From 1e294bbac6e2f9f41cc24baf3c2b3a92dd6186cc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: zoe Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2022 19:12:48 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] remove books --- germancookbook.txt | 3780 ------------- holmes.txt | 12304 ------------------------------------------- warcookbook.txt | 6505 ----------------------- 3 files changed, 22589 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 germancookbook.txt delete mode 100644 holmes.txt delete mode 100644 warcookbook.txt diff --git a/germancookbook.txt b/germancookbook.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0c3c2fe..0000000 --- a/germancookbook.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3780 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Dr A. Oetkers Grundlehren der Kochkunst, by August Oetker - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dr A. Oetkers Grundlehren der Kochkunst - sowie preisgekrönte Rezepte für Haus und Küche - -Author: August Oetker - -Release Date: March 7, 2010 [EBook #31537] - -Language: German - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DR A. OETKERS GRUNDLEHREN *** - - - - -Produced by Norbert H. Langkau, Jens Nordmann and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - Für die Küche! - - - - Dr A. Oetkers Grundlehren - - der Kochkunst - - - sowie - - - preisgekrönte Rezepte für Haus und Küche. - - - - - Jeder Nachdruck - ist nur mit Erlaubnis des Verfassers gestattet. - - - - - Dr. A. Oetker, Apothekenbesitzer, - Bielefeld. - - - - Nachdruck des ersten Dr. Oetker Kochbuches aus dem Jahre 1895 - - - - - Inhalts-Verzeichnis. - - Seite - - Vorwort 5 - - Was muß jede Frau von der Chemie der Nahrungsmittel - wissen? 7 - - Was ist ein schwacher Magen? 9 - - Welche Speisen sind leicht, welche sind schwer verdaulich? 11 - - Aufbewahrung der frischen Aepfel und Birnen während des - Winters 13 - - Das Backen 15 - - Das Backen der Kuchen in der Küche 16 - - Backwerke 17 - - Das Bier als Getränk und als Nahrungsmittel 19 - - Braten 20 - - Das Brot 22 - - Butter 23 - - Kakao und Chokolade 25 - - Vom Einlegen und Einmachen der Früchte für den Winterbedarf 25 - - Ob wirklich ein Ei dem andern gleicht? 28 - - Das Feuer 31 - - Die Fische &c. 32 - - Die verschiedenen Fleischsorten 33 - - Fleischbrühe 35 - - Gelée 36 - - Gemüse, Kräuter und Salate 37 - - Die Gewürze 39 - - Der Käse 42 - - Wie bereitet man einen guten Kaffee? 43 - - Kartoffeln 46 - - Das Kochen 48 - - Das Kochen der Hülsenfrüchte 49 - - Dr. Oetker's Konservierpulver für Fleisch 51 - - Die Luft 52 - - Milch 53 - - Der Thee 60 - - Die Verdauung 60 - - Das Wasser 62 - - Der Wein 63 - - Der Zucker 64 - - Frage und Antwort über Dr. Oetkers Fabrikate 65 - - Rezepte zu verschiedenen Kuchen und Backwerk 68 - - Entfernen der Rostflecken aus Weißwäsche 73 - - Anerkennungsschreiben 74 - - _Etwas »Praktisches« für die Küche!_ - - Alexanderwerk-Kochtopf 82 - " -Fleischhackmaschinen 83 - " -Eismaschinen 84 - " -Frucht- und Saft-Presse, Brotschneidmaschinen, - Wringmaschinen, Wirtschaftswagen, Reibmaschinen 85 - - _Für die feinere Küche:_ - - R. v. Hünersdorff Nachf., Stuttgart, Blitzrührschüssel 86 - " " Amerikaner-Quirltopf 87 - - * * * * * - - »Vineta«, Spezialmarke des Westfälischen Margarine-Werks in - Bielefeld 88 - - - - - Vorwort. - - -In den gewaltigen Fortschritten, welche unserer Zeit ihr Gepräge geben und -alle unsere Verhältnisse den Zielen des Praktischen, Schönen und Nützlichen -entgegenführen, wird mehr und mehr auch der stille Wirkungskreis der -Hausfrau ergriffen. Was in vergangenen Zeiten mühsame Arbeit war, das -gestaltet sich unter dem Einfluß moderner Hilfsmittel zu angenehmer -Beschäftigung; wo früher der Erfolg trotz aller Sorgfalt ein Spiel des -Zufalles blieb, da ist gegenwärtig durch neue Methoden die Gewißheit des -Gelingens gegeben, neue Gebiete ersprießlicher Thätigkeit sind der Hausfrau -eröffnet, lästige und nutzlose Arbeiten ihr genommen worden und so ist die -Vertreterin moderner Wirtschaftsweise nicht mehr verurteilt, in den -ausgetretenen Geleisen ihrer Vorfahren zu wandeln, sondern sie kann mit -freiem Geiste alle Gebiete ihres Wirkens überblicken, sich das Nützliche -dienstbar machen und allen Nachteil erfolgreich vermeiden. - -Wie kommt es nun, daß die Fortschritte der Chemie sich so langsam im Haus- -und Küchenwesen einbürgern? - -Zwei Ursachen kann man als die wahrscheinlichen angeben. - -Die Anweisungen, welche bisher für die Hausfrauen geschrieben sind, waren -nicht so klar und kurz gefaßt, wie es zur Erreichung eines Erfolges -notwendig ist, oder sie wurden am grünen Tische ohne Rücksicht auf die -Praxis geschrieben, und waren in Folge dessen unbrauchbar. - -Andererseits werden auch vielfach die Anweisungen nicht genau genommen, man -glaubt, daß es auf kleine Abweichungen und geringe Nachlässigkeiten nicht -ankomme. Dem ist aber nicht so, denn gerade derjenige, der ein leicht -verständliches Rezept geben will, muß sich so kurz und bestimmt wie -möglich fassen und alles überflüssige Beiwerk streng vermeiden. Wer deshalb -in seinem Hauswesen eine Neuerung einführen will, der höre nicht auf die -klugen Ratschläge anderer, die nur zweifelhafte Resultate erzielt haben, -sondern er verschaffe sich die Original-Anweisungen, um sie wörtlich und -pünktlich zu befolgen. - -In der Natur der Sache liegt es, daß sich das wirklich Gute nur langsam -Bahn bricht und erst nur kleinen Kreisen zu Gute kommt. Was sich aber in -diesen erprobt und bewährt hat, das muß der Allgemeinheit erschlossen -werden. - -Die Sammlung erhebt nicht den stolzen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit, denn -wann würde eine gründliche Reform des täglichen Lebens wohl jemals fertig. -Aber es sind doch wesentliche Fortschritte, wenn gerade die wundesten -Punkte dieses weiten Gebietes kritisch beleuchtet werden und wenn zu -Aenderungen praktische Mittel gefunden und geeignete Ratschläge gegeben -werden. Möge deshalb die deutsche Frauenwelt beherzigen, daß jede, auch die -kleinste Verbesserung des Hauswesens nicht nur Arbeit spart, sondern auch -Genuß schafft, nicht nur die Freude, sondern auch den praktischen Nutzen -des Erfolges bringt. - - $_Selbst_ prüfen!$ - - $_Selbst_ urteilen!$ - - - - - Was muß jede Hausfrau von der Chemie der Nahrungsmittel wissen? - - -Alle Nahrungsmittel, welche zum Aufbau unseres Körpers dienen und zum -Fortleben notwendig sind, kann man einteilen in lösliche und unlösliche -Nahrungsmittel. - -Zu den löslichen Nahrungsmitteln gehört der Zucker. Aufgelöst im Wasser -oder im Magensaft tritt er in das Blut und wird hier zur Erzeugung von -Wärme verbraucht. - -Die Zahl der Nahrungsmittel, welche sich im Wasser nicht lösen, ist viel -größer, und deshalb ist es eine der wichtigsten Aufgaben der Kochkunst, -diese im Wasser unlöslichen Nahrungsmittel so vorzubereiten, daß sie sich -unter den Einflüssen des Magen- und Darmsaftes leicht lösen. Denn jedes -Nahrungsmittel muß ja zur Unterhaltung des Lebens im aufgelösten Zustande -in das Blut treten können, sonst ist es zwecklos und ohne jeden Nährwert. - -Die Eiweißstoffe kommen in gelöstem oder in festem Zustande in den Magen. -Das Pepsin und die Salzsäure des Magensaftes machen die ungelösten -Eiweißstoffe löslich, damit sie in das Blut übergeführt werden können. - -Ebenfalls im Wasser unlöslich sind die Fette, welche wir täglich genießen; -z. B. Butter. In dem Magen geht mit der Butter keinerlei Veränderung vor -sich; sehr fette Speisen sind jedoch schwer verdaulich, weil das Fett die -Eiweißstoffe umschließt und somit die Einwirkung des Magensaftes -verhindert; die genossenen Speisen liegen wie Bleiklumpen im Magen; für -solche Behandlung rächt sich der Magen; Druck und Schmerz stellen sich ein -und am besten ist es noch, wenn der Magen sich durch eine kleine Explosion -von dem Unverdaulichen befreit. Das Fett wandert bei normalen -Verhältnissen durch den Magen in den Darm und wird hier unter dem Einflusse -des Pankreatins so fein verteilt, daß es in die Blutbahn eintreten kann, um -seinen Zweck zu erfüllen. - -Für die Köchin ist es eine Hauptaufgabe, alle fetten Speisen so -zuzubereiten, daß das Fett mit den anderen Stoffen, z. B. Mehl, recht innig -verbunden ist. Die Kuchen z. B., welche nach Dr. Oetker's Rezepten -angefertigt werden, enthalten ja auch mehr oder weniger Butter, aber sind -stets leicht verdaulich, weil durch die vielen Poren der Magensaft mit -Leichtigkeit die Eiweißstoffe angreifen und lösen kann. - -Ein anderes wichtiges Nahrungsmittel, die Stärke oder das Stärkemehl, ist -ebenfalls unlöslich im Wasser. Betrachtet man die Stärke unter dem -Mikroskope, so erkennt man, daß sie aus Körnern besteht. Die Körner sind -umschlossen von einer Zellwand, welche unverdaulich ist, und Stärkekörner, -welche im rohen Zustande in den Körper kommen, haben gar keinen Nährwert, -weil sie von den Säften nicht gelöst werden können. - -Deshalb ist es wiederum eine Hauptaufgabe der Köchin, die -stärkemehlhaltigen Speisen so vorzubereiten, daß sie im Körper leicht -gelöst werden können. - -Dies geschieht auf verschiedene Weise. Rührt man die Stärke, z. B. -Weizenstärke, mit kaltem Wasser an, so setzt sich das Pulver bald am Boden -ab; erwärmt man jedoch das Wasser, so platzt die Umhüllung jenes -Stärkekornes, der Inhalt tritt heraus und nach dem Kochen erhält man einen -Brei, welcher sehr leicht verdaut wird. Dieser Vorgang findet immer statt -beim Kochen von Kartoffeln, Puddings und Flammeris. - -Beim Backen von Brot und Kuchen wird das an Stärkemehl reiche Weizenmehl -mit den anderen Zuthaten gemischt und der hohen Temperatur des Ofens -ausgesetzt. Jedes einzelne Stärkemehlkorn hat sich mit Wasser vollgesogen, -kommt in den Ofen, platzt in der hohen Temperatur, weil das Wasser in Dampf -übergeht und die Zellwand zerreißt, der Inhalt des Körnchens wird frei und -zum Teil schon in lösliche Produkte verwandelt. - -Die Kochkunst hat den Zweck, die Nahrungsmittel so vorzubereiten, daß die -verdauende Thätigkeit unserer Organe die Arbeit leicht bewältigen kann. -Ferner liegt es einer intelligenten Köchin ob, alle auf den Tisch -gebrachten Speisen so zu würzen und so tadellos herzustellen, daß das -Einnehmen einer Mahlzeit nicht nur eine Notwendigkeit für das Leben ist, -sondern auch ein Genuß wird, sodaß Mann, Frau und Kind so gestärkt sind, um -mit neuem Mute die Arbeiten des Berufes bewältigen zu können. - - - - - Was ist ein schwacher Magen? - - -Ein solcher, der viele Speisen nicht verträgt, welche gesunde und kräftige -Personen gut verdauen, und gleichzeitig ein solcher, der nur relativ -geringe Speisen aufnehmen und verdauen kann. Die Gründe sind mannigfach. -Wenn Speisen, die sonst im allgemeinen bekömmlich sind, nicht vertragen -werden, so hängt ein guter Teil dieses Fehlers von Gewohnheit, Geschmack -und Vorstellung ab (verwöhnter Magen!). Viele Menschen vertragen die Milch -nicht: manche aus subjektiver Abneigung, andere, weil sie Durchfall und -selbst Erbrechen bekommen. Dies Letztere beruht auf starker übermäßiger -Säurebildung im Magen. Sodann ist der schwache Magen klein und empfindlich: -er verträgt nur geringe Mengen von Speisen, zuweilen fast nur flüssige oder -weiche Speisen und er braucht lange Zeit, um sie durch den Pylorus zu -entleeren. Vielleicht ist auch der Magensaft selbst schwach, es treten -leichter Gährungen ein mit Gasbildung und Aufstoßen. -- Der schwache Magen -ist auch von geringer motorischer Kraft und vermag größere Mengen von -Speisen, besonders von kompakten Speisen nur sehr langsam zu entleeren; -diese bleiben daher lange liegen, können sich zersetzen, gähren, oder -Druckgefühle erzeugen. Sehr zu beachten ist auch für den sogenannten -schwachen Magen die Fähigkeit zu kauen. Diese ist von der Beschaffenheit -der Zähne und der Kraft der Kaumuskeln abhängig. Für gute Zähne und -kräftige Kiefer ist vieles leicht verdaulich, was für andere schwer und -unverdaulich ist. Es ist von großer Wichtigkeit, daß der Arzt bei seinen -diätischen Verordnungen hierauf mit Sorgfalt achtet. Wer gute Zähne hat, -kann Brot und Fleisch in reichlicher Menge essen; wer schlechte Zähne hat, -wie z. B. alte Leute, den nähre man mit Milch, Mehlspeisen, Eiern und -Fleischpurées. Schwächliche Menschen, zarte Kinder nähre man ebenfalls mit -weichen Speisen, denn sie ermüden schnell beim Kauen härterer Speisen -(besonders Fleisch) und mit der Ermüdung schwindet die Eßlust. Von großer -Bedeutung ist dieser Gesichtspunkt auch bei schwachen Kranken und -Rekonvalescenten, welche weder die Kraft noch die Lust haben, harte Dinge -zu genießen. Werden aber harte Speisen schlecht gekaut und verschluckt, so -bleiben sie lange Zeit unverdaut im Magen liegen: sie sind also in diesem -Falle schwer verdaulich. Endlich kommt auch die Empfindlichkeit des Magens -in Betracht. Der empfindliche Magen hat nach jeder reichlichen Mahlzeit ein -Gefühl von Druck und Schwere, oft mit großer Belästigung verbunden. Dies -Gefühl wird besonders durch harte (kompakte) Speisen bewirkt, welche lange -im Magen liegen bleiben. Solche Speisen gelten dem empfindlichen Magen -ebenfalls für schwerverdaulich. Auch der Geschmack, d. h. die Vorliebe oder -Abneigung gegen gewisse Speisen, hat Einfluß auf den Begriff der Leicht- -und Schwer-Verdaulichkeit. Das mit Widerwillen Genossene erzeugt ein -unbehagliches Gefühl, vermindert den Appetit. »Diese Speise vertrage ich -nicht«, hört man sagen. Dagegen wird die Lieblingsspeise in großen Mengen -genossen und leicht befunden. Die psychische Vorstellung hat erheblichen -Einfluß auf die Art, wie Speisen vertragen und verdaut werden. Hierbei ist -aber wohl auch das Umgekehrte zu berücksichtigen, daß nämlich Jedermann, -durch die Erfahrung belehrt, diejenige Speise mit Vorliebe genießen wird, -welche ihm ein behagliches Gefühl erzeugt, und diejenige ungern, welche ihn -belästigt. Gewohnheit, Vorstellung, Individualität greifen hier vielfach -ineinander ein. - -Was sind ungesunde Speisen? Eigentlich nur solche, welche schädliche -Beimischungen enthalten. Der populäre Begriff der ungesunden Speisen deckt -sich zum Teil mit dem Begriff der schwer verdaulichen; als ungesund wird -aber auch eine unzweckmäßige Vereinigung von Speisen zu einer Mahlzeit oder -auch ihre schlechte Zubereitung verstanden. Individuell ungesund sind -Speisen, gegen die eine Idiosyncrasie besteht, wie z. B. Krebse, Hummer, -Erdbeeren, Spargel, Spinat; für manche ist selbst Milch eine schädliche -Speise. Viele Speisen können im Momente ungesund sein, abhängig von äußeren -Verhältnissen (Sommerhitze, Kälte, drohende Epidemieen) oder vom Zustande -des Magens (Dyspepsie, Neigung zu Diarrhöe u. s. w.) - - - - - Welche Speisen sind leicht, welche sind schwer verdaulich? - - -Gebratenes _Fleisch_ ist leicht verdaulich, weil die durch die Hitze -gelockerten Fleischfasern vom Magensafte schnell angegriffen werden können. -Tunkt man jedoch ein Fleischstück in dicke fette Sauce, so wird es sofort -viel schwerverdaulicher, weil der wässerige Magensaft nicht durch das Fett -dringen kann. Der Magensaft braucht infolge dessen viel längere Zeit um das -Fleisch zu lösen. - -_Eier_, weich gekocht und mit Salz verspeist, sind sehr leicht verdaulich, -denn das Eiweiß wird in diesem weichen schwammigen Zustande leicht vom -Magensafte gelöst. Das Eigelb enthält das Fett sehr fein verteilt zwischen -den anderen Bestandteilen und kann der Magensaft daher auch das im Eigelb -vorhandene Eiweiß schnell in den löslichen Zustand überführen. - -_Milch_ ist leicht verdaulich, denn ihre Hauptbestandteile sind so fein -verteilt, daß die Verdauungssäfte des Magens und des Darmes leicht -einwirken können. - -_Käse_ ist ein leicht verdauliches Nahrungsmittel. Das ursprüngliche, -unlösliche Eiweiß, aus welchem der Käse bereitet wird, ist durch die -Gährung schon für die Verdauung vorbereitet und wird leicht vom Magensafte -angegriffen und gelöst. - -_Stärkemehl_haltige Substanzen, z. B. Maismehl und Reis mit Milch gekocht, -werden sehr gut verdaut, weil das Stärkemehl durch das Kochen -aufgeschlossen ist und vom Darmsafte gelöst wird. - -_Kartoffeln_ in ihren verschiedenen Zubereitungen gekocht, geröstet &c., -werden im Körper langsamer verdaut wie Mais und Reis. - -_Nudeln_, Spätzle, Klöße werden leicht verdaut. - -_Wirsingkohl_ und _gelbe Rüben_ enthalten ja auch Stärkemehl und Eiweiß, -aber der menschliche Organismus ist nicht im Stande, die Nährstoffe dieser -Pflanzen vollkommen auszunutzen. - -_Fette_, z. B. Butter und Speck, werden leicht verdaut und vom Darmsafte so -bearbeitet, daß sie ohne Mühe vom Körper aufgenommen werden können. - -Wenn aber eiweißhaltige Substanzen mit viel Fett genossen werden, so -stellen sich bei empfindlichen Personen manchmal Magenschmerzen ein. Dies -rührt wahrscheinlich daher, daß das Fett die Einwirkung des Magensaftes auf -die Eiweißsubstanzen verhindert. - -_Brot_ genießen wir in Gestalt von: - -Weizenbrot. Dieses wird von allen Brotsorten am leichtesten verdaut, weil -es sehr porös ist und den verdauenden Säften den Eintritt in die Poren am -leichtesten gestattet. - -Ein Brot aus Weizen- und Roggenmehl gebacken wird weniger gut ausgenutzt -wie ein Brot aus reinem Weizenmehl. - -Roggenbrot ist weniger porös und Pumpernickel hat nur sehr wenig Poren und -die Folge ist, daß Pumpernickel am schwierigsten aufgenommen wird und dem -Magensafte am meisten Arbeit verursacht. - -Die landläufige Redensart, daß ein dunkles Brot aus reinem Roggen kräftiger -sei wie Weizenbrot, ist falsch. Man esse einmal vom Weizenbrote dem -Gewichte nach ebensoviel wie Roggenbrot, dann wird wohl Niemand behaupten -können, daß er sich in seinem Kräftegefühl geschädigt finde. Roggenbrot ist -aber billiger als Weizenbrot und wenn man für 10 Pfennig Roggenbrot -verzehrt hat, so hat man viel eher das Gefühl der Sättigung, als wenn man -für 10 Pfennig Weizenbrot zu sich genommen hat. - -Manchmal hört man die Ansicht aussprechen, daß der Körper der Frau weniger -Nahrungsmittel bedürfe wie der Körper des Mannes. Das ist in dieser -Allgemeinheit ausgedrückt durchaus falsch. - -Die arbeitende Frau hat denselben Anspruch auf eine genügende Ernährung wie -der arbeitende Mann. Je schwerer die Arbeit, um so reichlicher muß die -Nahrung sein; einerlei, ob Mann oder Frau. - - - - - Aufbewahrung der frischen Aepfel und Birnen während des Winters. - - -Folgende Anweisungen sind gegeben von Herrn Kgl. Gartenbau-Direktor -Heinrich Gaerdt. - -1. Richtige Wahl der Sorten und dabei Sichtung der Exemplare. - -2. Man vermeide wurmstichige Früchte, verletzte, gedrückte Exemplare, weil -jede Schadhaftigkeit, mag sie auch noch so gering erscheinen, stets ein -Herd für Fäulnis ist. Unter allen Umständen gefährlich sind Wunden, durch -welche die Wachshaut verletzt ist. - -3. Behutsames Pflücken der Früchte. Zum Pflücken wähle man heitere Tage, -denn feuchtes Obst darf nicht eingewintert werden. - -4. Die Winterfrüchte sind möglichst lange am Baume hängen zu lassen, um zur -vollsten Ausbildung zu gelangen. - -5. Es kommt nicht darauf an, ob die Stiele unverletzt oder gebrochen sind. - -6. Das vielfach empfohlene Abwaschen der Früchte vor der Aufbewahrung ist -keineswegs als eine Bedingung und Notwendigkeit anzusehen, ja sogar -nachteilig, weil leicht Verletzungen an zartschaligen Früchten dadurch -entstehen können. - -7. Die Aufbewahrungsräume müssen eine möglichst gleichmäßige niedrige -Temperatur haben und sollte dieselbe + 3 bis 5° =R=. nicht übersteigen; -insbesondere sollen die Eingänge nach Nord oder Nordost gelegen sein. - -8. Nächst der niedrigen Temperatur ist Dunkelheit eine Bedingung und -Notwendigkeit. Dunkelheit ist künstlich herzustellen. - -9. Als Aufbewahrungsräume dienen Keller, Kammern, Böden, Zimmer im -allgemeinen. - -10. Hat man bei gleichen Eigenschaften die Wahl zwischen Keller und Kammer, -so ist dem Raum über der Erde der Vorzug zu geben. - -11. Modernde Gegenstände oder solche, die einen üblen, multrigen Geruch -verbreiten, auch Gemüse jeder Art, sind fern zu halten. - -12. Entspricht der Aufbewahrungsraum allen Anforderungen, so ist -vorzuziehen, die Früchte frei, uneingehüllt höchstens dreischichtig -übereinander zu legen. Entschieden hartschalige Sorten ertragen auch ein -höheres Uebereinanderlegen. Andererseits ist das Einwickeln in -Seidenpapier, sowie das schichtweise Lagern in Kisten, Fässern, zwischen -Isoliersubstanzen, wie pulverisierte Holzkohle, Sand &c. zu empfehlen. - -13. Bewahrt man Früchte in Kisten, Fässern &c. auf, so soll man stets nur -Sorten von gleicher Reifezeit in eine Kiste zu bringen suchen. - -14. Wenn möglich, sind die Früchte so zu stellen, daß der Kelch nach unten, -der Stiel nach oben gekehrt sei. - -15. Man wische die Früchte mit einem weichen Tuche, bevor man sie zur Tafel -giebt. - -16. Die Früchte mit einer dünnen, weichen Schale und feinem, lockeren -Fleische konserviert man vorteilhafter bei Luftabschluß. Früchte mit -rauher, lederartiger Schale und festerem Fleische ertragen einen luftigeren -Platz. - -17. Unter Luftzutritt ausgesetzten Räumen sind Keller, Gewölbe, Kammern -u. s. w. zu verstehen. - - - - - Das Backen. - - -Das Backen in der Küche muß in zwei Teilen besprochen werden, weil sich das -Backen in Fett und das Backen der Mehlspeisen und Kuchen sehr voneinander -unterscheidet. - -Zum Backen in Fett gebraucht man ein reines Fett. Dieses kann sein -ausgelassene oder sehr gut ausgewaschene Butter, Schweineschmalz, -Rindschmalz oder Oel, je nach dem Gegenstande, welcher gebacken werden -soll. Man bringt das Fett in der Pfanne zum Sieden, und es hat dann eine -Temperatur von ungefähr 170° Celsius. Legt man den zu backenden Gegenstand -jetzt hinein, so gerinnt das Eiweiß des Fleisches an der Oberfläche sofort -und die feste Kruste verhindert das weitere Eindringen des Fettes in die -Speise. Das Fett darf nicht eindringen und muß deshalb siedend heiß sein, -damit die gebildete Kruste sofort die Poren schließt. Das Feuer, auf -welchem gebacken werden soll, muß eine gute Flamme haben. - -Ob das Fett heiß genug ist, erfährt man durch einen Tropfen Wasser, welchen -man in die Pfanne fallen läßt. Wenn der Tropfen den Boden der Pfanne -berührt, muß er sich unter prasselndem Geräusch sofort in Dampf verwandeln. - -Man muß soviel Fett anwenden, daß die Speise schwimmt. - -Nimmt man Butter, so darf diese kein Salz enthalten. Das Salz sinkt sonst -in dem geschmolzenen Fette zu Boden, wird auf der eisernen Fläche zu heiß, -verkohlt organische Bestandteile und sitzt nachher als eine schwarze -kohlige Masse an der Speise. - -Die Pfanne muß groß sein, damit das siedende Fett nicht überläuft. - -Das benutzte Fett ist nach dieser Methode nicht verloren. Man gießt das -heiße Fett in kochendes Wasser, rührt kräftig um, damit sich -hineingefallene Fleischstückchen oder Semmelkrumen trennen können. Nach dem -Erkalten kann man das Fett in Gestalt eines festen Kuchens abnehmen. Von -der Unterseite schabt man die rauhen Teile ab und kann dieses gereinigte -Fett wieder zu allen anderen Speisen verwenden. - -Das Fett jedoch, welches man zum Backen von Fischen benutzt hat, kann man -nur wieder zu diesen verwenden, weil es den Fischgeschmack und Geruch -angenommen hat. - -Um gebackene Speisen von dem überschüssigen Fette zu befreien legt man sie -auf Löschpapier oder ein Tuch; auch darf man sie niemals in einem warmen -Ofen aufbewahren um sie warm zu erhalten, sonst werden sie weich und das -Knusperige geht verloren. In diesem Falle ist das heiße Fett nur benutzt -worden, um den zu bratenden Gegenstand schnell und in seinem eigenen Safte -gar werden zu lassen. - - - - - Das Backen der Kuchen in der Küche! - - Frau M. Aabel, Verfasserin des neuen Regensburger - Kochbuches, schreibt: - - -Viel praktischer, sicherer und besser wie Hefe ist die Verwendung von Dr. -Oetker's Backpulver. Die mit obigem Backpulver zubereiteten Bäckereien -gelingen vorzüglich, haben einen sehr guten Geschmack, sind leichter -verdaulich und kommen ungeheuer billig. Dieses Backpulver, welches in -Päckchen =à= 10 Pfg. in allen feineren Delikatessen- und Drogen-Geschäften -vorrätig ist, kann man auch zu allen Knödeln (Klößen), Torten, Mehlspatzen, -Kartoffel-Speisen verwenden. - -Bei Anwendung gebe man das Backpulver zuletzt hinzu, mische schnell -durcheinander und schiebe in heißen Ofen, ohne das Aufgehen abzuwarten. -Langes Rühren ist nachteilig. Milch und Wasser werden kalt angewendet. - - - - - Backwerke. - - Regeln beim Backen. - - -Das Haupterfordernis zum guten Gelingen jeder Art von Backwerk ist, daß -alle hierzu verwendeten Bestandteile, namentlich Butter, Eier, Dr. -Oetker's Backpulver und Milch, recht frisch und von tadellosem Geschmack -sind, sonst verdirbt man sich das ganze Gebäck. Mehl und Zucker müssen fein -gesiebt werden und alles zum Backen gehörige, namentlich bei kälterer -Jahreszeit, stellt man am besten schon Abends zuvor in ein warmes Zimmer -oder früh in der Küche auf die erwärmte Herdplatte, sowie man auch den Teig -im Warmen einrührt und aufgehen läßt, außer Butter und Blätterteigen, die -man kalt stellt. Die Butter wäscht man gewöhnlich aus und knetet sie unter -öfterem Uebergießen mit frischem Wasser gut durch, um die salzigen Teile zu -entfernen; den meisten Wohlgeschmack giebt natürlich ganz frische Butter, -doch kann man in deren Ermangelung auch gute eingelegte Butter anwenden, -von der man weniger bedarf, weil sie fetter ist, dann hüte man sich jedoch, -dieselbe heiß zu gebrauchen, was ihrem Geschmack großen Eintrag thut. Die -Eier schlage man nie über dem Teig auf, damit derselbe nicht verdorben -werde, falls ein schlechtes Ei darunter wäre; will man das Weiße zu Schnee -schlagen, so lasse man nichts von dem Dotter darunter kommen und bereite -den Schnee an einem kühlen Orte, denn z. B. in der Küche erhält er nie die -erforderliche Steife. Das Einrühren der Kuchen oder Torten, wozu man einen -tiefen, steinernen oder irdenen Napf und einen flachen Holzlöffel nimmt, -muß stets nach einer bestimmten Seite hin geschehen, entweder von links -nach rechts oder von rechts nach links, denn ein Rühren nach verschiedenen -Seiten würde das Gebäck mißlingen machen; man rühre möglichst rasch und -fasse den Löffel mit beiden Händen, was weniger ermüdet. Alle Formen zu -Bäckereien streicht man mit einem, in geschmolzene Butter getauchten Pinsel -gehörig aus und überstreut sie