, I'll tell you this much.

[Dr. John Watson]

You lost your fiver town bread. You'll never persuade me to believe that. I take another bet on it with you if you like. A sovereign.

[Landlord]

All right, all right. Bill, bring us the books out here and look slippy. Yes, g. Now then, Mr. Cockshaw, you just wait a minute, we'll see. A sovereign was it you said, governor? Yeah, Tar. Go on, buzz off. Now then, see this book?

[Dr. John Watson]

I do.

[Landlord]

This is a list of the folk I buy from. Now, page 227. Bit further. 247. 248.249. Now then, what's the last entry?

[Sherlock Holmes]

You see? Let me see. Mrs. Oakshot, 117 Brixton Road, December 22, 24 Geese at 7 and 6, Brixton.

[Landlord]

Road, town of country town.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Of course.

[Landlord]

Much obliged. Now what's it say underneath?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Underneath what? What? Oh yes. Sold, Mr. Windigat at the Alpha. 12 shillings each.

[Landlord]

And that'll cost your friend just one sovereign and cheap at the price.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ridiculous. I'd never have believed it. Here you are, my man. Good evening to you.

[Landlord]

And the compliments of the season to you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Cheap at the price, as our friend observed. Yes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good job he was a betting man.

[Dr. John Watson]

My dear Watson, when you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the sporting time sticking out of his pocket, you can always draw him with a bet.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Do you hear what he said about being pestered, Holmes?

[Dr. John Watson]

I did indeed.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Sounds as though we weren't the only ones interested in what became of those geese.

[Dr. John Watson]

Listen to that, Watson. Something tells me our truculent friend is being pestered again.

[Landlord]

I'll tell you about another year when you perish. If you come here again, I'll set the dog on you straight.

[Peterson]

I will.

[Landlord]

I tell you, one of them belong to me.

[Peterson]

Mrs. Oakeshott told me to ask.

[Landlord]

You can go and ask the King of Pusha for all I care. Go on, get out of here.

[Peterson]

All right, all right, I'm going.

[Dr. John Watson]

Watson, this may save us a visit to the Brixton Road altogether. Come on, Right.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

Just a moment, my man.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Who are you?

[Peterson]

What do you want?

[Dr. John Watson]

You will excuse me, but my friend and I couldn't help overhearing your little argument just now. I think we could be of assistance to you.

[Peterson]

You? What do you know about it?

[Dr. John Watson]

My name is Sherlock Holmes. I know everything about it. You're endeavoring to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott of Brixton Road to a salesman named Breckenridge. He sold them to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha Hotel.

[Peterson]

You mean you know where some of them went?

[Dr. John Watson]

I do.

[Peterson]

Then you're just the man I've been wanting to meet.

[Dr. John Watson]

Capital. And may we know whom we have the pleasure of assisting.

[Peterson]

The name's John Robinson.

[Dr. John Watson]

No, the real name. It's always awkward doing business with an alias.

[Peterson]

Very well then.

[Dr. John Watson]

My real name's James Ryder, head attendant at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, if I'm not mistaken. Watson, catch that cab, will you?

[Landlord]

Right.

[Dr. John Watson]

Hey, Kelly, I think a cozy room would be better than this windswept marketplace. I'm sure I shall be able to tell you everything you wish to know. Pray take the basket chair, Mr. Ryder. Thank you. That's it. Now you want to know what became of those geese? Yes, or rather I fancy of that goose. White with a black bar across the tail, if I remember correctly.

[Peterson]

Oh, sir, can you tell me where it went to?

[Dr. John Watson]

It came here.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Here?

[Dr. John Watson]

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 you got it. Here it is. The game's up, rider. What? Seems to me, Ryder, you've the makings of a very pretty villain in you. You knew this man, Horner the plumber had been in trouble before you invented some small job in her ladyship's room and arranged that Horner should be the man sent for to attend to it. As soon as he'd left, you rifled the jewel case, raised the alarm and had this unfortunate man arrested.

[Peterson]

Mr. Holmes, sir, it was just like you say, sir. I never went wrong before, never. I never will again. I swear it to you, sir.

[Dr. John Watson]

Get back into your chair.

[Peterson]

I beg you, sir, don't bring it into court. But me mother and father, sir, would I do anything?

[Dr. John Watson]

Right, we'll talk about that later. Meanwhile, let us hear a true account of what occurred after the robbery.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, and how did the stone get into that goose? And how did the goose come into the old mugget?

