Congratulations, Holmes said
For although you can't keep it
There's a reward; one thousand pounds
We shall see that you reap it.
~o~
Holmes read the crime report
To refresh the facts in his mind
And decided Henry Baker
Was the man we must find
~o~
He sent Peterson away
To go and buy a new bird
And to place an advertisement
Holmes wrote down every word
~o~
At our address on Baker Street
Not far from the end
The man would find hat
And fine feathered friend
~o~
We considered poor Horner
Until the clock struck six-thirty
Wondering if it was his hands
Or Baker's that were dirty.
~o~
At the time Holmes had indicated
There arrived a tall man
Who suffered from the cold
A Scotch bonnet in his hand
~o~
This hat, it is yours?
Holmes asked of our guest
Who seemed ill-used by fortune
By the way he was dressed
~o~
Most certainly, he said
That's my hat, good sir
But shillings are not
So plentiful as they were
~o~
I did not advertise for it
For it would be a waste of time
The roughs must have taken it
In their manner of crime
~o~
Well here is your hat
But as for the gander
We were compelled to eat him
Holmes said with all candor
~o~
To eat it! cried Baker
He seemed clearly distraught
But to replace it, Holmes said
Here's another we've bought
~o~
Mr. Baker showed cheer
At the goose on our sideboard
It certainly will do, he said
To have dinner restored
~o~
We still have the first's parts
The crop, feathers and beak
Holmes then said to Baker
Who might be the sneak
~o~
Thank you, said Baker
But dispose of them as you would
The disjecta membra
Will do me no good
~o~
Holmes said, here is you hat
And there is your bird
But before you leave
May I ask one final word?
~o~
I'm a fancier of fowl
Holmes then explained
Pray, where did you get
The one you obtained?
~o~
The Goose club, Baker said
Placing hat upon pate
At the good Alpha Inn
Owned by Mr. Windigate
~o~
Back out into the cold
Mr. Baker went with a grin
A much happier man
Than when he came in
~o~
But Sherlock Holmes never settled
For doing things half way
And he brushed past Mrs. Hudson
Who was bringing in a tray
~o~
We'll eat later, he said
Causing our landlady to scowl
We must follow up this clue
And trace the source of the fowl
~o~
We dashed out the door
To continue the case
I prayed our efforts would be brief
And not a wild goose chase
~o~
At the good Alpha inn
Helpful Windigate was present
At Covent Gardens, he said
They sell geese, duck and pheasant
~o~
It's Breckenridge you want
No better geese will you find
And Holmes was out the door
With me a few steps behind
~o~
To be continued...