dann mit geriebener Semmel oder Zwieback, -damit sich das Backwerk später leichter auslöst. Bäckt man kleines, süßes -Gebäck auf einem Blech, so bestreicht man letzteres mit Butter und verreibt -dieselbe mit weichem Papier, ebenso kann man das erwärmte Blech mit weißem -Wachs einreiben; wenn man Butterteig bäckt, bestreut man das Blech mit Mehl -oder geriebener Semmel. Den erforderlichen Hitzegrad des Ofens zum Backen -erprobt man am besten, indem man ein Stück Papier hineinlegt; wird dasselbe -schnell gelb, so kann man den Blätterteig in den Ofen setzen, am -geeignetsten ist aber für das meiste Backwerk der zweite Hitzegrad, wenn -das hineingelegte Papier langsam gelb wird. Allerlei kleines Gebäck, wie -Makronen, spanischer Wind, Anisbackwerk und dergl., bedarf eines noch -schwächeren Hitzegrades, da es mehr austrocknen als backen soll. Hat man -eine Form mit zu backendem Teig im Ofen, so muß die Ofenthüre möglichst -wenig geöffnet werden und keinerlei Topf oder Kasserol mit Wasser oder -sonst etwas, darf dabei im Rohr stehen, weil der feuchte Dampf das Bräunen -des Gebäcks verhindern würde. Um zu versuchen, ob der Kuchen völlig -durchgebacken sei, nimmt man ein spitziges, dünnes Hölzchen oder eine -Stricknadel und sticht in der Mitte hinein; bleiben noch kleine -Teigkrümmelchen daran hängen, so ist der Kuchen noch nicht gar, hängt aber -nichts daran, so kann man ihn, falls er braun genug ist, sofort -herausnehmen und noch eine Weile in der Form stehen lassen, bevor man ihn -ausschüttet, auch darf man ihn nicht gleich darauf ins Kalte bringen. Will -man Torten oder Kuchen mit einer Glasur überziehen, so geschieht dies, -sowie das Gebäck heiß aus dem Ofen kommt und man läßt die Glasur dann -trocknen, indem man den Kuchen entweder in die obere Ofenröhre stellt oder -in die Backröhre, nachdem sie durch Offenstehen der Ofenthüren etwas -ausgekühlt ist. - -Es scheint, daß Magenkranke das Backwerk, welches mit gutem Backpulver -bereitet ist, besser vertragen wie das mit Hefe gebackene Weißbrot. Es wird -dies vielleicht daran liegen, daß die Backpulvergebäcke so sehr porös -sind. - -Von den Gebäcken sind am leichtesten zu verdauen: Cakes, dann Zwieback, -dann Weißbrot und zuletzt Schwarzbrot und Pumpernickel. Frisches Brot gilt -im Volksmunde als schwerverdaulich weil es nicht so stark gekaut wird wie -älteres oder härter gebackenes Brot. Je mehr die Speisen beim Kauen -eingespeichelt werden, um so besser werden sie verdaut. Manche Menschen -essen sehr schnell aus Angewohnheit und Unruhe, richtiger ist es immer -langsam zu speisen und ordentlich zu kauen. - - - - - Das Bier - - als Getränk und als Nahrungsmittel. - - -Das Bier ist Genuß- und Nahrungsmittel. Von den alkoholischen Getränken, -deren wir uns bedienen, ist das Bier das an Alkohol ärmste. Dem geringen -Gehalte an Alkohol entsprechend, ist seine Wirkung beim Genusse, es wirkt -erwärmend und belebend, es regt das Nervensystem genügend an, ohne es zu -überreizen, es bringt, wenn es innerhalb der durch die Vernunft gesetzten -Grenzen genossen wird, das Gefühl des Wohlbehagens hervor, ohne zu -berauschen wie der Wein, und ohne sinnverwirrend zu sein, wie der -Branntwein. - -Wenn die menschliche Natur des Genusses derartiger Getränke bedarf, so ist -der des Bieres unzweifelhaft der dem Organismus am meisten zuträgliche, -namentlich weil dieses Getränk, außer seiner nervenbelebenden Wirkung, -einen nicht unbedeutenden Nährwert besitzt. Wegen seines geringen Gehaltes -an Eiweißstoffen kann das Bier nie zur vollkommenen Ernährung des Körpers -ausreichen. Als Zugabe zu Fleisch, Brot, Käse und anderen Stoffen ist es -aber, wegen seines Gehaltes an Extraktivstoffen und phosphorsauren Salzen, -ein wertvolles Nahrungsmittel. In dieser Beziehung steht es weit über dem -Wein. - -Mit dem Branntwein ist es gar nicht zu vergleichen, da dieser dem Körper -nichts giebt als den Alkohol. Ein kräftig genährter ausgewachsener -gesunder Mann kann einen Schnaps ohne Schaden trinken, aber ein schwacher -Körper wird schwächer wie vorher. Darin liegt der Fluch des -Branntweintrinkens. Beim Biergenuß wird dagegen dem Körper ein Teil der zu -verbrauchenden, oder durch vorangegangene Leistung verbrauchten Kraft -ersetzt. - - - - - Braten. - - -Welche Grundsätze sind beim Braten des Fleisches zu beachten? - -Fleisch besteht aus Fleischfasern und dem Fleischsafte. Erste Bedingung -ist, dem Fleischstücke eine Kruste zu geben, damit der Fleischsaft nicht -ausfließen kann. - -Dies geschieht dadurch, daß man das Fleisch in das _kochende_ Fett der -Pfanne legt und die Oberfläche mit dem kochendheißen Fette übergießt. - -_Einfaches Verfahren_: Das zum Braten vorgerichtete Fleisch wird mit dem -hierzu nötigen heißen Fett oder Butter auf beiden Seiten begossen und dann -in die gut geheizte Bratröhre geschoben. - -Wodurch bildet sich jetzt eine Kruste? Durch das Eiweiß des Fleisches, -welches durch die hohe Temperatur des heißen Fettes gerinnt und somit einen -Austritt des Fleischsaftes aus dem Fleisch verhindert. - -Jetzt mäßigt man das Feuer, begießt das Fleisch mit etwas Fleischbrühe, -damit sich kurze Sauce bildet, und nach einiger Zeit erhält man einen -Braten, welcher beim Anschneiden den Fleischsaft austreten läßt und sehr -saftige Stücke liefert. Jede Köchin wird finden, daß ein so behandelter -Braten aufquillt und viel dicker wird, wie das Stück Fleisch war. - -Wie kommt das? - -Durch die Kruste, welche sich um das Fleisch gelegt hat, wird der Austritt -des Saftes verhindert. Durch die hohe Temperatur des Fettes wird ein Teil -des Fleischsaftes in Dampf verwandelt und dieser Dampf treibt das -Fleischstück auseinander. - -Man darf aber nicht in das Fleisch stechen oder schneiden, sonst findet der -Fleischsaft einen Ausweg und läuft in die Pfanne. Man erhält dann eine gute -Sauce, aber kein saftiges Stück Fleisch. - -Wie hoch ist die Temperatur, welcher das Fleisch beim Braten ausgesetzt -wird? Das Fett in der Pfanne erhält eine Temperatur bis 150° und siedet. -Das Fleisch hat außen eine Temperatur von ca. 120° und ist im Inneren -ungefähr 70° warm. Diese Temperatur genügt auch vollkommen, um das Fleisch -weich zu braten, und es darf nicht heißer werden, damit nicht auch das -Eiweiß im Innern gerinnt. Sticht man aber in den Braten, so fließt der -Fleischsaft aus; die Temperatur steigt auch im Innern des Bratens, macht -das Eiweiß unlöslich, und das Resultat ist ein Stück festes, lederartiges -Fleisch ohne Saft und Kraft. - -Das Aroma des Bratens entsteht durch Einwirkung der hohen Temperatur auf -das Fleisch; die genauere Zusammensetzung dieser aromatischen -Zersetzungsprodukte kennt man noch nicht. - -Wie lange soll das Fleisch braten? Das hängt ganz und gar von der Natur des -Fleisches ab und kann am Herde erlernt werden. - -Ist der Braten fertig, so darf er nicht lange stehen, sondern muß auf den -Tisch gebracht werden, weil er sonst viel von seinem guten Aussehen -einbüßt. - -Den Braten sofort nach dem Herausnehmen aus dem Ofen zu zerschneiden ist -auch nicht richtig, weil sonst der Saft beim Durchschneiden herausfließt. -10 bis 15 Minuten läßt man den aus dem Ofen genommenen Braten stehen, damit -der Fleischsaft sich im Fleische gleichmäßig verteilt. Dann bleiben auch -die Bratenreste, welche kalt genossen werden, noch saftig. - -Im Anfange muß jedes zu bratende Fleischstück einer hohen Temperatur -ausgesetzt werden, damit sich eine Kruste bildet und der Saft nicht -ausfließen kann. Dann läßt man das Feuer etwas zurückgehen, damit das -Fleisch innerhalb der Kruste im eigenen Fleischsafte gar wird. - -Fleischstücke garniert man häufig mit Ei und Semmel. Dies hat den Zweck, um -schnell eine Kruste bilden zu können, sonst fließt der Saft aus den -Schnittflächen heraus. Die Eisubstanz, dieser hohen Temperatur ausgesetzt, -gerinnt sofort und schließt die Poren. - -Das Braten und Kochen des Fleisches hat den Zweck, das Bindegewebe zwischen -den Muskelfasern locker zu machen und zum Teil in eine leicht lösliche -Substanz, den Leim, zu verwandeln. - -Gebratenes Fleisch von jungem Geflügel und vom Kalbe ist sehr leicht -verdaulich, deshalb werden diese Fleischarten als Krankenkost bevorzugt. -Wahrscheinlich beruht dies darauf, daß diese Fleischarten wenig Fett haben. -Bei träger oder geschwächter Verdauung hat es sich immer gezeigt, daß -fetthaltige Kost nachteilig ist. - - - - - Das Brot. - - -Die Getreidekörner werden in den Mühlen von den Schalen befreit, weil diese -für den Menschen unverdaulich sind. Ohne weitere Behandlung ist auch das -Mehl unverdaulich, weil unsere Verdauungswerkzeuge nicht im Stande sind, es -in lösliche aufnahmefähige Produkte zu verwandeln. - -Die Mehlspeisen werden deshalb gebacken oder mit Milch oder Wasser gekocht, -damit die Stärkekörner platzen. Der gebildete Kleister wird von den -Verdauungssäften angegriffen, in Zucker verwandelt und vom Körper -aufgenommen. Auch beim Backen platzen die Stärkemehlkörner, werden -verkleistert und durch die hohe Temperatur des Ofens zum Teil schon in -lösliche Produkte übergeführt. - -Zur Herstellung des Roggenbrotes verwendet man Sauerteig, um das Brot porös -zu machen. Im Sauerteig befinden sich lebende Hefezellen und wenn man nun -den aus Mehl und Wasser bereiteten Teig mit dem Sauerteig vermengt, so -findet ein lebhaftes Wachstum der Hefezellen statt. Die Hefezellen -verbrauchen einen Teil des Mehles, entwickeln Kohlensäure und diese -Kohlensäure treibt den Teig auf, macht ihn locker. Wird der Sauerteig etwas -länger aufbewahrt, so entsteht neben der Hefegärung auch noch eine Essig- -und Milchsäuregärung. Infolge der Bildung dieser Säuren schmeckt das -Roggenbrot mehr oder weniger sauer. - -Zur Darstellung der Weißbrote benutzt man die käufliche Hefe. Wer aber Hefe -benutzt, erleidet immer einen Verlust an Teig; denn die Hefe lebt ja von -dem Teige. - -Früher benutzte man noch viel mehr wie heute das sogenannte Hirschhornsalz. -Dieses treibt das Backwerk auch hoch, giebt demselben aber einen faden -Geschmack. - -Zu dem Zwecke des Auftreibens von Brot verwendet man auch Fabrikate, welche -unter dem Namen Backpulver in den Handel kommen. Im Jahre 1893 nahm ich die -Fabrikation dieses Artikels auf und jetzt werden jährlich Millionen Kuchen -mit Dr. Oetker's Backpulver hergestellt. Das ist ja der beste Beweis -seiner Güte. Besonders sei noch erwähnt, daß beim Backen mit diesem -Backpulver die verwendeten Zuthaten zum Backwerk keinerlei Verlust -erleiden. - -Je feiner das Mehl gemahlen ist, um so leichter ist das aus diesem Mehle -hergestellte Brot zu verdauen. Je vollkommener eine Speise vom Körper -resorbiert werden kann, um so besser ist es für die Erhaltung der Kräfte. -Vom Weißbrot werden 94% verdaut, vom Pumpernickel nur 70%. - - - - - Butter. - - -Die Butter ist das erstarrte Fett der Milch, enthält aber noch ungefähr 15 -Prozent Milch in feinster Verteilung. Beim Schmelzen tritt eine Trennung -ein; die Magermilch sinkt zu Boden, darüber steht eine klare Fettschicht. -Läßt man diese erkalten, so erstarrt das klare Fett und hat den Namen -Schmelzbutter oder Butterschmalz erhalten. Die in der Butter -eingeschlossene Milch ist kein zufälliger Bestandteil, auch keine -Verunreinigung oder Verfälschung, sondern ein notwendiger Bestandteil der -Butter, der erst das Butterfett zu Butter macht. - -Der Geschmack der Butter ist abhängig davon, ob die Butter aus süßem oder -sauerem Rahm hergestellt ist, ob sie gesalzen oder ungesalzen auf den Tisch -kommt. Der Wohlgeschmack der Butter kann durch verschiedene Einflüsse -beeinträchtigt werden. Zu langes Verweilen der Milch im Stalle verleiht der -Butter einen Stallgeschmack. Scharfe Stoffe des Futters gehen in die Butter -über, z. B. wenn größere Mengen Steckrüben oder Rapskuchen gefüttert -werden. Die Butter wird sehr leicht ranzig wenn sie offen an der Luft -steht, und ganz besonders wenn sie vom Lichte getroffen wird. Steht die -Butter in einem Raume, welcher stark riechende Stoffe enthält, so nimmt die -Butter diese Stoffe ungeheuer schnell auf und bekommt einen widerlichen -Geschmack. - -Die Ursache des Verderbens der frischen Butter ist ihr Gehalt an Wasser und -nicht völlig abgeschiedenen Eiweißstoffen. - -In wärmerer Temperatur wird die Butter sehr schnell ranzig. Dieser Geruch -und Geschmack wird dadurch verursacht, daß die Fette der Butter in freie -Fettsäuren und Glycerin zerlegt werden. Knetet man unter die Butter Salz, -so wird die Butter nicht so leicht ranzig. Das Salz wirkt hier als -wasserentziehendes Mittel. Die Molkereien bringen die Butter heute in -Stücken =à= ½ und 1 Pfund, eingeschlagen in dünnes, nasses -Pergamentpapier zum Konsumenten. Diese Methode des Verkaufes ist reinlich -und nur zu empfehlen. - -Gute Butter ist ein teuerer Haushaltartikel und man muß immer bedenken, daß -man den hohen Preis nur für den Wohlgeschmack bezahlt, denn bezüglich des -Nährwertes leistet ein Pfund Schweineschmalz für den Körper ebensoviel wie -ein Pfund Butter. Nur daher ist es zu erklären, daß die guten -Kunstbuttersorten, welche unter dem Namen Margarine verkauft werden, sich -so schnell eingeführt haben. - - - - - Kakao und Chokolade. - - -Der Kakaobaum ist in Zentralamerika einheimisch und die Bohnen dieses -Baumes werden in großen Mengen importiert. In den Bohnen befindet sich das -Theobromin, eine Substanz, welche dem Coffein ähnlich ist und ebenfalls -anregend auf das Nervensystem wirkt. - -Das Fett der Kakaobohnen wird durch Pressen entfernt und die Kakaobohnen zu -feinstem Pulver gemahlen. Kocht man dieses Pulver mit Wasser so schmeckt es -bitter und wird erst zu einem angenehmen Getränke, wenn man je nach -Geschmack genügend Zucker und Gewürze beigefügt hat. Die zweckmäßigste -Bereitung ist folgende: man reibt das Kakaopulver mit kaltem Wasser zu -einem glatten dünnen Brei und läßt diesen in das kochende Wasser einlaufen -und 2 Minuten kochen. Nimmt man an Stelle des Wassers Milch, so wird das -Getränk nahrhafter. - -Vermischt man die enthülsten, gerösteten und gemahlenen Kakaobohnen mit -Zucker und Gewürzen, so erhält man die Chokolade, welche infolge dieser -Zusätze viel nahrhafter ist wie Kakao. Um eine gute Tasse Chokolade zu -bereiten, nimmt man gewöhnlich pro Tasse 30 Gramm und kocht mit Milch. - - - - - Vom Einlegen und Einmachen der Früchte für den Winterbedarf. - - -Zu den dankbarsten Arbeiten eines geordneten Hauswesens gehört in erster -Linie das Einsetzen und die Aufbewahrung von Obst und anderen Früchten, -damit während des ganzen Jahres eine angenehme und billige Zugabe zu den -Mahlzeiten vorhanden ist. Wer den rechten Sinn für Häuslichkeit hat, der -läßt es sich nicht ausstreiten, daß die im eigenen Hause hergestellten -Konserven sehr gut schmecken und sehr billig sind. Eine rechte Hausfrau -unterzieht sich gern der Mühe, größere Vorräte herzustellen und ihre -geeignete Aufbewahrung zu überwachen; sie weiß, daß sich nicht nur -Pfennige, sondern ganz erkleckliche Sümmchen auf solche Weise sparen -lassen, von der Befriedigung, die darin liegt, auf der eignen Hände Arbeit -blicken zu können, soll hierbei noch gar nicht einmal die Rede sein. - -Freilich wird die Freude an der eignen Arbeit manchmal bitter vergällt, -wenn man die erforderliche Sorgfalt hat mangeln lassen und infolgedessen -durch das Verderben einzelner Büchsen sich Schäden zeigen, die außerhalb -der sorglich angestellten Berechnung liegen. Wenn auch in erster Linie -peinliche Sauberkeit in der Zubereitung, strengste Sorgfalt in der Auswahl -der Früchte erforderlich sind, um das Verderben zu verhüten, so giebt es -doch andrerseits auch äußerliche Hilfsmittel, durch welche man den Schaden -der wuchernden Schimmelpilze abwenden kann. - -Man hat hierzu in letzter Zeit hauptsächlich die luftdichte Verpackung -empfohlen, indem man spekulierte, daß zur Existenz jener kleinen Lebewesen, -welche die Zersetzung der organischen Substanz herbeiführen sollen, die -atmosphärische Luft abgeschlossen werden muß. Die Patentverschlüsse sind -meist so teuer und so wenig haltbar, daß sie sich bisher in den meisten -Haushaltungen nicht einzubürgern vermochten. Ein sicheres Mittel gegen das -Verderben der Speisen haben wir nur in den Salzen, und wenn sich auch das -gewöhnliche Kochsalz, welches z. B. bei Fleisch und Fischen ganz -vorzügliche Dienste leistet, nicht in allen Fällen eignet, so sind doch -auch für eingemachte Früchte gewisse Zusätze als bestes Verhütungsmittel -gegen das Verderben zu empfehlen. So wird in neurer Zeit Dr. _Oetker's -Salicyl_ mit bestem Erfolg angewendet, weil es den Geschmack der Früchte -nicht nur nicht beeinträchtigt, sondern ihn lange Zeit sogar frisch und -kräftig erhält. Seine Anwendung ist einfach und sauber und sein Preis -billig. Dieses Salicyl enthält reinste Salicylsäure, und ein Päckchen =à= -10 Pfg. genügt, um 10 Pfd. eingemachte Früchte gegen Schimmel zu schützen. - -Die Hausfrau, welche dieses Präparat einmal kennen gelernt hat, wird es -stets ihren einzumachenden Früchten zusetzen und braucht sich über -verschimmelte Kompotts nie mehr zu ärgern. - -Im Interesse einer ausgedehnten Verwendung ist der Preis billigst gestellt. - - - Anwendung. - -Man kocht die Früchte mit dem Zucker wie bisher, nimmt sie vom Feuer, löst -den Inhalt des Päckchens unter Umrühren in den 10 Pfd. Früchten auf, giebt -sie in die sauberen Gläser oder Töpfe und läßt erkalten. - -Nach dem Abkühlen legt man ein Stück reines Papier auf die Früchte, -befeuchtet mit etwas Rum oder Arrac und streut etwas Salicyl darauf. Jetzt -überbindet man mit einfachem oder mit Pergamentpapier, und die Früchte -halten sich vorzüglich und bewahren ihren reinen Geschmack. - -Will man Früchte, zum Beispiel Gurken, in Essig oder Salzwasser einlegen, -so löst man in 5 Liter gutem Einmache-Essig ein Päckchen Salicyl und hat -dann 5 Liter Salicyl-Essig, in welchem Gurken, Zwiebeln &c. niemals -verderben oder auch nur anlaufen, sondern sich sehr gut halten. - -Wenn sich die Essigfrüchte und Gemüse lange Zeit halten sollen, so gießt -man den Essig _kalt_ darüber. Sollen die Gemüse schnell genußfähig werden, -so gießt man den Essig _heiß_ über die Gemüse oder Früchte. - -Nimmt man etwas mehr Salicyl, so schadet das auch nichts, weil Dr. -_Oetker's Salicyl_ keinerlei schädliche Substanzen enthält. - -Zu welchen Früchten, Gemüsen und Konserven kann man Dr. _Oetker's -Salicyl_ verwenden? Zu Amarellen; Annanas-Gelée und Marmelade; Apfel-Gelée; -Apfelmarmelade und Kraut; Apfelsinen; Aprikosen; Artischocken; Birnen in -Essig; Birnen mit Zucker; Bohnen in Salzwasser; Brombeerensaft; Brünellen; -Kornelkirschen; Dreifruchtmarmelade; Dunstfrüchte; Erdbeeren in Gläsern; -Gurken als Essig-Gurken; Gurken in Salz; Gurken als Senfgurken; -Hagebuttenmarmelade; Heidelbeeren in Flaschen; Himbeergelée; Himbeersaft; -Johannisbeergelée; Johannisbeersaft; Kapern; Kirschen in Essig; Kirschen in -Zucker; Kirschensaft; Kirschen im eigenen Safte; Kraut als Sauerkraut; -Kürbis; Marmeladen; Maulbeeren; Mirabellen in Dunst oder in Essig; -Mixedpickles; Nüsse; Orangen; Perlzwiebeln; Pfirsiche, Pflaumen -in Dunst oder in Essig oder in Zucker; Pflaumenmus; Pomeranzen; -Preißelbeeren; Quitten; Reineklauden; Rote Rüben; Stachelbeeren; -Tutti-frutti-Eingemachtes; Weinbeeren; Zwiebeln. - - - Als Grundsatz - -merke man sich, daß auf 10 Pfd. gekochte Früchte, oder Gelée, oder -Marmelade, oder Mus, oder auf 5 Liter Himbeersaft, oder auf 5 Liter Essig -_nur_ 1 Päckchen =à= 10 Pfg. genommen wird. Nimmt man jedoch etwas mehr, so -schadet es auch nicht! Hat man jedoch nur 5 Pfd. eingemachte Früchte, so -nimmt man selbstredend nur ein halbes Päckchen Dr. Oetker's Salicyl. - -Skala für Frucht wie Zuckerbedarf: Man rechnet auf: 1 =kg= geschälte Birnen -1½ =kg= Zucker; 1 =kg= Aprikosen 1 =kg= Zucker; 1 =kg= Pfirsiche 1 =kg= -Zucker; 1 =kg= Pflaumen 1½ =kg= Zucker; 1 =kg= Reineklauden 1½ =kg= -Zucker; 1 =kg= Brombeeren ¾ =kg= Zucker; 1 =kg= Preißelbeeren ¼ =kg= -Zucker; 1 =kg= Kirschen ¾ =kg= Zucker. - - - - - Ob wirklich ein Ei dem andern gleicht? - - -Viel Verdruß und finanzieller Verlust entsteht trotz aller Vorsicht in -umfangreicheren Wirtschaften dadurch, daß ein gewisser Prozentsatz der -aufgespeicherten Vorräte dem Verderben anheimfällt. Auch die -größtmöglichste Aufmerksamkeit ist diesem Uebelstande gegenüber vergebens, -denn wenn die Zersetzung erst einmal, sei es auch in noch so geringem -Umfange, Fuß gefaßt hat, dann greift sie mit Riesenschritten um sich; es -ist vergebliche Mühe, sie zu bekämpfen; hat man die Gefahr an einer Seite -beseitigt, so taucht sie dafür an drei anderen Ecken und Enden auf. - -Am empfindlichsten sind hierbei die Produkte der Hühnerzucht; es gehört -nicht nur Geschick und Sachkenntnis, sondern auch viel Glück dazu, um den -Winterbedarf verlustfrei zu konservieren. Trotzdem wird keine ordentliche -Hauswirtin Bedenken tragen, den Wintervorrat selbst zu sammeln und in -geeigneter Weise aufzubewahren; sie kennt den Unterschied zwischen dem -Produkt ihrer sorglich gezüchteten Rassen und den minderwertigen Faß- und -Kisteneiern und unterzieht sich gern der Arbeit des Konservierens, weil sie -weiß, was sich dabei ersparen und welche Genüsse sich dabei gewinnen -lassen. - -Aber auch in solchen Wirtschaften, wo man nicht selbst Geflügelzucht -treibt, empfiehlt es sich, selbst Vorrat an Eiern zu halten und im Herbste -ausreichend frische Ware zu beschaffen, damit der Bedarf für den Winter -gedeckt ist. Werden die Eier erst kurz vor dem Gebrauch beim Händler -geholt, so muß man wohl oder übel nehmen was da ist, nämlich Lagerware. In -Fässern oder Kisten verpackt treiben sich diese Eier monate- und -vierteljahrelang bei Spediteuren herum und, wenn auch das eigentliche -Faulwerden verhütet wird, so leidet doch die Qualität der Ware so -erheblich, daß auch eine ungeübte Zunge und noch mehr die Nase den -Unterschied herausfindet. Mit einem einzigen solchen angegangenen Ei kann -unter Umständen eine ganze kostspielig zubereitete Speise verdorben werden. - -Das Huhn ist nämlich ein Tier, welches sich in hohem Grade den -Verhältnissen anpaßt, wie schon die große Zahl der Rassen und Spielarten -beweist. Durch Zucht und geeignete Fütterung kann man das Huhn dahin -bringen, sehr viel Eier zu legen, eine Methode, nach welcher in den großen, -den Handelsbedarf deckenden Züchtereien gearbeitet wird. Es können dabei -auch große, äußerlich recht schöne Eier erzielt werden -- aber nur auf -Kosten der Qualität, und daraus erklärt es sich, daß 10 Faß- oder -Kisteneier noch lange nicht so viel wert sind, als eine kleinere Zahl Eier -von den im eigenen Haushalt gezüchteten Hennen. - -Die Sorge für Aufbewahrung des hierbei zu Zeiten sich ergebenden -Ueberflusses ist kaum zu rechnen gegenüber den auf diese Weise sich -bietenden Vorteilen; sie verschwindet vollständig, wenn man die frischen -Eier nach folgendem Verfahren behandelt. - -Dieses Verfahren ist so einfach, daß man sich wundern muß, warum es nicht -schon längst im Haushalte Fuß gefaßt hat. - -Man kauft also frische Eier, prüft sie abends, indem man jedes Ei mit -Daumen und Zeigefinger umschließt und gegen eine helle Flamme hält. - -Ist das Ei hell durchscheinend, so ist es zum Einlegen zu verwenden. Ist es -an einer Stelle dunkel, so verwendet man es sogleich, denn ein solches Ei -wird auch in der besten Konservierflüssigkeit schlecht werden. - -Je nach der Menge der Eier, welche man einlegen will, nimmt man einen -großen oder kleinen Behälter von Glas, Porzellan, Steingut oder Holz und -übergießt die Eier nach dem Einlegen mit folgender Mischung: - - =Liq. Natr. silicici crud. Ph. G. III= - (=Natronwasserglas=) 1 Liter - Wasser 10 Liter - -und zwar gießt man soviel auf, daß die Eier bedeckt sind. Vorher werden die -Eier vom Schmutz gereinigt. Auf das Vorratsgefäß legt man einen Deckel oder -Brett und nimmt die Eier nach Bedarf heraus. - -Hat man große Tonnen eingerichtet, so läßt man unten einen Holzkrahn -einsetzen und kann dann die Flüssigkeit nach Belieben ablassen. Die -entnommenen Eier werden abgewaschen und benutzt. - -Bedenkt man die außerordentlichen Summen, welche dem ganzen Volke durch -diese genau angegebene Methode erhalten bleiben, so ist diese Art der -Aufbewahrung von größter, ökonomischer Bedeutung für den Volkswohlstand. - -Die Konservierflüssigkeit verschließt die Poren der Eischale. Will man die -Eier kochen, so muß man mit einer starken Nadel ein Loch hineinbohren, -damit die Luft entweichen kann, sonst platzt die Eischale. - -Im weichgekochten Zustande sind Eier ein vorzügliches Nahrungsmittel, -besonders für schwächliche Personen, weil die Bestandteile der Eier sehr -leicht assimiliert werden. - -Man genießt die Eier in den verschiedenartigsten Zubereitungen und -allgemein wird anerkannt, daß Eier eine sehr nahrhafte Speise sind. Den -Nährwert der Eier überschätzt man jedoch. 