Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
TheroughshadalsofledattheappearanceofPeterson,sothathewasleftinpossessionofthefieldofbattle,andalsoofthespoilsofvictoryintheshapeofthisbatteredhatandamostunimpeachableChristmasgoose."
"Whichsurelyherestoredtotheirowner?"
"Mydearfellow,thereliestheproblem. Itistruethat‘ForMrs.HenryBaker’wasprinteduponasmallcardwhichwastiedtothebird’sleftleg,anditisalsotruethattheinitials‘H.B.’arelegibleupontheliningofthishat,butastherearesomethousandsofBakers,andsomehundredsofHenryBakersinthiscityofours,itisnoteasytorestorelostpropertytoanyoneofthem."
"What,then,didPetersondo?"
"HebroughtroundbothhatandgoosetomeonChristmasmorning,knowingthateventhesmallestproblemsareofinteresttome. Thegooseweretaineduntilthismorning,whenthereweresignsthat,inspiteoftheslightfrost,itwouldbewellthatitshouldbeeatenwithoutunnecessarydelay. Itsfinderhascarrieditoff,therefore,tofulfiltheultimatedestinyofagoose,whileIcontinuetoretainthehatoftheunknowngentlemanwholosthisChristmasdinner."
"Didhenotadvertise?"
"No."
"Then,whatcluecouldyouhaveastohisidentity?"
"Onlyasmuchaswecandeduce."
"Fromhishat?"
"Precisely."