[Peterson]

I'll tell you everything When Orna had been arrested, it seemed best for me to get straight away with the stone before the police took it into their head to search all the hotel staff. I made for my sister's place. She's married to a chap called Oakshott, out along the Brixton Road.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oakshot, I see.

[Dr. John Watson]

Go on.

[Peterson]

Well, all the way there, every man I met seemed to be a policeman or looked like a detective. I was in a cold sweat before I got there. My sister asked me why I was so pale and I said I'd like a breath of fresh air. So I went out in the backyard to smoke a pipe and, well, I was there wondering what to do and suddenly I realised there was geese waddling all round me. I'd hardly noticed them before and I got the idea to beat the best detective that ever lived. Me sister had told me that I might have the pick of the flock for a Christmas present. Well, it was obvious I'd take the goose there and then get it to swallow the jewel. And it wouldn't matter who stopped me on the way home, they'd never think of looking inside a goose.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Very ingenious indeed. And that was what you did?

[Peterson]

Yes, sir. I caught a big fine bird. And, well, after a bit of trouble I got it to swallow the stone all right, but it flapped and struggled like anything. My sister came out to see what was up.

[Maggie Ryder]

Why, Jem, whatever were you doing with that bird?

[Peterson]

Oh, well, Maggie.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes?

[Peterson]

You see, you said you'd give me one for Christmas and I was just feeling which was the fattest, that was all.

[Maggie Ryder]

Oh, you needn't have trouble. We've one set aside for you already.

[Peterson]

You what?

[Maggie Ryder]

Oh, yes, James Bird, we call it. That big white one over yonder, see? We fattened it specially for you.

[Peterson]

Well, never mind that, I'll have the other and I'll take it with me now.

[Maggie Ryder]

Oh, just as you like. You know what's best. Which one did you say you want?

[Peterson]

That white one with the barred tail. There he goes. Look in the middle there.

[Maggie Ryder]

All right then, you can help me catch it now. We'll kill it and you can take it home with you.

[Peterson]

I did what you said, Mr. Holmes. As soon as I got it home, I took a knife and opened it up.

[Dr. John Watson]

There wasn't a sign of the stone, so we gather.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What did you do then?

[Peterson]

Do? I was back to my sisters as fast as I could go.

[Dr. John Watson]

Maggie.

[Peterson]

Maggie. Where are they?

[Maggie Ryder]

Well, hello, Jim. Where's what?

[Peterson]

Those geese. I came through the yard, couldn't see a Blessed.

[Dr. John Watson]

One of them?

[Maggie Ryder]

Oh, them. They've gone to the dealers, came to collect them just after you'd gone.

[Peterson]

All of them?

[Maggie Ryder]

Every one. Oh, Jem, what's the matter?

[Peterson]

Which dealer?

[Maggie Ryder]

Well, his name's Breckenridge of Covent Garden.

[Peterson]

But why, Maggie, listen, you know that one I took white with a barred tail?

[Dr. John Watson]

Yes.

[Peterson]

Was there, was there another one like that?

[Maggie Ryder]

Oh, yes, you never could tell them apart like a couple of twins.

[Peterson]

Then of course, Mr. Holmes, I saw it all and ran off as hard as I could to find Breckinridge. But he'd sold the lot and not one word would he tell me about where they'd gone to. I tried to ask him again tonight. Well, you heard me. I've been honest all my life, gentlemen, and now here I am, branded as a thief and I've hardly even set eyes on the thing I stole.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ryder. Get out.

[Peterson]

Sir?

[Dr. John Watson]

I said get out.

[Peterson]

Oh. Oh yes, Mr. Holmes. Heaven bless you, sir. It'll never happen again as long as I live.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, Holmes, they are letting him go free.

[Dr. John Watson]

If Horner were in danger, that would be another thing. But Ryder will never be able to appear as a witness against him. Now the case is finished and the.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Countess will get her blue cover and go back.

[Dr. John Watson]

She'll never miss the reward. She'll have to pay Peterson and it'll make all the difference to him. So everyone profits in some way.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, not Ryder.

[Dr. John Watson]

No. I think it's just possible that I've saved his soul. He'll never yield to temptation again, he's too terribly frightened. But a stretch in prison would probably have turned him into a jailbird for life.

[Peterson]

Mm.

[Dr. John Watson]

I suppose I'm compounding a felony. But hang it all, Watson, it's the season of forgiveness.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quite right, Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

As for you and me, chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem and its solution is its own reward. And now, if you'll have the goodness to touch that bell, Doctor, we'll begin another investigation in which, once again, a bird will be the chief feature.