7 Eier enthalten so viele -Nährstoffe wie ein Liter Milch und die eigene Berechnung zeigt Jedermann, -daß die Eier im Verhältnis zur Milch teuere Nahrungsmittel sind. Ein Ei hat -ungefähr den Nährwert wie 40 =g= gutes fettes Fleisch. - -Das Durchschnittsgewicht eines Eies ist 53 =g= und kann man hiervon 6 =g= -auf die aus kohlensaurem Kalk bestehende Schale, 31 =g= auf das Eiweiß und -16 =g= auf das Eigelb rechnen. Das Ei ohne Schale enthält 6 =g= trockenes -Eiweiß und 5 =g= Fett. Am leichtesten sind die Eier zu verdauen, wenn man -die rohen gequierlten Eier in heiße Fleischbrühe laufen läßt und dann mit -der Fleischbrühe genießt. - -Der ekelhafte Geruch fauler Eier entsteht durch Schwefelwasserstoff und -Phosphorwasserstoff, welche sich bei der Zersetzung des Gehaltes bilden. - - - - - Das Feuer. - - -Im gewöhnlichen Leben versteht man unter Verbrennung die Vereinigung eines -Körpers mit dem Sauerstoffe der Luft unter gleichzeitiger Erscheinung von -Wärme und Licht. - -Zur Einleitung einer Verbrennung ist eine bestimmte Temperatur nötig, bei -welcher sich der Brennstoff entzündet. Die natürlichen festen Brennstoffe -erleiden beim Erhitzen vor der Entzündung eine Zersetzung, bei welcher -Dämpfe und gasförmige Körper gebildet werden; diese gasförmigen Produkte -verbrennen mit Flamme, während der Rückstand (Kohlen oder Koks) beim -Verbrennen nur glühen. In den häuslichen und gewerblichen Feuerungen -verbrennt das Feuerungsmaterial nicht in reinem Sauerstoff, sondern in der -Luft, einem Gemisch von Stickstoff und Sauerstoff. - -Der eigentliche verbrennliche Teil unseres Heizmaterials sind der -Kohlenstoff und der Wasserstoff. - -Bei genügendem Luftzutritt verbrennt der Kohlenstoff zu Kohlensäure und der -Wasserstoff zu Wasser. Kohlensäure und Wasserdampf entweichen in die Luft. -Der Stickstoff der Luft wird hierbei nicht verändert. - -Also die Luft muß an das Brennmaterial herangeführt werden, geschieht dies -nicht, weil im Ofen noch zu viel Asche liegt, so kann die beste Kohle nicht -brennen und auch nicht erwärmen. - -Wie wird dieser einfache Vorgang so häufig mißachtet. Das Feuer brennt -nicht, der Ofen zieht nicht mehr, die Kohlen taugen nichts! Das sind die -Redensarten nachlässiger Dienstboten. - -Hält man die Oefen nicht in Ordnung, so sind auch direkte Verluste damit -verknüpft. Die eingeworfenen Kohlen verschlacken, verbrennen aber nicht -vollkommen. Den Schaden hat immer die Herrschaft zu tragen. - - - - - Die Fische &c. - - -Das Fleisch der Fische ist ebenso nahrhaft und ebenso gesund und verdaulich -wie das Fleisch anderer Tiere. - -Wenn möglich sollen die Fische erst kurz vor der Zubereitung getötet -werden. Das Fleisch der Fische verdirbt sehr schnell und kommen die -Seefische daher stets in Eis verpackt in das Binnenland. Flußfische, welche -in sumpfigen Gewässern gelebt haben, verlieren ihren Wohlgeschmack. Das -Fleisch nimmt einen moderigen Geschmack an. - -Für die Volksernährung kommen hauptsächlich der Häring und der Schellfisch -in Betracht. Der erstere enthält reichlich Eiweiß und viel Fett und ist -imstande eine allein nicht genügende Mahlzeit z. B. Kartoffeln oder Reis, -zu einer völlig ausreichenden zu machen. Schellfische enthalten nur wenig -Fett und werden stets mit Fett gegessen. Die seltenen Fische wie Forelle, -Lachs, Karpfen &c. sind heute Luxusartikel und werden teuer bezahlt. - -Die Sardinen in Oel werden besonders aus Frankreich zu uns gebracht. Die -Fische kommen in großen Mengen an die französische Küste, werden nach dem -Fange gesalzen, abgewaschen, in kochendes Olivenöl ca. eine Minute -eingetaucht, in Blechdosen verpackt und nach dem Zulöten versandt. - -Das Fleisch der _Krebse_, Krabben und Hummer ist hart und schwer -verdaulich; sie gelten bei uns als Delikatesse und werden als solche hoch -bezahlt. - -Das Fleisch der Auster ist sehr leicht verdaulich. Die Auster wird meistens -lebend gegessen, weil das Fleisch außerordentlich schnell verdirbt. - -Beim Oeffnen der Schalen sieht man das Tier in einer wässerigen Flüssigkeit -liegen, welche von Unerfahrenen als Meerwasser betrachtet und weggegossen -wird. Dies ist nicht richtig, denn diese Flüssigkeit macht einen -wesentlichen Teil des Tieres aus. - - - - - Die verschiedenen Fleischsorten. - - -Das Rindfleisch ist von allen Fleischsorten am meisten mit rotem Blutsaft -angefüllt. Es besitzt ein dichteres Gewebe als andere Fleischsorten, -enthält daher in dem gleichen Volumen mehr Nahrungsstoffe; aus diesem -Grunde, und weil außerdem sein Geschmack voller und reicher als der anderer -Fleischsorten ist, hat sich allgemein die Ansicht geltend gemacht, das es -von allem Fleisch das nahrhafteste ist. - -Das Sprichwort »Kalbfleisch ist Halbfleisch« hat eine gewisse Berechtigung, -weil das Fleisch junger Kälber 80% Wasser enthält. Je älter das Kalb wird, -um so besser wird auch das Fleisch. - -Hammelfleisch hat feinere Muskelfasern und ein loseres Gewebe wie -Rindfleisch. Es gilt allgemein als leicht verdaulich und wird deshalb gerne -als Krankenkost empfohlen. - -Die Art des Futters ist bei dem Schweine von größtem Einfluß auf die -Qualität des Fleisches. Wegen des hohen Fettgehaltes gilt das -Schweinefleisch als schwer verdaulich. - -Wild und Geflügel haben ein feinfaseriges Fleisch mit dichterem Gewebe als -das Fleisch der landwirtschaftlichen Schlachttiere. Gekocht und gebraten -bildet das Fleisch dieser Tiere eine zarte, wohlschmeckende und leicht -verdauliche Speise. In Folge der stärkeren Bewegung haben diese Tiere -nur wenig Fett. - -Das Fleisch der meisten Fische ist weiß von weißem Blut, es giebt aber auch -rotblutige Fische, z. B. Lachs. Das Fleisch der Fische schmeckt sehr -verschieden, hauptsächlich bedingt durch den Geschmack des Fettes. Das -Fleisch der Fische ist ebenso nahrhaft und ebenso leicht verdaulich wie das -Fleisch der Tiere. - -Fleischspeisen sind für den Einzelnen wie für ganze Völker von größtem -Einfluß auf die Leistungsfähigkeit. Völker, welche viel Fleisch verzehren, -zeigen große Kraft bei der Arbeit und infolge dieser körperlichen Kraft -besitzen sie Selbstvertrauen und Energie. Völker, welche fast nur von -Pflanzenkost leben, sind in geistiger Beziehung feige und vermögen keine -besondere Kraftentwickelung zu zeigen. Für zivilisierte Völker hat sich -herausgestellt, daß eine aus Fleisch und Pflanzenteilen hergestellte -Nahrung am vorteilhaftesten ist. - -Erwärmt man das Fleisch bis 70°, so zersetzt sich der rote Blutfarbstoff -und das Fleisch wird grau. - -Kinder mögen manchmal das Fleisch nicht, weil sie es nicht zerbeißen -können. Die Kaumuskeln sind noch zu schwach und deshalb muß das Fleisch -sehr fein zerschnitten sein. - -Frisches Fleisch wird beim Kochen nicht weich und muß deshalb einige Tage -hängen. Es findet dann eine Veränderung des Fleisches, wahrscheinlich unter -Einfluß von Bakterien statt. Jedes Fleisch ist um so leichter verdaulich, -je besser es gekaut wird oder je feiner es in der Küche gehackt oder -geschabt oder geklopft wird. Nach dem Schlachten der Tiere tritt die -Totenstarre ein und diese beruht auf einem Festwerden der flüssigen -Eiweißlösung, welche den Inhalt der Muskelfasern ausmacht; das Festwerden -geschieht in ähnlicher Weise wie beim Eiweiß des Hühnereies wenn es erhitzt -wird. Kurze Zeit nachher wird das Fleisch nach der Totenstarre wieder weich -und dies ist die richtige Zeit zur Küchenverwendung. Liegt es länger, so -tritt Fäulnis ein, welche mit einem vorsichtigen Ausdrucke bezeichnet auch -=Kantgoût= genannt wird. - - - - - Fleischbrühe. - - -Um eine gute Fleischbrühe oder Bouillon zu erhalten, verfährt man in -folgender Weise. - -Man wäscht das Fleischstück schnell ab oder reinigt es, wenn nötig, durch -Abreiben mit einem reinen Tuche. Das Fleisch wird mit kaltem Wasser -aufgesetzt, ganz langsam erwärmt und im gelinden Kochen erhalten. - -Das kalte wie das lauwarme Wasser löst einen Teil des Eiweißes aus dem -Fleische. Später gerinnt dieses Eiweiß, tritt als Schaum an die Oberfläche -des Wassers und nun erst setzt man Salz hinzu, damit die Fleischsalze -leichter in das umgebende Wasser dringen können, denn jetzt will man ja die -Nährbestandteile des Fleisches in der Fleischbrühe haben. - -Um das Fleisch vollständig auszuziehen, muß man 5-7 Stunden schwach kochen -lassen, je nach der Art und Größe des Fleischstückes. 1 Kilo muß 3 Stunden -kochen. - -Das kalte Wasser entzieht dem Fleische zuerst Fleischsalze und Eiweiß. Die -Fleischsalze bleiben in der Brühe, das Eiweiß gerinnt, wenn das Wasser heiß -geworden ist. - -Das heiße Wasser verwandelt einen Teil des Bindegewebes in Leimsubstanz, -und diese wird von der Brühe gelöst. Das Fett des Fleisches schmilzt und -schwimmt auf der Fleischbrühe. Erkaltet die Fleischbrühe später, so -erstarrt das Fett, und man nimmt es ab, um es bei nächster Gelegenheit zu -verwenden. - -Vor allem entzieht das heiße Wasser dem Fleische die wichtigen -Fleischsalze. - -Die so erhaltene Fleischbrühe schmeckt kräftig, ist aber kein -Nahrungsmittel, sondern ein Genußmittel, regt die Verdauung an und wirkt -auf das Nervensystem belebend. - -Häufig kocht man auch die Knochen mit aus und erhält in der Fleischbrühe -auch die Substanzen, welche durch Wasser den Knochen entzogen werden -können. - -Die Knorpelsubstanz wird in Leimsubstanz verwandelt und löst sich in der -heißen Brühe. - -Die Fleischbrühe reagiert sauer und enthält von anorganischen Verbindungen -hauptsächlich Phosphorsäure und Kali. Fleischbrühe von Rindfleisch ist am -kräftigsten; vom Kalbfleisch und Hühnerfleisch milde und vom Wildpret am -pikantesten. - -Verwendet man auch Knochen und Knorpel zu der Fleischbrühe, so wird diese -reicher an Leim und dem Geschmacke nach vollmündiger. - -Fleischbrühe, in welcher ein Eigelb zerschlagen ist, wird Kindern, welche -älter wie ein Jahr sind und Rekonvaleszenten gern verordnet. Einen Teller -Bouillon vor dem Mittagessen zu nehmen kann man nur empfehlen. Die Brühe -feuchtet den Magen an, erregt die Magensekretion und der Magensaft mischt -sich leichter mit den festeren Speisen. Aus Rücksicht auf schnelle und -vollständige Verdauung ist es praktisch, vor den festeren Speisen erst eine -leichtere weichere Nahrung zu sich zu nehmen. - - - - - Gelée. - - -Die Gelées sind durchsichtige kalte Speisen, welche mit oder ohne Anwendung -von Gallertstoffen angefertigt werden. Als Gallertstoffe werden Gelatine, -Agar Agar, Hausenblase oder Kalbsfüße benutzt. - -Löst man diese Gallertstoffe in einer gewissen Menge Flüssigkeit in der -Wärme auf und läßt dann wieder erkalten, so erstarrt die gekochte -Flüssigkeit zu einem Gelée. - -Der Nährwert dieser Gallertstoffe ist sehr gering, sie enthalten keine -Nährstoffe, sondern sind Luxusspeisen, welche meistens als Nachtisch -serviert werden. - -Bei den süßen Gelées oder den Fruchtgelées, denen man größere Mengen Zucker -zusetzt, dient der Zucker als Würze, wirkt aber gleichzeitig als Nährstoff. - -Aus frischen, unvergohrenen Fruchtsäften, z. B. Johannisbeersaft, kann man -nach Beigabe von Zucker Gelées kochen, ohne Gelatine hinzufügen zu müssen. -Die frischen Fruchtsäfte enthalten Pektinstoffe, welche ein Erstarren des -Saftes beim Erkalten hervorbringen. Läßt man die Fruchtsäfte jedoch gären, -so werden die Pektinstoffe zersetzt und geben beim Erkalten keine Gelées -mehr. - - - Gelée aus Agar Agar. - -Um ein Liter Gelée herzustellen verwendet man 5 Stangen Agar Agar. Diese -Stangen werden ¼ Stunde in einem Liter Wasser eingeweicht, -herausgenommen, ausgedrückt und zerzupft. Mit einem Liter Wasser stellt man -sie 2 Stunden heiß, ohne die Flüssigkeit zum Kochen zu bringen. - -Will man das Gelée ganz klar haben, so zerquirlt man 2 Eiweiß in wenig -Wasser, giebt sie in die etwas erkaltete Geléemasse, rührt um und stellt -wieder aufs Feuer. Das Eiweiß gerinnt und bindet alle trübemachenden -Fäserchen. Jetzt filtriert man durch ein ausgewaschenes leinenes Tuch und -stellt zum Erkalten bei Seite. - -Will man ein Gelée aus Gelatine machen, so nimmt man auf ein Liter -Flüssigkeit im Sommer 100 =g= und im Winter 80 =g= Gelatineblätter. Die -Blätter wischt man mit kaltem Wasser ab und löst sie durch Kochen auf. Nach -dem Lösen klärt man, wie oben mitgeteilt, durch 2 Eiweiß und filtriert. - - - - - Gemüse, Kräuter und Salate. - - -Das Kochen der Gemüse hat den Zweck, diese für den menschlichen Organismus -leichter verdaulich zu machen. Vollständig gereinigt legt man sie in die -_kochende Fleischbrühe_ oder in kochendes, leicht gesalzenes Wasser und -überläßt sie so lange der Siedetemperatur, bis sie weich sind. - -Auch hier ist es wichtig, daß der Pflanzensaft in den Blättern bleibt, denn -mit kaltem Wasser ausgelaugt, bleibt nichts zurück, wie ein geschmackloses -Zellengewebe. - -Um dem Gemüse die schöne grüne Farbe zu erhalten, muß man _kochende_ -Fleischbrühe verwenden und darf den Deckel nicht auf den Topf legen. Der -Dampf mit seinen flüchtigen Bestandteilen muß entweichen können. - -Die grüne Farbe rührt her von dem in den Zellen befindlichen Blattgrün, und -dieses Blattgrün behält seine Zusammensetzung nur bei obigem Verfahren. - -Die scharfen Bestandteile des Blattgrüns werden durch schnelles Abkochen -zersetzt. - -Alle grünen Gemüse, alle Kohlarten und Rüben müssen in ihrem eigenen Safte -gekocht werden, damit sie, ebenso wie das Fleisch, ihren Nährwert behalten. -Viele dieser Gemüse geben an kochendes Wasser färbende und übelriechende -Stoffe ab. Um diese Stoffe zu entfernen, werden diese Gemüse abgebrüht und -das Wasser dann abgegossen. - -Uebergießt man die grünen Gemüse mit kochendem Wasser, so läßt sich im -Dampfe das sehr unangenehm riechende Schwefelwasserstoffgas nachweisen. - -Giebt man in die Fleischbrühe oder in das Wasser, welches zum Kochen der -Gemüse benutzt werden soll, einen halben Theelöffel voll Dr. _Oetker's -Kochpulver_, so werden die Gemüse viel schneller weich und viel -verdaulicher. Z. B. Spinat, Grünkohl, Schwarzwurzel, Weißkraut. - -Das Kochen der grünen Gemüse veranlaßt zuerst das Absterben der vorher -lebenden Zellen. Der Zellsaft fließt aus und Wasser dringt in die Zellen. -Am besten erkennt man dies beim Kochen der roten Rüben. In kaltes Wasser -gelegt bleibt das Wasser hell, kocht man jedoch, so fließt der rote Saft -der Zellen in das umgebende Wasser. - -Eine weitere Einwirkung der Hitze ist das Gerinnen des Eiweißes und ein -Aufquellen der Stärkemehlkörner, welche fast in allen Gemüsen mehr oder -weniger sich finden. - -Der Nährwert der Gemüse ist ein geringer und werden sie nur als eine -angenehme Zuspeise genossen; sind aber trotzdem für das Wohlbefinden von -großer Bedeutung, weil sie mit den Nahrungsstoffen den Magen füllen und -hierdurch das angenehme Gefühl der Sättigung hervorrufen. - -Einige dieser Gewächse werden nur wegen ihrer eigentümlichen Bestandteile -auf den Tisch gebracht. So rührt der sauere Geschmack des Sauerampfers vom -saueren oxalsauren Kalk her. Der Kopfsalat enthält saueres zitronensaures -Kalium. Der scharfe Geschmack des Rettigs, der Radieschen, der Zwiebeln und -des Meerrettig ist bedingt durch Senföl. Diese Kräuter und Salate sind also -Genußmittel, aber keine Nahrungsmittel. - -Das Einsalzen geschieht bei Kohl, Bohnen, Rüben und Gurken; Kohl und Bohnen -werden nach dem Zerschneiden mit Salz und Gewürzen in einem Faß -eingestampft. Das Salz entzieht dem Gemüse einen Teil des Wassers und -bildet eine Salzlake. Die Menge des angewandten Salzes ist aber nicht groß -genug um eine Gärung zu verhindern. Es findet eine Milchsäure-Gärung statt -und die entstandene Milchsäure wirkt fäulnishemmend. Aus diesem Grunde -haben Sauerkohl und Faßbohnen einen saueren Geschmack. - -Gurken und rote Rüben werden mit Essig und Gewürzen eingemacht. Hier -verhindert der Essig das Verderben. - - - - - Die Gewürze. - - -Unsere wichtigsten Nahrungsmittel wie reines Eiweiß, reine Stärke, reines -Fett sind geschmacklos und nur durch Hinzugabe von Gewürzen ist es uns -möglich, diese unbedingt notwendigen Nahrungsmittel mit Wohlbehagen zu -genießen. - -Der Zucker ist Nahrungsmittel und gleichzeitig Genußmittel. - -Das _Kochsalz_ ist Nahrungsmittel und Genußmittel; kein Mensch kann ohne -Kochsalz leben. Das Salz ist ein nie fehlender Bestandteil des Blutes. Alle -pflanzenfressenden Tiere haben Heißhunger nach Salz; aber die Tiere, welche -nur Fleisch fressen, haben kein Salz nötig, weil sie das salzhaltige -Fleisch und Blut der gefangenen Tiere aufnehmen und so für ihren eigenen -Körper genug Kochsalz aufnehmen. - -Je reiner das Salz ist, um so schöner für den Tisch. Dann bleibt es auch -längere Zeit trocken. Ein feucht werdendes Salz ist nicht genug gereinigt. - -Manchmal hört man auch die Ansicht vertreten, die eine Sorte Salz sei -kräftiger wie eine andere. Das ist eine falsche Ansicht, Salz ist Salz, und -wenn man eine Speise mit abgewogenen Mengen Salz würzt, so wird nachher -Niemand herausschmecken, ob man die eine oder die andere Sorte Salz benutzt -hat. - -Den Würzstoffen unserer Speisen sind auch folgende zuzuzählen, welche alle -auf dem Wege des Reflexes die Verdauungsthätigkeit erhöhen. - -Zucker, Kochsalz, scharfschmeckende Substanzen und ätherische Oele und -Weine regen, auf die Zunge gebracht, die Sekretion der Speicheldrüsen und -die Abscheidung des Magensaftes an. Aus diesem Grunde trinkt man vor -größeren Mahlzeiten ein Glas starken Wein oder eine Tasse Bouillon oder man -ißt ein Schnittchen mit Caviar. - -Als wirkliche - - $Genußmittel$ - -bezeichnet man die Substanzen, welche erst nach Aufnahme in den -Blutkreislauf ihre Wirkung auf das Nervensystem ausüben können. Hierher -gehören alle alkoholhaltigen Getränke, Kaffee, Thee und Tabak. Diese -charakteristisch wirkenden organischen Stoffe könnte man passend als -Nervenreizmittel bezeichnen und sind sie in vernünftigem Maaße benutzt -keineswegs als etwas durchaus Schädliches zu bezeichnen. - -O. Funke giebt seiner Ansicht folgenden treffenden Ausdruck: - -»Es ist thöricht und unberechtigt, auch den bescheidensten Genuß der -genannten Reizmittel zu verwerfen. Man braucht sie nicht damit in Schutz zu -nehmen, daß der Trieb, sie in irgend welcher Form sich zu verschaffen, -wiederum der Ausfluß eines untilgbaren Menscheninstinktes ist, der sich zu -allen Zeiten und bei allen Völkern geltend gemacht hat. - -Man braucht sich nur zu fragen: »Muß denn unsere Maschine, wie das Pendel -der Uhr, immer in demselben monotonen, langweiligen Tempo arbeiten? Was -schadet es ihr denn, wenn sie von Zeit zu Zeit mit etwas stärker gespanntem -Dampf etwas rascher pumpt, sobald sie nur in den darauffolgenden -Intervallen bei langsamerer Arbeit die kleine Luxusausgabe von Kraft aus -dem genügenden Vorrat wieder einbringen und etwaige kleinere Defekte ihres -Mechanismus wieder ausbessern kann?« Wahrlich, manche leuchtende, -fruchtbringende Idee ist schon aus einem Römer duftenden Rheinweines -geboren, welche vielleicht nie den nüchternen Wasserkrügen der Vegetarianer -entstiegen wäre; manch bitteres Herzweh, das bei Himbeerlimonade tiefer -gefressen hätte, hat ein Schälchen Kaffee gemildert; manche Sorge, manche -Grille hat sich mit dem Rauch einer Zigarre verflüchtigt und das ist doch -auch etwas wert in so mancher armseligen Menschenexistenz.« - - - Gewürze! - -Es giebt eine Anzahl Kräuter, Samen und Früchte, welche sich im Haushalte -eingebürgert haben ohne jedoch Nahrungsmittel zu sein. Diese Pflanzenteile -haben einen auffallenden Geruch oder Geschmack und deshalb benutzt man sie -um Speisen mit diesem Geschmacke zu durchtränken. - -Diese Gewürze gehören zu den Genußmitteln und sind deshalb von größter -Bedeutung für den Wohlgeschmack unserer Hauptnahrungsmittel. Das was wir im -Allgemeinen als Geschmack bezeichnen ist vielmehr ein Riechen wie ein -Schmecken und wer einen tüchtigen Schnupfen hat wird finden, daß auch der -Geschmack der Speisen sehr nachgelassen hat. - -Für alle Kuchen und Puddings hat sich nun Zitronen und Vanille am meisten -eingeführt. Von der Zitrone reibt man die gelbe Außenhaut mit dem -aetherischen Oele ab und verwendet nach Belieben. - -Die Vanille-Schoten zerstößt man mit Zucker oder kocht sie mit Milch aus. -Da nun die Vanilleschoten sehr teuer sind, so hat sich in letzter Zeit -Vanillin-Zucker eingeführt und die kleinen 10 Pfg. Päckchen, welche von -Dr. Oetker versandt werden, finden immer mehr den Beifall der -Hausfrauen. - -Was man früher mit 50-75 Pfg. bezahlen mußte, erhält man jetzt für 10 Pfg. -Es giebt kaum einen anderen Küchenartikel, welcher sich so schnell -eingeführt hat. Um Puddings, Getränke, Saucen, Kuchen &c. mit dem -prächtigen Vanille-Aroma zu versehen, braucht man nur von diesem -Vanillin-Zucker unterzurühren. - - - - - Der Käse. - - -Alle scheinbar so verschiedenen Käse werden mit geringen Abweichungen auf -die nämliche Art bereitet. Als Rohmaterial dient die Milch, welche mit -Labessenz oder Labpulver versetzt den Käsestoff in festen Gerinnsel -ausfallen läßt. Dieser Käsestoff wird gepreßt, damit alle Milch entfernt -wird, gewürzt und in bestimmte Formen gebracht. Ein Hauptunterschied -besteht darin, welche Art von Milch man verwendet. - -Stellt man den Käse aus frischer nicht abgerahmter Milch her, so erhält man -Rahmkäse. Verwendet man abgerahmte süße Milch, so erhält man einen -Süßmilchkäse. Hat man aber abgerahmte saure Milch benutzt, so ist -Sauermilchkäse das Resultat. - -Sogenannte Handkäse oder Bauernkäse sind Sauermilchkäse, welche mit Salz -und Kümmel vermischt überall auf den Markt kommen. Allgemeiner bekannt sind -von diesen Sauermilchkäsen der Mainzer, Harzer und Nieheimer Käse. - -Ist der Käse geformt, so kommt er in die Keller zum Reifen. Unter dem -Reifwerden des Käse versteht man eine Veränderung des Eiweißes. Diese -Veränderung des Eiweißes bringt auch ein anderes Aroma des Käse hervor. -Gleichzeitig findet in der ganzen Masse des Käse eine durch sehr kleine -Lebewesen der Pflanzenwelt hervorgebrachte Gärung statt. Auch hierbei -entstehen geringe Mengen riechender Substanzen, z. B. Buttersäure und die -nicht riechende Kohlensäure. Durch diese Kohlensäure entstehen die Löcher, -welche wir im Schweizerkäse sehen. - -Der Käse ist leicht verdaulich und wird umso leichter von den -Verdauungssäften gelöst je lockerer er ist, je feiner er gekaut oder -geraspelt wird. - -Käse ist in Bezug auf seinen hohen Nährwert ein billiges Nahrungsmittel und -kann als solches nicht genug empfohlen werden. Die teueren ausländischen -Käse sind Luxuskäse und müssen höher bezahlt werden. - -Aus Schafmilch wird der Roquefortkäse gemacht und die grüne Farbe wird -durch Schimmelpilze bedingt. - -Der Käse ist ein außerordentlich wichtiges Nahrungsmittel, da er wegen -seines hohen Eiweißgehaltes und seiner Fettsubstanz für den Organismus sehr -wichtig ist, und so niedrig im Preise steht, daß er von Jedermann gekauft -werden kann. Besonders die Quarkkäse mögen empfohlen sein als Beigabe für -die Speisen, welche wenig Eiweiß enthalten. - -Der Käse wird sehr gut verdaut. Einige Menschen giebt es jedoch, welche -behaupten, abends keinen Käse vertragen zu können. Die teuren Käse sind -Luxusartikel und der hohe für sie verlangte Preis steht nicht im Einklange -mit ihrem Nährwerte, sondern der Preis wird bezahlt für den angenehmen -Geschmack und das pikante Aroma. - - - - - Wie bereitet man einen _guten_ Kaffee? - - -Zu den edelsten Himmelsgaben gehört der braune Trank des Südens, der -Kaffee, der überall, wo er bekannt wurde, trotz aller Verbote und -Verdächtigungen, sich schnell zum eigentlichen Hausgetränk einbürgerte. Das -liebliche Aroma dieser Bohnen mit seinen wohlthuenden Wirkungen auf -Verdauungsorgane und Nervensystem erfüllt alle Voraussetzungen eines -Genußmittels für den täglichen Gebrauch, es macht den Kopf klar und die -Augen hell. - -Guter Kaffee ist eine Delikatesse, die ihres gleichen sucht. Aber wie vom -Erhabenen zum Lächerlichen nur ein Schritt ist, so berühren sich auch die -Gegensätze in der Kunst des Kaffeekochens und leider giebt es da so viele -Hausfrauen, die ihr nach alter Schablone hergestelltes Getränk, für -welches der Volksmund eine ganze Reihe lieblicher Kosenamen erfunden hat, -noch übers Bohnenlied herausstreichen. Ueber den Geschmack läßt sich -natürlich nicht streiten, wenn aber, wie es so manchmal geschieht, die -fehlenden Vorzüge eines recht dünnen Getränkes darin gefunden werden -sollen, daß starker Kaffee für Gesunde nervenschädlich sei, so ist das auf -alle Fälle eine sehr kühne Behauptung, welche lebhaft an die schöne Fabel -vom Fuchs und den sauren Trauben erinnert. - -Gerade diejenigen Stoffe, welche dem Kaffee seinen Wert geben, gehen bei -der üblichen Weise seiner Bereitung häufig verloren; wenn die gemahlenen -Bohnen in das siedende Wasser geschüttet werden, dann entwickelt sich -schnell ein starkes, durch drei bis vier Zimmer dringendes Aroma -- aber -wie selten kommt doch eine Hausfrau auf den naheliegenden Gedanken, daß die -Würze, welche in die Luft entweicht, dem fertigen Getränk entzogen werden -muß! Was nützt es dann, den faden Geschmack des Letzteren durch allerhand -Zusatzmittel zu verbessern? Der Kenner findet die Täuschung nur zu leicht -heraus, denn man kann den Kaffee auf solche Weise wohl bitter und schwarz, -niemals aber wohlschmeckend machen. - -Etwas besser schon ist das Aufgußverfahren, bei welchem die Bohnen im -Trichter mit heißem Wasser übergossen werden. Der auf diese Art gewonnene -Kaffee ist zwar ziemlich gut, denn wenn das durchfließende Wasser auch -einen Teil der Bestandteile auszieht, so bleibt doch stets noch ein Teil in -den Bohnen zurück. Sucht man diesen Uebelstand durch besonders feines -Mahlen der Bohnen zu beseitigen, so erhält man ein trübes oder graues -Getränk, welches sich schon durch seine äußere Erscheinung nicht recht -empfiehlt. - -Die Haupterfordernisse zur Bereitung eines tadellosen Kaffees sind -reinschmeckende Bohnen und richtige zweckentsprechende Beschaffenheit des -Wassers, denn dasselbe muß im Stande sein, die wirksamen Stoffe den Bohnen -zu entziehen und sie vollständig zu binden. Man giebt dem Wasser diese -Eigenschaft durch einen billigen Zusatz, genannt Dr. Oetker's Kochpulver. -Dieses weiße Pulver ist eine Mischung von Substanzen, welche sich -vorzüglich bewährt haben. Erst hierdurch gelingt es, den Kaffee zu dem zu -machen, was er sein soll, zu einem kräftigen, würzigen, von allen -unangenehmen Wirkungen freies Hausgetränk. - -Man verfahre folgendermaßen: - -Den frisch gemahlenen Kaffee z. B. 3 Lot (nach der alten Methode gemessen) -giebt man auf den Trichter, füllt einen Löffel mit kochend heißem -sprudelndem Wasser, giebt in den Löffel eine Messerspitze voll Dr. -Oetker's Kochpulver und gießt diese Lösung über die gemahlenen Bohnen. - -Nach einigen Minuten giebt man das übrige, immer im Kochen erhaltene Wasser -auf den Kaffee und erhält ein Getränk, wie es vorzüglicher nicht -hergestellt werden kann, und wird der Kaffee den Beifall eines jeden -Kenners finden. - -Wie kommt das denn, wird manche Hausfrau fragen, daß ein weißes Pulver dem -Kaffee eine viel dunklere Farbe und einen volleren Geschmack verleihen -kann? - -Wenn Kaffeebohnen geröstet werden, so entwickelt sich auf den Bohnen und in -den Zellen ein Oel, welches die volle Einwirkung gewöhnlichen Wassers -verhindert. Das Wasser kann nicht in die Zellen eindringen, kann also aus -den Zellen auch nichts aufnehmen. Dr. Oetker's Kochpulver giebt dem -Wasser nun die Eigenschaft, die abstoßenden Eigenschaften des Kaffeeöles zu -überwinden. Der Kaffee wird also dunkler infolge seines höheren Gehaltes an -Extrakt. Der Geschmack dieses Kaffees ist voller, runder wie man zu sagen -pflegt, weil ein solcher Kaffee die Geschmacksnerven in angenehmer Weise -beeinflußt. - -Ein guter Kaffee wirkt anreizend und belebend auf das Nervensystem; wer -hungrig ist und Kaffee trinkt, merkt den Hunger nicht so sehr, aber -gestillt wird der Hunger durch Kaffee niemals. Der anregende Bestandteil -ist das Caffeïn. - - - - - Kartoffeln. - - -Das Kochen der Kartoffeln hat den Zweck die in den Kartoffeln enthaltene -Stärke leichter verdaulich zu machen. Wie soll man die Kartoffeln kochen? - -Die Kartoffeln werden sorgfältig abgewaschen und geschält. - -Die geschälten Kartoffeln legt man sofort wieder in kaltes Wasser, sonst -werden sie mißfarbig. - -Man setzt sie mit kaltem, gesalzenen Wasser auf das Feuer und bedeckt den -Topf mit einem Deckel. - -Der entstandene Schaum wird abgeschöpft und die Kartoffeln so lange -gekocht, bis sie sich bei dem Stechen weich zeigen. Die Kochzeit ist eine -viertel bis eine halbe Stunde und hängt von der Art der Kartoffeln ab. - -Hat man das Kochwasser rein abgegossen, so stellt man den Topf zugedeckt -noch wenige Minuten auf das Feuer, damit das in den Kartoffeln noch -vorhandene Wasser verdampfen kann. Man bringt die Kartoffeln in einer -bedeckten Schüssel auf den Tisch. - -Je lockerer, je mehliger die Kartoffel geworden ist, um so schöner sieht -sie aus, und um so leichter ist sie zu verdauen. - -Die Kartoffeln werden, wie oben gesagt, mit gesalzenem kalten Wasser -aufgesetzt. Wird das Wasser nun warm, so wird gleichzeitig das Wasser in -den Zellen der Kartoffel warm, und hat dieses Wasser die Siedehitze -erreicht, so verlieren die Stärkekörner ihre Form und gehen in Kleister -über. Gießt man jetzt das Kochwasser ab und läßt die Kartoffeln noch etwas -auf dem Feuer, so wird das Wasser in den Zellen in Dampf verwandelt, -zerreißt die Zellen, entweicht und die Kartoffel ist mehlig und -wohlschmeckend. - -Noch besser ist es, die Kartoffeln nur im Dampfe gar zu kochen, aber in den -meisten Haushaltungen haben sich die Dampfkochtöpfe noch nicht eingeführt. - -Dem Kochwasser der Kartoffeln setzt man Salz zu. Dies hat den Zweck, den -Kartoffeln einen angenehmen Geschmack zu geben und außerdem den Austritt -der Kartoffelsalze, welche für die Ernährung wichtig sind, zu verhindern. - -Will man Pellkartoffeln oder Kartoffeln in der Schale bereiten, so werden -die Kartoffeln gewaschen und so gekocht, wie oben angegeben ist. Hat man -das Kochwasser abgegossen, so legt man zwischen Topf und Deckel ein reines -zusammengelegtes Tuch. Der Dampf kann aus dem Topfe dann nicht so schnell -entweichen, die Kartoffeln werden noch mehliger, und die Schale platzt auf. - -Wird die Kartoffel einige Zeit einer Temperatur von 0° ausgesetzt, so geht -ein kleiner Teil der Stärke in Zucker über und die Kartoffel schmeckt süß. -Dieser Geschmack ist nicht angenehm, und um ihn zu entfernen, stellt man -die Kartoffeln einige Tage in einen warmen Raum, z. B. in die Küche. Der -Zucker verschwindet aus der Kartoffel, weil er durch den Sauerstoff der -Luft zu Kohlensäure verbrannt wird. Die Kartoffel schmeckt nicht mehr süß -und kann gebraucht werden. - -Je mehliger die Kartoffel beim Kochen wird, um so reicher ist sie an -Stärkemehl, um so wertvoller als Nahrungsmittel. - -Besonders möge hervorgehoben werden, daß der Kartoffelbrei die beste Form -ist, um den Nährstoff vollständig oder fast vollständig auszunutzen. - -Neben den Kartoffeln sind stets Eiweiß- und Fett enthaltende Nahrungsstoffe -mit zu genießen, weil die Kartoffel gar kein Fett und nur sehr wenig Eiweiß -enthält. Mit diesen Stoffen läßt sich die Kartoffel zu zahlreichen, sehr -wohlschmeckenden Speisen vereinigen und ist deshalb für den täglichen -Gebrauch gar nicht mehr zu entbehren. - -Die Mohrrüben und die weißen Rüben dienen ebenfalls nur als Beigabe zu -Fleischkost. Ihr Gehalt an Nährstoffen ist sehr gering. - -Kartoffeln und Rüben sind für den Verdauungsvorgang sehr wichtig, weil sie -Verstopfung verhindern; eine Erscheinung, welche häufig eintritt bei -Menschen, welche viel Fleisch essen. - - - - - Das Kochen. - - -Das Kochen eines Nahrungsmittels hat den Zweck, dieses Nahrungsmittel -leichter verdaulich und schmackhafter zu machen. - -Will man ein Stück Fleisch kochen, um es als _Hauptspeise_ auf den Tisch zu -bringen, so muß man in folgender Weise verfahren. - -Man bringt das Wasser, in welchem das Fleisch gekocht werden soll, zum -Sieden und legt das Fleisch hinein. Durch das kalte Fleisch wird das Wasser -abgekühlt. Man läßt das Wasser stehen, bis es wieder siedet. Jetzt stellt -man den Topf bei Seite und läßt abkühlen, bis das Wasser nur noch lauwarm -ist, rückt den Topf jetzt wieder auf das Feuer und läßt ganz schwach -weiterkochen, bis das Fleisch weich genug ist. - -Warum muß man das Fleisch so und nicht anders kochen? - -Legt man das Fleisch in das kochende Wasser, so gerinnt das Eiweiß an der -Oberfläche des Fleisches und schließt den Fleischsaft so völlig ein, das -nichts entweichen kann. Würde man das Fleisch jetzt weiterkochen, so würde -mehr und mehr Eiweiß gerinnen und das Fleisch zähe werden. Deshalb läßt man -das Wasser abkühlen, damit das Innere des Fleischstückes die Temperatur des -umgebenden Wassers annimmt. - -Jetzt stellt man es wieder auf das Feuer. Langsam wird das Wasser und mit -ihm der Saft im Fleische heißer, und so kocht das Fleisch in seinem eigenen -Safte weich. Das Resultat ist ein gutes Stück Fleisch, saftig und leicht -verdaulich. - -Will man jedoch eine gute _Suppe_ kochen, so muß man gerade entgegengesetzt -verfahren. - -Der Zweck ist eine Fleischbrühe zu erhalten, welche die löslichen -Bestandteile des Fleisches enthält, und dies wird in folgender Weise -erreicht: - -Das Fleisch wird in kleine Stücke zerschnitten, mit kaltem Wasser -aufgesetzt und ganz langsam zum Kochen gebracht. Im Anfange fügt man kein -Salz hinzu, damit die Fleischsalze um so leichter in das Wasser übergehen. -Hat es genügend gekocht, so giebt man nach Geschmack Salz und Gewürz hinzu. - -Will man irgend ein Nahrungsmittel auskochen, so muß man nach diesen -Grundsätzen handeln und immer wieder bedenken, daß der wichtigste -Bestandteil des Fleisches und der Gemüse, nämlich das Eiweiß, durch die -Hitze gerinnt. - -Beim Kochen des Fleisches werden diesem stets wichtige Bestandteile -entzogen und deshalb ist es unbedingt erforderlich, die Fleischbrühe als -Suppe auf den Tisch zu bringen oder das Gemüse in der Fleischbrühe zu -kochen. - - - - - Das Kochen der Hülsenfrüchte. - - (Erbsen, Bohnen, Linsen.) - - -Die Hülsenfrüchte sind wegen ihres großen Gehaltes an Eiweißstoffen sehr -wichtige Nahrungsmittel. - -Sie sind jedoch schwer verdaulich, müssen deshalb sehr weich gekocht sein -und dürfen nicht in zu großen Mengen genossen werden. - -Der wichtigste Bestandteil ist das Eiweiß, Legumin genannt, und da dieses -mit _hartem_ Wasser nicht weich wird, so muß man das harte Wasser erst -weich machen. Dies geschieht durch Zusatz von Kochpulver; eine Messerspitze -voll bis 1 Theelöffel, je nach der Menge der zu kochenden Früchte. Auf ein -Pfund Erbsen genügen zwei Messerspitzen voll. - -Durch Beifügung des Kochpulvers wird auch das Stärkemehl der Hülsenfrüchte -aufgeschlossen und ist dann viel leichter zu verdauen. Durch Beifügung von -Dr. _Oetker's Kochpulver_ wird der Kalk des Wassers ausgeschieden und in -den wichtigsten Bestandteil der Knochen umgewandelt. Das Kochpulver giebt -man stets zuerst in das Wasser, dann erst die Hülsenfrüchte. Früher -benutzte man zum scheinbaren Weichkochen der Hülsenfrüchte einen Zusatz -von Soda oder auch doppelkohlensaurem Natron. Heute weiß man jedoch, daß -das Pflanzeneiweiß sich nur in einem kombinierten Salzgemenge löst, wie es -unter dem Namen »Dr. _Oetker's Kochpulver_« in den Vertrieb kommt. Der -Preis ist ein sehr niedriger, damit es in _jeder_ Küche benutzt werden -kann, zum Vorteil einer besseren Verdauung der wichtigsten Nahrungsmittel. - -Die grünen Erbsen wie Bohnen sind sehr leicht verdaulich, weil die -Zellwände noch dünn sind und durch das Kochen auseinander gehen. - -Die getrockneten reifen Bohnen wie Erbsen und Linsen, müssen längere Zeit -gekocht werden, um die mehr oder weniger verhärteten Zellwände zu -erweichen, damit die verdauenden Säfte auf das Eiweiß und auf das -gequollene Stärkemehl einwirken und in Lösung überführen können. - -Benutzt man ungeschälte Erbsen, so müssen diese nach dem Weichkochen durch -ein Sieb gerieben werden, damit die ganz unverdaulichen Schalen entfernt -werden können. - -Dürre Erbsen zu kochen. Dieselben werden mit Wasser gekocht, ohne Salz. -Sind sie weich, dann treibt man sie durch ein Haarsieb, giebt auf 2 Pfund -Erbsen einen halben Vierling frische Butter in eine gut verzinnte -Kasserolle, 2 Eßlöffel voll feines Mehl, läßt dieses etwas anziehen, thut -die durchpassierten Erbsen dazu, verrührt alles zusammen, bis die Masse -schön glatt ist und giebt, wenn nötig, etwas Fleischbrühe bei. Dann kommt -Salz, eine Prise weißen Pfeffers und 2 Knoblauchzwiebeln (fein gehackt) -dazu. Man läßt das Gemüse auf der Platte kochen, damit es nicht anbrennt. -Beim Anrichten giebt man etwas Jus oder braune Butter darüber. Man kann die -Erbsen ebenfalls in einem Dampfkochtopf fertig machen, wodurch sie in der -hälfte Zeit aufgetragen werden können. - - - - - Dr. Oetker's Konservierpulver für Fleisch. - - -Frisches Fleisch verdirbt im Sommer sehr schnell. Nach 24 Stunden schon -beginnt die Zersetzung; hervorgerufen durch die Bacterien, welche aus der -Luft auf das Fleisch fallen. Da nun frisches Fleisch frei von Bacterien -ist, so beruht alles Konservieren des Fleisches in einer Vernichtung der -aufgefallenen Bacterien. Die Oberfläche des Fleisches muß so verändert -werden, daß die Bacterien sich nicht entwickeln können. - -Will man das frische Fleisch für Küchenzwecke circa 8 Tage konservieren, so -geschieht dies am einfachsten durch Einreiben des Fleisches mit Dr. -Oetker's Konservierpulver. Das Fleisch nimmt dann keinen unangenehmen -Geruch an, behält seine schöne Farbe und seinen vollen Nährwert. - -Wenn das vom Metzger bezogene Fleisch schon etwas riecht, so verliert es -beim Einreiben mit diesem Pulver den Geruch sofort. - -Dieses Konservierpulver ist durchaus unschädlich. Will man das eingeriebene -Fleisch verwenden, so spült man es vor dem Kochen oder Braten mit Wasser -ab, wodurch das Konservierpulver entfernt wird. - -Es ist in den Küchen Gewohnheit geworden, Fleisch in Milch oder Essig zu -legen, um das Fleisch längere Zeit aufbewahren zu können. Der Essig wirkt -konservierend in Folge seines Gehaltes an Essigsäure. - -Die Milch wird nach wenigen Tagen sauer und dann wirkt die entstandene -Milchsäure konservierend. Die Milch muß aber erneuert werden, damit sie -keinen fauligen Geruch annimmt. Immer ist es praktisch, in dem Essig sowohl -wie in der Milch einen Theelöffel voll Dr. Oetker's Konservierpulver zu -lösen. Die Wirksamkeit wird hierdurch erhöht. - -Der Preis dieses Konservierpulvers ist ein niedriger. Jede Hausfrau wird es -gern verwenden, wenn sie bedenkt, wie viel Fleischstücke sie noch -verwenden kann, welche man früher in Folge eingetretener Verwesung -wegwerfen mußte. - -In Päckchen =à= 10 Pfg. ist es in den Geschäften zu haben, welche den -Vertrieb von Dr. Oetker's Küchenfabrikaten übernommen haben. - - - - - Die Luft. - - -Für das Leben der Menschen, Tiere und Pflanzen ist die uns umgebende Luft -von größter Wichtigkeit. Von Luft allein kann niemand leben, ohne Luft aber -auch nicht. - -Bei der Atmung der Menschen und Tiere wird beständig Sauerstoff aufgenommen -und Kohlensäure ausgeatmet. - -Wenn in einem geschlossenen Raume, z. B. Schulen, Konzertsälen &c., eine -große Anzahl Menschen längere Zeit beieinander sind, so wird die Luft für -alle unerträglich. Früher glaubte man, dies rühre von der Kohlensäure her, -welche ausgeatmet wird. Versuche haben jedoch bewiesen, daß dies nicht der -Fall ist. - -Die Luft in übermäßig besetzten Räumen wird schlecht und drückend durch -andere uns noch unbekannte Produkte des Atems, sei es durch die ausgeatmete -Lungenluft oder durch Schweißbildung oder durch Atmung der Hauptporen. - -Die Luft ist häufig mit Staub verunreinigt; der Wind nimmt ihn mit wo er -ihn findet und läßt ihn nach Aufhören der Strömungen wieder fallen. Die -Mineralsubstanzen, welche der Wind mit sich bringt, sind für die Menschen -von geringer Bedeutung. Wichtig sind jedoch die organischen Bestandteile, -welche vom Winde aufgerührt überall sich niederlassen. - -Die uns umgebende Luft ist erfüllt von einer großen Menge kleiner Lebewesen -der verschiedensten Art, die mit den Bewegungen der Luft überall -hinwandern. Fallen diese Lebewesen auf ihren Wanderungen auf einen Boden, -welcher sie festhält und welcher ihrer Entwickelung günstig ist, so -entwickeln sie sich weiter und geben zur Erscheinung der verschiedensten -Pflanzengebilde Veranlassung. - -Diese sich so entwickelnden mikroskopisch kleinen Pflänzchen nützen uns -Menschen oder bringen uns Schaden oder lassen uns gleichgültig. - -Bei der Gärung der Spiritusmaische, bei der Selbstgärung mancher Biere, bei -der Essiggärung, bei der Brotgärung und bei der Weingärung nützen sie uns. -Fallen sie jedoch auf unsere Nahrungsmittel, z. B. Brot, so entsteht -Schimmel und wir können es nicht mehr genießen. Fallen die Pilze &c. in die -Milch, so wird diese sauer; kommen diese kleinen Lebewesen in eine Wunde, -welche wir uns zugezogen haben, so fängt die Wunde an zu eitern. Ein -Fleischstück wird an der Luft faul, weil die kleinen Pflanzen auf das -Fleisch fallen, sich zu Milliarden vermehren und es ungenießbar machen. - -Das Konservieren unserer Nahrungsmittel beruht darauf, daß wir versuchen, -in irgend einer Weise das Auffallen dieser kleinen Lebewesen zu verhindern. - -Die Luft großer Städte wird durch die Verbrennungsprodukte der Steinkohlen -verschlechtert. Die Kohlen enthalten stets Schwefel, der Schwefel verbrennt -zu schwefliger Säure. - -Bei jeder Beleuchtung wird die Luft der Wohnräume verschlechtert durch die -Verbrennungsprodukte. Bei Gasbeleuchtung bildet sich auch salpetrige Säure. -Vielleicht ist dies die Ursache, daß in Zimmern mit Gasbeleuchtung, -empfindliche Pflanzen nicht gedeihen. - - - - - Milch. - - -Die Milch ist für die Ernährung des Menschen von größter Wichtigkeit. - -Da man der Milch nicht ansehen kann, ob sie von einem gesunden oder kranken -Tiere stammt, so genieße man die Milch niemals ungekocht. - -Läßt man die Milch einige Zeit stehen, so steigen die leichteren -Fetttröpfchen in die Höhe und bilden den Rahm. - -Läßt man Milch einige Zeit stehen, so zersetzt sich der Milchzucker unter -dem Einfluß von Organismen in Milchsäure. Durch diese Milchsäure wird der -Käsestoff der Milch abgeschieden. - -Will man das Sauerwerden einige Tage lang verhindern, so muß die Milch -sofort nach Empfang aufgekocht werden, damit die Organismen, welche das -Sauerwerden hervorrufen, vernichtet werden. - -Hat die Milch eine auffallende Farbe, besonderen Geruch oder Geschmack, so -weise man sie zurück. - -Es ist allgemein bekannt, daß man Milch durch Kochen haltbar machen kann; -wenigstens 1 bis 2 Tage, wie es für den Haushalt meistens genügt. - -Kocht man die Milch zu lange, so wird der Käsestoff verändert und löst sich -nicht mehr so schnell im Magensaft. - -Eine große Anzahl der Pilze, welche sich in ungekochter Milch befinden, -wird durch dieses Kochen unschädlich gemacht. Einigen Arten schadet das -Aufkochen jedoch nicht und diese sind es, welche im Sommer den Säuglingen -so sehr viele Beschwerden machen und häufig den Tod herbeiführen. - -Besonders sind es die Milchsäurebakterien, welche den Milchzucker unter -starker Gasbildung zersetzen. Die Krankheiten, welche dabei auftreten, -haben ihren Sitz im Magen und dann stellt sich nach genossener Milch -Erbrechen ein; oder die Zersetzung des Milchzuckers findet im Dünndarm oder -Dickdarm statt; die gebildete Milchsäure reizt die empfindlichen -Schleimhäute und Diarrhöe ist die Folge. - -Was kann man nun thun, um die Säuglinge, welche auf künstliche Ernährung -angewiesen sind, über die gefährliche Sommerzeit hinüberzubringen und -soweit es möglich ist gegen diese Krankheiten zu schützen? - - 1. Die Auswahl eines Milchlieferanten, welcher stets - frische, mit möglichster Reinlichkeit gemolkene Milch - liefert. - - 2. Sofortiges Aufkochen der Milch nach dem Empfange. - - 3. Beziehen der Milch in weißen Glasflaschen, deren - Reinlichkeit leichter zu kontrollieren ist wie die der - großen Blechkannen. - -Treten trotzdem Erbrechen und Diarrhöe ein, so ist der Arzt der allein -maßgebende Berater. Man warte nicht in der Hoffnung, daß es am nächsten -Tage besser werde, sondern man schicke sofort zum Arzte. - -Ein Kind im Alter bis zu 6 oder 7 Monaten ist nicht im Stande, Stärkemehl -oder stärkemehlhaltige Nahrungsmittel zu verdauen. Wenn trotzdem den -Kindern derartige Speisen gegeben werden, so ist eine Störung der Verdauung -die Folge. Ist ein Kind ein Jahr alt, so werden stärkemehlhaltige Speisen -schon vertragen, besonders wenn diese durch Kochen in Milch vollkommen -aufgeschlossen sind. Ein Kind soll auch keine von den schweren verdaulichen -Speisen, wie Roggenbrot oder Kartoffeln, in größeren Mengen genießen, weil -die Organe zu sehr angefüllt werden. - -Von den leicht verdaulichen Speisen lasse man ein Kind so lange essen bis -es aufhört. Eine Gefräßigkeit unter Kindern giebt es nicht. Jedes Kind wird -nur soviel verlangen bis es satt ist. Ein Kind braucht aber im Verhältnis -zum Erwachsenen weit mehr Nahrung; der Körper will doch größer werden, -während der Erwachsene nur soviel gebraucht, wie er zur Erhaltung seiner -Kräfte nötig hat. - -Es kommt vor, daß ein Kind gegen gewisse Nahrungsmittel einen -ausgesprochenen Widerwillen hat; dann zwinge man das Kind nicht zur -Aufnahme, sonst tritt Brechreiz ein. Die sogenannte Leckerheit des Kindes -verliert sich, wenn ihm nach und nach die Speisen der Erwachsenen in -_kleinen_ Mengen vorgesetzt werden. Ein lebhaftes Kind verlangt mehr -Nahrung wie ein ruhiges Kind. Je lebhafter ein Kind ist, um so mehr Arbeit -leistet es und um so mehr Nahrung muß es haben, damit die verbrauchten -Stoffe ersetzt werden. - -Je besser das Futter ist, welches eine Kuh bekommt, um so besser ist die -Milch. Manche scharfe Stoffe gehen in die Milch über und erteilen dieser -einen unangenehmen Geschmack, z. B. Steckrüben oder Rapskuchen. - -Die Milch für Kinder muß stets aufgekocht werden und nach dem Kochen muß -der Milchtopf zugedeckt werden damit aus der Luft keine Pilze, Bakterien -und Fliegen hineinfallen. - -Der Milchkochapparat nach Professor Soxleth ist sehr verbreitet und gebe -ich hier die Vorschrift zu seiner Benutzung, damit die Mütter sich zum -Vorteile der Säuglinge danach richten können. - - _Gebrauchs-Anweisung._ - -1. Man verwendet möglichst frische Milch, und zwar Mischmilch von mehreren -Kühen, nicht die Milch _einer_ Kuh, verdünnt die Milch mit Wasser, giebt -ihr passende Zusätze -- bevor man sie erhitzt -- oder verwendet sie im -unverdünnten Zustande, nach Angabe des Arztes. Zur Bereitung der Mischungen -dient das geschnäbelte Misch- und Einfüllglas, welches 1½ Liter faßt und -in 1/10 Liter eingeteilt ist. - -2. Man füllt die für einen Tagesverbrauch ausreichende Menge der Milch oder -der Milchmischung mittelst des Einfüllglases in die einzelnen Flaschen, -welche 150, 200 oder 250 =g= fassen. Die Flaschen werden höchstens so -voll gefüllt, wie vorstehende Zeichnung anzeigt, können aber auch zu ½, -¼ &c. voll gefüllt werden. - -3. Man stellt die gefüllten Flaschen in den Flascheneinsatz, legt auf die -Mündung jeder Flasche eine Gummischeibe, stülpt über den Hals der Flasche -die Schutzhülse, stellt den Einsatz in den Kochtopf, füllt letzteren mit so -viel kaltem Wasser, daß das Wasser im Kochtopf in gleicher Höhe mit der -Milch in den Flaschen steht, drückt den Blechdeckel in den Topf -- er darf -nicht lose aufliegen -- und erhitzt auf dem Herde, oder mittelst Gas- oder -Petroleumofens, zum Kochen. Nachdem man das Wasser ¾ Stunden lang im -lebhaften Kochen erhalten hat -- wobei der Dampf stets am Deckelrande -herausblasen muß -- hebt man den Deckel ab, wartet bis sich der Dampf etwas -verzogen hat und nimmt nun den Einsatz samt Flaschen aus dem Kochtopf. Die -Flaschen verschließen sich schon beim Abheben des Topfdeckels infolge -eintretender Abkühlung von selbst (durch den Luftdruck). Sobald, nach etwa -zehn Minuten, die Gummischeiben sich etwas eingezogen haben, kann man die -Schutzhülsen abheben; zweckmäßiger ist es jedoch, hiermit bis zum völligen -Erkalten der Flaschen zu warten, oder die Schutzhülsen überhaupt auf den -Flaschen bis vor dem Oeffnen zu lassen. Da die Gummischeiben nach der -Benützung etwas eingedrückt bleiben, so legt man sie bei der nächsten -Kochung so auf die Flaschenmündung, daß die gewölbte Seite nach oben kommt. - -4. Soll dem Kinde Milch gereicht werden, so stelle man eine der Flaschen in -den Wärmebecher, fülle diesen mit kaltem oder lauwarmem Wasser und erhitze -letzteres mittelst einer kleinen Spirituslampe oder auf dem Herde bis die -Milch trinkwarm ist, d. h. bis die Flasche nach mehrmaligem Umschütteln an -das Auge gedrückt, weder das Gefühl von Kühle noch Hitze hervorruft, also -annähernd Körperwärme angenommen hat. Häufiges Schütteln der Flasche und -Wiedereinstellen derselben in das Wasser beschleunigt die Erwärmung. -Einstellen der kalten Flaschen in heißes Wasser oder rasches Abkühlen der -noch heißen Flaschen im kalten Wasser bewirkt -- wenn die Flasche auch -nicht sofort springt -- eine solche Veränderung im Glase, daß die Flaschen -beim nächsten Kochen zerspringen. -- Absolut unstatthaft ist es, sich von -der Wärme der Milch durch Probieren zu überzeugen, da hierdurch leicht -Gährungserreger oder Ansteckungsstoffe in die Milch gelangen können. - -5. Für Spaziergänge oder Reisen können die Milchflaschen auf mehrere -Stunden dadurch warm erhalten werden, daß man sie heiß macht -- jedoch nur -so weit, daß die Gummischeiben noch gut eingezogen bleiben -- und dann in -wollene Tücher einwickelt; hierbei müssen die Schutzhülsen auf den Flaschen -bleiben. - -6. Erst wenn die Milch trinkwarm geworden ist und unmittelbar vor der -Verabreichung derselben öffnet man die Flasche, indem man den Rand der -Gummischeibe nach aufwärts drückt; hierbei tritt Luft in die Flasche und -die Gummischeibe liegt nun lose auf der Flaschenmündung. - -7. Von dem Kinde übrig gelassene Milch soll für die Ernährung des Säuglings -nicht mehr verwendet werden. Verschlossen gebliebene Flaschen können aber -am 2. oder 3. Tage ohne Anstand noch benutzt werden. - -8. Behufs Reinigung der Milchflaschen fülle man dieselben sofort nach dem -Gebrauch mit Wasser, damit die Milchreste nicht eintrocknen, säubere sie -mit breiförmig nasser Holzasche und mit Zuhilfenahme der Drehbürste, oder -man fülle die Flaschen halbvoll mit Emailschrot und Wasser und schüttle sie -kräftig. Die spiegelblank gereinigten Flaschen stellt man umgekehrt in das -Holzgestell oder in den Flascheneinsatz. Die von den Flaschen abgenommenen -Gummischeiben legt man ins Wasser und entfernt vor deren Wiederverwendung -alle Milchreste durch gründliches Abwischen. Sie erhalten sich am längsten -gebrauchsfähig, wenn man sie alle 4-6 Wochen mit Lauge -- 1 Teil -Laugenessenz und 2 Teile Wasser -- eine Stunde lang auskocht. Ebenso sauber -müssen die Schliffflächen an den Flaschenmündungen sein, sonst ziehen sich -die Gummiplättchen nicht ein. Flaschen, deren Schliffflächen verletzt sind, -lassen sich nicht verschließen, sind also durch neue zu ersetzen. - -Wenn der Arzt keine andere Vorschrift giebt, so gelten für die Anwendung -folgende Mischverhältnisse von Milch, Wasser und Milchzucker nach dem Alter -des Kindes: - - Spaltenüberschriften A = _Alter:_ - B = Kuhmilch Eßlöffel - C = Abgekochtes Wasser - D = Verdünnungs-Verhältnis - E = Milchzucker-Zusatz Theelöffel - - ========================================================================= - A | B | C | D | E - ------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+------------------------ - bis zur 2. Woche | 1 | 4 | 1:4 | 1 gehäufter - bis zum Ende des 2. Monats | 1 | 3 | 1:3 | etwas über 1 gestrichener - bis zum 4. Monat | 1 | 2 | 1:2 | 1 gestrichener - bis zum 6. Monat | 2 | 2 | 1:1 | knapp 1 gestr. - bis zum 8. Monat | 2 | 1 | 2:1 | knapp 1 gestr. - -und von da ab auf 6 Eßlöffel ungemischte Kuhmilch ein gestrichener -Theelöffel Milchzucker. - -Die Kuhmilch unterscheidet sich von der Muttermilch durch ihren hohen -Gehalt an Eiweiß und deshalb muß die Kuhmilch so weit verdünnt werden, daß -der Gehalt an Eiweiß dem Verhältnisse wie es in der Muttermilch enthalten -ist, möglichst nahe kommt. - -Kommt diese verdünnte Kuhmilch in den Magen des Kindes, so gerinnt das -Eiweiß zu einer dicken Masse und um dies zu verhindern, koche man die Milch -mit einer Messerspitze voll Gustin, dann scheidet sich das Eiweiß in feinen -Flocken ab, schließt die Fettkügelchen der Milch ein und der Magensaft kann -das Eiweiß leicht in Lösung bringen. - - - Magermilch. - -Nach dem Buttern erhält man je nach der Methode, welche man angewandt hat, -eine Magermilch von verschiedener Zusammensetzung. - -In einem Liter Magermilch sind enthalten 40 Gramm Eiweißstoffe, welche in -dem Nährwerte 160 Gramm magerem knochenfreien Fleische entsprechen. - -Ferner sind darin enthalten 47 Gramm Milchzucker, welche einem Nährwerte -von 20 Gramm Butter entsprechen. Außerdem noch 2½ Gramm Butterfett in -Gestalt feinst verteilter Tropfen. Rechnet man diese Werte zusammen, so ist -ein Liter Centrifugenmilch einer Fleischmenge von 182 Gramm gleichwertig. - -Kostet das Pfund knochenfreies Kochfleisch 75 Pfennig, so haben diese -182 Gramm einen Wert von 27 Pfennig, während die Molkereien das Liter -Magermilch gern mit 6 Pfennig verkaufen. Die Nahrungsmittel sind in der -Magermilch also 4½ mal so billig wie im Fleische. - -Es giebt für die Menschen, besonders für heranwachsende Kinder, kaum ein -billigeres Nahrungsmittel, schmeckt dabei sehr angenehm und löscht den -Durst. Wo es immer möglich ist, gebe man den Kindern die Magermilch als ein -schönes Sommergetränk. Die süße Magermilch ist eine der billigsten Quellen -für tierisches Eiweiß. Insbesondere empfiehlt es sich, diese süße -Magermilch zum backen von Weißbrot zu benutzen. - - - - - Der Thee. - - -Eines der angenehmsten Genußmittel ist der Thee und seine anregende Wirkung -auf das Nervensystem ist der Wirkung des Kaffees ähnlich. Diese Wirkung -verdankt der Thee seinem Gehalte an Coffeïn und seinen aromatischen -Bestandteilen. - -Die sachgemäße Herstellung eines guten Getränkes muß darauf gerichtet sein, -daß man dem Thee seinen Gehalt an Coffeïn und sein Aroma entzieht, aber die -bitteren Gerbstoffe der Theeblätter aufzunehmen vermeidet. Man übergießt -mit sprudelnd kochendem Wasser, läßt 5 Minuten ziehen und gießt dann von -den Blättern ab. - -In dem kochenden Wasser löst sich das Coffeïn oder Theïn und läßt man einen -starken Theeaufguß erkalten, so trübt er sich, weil etwas von dem gelösten -Gerbstoffe mit Theïn ausscheidet. - -Wenn man nach deutscher Art Kaffee bereitet und mit dem Theeaufguß -vergleicht, so enthält 1 Tasse Kaffee ungefähr viermal so viel wirksames -anregendes Ponicip wie eine gleiche Menge Thee. In England trinkt man den -Thee viel stärker. In mancher Beziehung vermag der Thee den Alkohol zu -ersetzen und es ist nur zu wünschen, daß das Theetrinken sich immer mehr -einführt als ein wichtiger Hebel zum Bekämpfen der Trunksucht. - - - - - Die Verdauung. - - -Der Vorgang der Verdauung beginnt mit der Einführung der Speisen in den -Mund, und schon in der Mundhöhle vollziehen sich verschiedene Prozesse. - -Alle festen Nahrungsmittel werden gekaut und je besser sie gekaut werden, -um so günstiger werden sie für den Magen und die weitere Verdauung -vorbereitet. - -Während des Zerkleinerns der Speisen durch die Zähne mischt sich der -Speichel mit den Speisen. Durch Einwirkung des Speichels auf das Stärkemehl -wird ein Teil des letzteren in Zucker verwandelt. - -Haben die Speisen den Magen erreicht, so unterliegen die Eiweißverbindungen -der Einwirkung des Magensaftes. Freie Salzsäure und Pepsin verwandeln die -unlöslichen Eiweißverbindungen in lösliche, welche vom Organismus -aufgenommen werden können. - -Hat der Magensaft seine Arbeit vollendet, so geht der Speisebrei in den -Darm und unterliegt hier der Einwirkung, des Darmsaftes. Was vom Stärkemehl -in Zucker verwandelt werden kann, geschieht hier; etwa unlöslich gebliebene -Eiweißstoffe werden hier in aufnahmefähigen Zustand verwandelt; die Fette -werden so fein verteilt und in so feine mikroskopische Tropfen zerlegt, daß -sie in die Blutbahn übergehen können. - -Von den Speisen kann der Körper nur das für sich verwenden, was sich schon -in Lösung befindet oder durch Einwirkung der verdauenden Säfte aus dem -unlöslichen in den löslichen Zustand übergeführt werden kann. - -Jedes Nahrungsmittel muß zu einem Bestandteile des Blutes werden. Ist dies -nicht möglich, so ist die Substanz auch kein Nahrungsmittel. - -Alle verdauenden Säfte unsers Organismus können nur auf die Speisen wirken -bei innigster Berührung und diese völlige Vermischung ist nur wieder -möglich, wenn die Nahrungsmittel auf das beste vorbereitet sind und so gut -wie es eben geht gekaut werden. Kartoffelbrei und Erbsenbrei sind viel -besser zu verdauen wie Kartoffelstücke und ganze Erbsen. Gehacktes Fleisch -und geriebene Fleischspeisen wie z. B. Lungen-Haché werden viel eher gelöst -wie ganze Fleischstücke. - -Leute mit schlechten Zähnen müssen in ihrem eigensten Interesse dafür -sorgen ihr Gebiß wieder so herstellen zu lassen, daß die Speisen gekaut -werden können und es ist sehr bedauernswert, daß man nicht alle Fehler -unseres Körpers in so vollkommener Weise ersetzen kann, wie gerade die -Zähne. - -Folgendes ist auch noch zu bedenken und von großer Wichtigkeit für das -Wohlbefinden. Wenn die Speisen nicht im Magen und Darm gelöst und vom Blute -aufgenommen werden können, weil die größern Stücke zu widerstandsfähig -sind, dann beginnen diese Stücke sich im Darm zu zersetzen und in Fäulnis -überzugehen. Es entwickeln sich Gase, spannen den Unterleib und das -Mißbehagen ist da. - -Für Kinder, denen man zu viel Milch eingegeben hat, ist es noch viel -schlimmer, weil der zarte Organismus leicht Diarrhöe bekommt &c. - - - - - Das Wasser. - - -Ein Quellwasser aus Granitgestein oder aus Kalkbergen bezeichnet man im -Allgemeinen als das wohlschmeckendste und gesundeste. Das aus diesen -Gesteinen entspringende Wasser ist absolut klar, farblos, geruch- und -geschmacklos. Geringe Mengen Erdsalze, Kali- und Kalkverbindungen, -Kohlensäure und Sauerstoff sind in ihm gelöst. - -Ein hartes Wasser, welches infolge seines Gypsgehaltes als hart bezeichnet -werden muß, ist zu verwerfen. - -Leider ist man gezwungen, das Wasser zu verwenden, wie man es in der Nähe -der Wohnungen findet. Große und kleine Städte können ja mit immensen -Kapitalien Wasserleitungen bauen und ihren Bewohnern ein gutes Trinkwasser -zuführen, aber in den vielen Dörfern und einzelnstehenden Häusern ist man -gezwungen, das vorhandene Wasser zum Trinken zu verwenden. - -Für die Bewohner dieser kleinen Ortschaften ist es aber dringend zu raten, -die Brunnen so weit wie irgend möglich von den Düngergruben zu entfernen, -damit in die Brunnen keine verwesenden Substanzen eindringen können. - -Kann man dies nicht erreichen, so gewöhne man sich das Trinken des Wassers -ganz ab und genieße es nur in Gestalt von Kaffee oder Thee. Durch das -Kochen des Wassers werden die etwa vorhandenen Ansteckungsstoffe -vernichtet. - -An heißen Tagen oder bei sehr anstrengenden körperlichen Arbeiten stellt -sich das Durstgefühl in erhöhtem Maße ein. Was soll man dann zur Stillung -des Durstes trinken? Wasser versetzt mit Zitronensaft und etwas Zucker ist -ein vorzügliches Getränk. Ebenso kalter Thee und Kaffee. - -Leider giebt es kein einfaches Mittel, um ein schlechtes Wasser in ein -gutes zu verwandeln. - -Ob ein Wasser gut oder schlecht ist, kann nur der Chemiker feststellen. Für -den Familienvater, welcher das Wasser aus Brunnen beziehen muß, ist es nur -zu empfehlen, dieses Wasser zeitweise untersuchen zu lassen, damit man ein -Durchdringen von Schmutzwasser in das Brunnenwasser früh genug erkennt und -Abhülfe zu schaffen vermag. Es genügt in diesem Falle festzustellen, ob das -Wasser Amoniaksalze oder Verbindungen der Salpetrigen oder Salpetersäuren -enthält. Sind diese Verbindungen vorhanden, so muß unter Berücksichtigung -der jedesmaligen Verhältnisse eine Verbesserung des Wassers angestrebt -werden. - - - - - Der Wein. - - -Ein Genußmittel ersten Ranges ist der Wein, welcher anregend auf die Nerven -wirkt. Diese Anregung verdankt er seinen Bestandteilen Alkohol, Zucker, -organischen Säuren und gewissen uns angenehmen Riechstoffen. - -In der Meinung des großen Publikums gilt der Wein als ein Kräftigungs- und -Stärkungsmittel. Wohl mit Unrecht, denn der geringe Gehalt des Weines an -nährenden Bestandteilen steht zu dem Preise des Weines in gar keinem -Verhältnis. - -Bezahlt man für einen Wein einen hohen Preis, so bezahlt man nicht den -Alkohol, auch nicht die Säuren, sondern nur das Bouquet, die Blume des -Weines. - -Der Wein ist vor allen Dingen Genußmittel, er reizt die Nerven zu neuer -Thätigkeit, er veranlaßt eine größere Thätigkeit der sekretausscheidenden -Drüsen und hierdurch werden die aufgenommenen Speisen leichter verdaut. - -Von dieser die Herzthätigkeit und die Zirkulation anspornenden Wirkung -eines Glases Wein machen Gesunde, welche stark arbeiten und Kranke, deren -Herz- und Verdauungsthätigkeit darniederliegt, den wohlthätigsten Gebrauch. - - - - - Der Zucker. - - -Ehemals wurde der Zucker nur als Arzneimittel gebraucht, dann wurde er ein -Genußmittel und heute ist er infolge seines billigen Preises eines unserer -wichtigsten Nahrungsmittel. Zucker löst sich, wie jedermann weiß, leicht im -Wasser, kommt in den Körper und wird sofort aufgenommen, um speziell zur -Wärmebildung verwandt zu werden. - -Der Zuckerkonsum ist außerordentlich gewachsen und muß noch immer mehr -zunehmen. Wie kann man den Zuckerkonsum heben? Nur dadurch, daß -zuckerhaltige Fabrikate zu Nationalspeisen werden. - -Früchte mit Zucker in sachgemäßer Weise zu Marmeladen verarbeitet, geben -sehr wohlschmeckende, sehr gesunde, sehr nahrhafte Speisen und sollten in -keinem Haushalte fehlen. - -Es ist allgemein bekannt, daß Menschen, welche zum Fettansatz neigen, sich -nach Möglichkeit der Zuckerspeisen und Stärkemehl haltigen Nahrungsmittel -enthalten sollen. Das Stärkemehl verwandelt sich im Organismus auch in -Zucker und diese Zucker werden zuerst im Lebensprozeß verbrannt und die -Fette werden gespart. Ißt man jedoch wenig zuckerhaltige Speisen, dann wird -eben das Fett des Körpers mit verbrannt. Nimmt man sehr viel stärkehaltige -Speisen zu sich, also viel Kartoffeln, Nudeln, Reis &c. dann verwandelt -sich das Stärkemehl im Körper in Fett und lagert sich als solches ab. - -Dies alles aber nur bei solchen Menschen, welche dafür disponiert sind, -anderen schadet es wieder garnichts und sie bleiben so schlank wie vorher. - - - - - Frage und Antwort - - über - - Dr. Oetker's Fabrikate - - für - - Küche und Haus. - - -$1. Welchen Zweck hat Dr. Oetker's Backpulver?$ - -Es soll die Hefe ersetzen! - -$2. Wie viel Zeit bedarf man zur Herstellung der Kuchen mit Dr. Oetker's -Backpulver?$ - -Wenn das Mehl, Butter, Zucker &c. abgewogen sind, so kann der Kuchen nach -15 Minuten in den Ofen kommen. Um 11 Uhr in den Herd geschoben, um 12 Uhr -herausgenommen, kann er schon um 4 Uhr serviert werden. - -$3. Welche Arten Kuchen kann man auf diese Weise herstellen?$ - -Vom Unterzeichneten sind die Rezepte zu Gesundheitsgebäck, Topfkuchen, -Sandtorte, Englischen Kuchen oder Königskuchen, Chokoladenkuchen, -Spekulatius, Eiweißkuchen, Stollen, Christbaumkonfekt herausgegeben. - -$4. Sind diese Rezepte bewährt?$ - -An die Hausfrauen sind jetzt ca. 20 Millionen Rezepte verteilt und haben -überall höchste Anerkennung gefunden. - -$5. Mißraten die Kuchen leicht?$ - -Nach Dr. Oetker's Rezepten angefertigt _niemals_! Ob man ein Ei mehr oder -weniger, ob man etwas Butter mehr oder weniger nimmt, hat für das Gelingen -keinerlei Einfluß und hat es die Hausfrau ganz in der Hand, billige oder -teuere Kuchen herzustellen. - -$6. Sind die Kuchen auch für Personen mit schwacher Verdauung zu -empfehlen?$ - -Diese mit Dr. Oetkers Backpulver bereiteten Kuchen sind sehr porös und in -Folge dessen sehr leicht verdaulich. - -$7. Kann man Dr. Oetker's Backpulver längere Zeit aufbewahren?$ - -An einem trockenen Orte aufbewahrt, hält sich dieses Backpulver unbegrenzte -Zeit. Das ist ein sehr großer Vorteil für alle Familien, welche fern von -den größeren Städten wohnen. - -$8. Welches Gewürz gibt man zu diesem Kuchen?$ - -Am besten schmeckt frische abgeriebene Zitrone oder einige Tropfen gutes -Zitronenöl. - -$9. Ist Hirschhornsalz als Triebmittel der Kuchen zu empfehlen?$ - -Dieses chemische Präparat ist durchaus verwerflich! Es macht die Kuchen -wohl porös, nimmt jedoch den frischen natürlichen Geschmack und macht den -Kuchen trocken, während die Kuchen, mit Dr. Oetkers Backpulver bereitet, -nach acht Tagen noch ebenso frisch schmecken, wie am ersten Tage. - -$10. Was ist denn die manchmal annoncierte Trockenhefe?$ - -Fabrikanten, welche ihr Backpulver als Trockenhefe verkaufen, beweisen mit -diesem Worte, daß sie von der Chemie keine Ahnung haben. Das Backpulver -wird dann auch wohl diesem Wissen entsprechen. - -$11. Was versteht man unter selbstthätigem Kuchenmehl?$ - -Eine Mischung von Mehl mit Backpulver. 1 Päckchen Dr. Oetkers Backpulver -und 1 Pfund Mehl kosten je nach der Güte des Mehles 25 bis 30 Pfg. Es ist -daher eine sinnlose Verschwendung, für 1 Pfund Backmehl 40 Pfg. und noch -mehr zu bezahlen. - -$12. Wo erhält man Dr. Oetker's Backpulver?$ - -In allen besseren Kolonialwaren-Geschäften und Drogerien der Städte. -Niemals lose, sondern immer in den 10 Pfg.-Paketchen mit dem Namen des -Fabrikanten. - -$13. Kann man Dr. Oetkers Backpulver auch direkt beziehen?$ - -Jawohl! aber nur nach den Orten, in welchen sich noch keine Verkaufsstelle -befindet. - -$14. Wird die Güte dieses Backpulvers auch von maßgebender Seite -anerkannt?$ - -Ohne Aufforderung sind die schmeichelhaftesten Briefe eingelaufen, in -welchen anerkannt wird, daß =$Dr. Oetker's$= Backpulver den größten Beifall -gefunden hat. - -$15. Kann man dieses Backpulver auch zu Klößen benutzen?$ - -Für Klöße jeder Art ist $Dr. =Oetker's=$ Backpulver sehr gut zu verwenden. -Die Klöße werden lockerer, schmackhafter und sind wegen der vielen kleinen -Hohlräume im Innern auch wesentlich leichter zu verdauen. Verwendet man -dieses Backpulver, so kann man an Eiern sparen, weil ja die Klöße trotzdem -locker werden. - -$16. Darf man $Dr. Oetker's$ Backpulver auch zu Pfannkuchen benutzen?$ - -Mit bestem Erfolge! Gibt man zu dem weichen Teig einen halben Theelöffel -voll Backpulver, so sieht man, wie der Pfannkuchen, in das heiße Fett -gebracht, aufgeht und außerordentlich porös, schmackhaft, knusperig und -infolge dessen verdaulich wird. - - - - - Dr. Oetker's Recepte. - - 1 000 000fach bewährt. - - - Gesundheitsgebäck. - -Man rühre 100 =g= Butter und 100 =g= Zucker recht schaumig, thue nach und -nach 4 Eigelb und 4 Eßlöffel voll Milch und etwas Zitronenschale hinzu, -schlage 4 Eiweiß zu Schnee und menge das Ganze mit 250 =g= Mehl. Ist das -geschehen, so streue man 1 Paket $Dr. Oetker's Backpulver$ darüber und -ziehe es leicht durch die Masse, fülle dieselbe in die mit Butter -ausgestrichene Form und stelle dieselbe schnell in den heißen Ofen. -½ Stunde Backzeit. Sehr zu empfehlen für Kinder und für Magenkranke, weil -leicht verdaulich. - - - Topfkuchen. - -250 =g= Butter und 200 =g= Zucker rühre man recht schaumig, zerschlage -7 Eigelb mit ein achtel bis ein viertel Liter kalter Milch, und rühre -dieses nach und nach mit circa der Hälfte des dazu gehörigen Pfundes Mehl -unter die Butter. Wenn alles recht innig mit einander verbunden ist, füge -man 100 =g= Korinthen, 100 =g= Rosinen und 50 =g= Succade (oder Orangeat) -hinzu und zuletzt das Abgeriebene einer halben Zitrone, schlage das Eiweiß -zu Schnee und menge mit dem Schnee den Rest des Mehles unter den Teig. Ist -das geschehen, so streue man 1 Paket $Dr. Oetker's Backpulver$ =à= 10 Pfg. -darüber und ziehe es leicht durch die Masse, fülle dieselbe in die mit -Butter ausgestrichene und mit Mandeln ausgestreute Form, stelle dieselbe -schnell in den heißen Ofen und backe bei mäßiger Hitze in ungefähr -1½ Stunde. Wer diesen Kuchen backt, wird sich über Geschmack und -Schönheit wundern. Feinster Kaffeekuchen und in allen Gesellschaften sehr -beliebt. - - - Sandtorte. - -250 =g= Butter und 250 =g= feinstes Weizenmehl rühre man an einem kühlen -Orte recht schaumig, füge unter stetem Umrühren ½ Pfund Zucker und 4 Eier -hinzu. Immer ein Ei und etwas Zucker zur Zeit. Zuletzt das Abgeriebene -einer Zitrone und einen _gehäuften_ Theelöffel voll $Dr. Oetker's -Backpulver$. Man fülle die Masse schnell in eine mit Butter ausgestrichene -Form und stelle _diese sofort_ in den Ofen. Besonders beliebt zum Thee und -Wein. Wintergesellschaften. Backzeit circa 45 Minuten. - - - Englischer Kuchen. - -250 =g= Butter und 250 =g= Zucker rühre man recht schaumig, füge nach und -nach 12 Eigelb hinzu, schlage die 12 Eiweiß zu einem steifen Schnee und -meliere das Ganze mit 400 =g= Mehl, unter welches man zuvor 150 =g= -Korinthen, das Abgeriebene einer Zitrone und einen gehäuften Theelöffel -voll Dr. $Oetker's Backpulver$ gemischt hat. Fülle die Masse in eine -längliche Form und backe den Kuchen langsam bei mäßiger Hitze in 1 bis -1¼ Stunde. Hochfein und doch leicht verdaulich. Beliebter Kuchen bei -allen Familienfesten, Geburtstagen, Verlobungen &c. - - - Chokolade-Kuchen. - -Ein halb Pfund Butter wird langsam mit 1 Pfund feinem Zucker eine -Viertelstunde gerührt und dann hinzugefügt 6 Eigelb, 1 Tasse Milch und ein -Pfund Mehl. Jetzt giebt man den Schnee von 6 Eiern hinzu und zuletzt rührt -man für 10 Pfg. Dr. $Oetker's Backpulver$ unter den Teig. Etwas -Vanillezucker oder abgeriebene Zitrone giebt den gewünschten Geschmack. Die -Hälfte des Teiges wird mit einem viertel Pfund Kakao gefärbt und dann -abwechselnd beide Teige eßlöffelweise in die mit Butter ausgestrichene Form -gegeben und bei mäßiger Hitze 1 Stunde gebacken. Der Kuchen schmeckt sehr -angenehm. - - - Spekulatius. - -½ Pfund Butter, ½ Pfund Zucker, 1 Pfund Mehl und 2 ganze Eier werden -auf einem Backbrett mit einem Päckchen $Dr. Oetker's Backpulver$ unter -einander gemengt, dann zu einem Kuchen gut messerrückendick auseinander -gewellt, in Blechformen ausgestochen und auf ein mit Butter bestrichenes -Blech gelegt und schön knusperig gebacken. Es empfiehlt sich, das Gebäck in -Blechdosen aufzubewahren, damit es längere Zeit knusperig bleibt. - - - Eiweiß-Kuchen - -für Zuckerkranke nach Vorschrift des Herrn Professor W. Ebstein in -Göttingen. In einer Schüssel mischt man 200 =g= Weizenmehl mit 200 =g= -Aleuronatpulver, rührt nach und nach 125 =g= Butter und soviel Milch dazu, -daß man einen ziemlich festen Teig bekommt. Ist der Teig fertig, so -arbeitet man noch 1 gestrichenen Theelöffel voll Salz und 20 =g= $Dr. -Oetker's Backpulver$ (= 1 Paket für 10 Pfg.) unter den Teig. So bereitet -kommt der Teig in eine mit Butter ausgestrichene Form und wird bei guter -Ofenhitze gebacken. Der fertige Kuchen enthält circa 50% Eiweiß in der -Trockensubstanz. - - - Stollen. - -100 =g= Butter werden zur Sahne gerührt. Dann fügt man 15 =g= Succade -(gezuckerte Orangenschale), 30 =g= gestoßene süße Mandeln, 30 =g= -Korinthen, 30 =g= Rosinen und 60 =g= Zucker hinzu. Unter Beigabe von -¼ Liter Milch, 2 Eiern und ½ Pfund Mehl macht man einen Teig. Das -zweite halbe Pfund Mehl mischt man mit einem Päckchen $Dr. Oetker's -Backpulver$ =à= 10 Pfg. (oder 20 =g=) und arbeitet dieses unter den weichen -Teig und formt zu einem länglichen Kuchen, welcher in 1 bis 1¼ Stunde -bei gutem Feuer gebacken werden muß. Schmeckt vorzüglich. - - - Christbaumkonfekt. - -Man mischt 1 Pfund Mehl mit einem Päckchen $Dr. Oetker's Backpulver$ =à= -10 Pfg. gut durcheinander, fügt 200 =g= Zucker und 100 =g= Butter hinzu, -schüttet das Ganze auf ein Backbrett, wo man es mit 2 Eiern und 4 bis -6 Eßlöffel voll Milch, zu einem feinen Teige verarbeitet. Davon nimmt man -soviel, als man zu einer Brezel gebraucht, bildet davon durch Rollen mit -der Hand einen runden Streifen, den man in der bekannten Brezelform -übereinanderlegt, mit zerquirltem Ei bestreicht auf ein gut mit Butter oder -Wachs bestrichenes Kuchenblech setzt und in ziemlich heißem Ofen schön gelb -backen läßt! In Blechbüchsen aufbewahrt, halten sich die Brezel lange Zeit -frisch und knusperig. - -Besonders zu empfehlen als feinstes Gebäck bei Kaffee, Thee und Wein. - - - Biskuitkuchen. - -Man rührt 10 Eidotter mit 375 =g= feinem Zucker eine viertel Stunde lang zu -Schaum, fügt das zu Schnee geschlagene Eiweiß der 10 Eier und 400 =g= -feinstes Weizenmehl und 1 Päckchen $Dr. Oetker's Backpulver$ hinzu. -Nachdem alles noch durchgearbeitet ist, füllt man die Masse in eine mit -Butter ausgestrichene Blechform und backt bei mäßiger Hitze eine Stunde -lang. - -Dieser Biskuit ist sehr leicht verdaulich und für Kinder, Kranke und -Genesende sehr zu empfehlen. Mit Milch aufgeweicht, ist er für kleine -Kinder im Alter von einem halben Jahre ab als ein vorzügliches -Nahrungsmittel zu bezeichnen. - -Diesen Biskuitteig kann man auch in kleine Blechförmchen thun, welche -dunkelgelb gebacken und mit Zucker bestreut, ein Gebäck geben, wie es -feiner nicht hergestellt werden kann. - - - - - So sehen die - 10 Pfg.-Päckchen von Dr. Oetker's Backpulver aus: - - [Illustration: Dr. A. Oetker's - Backpulver - - -- ist das beste! -- - - Dieses Päckchen genügt für 1 Pfund Mehl. - - Rezepte zu Gesundheitsgebäck, - Topfkuchen, Sandtorte und Englischem - Kuchen gratis von - - Dr. A. Oetker, Bielefeld. - - 1 Päckchen 10 Pfg.] - -Seit Einführung meines Backpulvers wird dieses, wie es ja bei guten -Präparaten immer der Fall ist, von Leuten nachgemacht, die von der Chemie -gerade so viel verstehen, wie neugeborene Kinder! Diese Leute nennen ihre -zweifelhaften Produkte dann Trockenhefe und bedenken garnicht, wie sie -durch dieses eine Wort schon ihre Unwissenheit beweisen, oder sie nennen es -amerikanisches Backpulver und wissen wiederum nicht, daß in Amerika eine -ganze Anzahl Backpulver mit dem giftigen Alaun bereitet werden, daß also -das Wort amerikanisches Backpulver eine sehr zweifelhafte Empfehlung ist. - -Ich bitte deshalb von obiger Zeichnung Kenntnis zu nehmen, stets das -_echte_ Backpulver zu verlangen, und werde stets eine Ehre darin suchen, -das vollkommenste, was überhaupt gemacht werden kann, zu liefern. - - $Dr. A. Oetker,$ Apothekenbesitzer in Bielefeld. - - - - - Entfernen der Rostflecken aus Weißwäsche. - - -Nach folgender Methode ist dies sehr einfach: - -Den Flecken feuchtet man mit Wasser an, streut etwas pulverisiertes -Kleesalz darauf, füllt einen zinnernen Löffel mit _heißem_ Wasser und hält -den gefüllten Löffel auf den mit dem Kleesalz bestreuten Rostfleck, bewegt -den Löffel auf dem Flecken hin und her und in wenigen Minuten ist der -Flecken verschwunden. Der Stoff wird dann sofort ausgewaschen. Es muß ein -_zinnerner_ Löffel sein. Alle anderen Löffel haben keinen Erfolg. - -Unter dem Einfluß des Zinnes und des Kleesalzes wird das Eisenoxyd zu -Eisenoxydul reduziert und verbindet sich dann mit der Oxalsäure zu dem -leichtlöslichen, farblosen, oxalsauren Eisenoxydul, welches man durch das -Auswaschen entfernt. - - - - - Anerkennungsschreiben. - - -Frau Dr. H. D. schreibt: - -Ich habe das Back- und Pudding-Pulver an verschiedenen Rezepten erpropt, -und kann ich nur sagen, daß sie sich stets ausgezeichnet bewährten. -Dieselben sind daher jeder Hausfrau, der an schnellem und sicherem -Gelingen ihres Backwerks etwas liegt, warm zu empfehlen &c. - -Frau Direktor E. Th. schreibt: - -Ich spreche Ihnen hierdurch meine volle Anerkennung aus. Einfacherer und -sicherer läßt sich wohl kaum ein Kuchen oder eine Torte herstellen. Das -Gebäck ist gut von Geschmack, fand vielen Beifall und ist selbst einem -schwachen Magen zuträglich. Ganz besonders angenehm ist es, daß man das -Gebackene schon nach wenigen Stunden ohne Schaden genießen kann; ein -Vorteil, der besonders auf dem Lande oder in kleinen Orten zu schätzen -ist &c. - -Frau Freiin L. v. P. schreibt: - -Bei Gelegenheit einer kleinen Thee-Gesellschaft ist dann Ihr wirklich -vortrefflicher Topfkuchen gebacken worden und hat den ungeteilten Beifall -aller anwesenden Damen gefunden &c. - -Frau Dr. L. H. schreibt: - -Der erste Versuch mit Ihrem Backpulver war sehr günstig &c. &c. - -Frau H. K. schreibt: - -Ich habe Ihr Backpulver nach Ihren Rezepten verwendet und kann Ihnen -mitteilen, daß es in jeder Hinsicht zu loben ist und die damit -hergestellten Gebäcke sowohl im Aussehen, oder auch im Wohlgeschmack -ganz vorzüglich geraten sind. - -Löffler's Illustriertes Kochbuch schreibt: - -Sehr empfehlenswert ist das Backpulver von Dr. A. Oetker in Bielefeld. -Der Gebrauch des Backpulvers ist für die Hausfrau eine große Erleichterung -und bei rechter Befolgung der Vorschriften ist ein rasches, sicheres -Gelingen der Lohn. - -Frau Oberlehrer Z. schreibt: - -Senden Sie wieder Backpulver. Wir waren mit demselben sehr zufrieden. - -Frau E. P. schreibt: - -Ihr Backpulver habe ich wiederholt gebraucht, und sind die Kuchen stets zu -meiner vollsten Zufriedenheit ausgefallen. - -Frau Dr. H. schreibt: - -Senden Sie mir wieder Backpulver, es gefällt mir sehr gut. - -Frau W. F., Verfasserin der 115 Rezepte zu Mehlspeisen, Kaffee- und -Theegebäck, Torten, Kuchen und Pudding, schreibt: - -Es wurde zu diesem Zwecke das Oetker'sche Backpulver eingehend und -vielseitig längere Zeit erprobt und kann als ein sehr billiges und -vorzügliches Präparat empfohlen werden. - -Herr Wilh. Ecke (Hotel zur Roßtrappe im Harz) schreibt: - -Ich bin jetzt in der Lage, mit Ihrem Pulver einen guten wohlschmeckenden -Kuchen selbst bereiten zu können, wozu ich früher mit ähnlichen Fabrikaten -nicht im Stande war. Ihr Backpulver kann ich daher Jedermann bestens -empfehlen. - -Frau Therese Sch. in Sonneberg schreibt: - -Nachdem ich Ihr Backpulver versucht und es ganz vorzüglich gefunden -habe &c. &c. - -Frau Dr. Sch. in Mittweida schreibt: - -Ersuche Sie um Zusendung Ihres vorzüglichen Backpulvers &c. - -Frau Rentier G. in Berlin schreibt: - -Ein Versuch mit Ihrem Backpulver hat mir ganz außerordentlich gefallen. - -Frau Professor E. schreibt: - -Die häufige und günstige Anwendung Ihres vortrefflichen Backpulvers -veranlaßt mich &c. - -Frau Direktor B. schreibt: - -Gerne stelle ich Ihnen das Zeugnis aus, daß Ihre Backpulver sich aufs -Beste bewähren und ein ganz vorzügliches Mittel für jede Küche sind &c. - -Frau Architekt G. in Rummelsburg schreibt: - -Habe kürzlich in der Berliner Kochkunst-Ausstellung eine Probe von -Ihrem Backpulver gekauft, welches mir sehr gefiel &c. - -Frau K. in Berlin schreibt: - -Ihr Backpulver ist vorzüglich &c. - -Aus Mannheim schreibt Fr. S.: - -Würden Sie mir für ... Mark Backpulver senden. Es ist ganz vorzüglich &c. - -Frl. M. (Restaurant Lindenruh) schreibt: - -Bitte umgehend von dem bekannten guten Backpulver für .... Mark zu senden. - -Aus Berlin schreibt Frau I.: - -Auf der hiesigen Kochkunst-Ausstellung kaufte ich von Ihrem Backpulver, -welches mir ganz vorzüglich gefallen hat &c. - -Aus Berlin schreibt Frau B.: - -Ersuche um Zusendung von .... Päckchen Ihres vorzüglichen Backpulvers &c. - -Frau G. aus Berlin schreibt: - -Ich habe in der Kochkunst-Ausstellung von ihrem vorzüglichen Backpulver -gekauft, aber leider zu wenig &c. - -Frau K. in Berlin schreibt: - -Ich hatte auf der Berliner Kochkunst-Ausstellung Dr. Oetker's -Backpulver gekauft, und da es mir sehr gut gefallen hat, so ersuche -ich um &c. - -Das illustrierte Kochbuch von Kurih & Petit schreibt: - -Als vorzüglich erprobt sind die Präparate von Dr. Oetker in Bielefeld. - -Frankfurt a. M. Herr E. E. schreibt: - -Meine Frau gebraucht Ihr Backpulver schon seit mehreren Jahren und ersuche -ich Sie um Zusendung der Rezepte. - -Gotha. Frau Amtsgerichtsrat B. schreibt: - -Die Rezepte sind zuverlässig, die Zubereitung bequem und das Backwerk sehr -wohlschmeckend; &c. - -Erfurt. Frl. A. M. schreibt: - -Senden Sie 10 Päckchen Ihres vortrefflichen Backpulvers &c. - -Coburg. Ein herzogl. Oberkoch schreibt: - -Habe verschiedentlich Ihr Backpulver probiert, und habe stets guten Erfolg -gehabt und kann es bestens empfehlen. - -Weimar. Der Herr Obermundkoch schreibt: - -Ich habe Ihr Backpulver zu verschiedenen Rezepten propiert und muß -gestehen, daß es ein vorzügliches Präparat und für jede Küche zu empfehlen -ist .... - -Münster. Herr C. K. (Kaffeewirtschaft) schreibt: - -Die Kuchen, mit Ihrem Backpulver gebacken, geraten ganz vorzüglich und -werden dieselben von sämtlichen Gästen nur verlangt. - -Bochum. Frau Sanitätsrat R. schreibt: - -Seit fast 2 Jahren brauche ich zum Kuchenbacken Ihr ganz vorzügliches -Backpulver, und ist mir seitdem kein Kuchen mißlungen. - -Berlin. Frau B. W. schreibt: - -Senden Sie mir für .... von Ihrem vorzüglichen Backpulver ..... - -Bruchmühlen. Herr F. B. schreibt: - -Wir haben heute Ihr Backpulver probiert; die Probe ist ausgezeichnet -geraten &c. - -Berlin. Frau A. F. schreibt: - -Von der Vorzüglichkeit Ihres Backpulvers habe Kenntnis erhalten und bitte -um &c. - -Ruhrort. Frl. C. B. schreibt: - -Da ich viele Gelegenheit habe, Ihr vorzügliches Backpulver zu gebrauchen, -so bitte ich um .... - -Neumühl. Frau Dr. med. L. schreibt: - -Da ich eifrige Abnehmerin Ihres vorzüglichen Backpulvers bin, bitte ich -um .... - -Frankfurt a. O. Frau M. B. schreibt: - -Schon längere Zeit benutze ich Ihr Backpulver und bin sehr damit -zufrieden .... - -Stolberg. Frau von H. schreibt: - -Für einliegende ... bitte um ... Päckchen Ihres ausgezeichneten -Backpulvers. - -Vorhalle. Frau N. schreibt: - -Ich bin in hohem Maße davon befriedigt und mache mir ein Vergnügen daraus, -die Sache in meinen Bekanntenkreise zu vertreten .... - -Hamburg. Frau W. Sch. schreibt: - -Ich bemerke noch gern, daß mir Ihr Backpulver ganz außerordentlich gefällt. - -Garding. Herr Kaufmann W. S. schreibt: - -Ihr Backpulver ist vorzüglich ....... - -Lenzen. Herr E. schreibt: - -Erbitte mir sofort wieder ein Poststück Ihres ganz vorzüglichen -Backpulvers. - -Aus Brandenburg (Pr.) schreibt Frau Baronin v. B.: - -Ich bin von den Kuchen, die ich schon so oft gebacken habe, sehr -entzückt ...... - -Kiel. Herr L. schreibt: - -Senden Sie sofort 400 St. von Ihrem weltberühmten Backpulver &c. - -Ebersbach. Frau Chr. K. schreibt: - -Ich habe schon seit längerer Zeit Ihr praktisches Backpulver verwendet und -bitte um ...... - -Von der Ruhr schreibt Frau Pastor B.: - -Hierdurch ersuche ich Sie um .... Päckchen Ihres schönen Backpulvers ...... - -Berlin. Frau K. schreibt: - -...... ohne Ihr Backpulver schmeckt kein Kuchen mehr. - -Fürst. Waldeck. Frau L. E. schreibt: - -...... bei Drogisten hier bekommt man auch Backpulver, welches er aber -selbst mischt und uns nicht so gut gefällt. Ich brachte mir aus der -Kunst-Ausstellung in Berlin im vorigen Jahre Ihr Backpulver mit, und es -hat mir ausgezeichnet gefallen. - -Barmen. Frau D. A. schreibt: - -Wegen der bewährten Güte Ihres Backpulvers nehme ich nicht gern ein -anderes und bitte mir .... - - - - -Das Deutsche Reich hat ungefähr 55 Millionen Einwohner und wenn man auf -jede Familie 5 Personen rechnet, so sind 11 Millionen Küchen vorhanden. - -Ich habe die Ueberzeugung, daß in jeder dieser Küchen mindestens täglich -10 Pfennig aus Unkenntnis mit den Grundlehren der Chemie verloren gehen. -Das macht täglich einen Verlust von 1 100 000 Mark, im Jahre 396 Millionen -Mark! Eine ganz enorme Summe und trotzdem glaube ich, daß die Berechnung -annähernd stimmt. Wenn in den kleinen Küchen weniger wie 10 Pfennig -verloren gehen, dann gehen in den größeren Küchen täglich viel mehr wie je -10 Pfennig verloren. - -Wie häufig wird in den Küchen Fleisch anrüchig, weil es nicht richtig -aufbewahrt wird! Wie oft wird die Milch im Sommer sauer, weil sie nicht -ordnungsmäßig behandelt wurde! Wie oft wird Fett ranzig, weil es nicht -zeitig genug wieder zur Verwendung gelangte! Welche Mengen eingemachter -Früchte werden auf der Oberfläche schimmelig und hierdurch zum Teil -ungenießbar! Wieviel verschwindet von den mehr oder weniger teueren -Nahrungs- und Genußmitteln in den Ascheeimern, ohne daß die Hausfrau es -bemerkt. - -Wie viele Verluste entstehen allein durch das ungenügende Ausziehen der -Kaffeebohnen in unpraktischen Maschinen. - -Alle die Speisen, welche nicht tadellos auf den Tisch kommen, beweisen doch -nur, daß gerade in der Küche noch wesentliche Fortschritte gemacht werden -müssen. Wie viel Zeit kann man durch die richtige Verwendung der modernen -Hülfsmittel in der Küche ersparen, und Zeit ist Geld! - -Die Trunksucht mancher Männer hat sehr häufig ihre ersten Ursachen in einem -schlecht geführten Haushalte. Frauen, welche schlecht kochen und welche -kein gemütliches Heim zu schaffen vermögen, treiben ihren Mann aus dem -Hause und dem Schnapsteufel in die Arme. - -Von diesen zweifellosen Verlusten an Geld und Zeit könnte viel gerettet -werden, wenn die jungen Damen sich mit den Grundlehren der Küchenchemie und -Haushaltkunde vertrauter machen wollten. Wenn diese kleine Broschüre hierzu -Anregung gegeben hat, so hat sie ihren Zweck erreicht, denn sie soll nur -zum _eigenen_ Nachdenken aufmuntern, damit auch in der Küche mehr wie -bisher nach dem »Warum« und »Weil« geforscht wird. - - - - - Etwas Praktisches für die Küche! - - -Im $Alexanderwerk-Kochtopf$, erfunden von Frau Professor Böhmer in Warburg, -der trotz seiner vielen Vorzüge nicht viel teuerer ist, als ein -gewöhnlicher Kochtopf, werden alle Arten Klöße und Puddings ganz -vorzüglich, wenn man der Masse entsprechend von Dr. Oetkers Backpulver -beimischt. - -Man verfährt dabei wie folgt: Kartoffelklöße: 750 =g= gekochte, geriebene -Kartoffeln werden mit 4 Eiern, etwas Salz und Muskatnuß sowie 40 =g= -Butter, Speck oder Bratenfett tüchtig durchgerührt. Dann giebt man 200 =g= -Weizenmehl, 8 =g= in Würfel geschnittene und in 40 =g= Fett geröstete -Semmel, sowie ½ Päckchen Dr. Oetkers Backpulver hinzu, und formt daraus -Klöße. - -Unterdeß hat man im Alexanderwerk-Kochtopf Wasser bis knapp an den Einsatz -zum Kochen gebracht; man nimmt den Einsatz heraus, fettet ihn oben mit -einer Speckschwarte und legt Kloß neben Kloß. Darauf setzt man den Einsatz -in den Topf, schließt den Deckel und läßt 10 Minuten flott kochen. - -So verfährt man mit allen beliebigen Kloßarten und Suppeneinlagen, jedoch -versäume man nicht, ein halbes Päckchen Dr. Oetkers Backpulver -hinzuzufügen. Der Erfolg ist überraschend. Längeres Stehen im Topfe -schadet der Speise nicht. - -Auch jeder Art Pudding setze man mit dem Eiweiß-Schaum Dr. Oetkers -Puddingpulver =à= 10 Pfg. zu und gebe diese Masse sofort in die Form. - -Der Alexanderwerk-Kochtopf ist schon mit lauwarmem Wasser gefüllt bis zu -dem Teilstrich, wie es im Gratiskochbüchlein angegeben ist. - -Die Puddingform oder Senniette wird auf den Einsatz gestellt und dann wird -flott gekocht, bis die Masse über dem Deckel ruht, ein Zeichen, daß der -Pudding gar ist. - -Bei Anwendung von Dr. Oetkers Puddingpulver und Kochen desselben im -Alexanderwerk-Kochtopf ist jede Art Pudding ohne Beaufsichtigung vorzüglich -geworden, stets war derselbe zur angegebenen Zeit gar, locker und leicht -verdaulich. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Der Alexanderwerk-Kochtopf - - $mit Patent-Einsatz$ - - ist in jeder Haus- und Küchengeräte-Handlung zu haben. - -[Illustration: Nr. 550 schräge Kochtöpfe] - - $=Preise:=$ - - $Nr. 550 schräge Kochtöpfe,$ - - weiß emailliert, mit verzinntem Einsatz - - oberer Durchmesser =cm= 22 24 26 - -------------- - Preis das Stück Mk. 4.30 4.70 5.30 - -[Illustration: Nr. 555 gerade Kochtöpfe] - - $Nr. 555 gerade Kochtöpfe,$ - - weiß emailliert, mit verzinntem Einsatz - - Durchmesser =cm= 22 24 26 - -------------- - Preis d. St. Mk. 5.40 6.-- 6.50 - - Weitere Größen sind in Vorbereitung. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Alexanderwerk-Haushalt-Maschinen - - sind in jeder Haus- und Küchengeräte-Handlung zu haben. - - - Wo nicht zu haben, - - schreibe man wegen der nächsten Bezugsquelle an das - - _Alexanderwerk_, Remscheid. - - - Wichtig! Verlangen Sie beim Einkauf ausdrücklich - - $Alexanderwerk-Maschinen$. - - Jede Maschine trägt unsere Schutzmarke »Alexanderwerk«. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Alexanderwerk-Fleischhack-Maschinen - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Fleischhack-Maschinen] - -sind _thatsächlich unentbehrlich_ in jeder Küche. Die Maschinen schneiden -das Fleisch, anstatt es zu zerquetschen, wie andere minderwertige -Maschinen. Alle Sehnen und Fasern werden vollständig durchschnitten. - - +---------------------+ +---------------------+ - | Ausführliche | | | - |Gebrauchs-Anweisungen| | Lesen! | - | mit vielen Rezepten | | | - | kostenlos. | | | - +---------------------+ +---------------------+ - -Zum Hacken von rohem und gekochtem Fleisch, Leber, Fett, Fisch, Spinat und -anderen Gemüsen giebt es nichts Besseres. Dabei ist Handhabung der -Maschinen einfach und bequem, die Reinigung leicht und rasch ausführbar. -Die Maschinen dienen zur Bereitung zahlreicher schmackhafter Speisen, -ermöglichen die Verwendung von kaltem und übriggebliebenem Fleisch zu den -verschiedensten Gerichten und sind vorzüglich zum Schneiden von Fett zum -Ausbraten, welches bei ihrer Benutzung viel reichere Ausbeute ergiebt. Die -_Alexanderwerk-Fleischhack-Maschinen_ sind innen sauber emailliert, außen -fein rot lackiert mit Goldverzierungen und kosten die gangbarsten Größen -für den Haushalt im Laden Mk. 6.-- bis Mk. 9.--, dieselben werden auch ganz -verzinnt oder verzinkt geliefert. Jede Maschine wird mit einer Lochscheibe -4½ =mm= Durchmesser geliefert. Um feiner zu schneiden, (z. B. Spinat, -Leber u. s. w.) werden Lochscheiben von 2 =mm=, um gröber zu schneiden -solche von 6, 8, 10 oder 12-20 =mm= geliefert. - - _Gebrauchsanweisung._ - -Nachdem man den Zapfen und die daran anstoßende blanke Fläche der Schnecke -gut eingeölt hat, stecke man die Schnecke in das Gehäuse, setze das -kreuzförmige Messer mit der _abgerundeten Seite nach innen_ auf den -viereckigen Zapfen der Schnecke, setze darauf die Lochscheibe ein und -drücke dieselbe gegen die Schneiden des Messers, indem man den Ring mäßig -fest anschraubt. Hierauf stecke man die Kurbel auf und befestige dieselbe -mit der Ringschraube. - -Das Fleisch schneide man, nachdem es von Knochen sorgfältig befreit ist, in -eigroße Stücke und werfe diese in den Trichter. - -Nach dem Gebrauch nehme man die Maschine zur Reinigung auseinander, trockne -sie gut ab und bewahre sie an einem trockenen Ort auf. -- Für verlorene -oder zerbrochene Teile werden jederzeit billigst Ersatzstücke geliefert. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -Alexanderwerk-Eismaschinen - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Eismaschine] - - $zur Herstellung von Eis-Crême und - Gefrorenem aller Art.$ - - Ueberraschende Einfachheit im System. - - $Geschmackvolle Ausstattung - und größte Dauerhaftigkeit.$ - - Erfordert zum Gebrauch weder besondere - Uebung noch Anstrengung. - - $Preise je nach Grösse von 8 Mk. an.$ - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Alexanderwerk-Frucht- u. Saft-Presse. - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Frucht- und Saft-Presse] - - Die Presse kann zu verschiedenen Zwecken - verwandt werden und eignet sich besonders - zur Gewinnung des Saftes aus: - - ~Weintrauben, Stachelbeeren, Johannisbeeren, - Brombeeren, Heidelbeeren, - Erdbeeren, Quitten und anderen Früchten.~ - - $Größter Saftgewinn.$ - - Preis 12 Mk. Ein Paar Gefäße zum Unterstellen Mk. 2.50. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Alexanderwerk-Brotschneidemaschinen - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Brotschneidemaschine] - - sind die beste Marke, welche je in den - Handel gebracht worden ist. Sie zeichnen - sich durch Eleganz und gute Bauart aus, - die Messer sind aus bestem Stahl und - brauchen selten geschliffen zu werden. - Schneiden selbst ganz frisches Brot. - - $Preis Mk. 4.50 bis Mk. 15.--.$ - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Alexanderwerk-Wringmaschinen - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Wringmaschine] - - bewähren sich überall durch ihre - leichte Handhabung. - - _Beste Walzen._ - - $Alexanderwerk- - Waschmaschinen$ - - sind trotz ihrer vielen Vorzüge - die billigsten. - - Preis Mk. 36.--. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Wirtschaftswage] - -[Illustration: Alexanderwerk-Reibemaschine] - - Alexanderwerk- - Wirtschaftswagen - - Alexanderwerk- - Reibemaschinen - - sind die - besten und beliebtesten Marken. - - - - - =Für die feinere Küche= - -seien der verehrten Damenwelt 2 neue Küchenartikel empfohlen (Erfindungen -einer praktischen Hausfrau) die ihrer außerordentlich praktischen -Eigenschaften wegen verdienen, bald in jeder besseren Küche Eingang zu -finden, nämlich - - =Blitzrührschüssel= - - (Schutzmarke mit dem Bären) - -deren genaue Ausführung aus der unten beigedruckten Abbildung deutlich -ersichtlich ist. - -$Die Blitzrührschüssel dient zur Herstellung aller Mehlspeisen, wie -Puddings, feineren Bäckereien, Kaltschaum, Saucen und bietet hierbei 80% -Zeit- und Kraftersparnis gegenüber früher bei bisher unerreichten, -prachtvollen Backresultaten.$ - -[Illustration: Blitzrührschüssel] - -$Preis der Blitzrührschüssel inkl. Mayonnaisetrichter und Rezeptsammlung$ - -mit Vorrichtung z. Befest. Mk. 15.--, ohne Vorrichtung z. Befest. -Mk. 13.--. - - - - - =Amerikaner-Quirltopf= - -ebenfalls aus bestem =Ia= Email zum Quirlen von Schokolade, Warmbier, -Chaudeau, holl. Saucen, Crêmes, für Gefrorenes etc., zum Herstellen von -Schlagsahne, kalte Saucen, sowie zum Schneeschlagen (in ½ Minute steifen -Schnee) 2 Liter-Größe Mk. 5.--, 4 Liter Mk. 8.--. - -Beide Artikel sind äußerst elegant und solid ausgeführt und nach Abheben -des Triebwerks (ein Griff!) zu allen sonstigen Küchenzwecken praktisch. -- -Sie sind in den meisten einschläg. feinen Geschäften zu haben, sonst -direkter Versandt durch den alleinigen Fabrikanten - - $R. v. Hünersdorff Nachf.$, - Stuttgart, - -der auf Wunsch auch ausführl. Prospekte und Zeugnisse gratis und franko -versendet. - - * * * * * - -Eine der maßgebendesten Hausfrauen auf dem Gebiete der Kochkunst, nämlich -die Herausgeberin des bekannten »Davidis-Holles Kochbuches«, schreibt mir: - - - $Sehr geehrter Herr!$ - - Da ich hier weder Ihre Backrezepte noch Ihre neue Broschüre bekommen - kann, darf ich Sie wohl direkt um Zusendung bitten. - - Bei dieser Gelegenheit möchte ich Ihnen mitteilen, daß ich bei - vergleichenden Erproben von circa 8 verschiedenen Backpulvern das - Ihrige als das Beste befunden und viele neue Backwerke, auch feinere - Sachen, mit ihm gebacken habe. - - Hochachtungsvoll! - - $Frau L. H.$ - - Herausgeberin von »Davidis Kochbuch«. - -Hierzu erlaube ich mir noch zu bemerken, daß ich diese Dame nicht -um ihr Urteil gefragt habe und daß mir dieses vorzügliche -Zeugnis über mein Backpulver nur aus Interesse an den Fortschritten -der Kochkunst übermittelt wurde. - - Backpulverfabrik. Dr. A. Oetker, - Bielefeld. - - - - -Anmerkungen zur Transkription: - -Die Originalschreibweise und kleinere Inkonsistenzen in der Schreibweise -und Formatierung wurden prinzipiell beibehalten. - -Der Kreis als Zeichen für Durchmesser auf der Seite 84 wurde durch das -Wort Durchmesser ersetzt. - -Der Nachdruck enthält nicht die Werbung »Vineta« auf Seite 88, wie im -Inhaltsverzeichnis beschrieben. - -Formatierung: - -Gesperrter Text wurde mit Unterstrich (_Text_), fett gedruckter Text mit -Dollarzeichen ($Text$), unterstrichener Text mit Tilde (~Text~) und Text -in Antiqua wurde mit Gleichheitszeichen (=Text=) markiert. - -Die nachfolgende Tabelle enthält eine Auflistung aller gegenüber dem -Originaltext vorgenommenen Korrekturen. - - p 11: zu Diarrhöe u. s. w.) -> [Klammer hinzugefügt] - p 14: Holzkohle, Sand &c, -> Holzkohle, Sand &c. - p 18: so sehr porrös -> porös - p 19: Brot gilt im Volksmunde aus -> als - p 22: Produkte zu verwandeln. -> [Punkt hinzugefügt] - p 36: enthält von emorganischen -> anorganischen - p 53: beruht darauf, das -> daß - p 53: dies die Ursache, das -> daß - p 55: im Verhältnis zum Ewachsenen -> Erwachsenen - p 55: besser ist die Milch. -> [Punkt hinzugefügt] - p 56: 200 oder 250 =gr.= -> 200 oder 250 =g= - p 59: von 27 Pfennig, wahrend -> während - p 62: man gezwungen, daß -> man gezwungen, das - p 71: zu Schnee geschlagene Eiweis -> Eiweiß - p 75: stelle ich Ihnen des -> das - p 78: schreibt Frau Baronin v. B.: -> [Doppelpunkt hinzugefügt] - p 78: gern ein anderes nnd -> und - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - -The original spelling and minor inconsistencies in the spelling and -formatting have been maintained. - -On page 84 the circle-sign as the abbreviation for diameter was replaced by -the word >Durchmesser<. - -The advertisement of »Vineta« referenced on page 88 in the table of -contents is not part of this reprint. - -Formatting: - -Spaced text was marked using underscores (_text_), text in Antiqua using -equals (=text=), underlined Text using tilde (~text~) and bold text using -the Dollar sign ($text$). - -The table below lists all corrections applied to the original text. - - p 11: zu Diarrhöe u. s. w.) -> [closing parenthesis added] - p 14: Holzkohle, Sand &c, -> Holzkohle, Sand &c. - p 18: so sehr porrös -> porös - p 19: Brot gilt im Volksmunde aus -> als - p 22: Produkte zu verwandeln. -> [period added] - p 36: enthält von emorganischen -> anorganischen - p 53: beruht darauf, das -> daß - p 53: dies die Ursache, das -> daß - p 55: im Verhältnis zum Ewachsenen -> Erwachsenen - p 55: besser ist die Milch. -> [period added] - p 56: 200 oder 250 =gr= -> 200 oder 250 =g= - p 59: von 27 Pfennig, wahrend -> während - p 62: man gezwungen, daß -> man gezwungen, das - p 71: zu Schnee geschlagene Eiweis -> Eiweiß - p 75: stelle ich Ihnen des -> das - p 78: schreibt Frau Baronin v. B.: -> [colon added] - p 78: gern ein anderes nnd -> und - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dr A. Oetkers Grundlehren der Kochkunst, by -August Oetker - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DR A. OETKERS GRUNDLEHREN *** - -***** This file should be named 31537-8.txt or 31537-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/3/1/5/3/31537/ - -Produced by Norbert H. Langkau, Jens Nordmann and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/holmes.txt b/holmes.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a713ad7..0000000 --- a/holmes.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12304 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - -Author: Arthur Conan Doyle - -Release Date: November 29, 2002 [eBook #1661] -[Most recently updated: May 20, 2019] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** - -cover - - - - -The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - -by Arthur Conan Doyle - - -Contents - - I. A Scandal in Bohemia - II. The Red-Headed League - III. A Case of Identity - IV. The Boscombe Valley Mystery - V. The Five Orange Pips - VI. The Man with the Twisted Lip - VII. The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle - VIII. The Adventure of the Speckled Band - IX. The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb - X. The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor - XI. The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet - XII. The Adventure of the Copper Beeches - - - - -I. A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA - - -I. - -To Sherlock Holmes she is always _the_ woman. I have seldom heard him -mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and -predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion -akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that one particularly, -were abhorrent to his cold, precise but admirably balanced mind. He -was, I take it, the most perfect reasoning and observing machine that -the world has seen, but as a lover he would have placed himself in a -false position. He never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe -and a sneer. They were admirable things for the observer—excellent for -drawing the veil from men’s motives and actions. But for the trained -reasoner to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely -adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which might -throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sensitive -instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lenses, would not -be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his. And -yet there was but one woman to him, and that woman was the late Irene -Adler, of dubious and questionable memory. - -I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us away -from each other. My own complete happiness, and the home-centred -interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master -of his own establishment, were sufficient to absorb all my attention, -while Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian -soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old -books, and alternating from week to week between cocaine and ambition, -the drowsiness of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen -nature. He was still, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, -and occupied his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of -observation in following out those clues, and clearing up those -mysteries which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. -From time to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his -summons to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up -of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and -finally of the mission which he had accomplished so delicately and -successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Beyond these signs of -his activity, however, which I merely shared with all the readers of -the daily press, I knew little of my former friend and companion. - -One night—it was on the twentieth of March, 1888—I was returning from a -journey to a patient (for I had now returned to civil practice), when -my way led me through Baker Street. As I passed the well-remembered -door, which must always be associated in my mind with my wooing, and -with the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a -keen desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his -extraordinary powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I -looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette -against the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his -head sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who -knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their own -story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his drug-created -dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new problem. I rang the bell -and was shown up to the chamber which had formerly been in part my own. - -His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I think, -to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly eye, he waved -me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and indicated a -spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he stood before the fire -and looked me over in his singular introspective fashion. - -“Wedlock suits you,” he remarked. “I think, Watson, that you have put -on seven and a half pounds since I saw you.” - -“Seven!” I answered. - -“Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I -fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not tell me -that you intended to go into harness.” - -“Then, how do you know?” - -“I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting -yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and careless -servant girl?” - -“My dear Holmes,” said I, “this is too much. You would certainly have -been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true that I had a -country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful mess, but as I -have changed my clothes I can’t imagine how you deduce it. As to Mary -Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has given her notice, but there, -again, I fail to see how you work it out.” - -He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together. - -“It is simplicity itself,” said he; “my eyes tell me that on the inside -of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the leather is -scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have been caused by -someone who has very carelessly scraped round the edges of the sole in -order to remove crusted mud from it. Hence, you see, my double -deduction that you had been out in vile weather, and that you had a -particularly malignant boot-slitting specimen of the London slavey. As -to your practice, if a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of -iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate of silver upon his right -forefinger, and a bulge on the right side of his top-hat to show where -he has secreted his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not -pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession.” - -I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his -process of deduction. “When I hear you give your reasons,” I remarked, -“the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I -could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your -reasoning I am baffled until you explain your process. And yet I -believe that my eyes are as good as yours.” - -“Quite so,” he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself -down into an armchair. “You see, but you do not observe. The -distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps -which lead up from the hall to this room.” - -“Frequently.” - -“How often?” - -“Well, some hundreds of times.” - -“Then how many are there?” - -“How many? I don’t know.” - -“Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is just -my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, because I have -both seen and observed. By the way, since you are interested in these -little problems, and since you are good enough to chronicle one or two -of my trifling experiences, you may be interested in this.” He threw -over a sheet of thick, pink-tinted notepaper which had been lying open -upon the table. “It came by the last post,” said he. “Read it aloud.” - -The note was undated, and without either signature or address. - -“There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight o’clock,” it -said, “a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter of the very -deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the royal houses of -Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted with -matters which are of an importance which can hardly be exaggerated. -This account of you we have from all quarters received. Be in your -chamber then at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor -wear a mask.” - -“This is indeed a mystery,” I remarked. “What do you imagine that it -means?” - -“I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has -data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of -theories to suit facts. But the note itself. What do you deduce from -it?” - -I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was -written. - -“The man who wrote it was presumably well to do,” I remarked, -endeavouring to imitate my companion’s processes. “Such paper could not -be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strong and -stiff.” - -“Peculiar—that is the very word,” said Holmes. “It is not an English -paper at all. Hold it up to the light.” - -I did so, and saw a large “E” with a small “g,” a “P,” and a large “G” -with a small “t” woven into the texture of the paper. - -“What do you make of that?” asked Holmes. - -“The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather.” - -“Not at all. The ‘G’ with the small ‘t’ stands for ‘Gesellschaft,’ -which is the German for ‘Company.’ It is a customary contraction like -our ‘Co.’ ‘P,’ of course, stands for ‘Papier.’ Now for the ‘Eg.’ Let us -glance at our Continental Gazetteer.” He took down a heavy brown volume -from his shelves. “Eglow, Eglonitz—here we are, Egria. It is in a -German-speaking country—in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. ‘Remarkable -as being the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous -glass-factories and paper-mills.’ Ha, ha, my boy, what do you make of -that?” His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue triumphant cloud -from his cigarette. - -“The paper was made in Bohemia,” I said. - -“Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you note the -peculiar construction of the sentence—‘This account of you we have from -all quarters received.’ A Frenchman or Russian could not have written -that. It is the German who is so uncourteous to his verbs. It only -remains, therefore, to discover what is wanted by this German who -writes upon Bohemian paper and prefers wearing a mask to showing his -face. And here he comes, if I am not mistaken, to resolve all our -doubts.” - -As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses’ hoofs and grating -wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell. Holmes -whistled. - -“A pair, by the sound,” said he. “Yes,” he continued, glancing out of -the window. “A nice little brougham and a pair of beauties. A hundred -and fifty guineas apiece. There’s money in this case, Watson, if there -is nothing else.” - -“I think that I had better go, Holmes.” - -“Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Boswell. -And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to miss it.” - -“But your client—” - -“Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he comes. -Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best attention.” - -A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the -passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there was a loud and -authoritative tap. - -“Come in!” said Holmes. - -A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six inches -in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich -with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon as akin to bad -taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed across the sleeves and -fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the deep blue cloak which was -thrown over his shoulders was lined with flame-coloured silk and -secured at the neck with a brooch which consisted of a single flaming -beryl. Boots which extended halfway up his calves, and which were -trimmed at the tops with rich brown fur, completed the impression of -barbaric opulence which was suggested by his whole appearance. He -carried a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper -part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black vizard -mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, for his hand -was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower part of the face -he appeared to be a man of strong character, with a thick, hanging lip, -and a long, straight chin suggestive of resolution pushed to the length -of obstinacy. - -“You had my note?” he asked with a deep harsh voice and a strongly -marked German accent. “I told you that I would call.” He looked from -one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to address. - -“Pray take a seat,” said Holmes. “This is my friend and colleague, Dr. -Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me in my cases. Whom -have I the honour to address?” - -“You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I -understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and -discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most extreme -importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you -alone.” - -I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me back into -my chair. “It is both, or none,” said he. “You may say before this -gentleman anything which you may say to me.” - -The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. “Then I must begin,” said he, -“by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the end of -that time the matter will be of no importance. At present it is not too -much to say that it is of such weight it may have an influence upon -European history.” - -“I promise,” said Holmes. - -“And I.” - -“You will excuse this mask,” continued our strange visitor. “The august -person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may -confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is -not exactly my own.” - -“I was aware of it,” said Holmes dryly. - -“The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution has to -be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense scandal and -seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Europe. To speak -plainly, the matter implicates the great House of Ormstein, hereditary -kings of Bohemia.” - -“I was also aware of that,” murmured Holmes, settling himself down in -his armchair and closing his eyes. - -Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, -lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him as the -most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Holmes -slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gigantic client. - -“If your Majesty would condescend to state your case,” he remarked, “I -should be better able to advise you.” - -The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in -uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he tore -the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. “You are right,” -he cried; “I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it?” - -“Why, indeed?” murmured Holmes. “Your Majesty had not spoken before I -was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von -Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hereditary King of -Bohemia.” - -“But you can understand,” said our strange visitor, sitting down once -more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, “you can -understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in my own -person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not confide it to -an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come _incognito_ -from Prague for the purpose of consulting you.” - -“Then, pray consult,” said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. - -“The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lengthy -visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, -Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you.” - -“Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor,” murmured Holmes without -opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of docketing -all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was difficult to -name a subject or a person on which he could not at once furnish -information. In this case I found her biography sandwiched in between -that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a staff-commander who had written a -monograph upon the deep-sea fishes. - -“Let me see!” said Holmes. “Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year 1858. -Contralto—hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of Warsaw—yes! -Retired from operatic stage—ha! Living in London—quite so! Your -Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with this young person, -wrote her some compromising letters, and is now desirous of getting -those letters back.” - -“Precisely so. But how—” - -“Was there a secret marriage?” - -“None.” - -“No legal papers or certificates?” - -“None.” - -“Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should -produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is she to -prove their authenticity?” - -“There is the writing.” - -“Pooh, pooh! Forgery.” - -“My private note-paper.” - -“Stolen.” - -“My own seal.” - -“Imitated.” - -“My photograph.” - -“Bought.” - -“We were both in the photograph.” - -“Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an -indiscretion.” - -“I was mad—insane.” - -“You have compromised yourself seriously.” - -“I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now.” - -“It must be recovered.” - -“We have tried and failed.” - -“Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought.” - -“She will not sell.” - -“Stolen, then.” - -“Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her -house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice she has -been waylaid. There has been no result.” - -“No sign of it?” - -“Absolutely none.” - -Holmes laughed. “It is quite a pretty little problem,” said he. - -“But a very serious one to me,” returned the King reproachfully. - -“Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the photograph?” - -“To ruin me.” - -“But how?” - -“I am about to be married.” - -“So I have heard.” - -“To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the King of -Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her family. She is -herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct -would bring the matter to an end.” - -“And Irene Adler?” - -“Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I know that -she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul of steel. She -has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mind of the most -resolute of men. Rather than I should marry another woman, there are no -lengths to which she would not go—none.” - -“You are sure that she has not sent it yet?” - -“I am sure.” - -“And why?” - -“Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the -betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday.” - -“Oh, then we have three days yet,” said Holmes with a yawn. “That is -very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to look into -just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in London for the -present?” - -“Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Count -Von Kramm.” - -“Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress.” - -“Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety.” - -“Then, as to money?” - -“You have _carte blanche_.” - -“Absolutely?” - -“I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom to -have that photograph.” - -“And for present expenses?” - -The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and laid -it on the table. - -“There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in notes,” he -said. - -Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and handed it -to him. - -“And Mademoiselle’s address?” he asked. - -“Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John’s Wood.” - -Holmes took a note of it. “One other question,” said he. “Was the -photograph a cabinet?” - -“It was.” - -“Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have -some good news for you. And good-night, Watson,” he added, as the -wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. “If you will be -good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock I should like -to chat this little matter over with you.” - - -II. - -At three o’clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not -yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the house -shortly after eight o’clock in the morning. I sat down beside the fire, -however, with the intention of awaiting him, however long he might be. -I was already deeply interested in his inquiry, for, though it was -surrounded by none of the grim and strange features which were -associated with the two crimes which I have already recorded, still, -the nature of the case and the exalted station of his client gave it a -character of its own. Indeed, apart from the nature of the -investigation which my friend had on hand, there was something in his -masterly grasp of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which -made it a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the -quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most inextricable -mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very -possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head. - -It was close upon four before the door opened, and a drunken-looking -groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and -disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I was to my -friend’s amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three -times before I was certain that it was indeed he. With a nod he -vanished into the bedroom, whence he emerged in five minutes -tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Putting his hands into his -pockets, he stretched out his legs in front of the fire and laughed -heartily for some minutes. - -“Well, really!” he cried, and then he choked and laughed again until he -was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the chair. - -“What is it?” - -“It’s quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I employed -my morning, or what I ended by doing.” - -“I can’t imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the habits, and -perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler.” - -“Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, however. -I left the house a little after eight o’clock this morning in the -character of a groom out of work. There is a wonderful sympathy and -freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of them, and you will know all -that there is to know. I soon found Briony Lodge. It is a _bijou_ -villa, with a garden at the back, but built out in front right up to -the road, two stories. Chubb lock to the door. Large sitting-room on -the right side, well furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, -and those preposterous English window fasteners which a child could -open. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window -could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round it and -examined it closely from every point of view, but without noting -anything else of interest. - -“I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that there -was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the garden. I lent -the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and received in -exchange twopence, a glass of half-and-half, two fills of shag tobacco, -and as much information as I could desire about Miss Adler, to say -nothing of half a dozen other people in the neighbourhood in whom I was -not in the least interested, but whose biographies I was compelled to -listen to.” - -“And what of Irene Adler?” I asked. - -“Oh, she has turned all the men’s heads down in that part. She is the -daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the -Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, drives -out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for dinner. Seldom -goes out at other times, except when she sings. Has only one male -visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, handsome, and dashing, -never calls less than once a day, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey -Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the advantages of a cabman as a -confidant. They had driven him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, -and knew all about him. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I -began to walk up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think -over my plan of campaign. - -“This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter. -He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the relation between -them, and what the object of his repeated visits? Was she his client, -his friend, or his mistress? If the former, she had probably -transferred the photograph to his keeping. If the latter, it was less -likely. On the issue of this question depended whether I should -continue my work at Briony Lodge, or turn my attention to the -gentleman’s chambers in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it -widened the field of my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these -details, but I have to let you see my little difficulties, if you are -to understand the situation.” - -“I am following you closely,” I answered. - -“I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab drove up -to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remarkably -handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached—evidently the man of whom -I had heard. He appeared to be in a great hurry, shouted to the cabman -to wait, and brushed past the maid who opened the door with the air of -a man who was thoroughly at home. - -“He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glimpses of -him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and down, talking -excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nothing. Presently -he emerged, looking even more flurried than before. As he stepped up to -the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his pocket and looked at it -earnestly, ‘Drive like the devil,’ he shouted, ‘first to Gross & -Hankey’s in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. Monica in the -Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if you do it in twenty minutes!’ - -“Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well -to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the coachman -with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his ear, while all -the tags of his harness were sticking out of the buckles. It hadn’t -pulled up before she shot out of the hall door and into it. I only -caught a glimpse of her at the moment, but she was a lovely woman, with -a face that a man might die for. - -“‘The Church of St. Monica, John,’ she cried, ‘and half a sovereign if -you reach it in twenty minutes.’ - -“This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing whether -I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her landau when a -cab came through the street. The driver looked twice at such a shabby -fare, but I jumped in before he could object. ‘The Church of St. -Monica,’ said I, ‘and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty -minutes.’ It was twenty-five minutes to twelve, and of course it was -clear enough what was in the wind. - -“My cabby drove fast. I don’t think I ever drove faster, but the others -were there before us. The cab and the landau with their steaming horses -were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the man and hurried -into the church. There was not a soul there save the two whom I had -followed and a surpliced clergyman, who seemed to be expostulating with -them. They were all three standing in a knot in front of the altar. I -lounged up the side aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a -church. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to -me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards me. - -“‘Thank God,’ he cried. ‘You’ll do. Come! Come!’ - -“‘What then?’ I asked. - -“‘Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won’t be legal.’ - -“I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I -found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and -vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally assisting in -the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Godfrey Norton, -bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and there was the gentleman -thanking me on the one side and the lady on the other, while the -clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the most preposterous position -in which I ever found myself in my life, and it was the thought of it -that started me laughing just now. It seems that there had been some -informality about their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused -to marry them without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky -appearance saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the -streets in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I -mean to wear it on my watch chain in memory of the occasion.” - -“This is a very unexpected turn of affairs,” said I; “and what then?” - -“Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the -pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate very prompt -and energetic measures on my part. At the church door, however, they -separated, he driving back to the Temple, and she to her own house. ‘I -shall drive out in the park at five as usual,’ she said as she left -him. I heard no more. They drove away in different directions, and I -went off to make my own arrangements.” - -“Which are?” - -“Some cold beef and a glass of beer,” he answered, ringing the bell. “I -have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to be busier still -this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want your co-operation.” - -“I shall be delighted.” - -“You don’t mind breaking the law?” - -“Not in the least.” - -“Nor running a chance of arrest?” - -“Not in a good cause.” - -“Oh, the cause is excellent!” - -“Then I am your man.” - -“I was sure that I might rely on you.” - -“But what is it you wish?” - -“When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you. -Now,” he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that our -landlady had provided, “I must discuss it while I eat, for I have not -much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must be on the scene -of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns from her drive at -seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.” - -“And what then?” - -“You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to occur. -There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not interfere, -come what may. You understand?” - -“I am to be neutral?” - -“To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small -unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conveyed -into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sitting-room window -will open. You are to station yourself close to that open window.” - -“Yes.” - -“You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you.” - -“Yes.” - -“And when I raise my hand—so—you will throw into the room what I give -you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You -quite follow me?” - -“Entirely.” - -“It is nothing very formidable,” he said, taking a long cigar-shaped -roll from his pocket. “It is an ordinary plumber’s smoke-rocket, fitted -with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is -confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up -by quite a number of people. You may then walk to the end of the -street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made -myself clear?” - -“I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at -the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and -to wait you at the corner of the street.” - -“Precisely.” - -“Then you may entirely rely on me.” - -“That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare -for the new role I have to play.” - -He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the -character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His -broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic -smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such -as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely that -Holmes changed his costume. His expression, his manner, his very soul -seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a -fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a -specialist in crime. - -It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still -wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine -Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as -we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming -of its occupant. The house was just such as I had pictured it from -Sherlock Holmes’ succinct description, but the locality appeared to be -less private than I expected. On the contrary, for a small street in a -quiet neighbourhood, it was remarkably animated. There was a group of -shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a -scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a -nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and -down with cigars in their mouths. - -“You see,” remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the -house, “this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes -a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse -to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming -to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find -the photograph?” - -“Where, indeed?” - -“It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet -size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman’s dress. She knows -that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two -attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that -she does not carry it about with her.” - -“Where, then?” - -“Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am -inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like -to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? -She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what -indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a -business man. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within -a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be -in her own house.” - -“But it has twice been burgled.” - -“Pshaw! They did not know how to look.” - -“But how will you look?” - -“I will not look.” - -“What then?” - -“I will get her to show me.” - -“But she will refuse.” - -“She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her -carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter.” - -As he spoke the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round the -curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to -the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at -the corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a -copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed up with -the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by -the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the -scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was -struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, -was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who -struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes -dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but, just as he reached her, -he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely -down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one -direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better -dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, -crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene -Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she -stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of -the hall, looking back into the street. - -“Is the poor gentleman much hurt?” she asked. - -“He is dead,” cried several voices. - -“No, no, there’s life in him!” shouted another. “But he’ll be gone -before you can get him to hospital.” - -“He’s a brave fellow,” said a woman. “They would have had the lady’s -purse and watch if it hadn’t been for him. They were a gang, and a -rough one, too. Ah, he’s breathing now.” - -“He can’t lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?” - -“Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sofa. -This way, please!” - -Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the -principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by -the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, -so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch. I do not know -whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he -was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of -myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I -was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon -the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes -to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to me. I hardened -my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster. After all, I -thought, we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her from -injuring another. - -Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who -is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window. At -the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my -rocket into the room with a cry of “Fire!” The word was no sooner out -of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and -ill—gentlemen, ostlers, and servant maids—joined in a general shriek of -“Fire!” Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the -open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later -the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false -alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner -of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend’s arm -in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly -and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the -quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road. - -“You did it very nicely, Doctor,” he remarked. “Nothing could have been -better. It is all right.” - -“You have the photograph?” - -“I know where it is.” - -“And how did you find out?” - -“She showed me, as I told you she would.” - -“I am still in the dark.” - -“I do not wish to make a mystery,” said he, laughing. “The matter was -perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was -an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening.” - -“I guessed as much.” - -“Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the -palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my -face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick.” - -“That also I could fathom.” - -“Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could -she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which I -suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to -see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were -compelled to open the window, and you had your chance.” - -“How did that help you?” - -“It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, -her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most. It -is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have more than once taken -advantage of it. In the case of the Darlington Substitution Scandal it -was of use to me, and also in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married -woman grabs at her baby; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. -Now it was clear to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house -more precious to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to -secure it. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting -were enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The -photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the right -bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a glimpse of it as -she half drew it out. When I cried out that it was a false alarm, she -replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from the room, and I have -not seen her since. I rose, and, making my excuses, escaped from the -house. I hesitated whether to attempt to secure the photograph at once; -but the coachman had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly, it -seemed safer to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all.” - -“And now?” I asked. - -“Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King -to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be shown -into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probable that -when she comes she may find neither us nor the photograph. It might be -a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it with his own hands.” - -“And when will you call?” - -“At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have a -clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage may mean a -complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the King without -delay.” - -We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was -searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: - -“Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes.” - -There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the greeting -appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hurried by. - -“I’ve heard that voice before,” said Holmes, staring down the dimly lit -street. “Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have been.” - - -III. - -I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our toast -and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed into the -room. - -“You have really got it!” he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by either -shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. - -“Not yet.” - -“But you have hopes?” - -“I have hopes.” - -“Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone.” - -“We must have a cab.” - -“No, my brougham is waiting.” - -“Then that will simplify matters.” We descended and started off once -more for Briony Lodge. - -“Irene Adler is married,” remarked Holmes. - -“Married! When?” - -“Yesterday.” - -“But to whom?” - -“To an English lawyer named Norton.” - -“But she could not love him.” - -“I am in hopes that she does.” - -“And why in hopes?” - -“Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future annoyance. If -the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Majesty. If she does -not love your Majesty, there is no reason why she should interfere with -your Majesty’s plan.” - -“It is true. And yet—! Well! I wish she had been of my own station! -What a queen she would have made!” He relapsed into a moody silence, -which was not broken until we drew up in Serpentine Avenue. - -The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the -steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped from the -brougham. - -“Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?” said she. - -“I am Mr. Holmes,” answered my companion, looking at her with a -questioning and rather startled gaze. - -“Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left -this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Cross for -the Continent.” - -“What!” Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and -surprise. “Do you mean that she has left England?” - -“Never to return.” - -“And the papers?” asked the King hoarsely. “All is lost.” - -“We shall see.” He pushed past the servant and rushed into the -drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was -scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and open -drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her flight. -Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sliding shutter, and, -plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The -photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was -superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for.” My -friend tore it open, and we all three read it together. It was dated at -midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: - - “MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—You really did it very well. You took - me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a - suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I - began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had - been told that, if the King employed an agent, it would certainly - be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, you - made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became - suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind old - clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress myself. - Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage of the - freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to watch you, - ran upstairs, got into my walking clothes, as I call them, and came - down just as you departed. - - “Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was - really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes. - Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and started for - the Temple to see my husband. - - “We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by so - formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when you - call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in - peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may do - what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly - wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a - weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might - take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to - possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, - - - “Very truly yours, - - “IRENE NORTON, _née_ ADLER.” - - -“What a woman—oh, what a woman!” cried the King of Bohemia, when we had -all three read this epistle. “Did I not tell you how quick and resolute -she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity -that she was not on my level?” - -“From what I have seen of the lady, she seems, indeed, to be on a very -different level to your Majesty,” said Holmes coldly. “I am sorry that -I have not been able to bring your Majesty’s business to a more -successful conclusion.” - -“On the contrary, my dear sir,” cried the King; “nothing could be more -successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The photograph is now as -safe as if it were in the fire.” - -“I am glad to hear your Majesty say so.” - -“I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward -you. This ring—” He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger and -held it out upon the palm of his hand. - -“Your Majesty has something which I should value even more highly,” -said Holmes. - -“You have but to name it.” - -“This photograph!” - -The King stared at him in amazement. - -“Irene’s photograph!” he cried. “Certainly, if you wish it.” - -“I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the matter. -I have the honour to wish you a very good morning.” He bowed, and, -turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched -out to him, he set off in my company for his chambers. - -And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of -Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a -woman’s wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I -have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or -when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable -title of _the_ woman. - - - - -II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE - - - I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the - autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a very - stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. With an - apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Holmes pulled - me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me. - -“You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson,” he -said cordially. - -“I was afraid that you were engaged.” - -“So I am. Very much so.” - -“Then I can wait in the next room.” - -“Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and helper -in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will -be of the utmost use to me in yours also.” - -The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of -greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small -fat-encircled eyes. - -“Try the settee,” said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and putting -his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods. “I -know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and -outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life. You have -shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to -chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish -so many of my own little adventures.” - -“Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me,” I -observed. - -“You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went -into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that -for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life -itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the -imagination.” - -“A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting.” - -“You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my view, for -otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your -reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be right. Now, Mr. -Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call upon me this morning, -and to begin a narrative which promises to be one of the most singular -which I have listened to for some time. You have heard me remark that -the strangest and most unique things are very often connected not with -the larger but with the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where -there is room for doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. -As far as I have heard, it is impossible for me to say whether the -present case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events -is certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. -Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to recommence -your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has -not heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature of the -story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips. As -a rule, when I have heard some slight indication of the course of -events, I am able to guide myself by the thousands of other similar -cases which occur to my memory. In the present instance I am forced to -admit that the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique.” - -The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some -little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the inside -pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the advertisement column, -with his head thrust forward and the paper flattened out upon his knee, -I took a good look at the man and endeavoured, after the fashion of my -companion, to read the indications which might be presented by his -dress or appearance. - -I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor bore -every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, -pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey shepherd’s check trousers, -a not over-clean black frock-coat, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab -waistcoat with a heavy brassy Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of -metal dangling down as an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown -overcoat with a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. -Altogether, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man -save his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and -discontent upon his features. - -Sherlock Holmes’ quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his head -with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. “Beyond the obvious -facts that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, -that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done -a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else.” - -Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger upon the -paper, but his eyes upon my companion. - -“How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes?” -he asked. “How did you know, for example, that I did manual labour. -It’s as true as gospel, for I began as a ship’s carpenter.” - -“Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger than -your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more -developed.” - -“Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?” - -“I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, -especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you use -an arc-and-compass breastpin.” - -“Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?” - -“What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for five -inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you -rest it upon the desk?” - -“Well, but China?” - -“The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist -could only have been done in China. I have made a small study of tattoo -marks and have even contributed to the literature of the subject. That -trick of staining the fishes’ scales of a delicate pink is quite -peculiar to China. When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from -your watch-chain, the matter becomes even more simple.” - -Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. “Well, I never!” said he. “I thought -at first that you had done something clever, but I see that there was -nothing in it after all.” - -“I begin to think, Watson,” said Holmes, “that I make a mistake in -explaining. ‘_Omne ignotum pro magnifico_,’ you know, and my poor -little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so -candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?” - -“Yes, I have got it now,” he answered with his thick red finger planted -halfway down the column. “Here it is. This is what began it all. You -just read it for yourself, sir.” - -I took the paper from him and read as follows: - -“TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late -Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., there is now another -vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a salary of £ 4 a -week for purely nominal services. All red-headed men who are sound in -body and mind and above the age of twenty-one years, are eligible. -Apply in person on Monday, at eleven o’clock, to Duncan Ross, at the -offices of the League, 7 Pope’s Court, Fleet Street.” - - -“What on earth does this mean?” I ejaculated after I had twice read -over the extraordinary announcement. - -Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in -high spirits. “It is a little off the beaten track, isn’t it?” said he. -“And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about -yourself, your household, and the effect which this advertisement had -upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Doctor, of the paper -and the date.” - -“It is _The Morning Chronicle_ of April 27, 1890. Just two months ago.” - -“Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?” - -“Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” -said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; “I have a small pawnbroker’s -business at Coburg Square, near the City. It’s not a very large affair, -and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living. I -used to be able to keep two assistants, but now I only keep one; and I -would have a job to pay him but that he is willing to come for half -wages so as to learn the business.” - -“What is the name of this obliging youth?” asked Sherlock Holmes. - -“His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he’s not such a youth, either. It’s -hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes; -and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I -am able to give him. But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I -put ideas in his head?” - -“Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an _employé_ who comes -under the full market price. It is not a common experience among -employers in this age. I don’t know that your assistant is not as -remarkable as your advertisement.” - -“Oh, he has his faults, too,” said Mr. Wilson. “Never was such a fellow -for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to be -improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit -into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his main fault, but on -the whole he’s a good worker. There’s no vice in him.” - -“He is still with you, I presume?” - -“Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple cooking -and keeps the place clean—that’s all I have in the house, for I am a -widower and never had any family. We live very quietly, sir, the three -of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and pay our debts, if we do -nothing more. - -“The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Spaulding, he -came down into the office just this day eight weeks, with this very -paper in his hand, and he says: - -“‘I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.’ - -“‘Why that?’ I asks. - -“‘Why,’ says he, ‘here’s another vacancy on the League of the -Red-headed Men. It’s worth quite a little fortune to any man who gets -it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there are men, -so that the trustees are at their wits’ end what to do with the money. -If my hair would only change colour, here’s a nice little crib all -ready for me to step into.’ - -“‘Why, what is it, then?’ I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a very -stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of my having to -go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my foot over the -door-mat. In that way I didn’t know much of what was going on outside, -and I was always glad of a bit of news. - -“‘Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?’ he asked -with his eyes open. - -“‘Never.’ - -“‘Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of the -vacancies.’ - -“‘And what are they worth?’ I asked. - -“‘Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and it -need not interfere very much with one’s other occupations.’ - -“Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for the -business has not been over good for some years, and an extra couple of -hundred would have been very handy. - -“‘Tell me all about it,’ said I. - -“‘Well,’ said he, showing me the advertisement, ‘you can see for -yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address where -you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the League -was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Hopkins, who was very -peculiar in his ways. He was himself red-headed, and he had a great -sympathy for all red-headed men; so, when he died, it was found that he -had left his enormous fortune in the hands of trustees, with -instructions to apply the interest to the providing of easy berths to -men whose hair is of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay -and very little to do.’ - -“‘But,’ said I, ‘there would be millions of red-headed men who would -apply.’ - -“‘Not so many as you might think,’ he answered. ‘You see it is really -confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had started from -London when he was young, and he wanted to do the old town a good turn. -Then, again, I have heard it is no use your applying if your hair is -light red, or dark red, or anything but real bright, blazing, fiery -red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; -but perhaps it would hardly be worth your while to put yourself out of -the way for the sake of a few hundred pounds.’ - -“Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that my -hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to me that if -there was to be any competition in the matter I stood as good a chance -as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Spaulding seemed to know so -much about it that I thought he might prove useful, so I just ordered -him to put up the shutters for the day and to come right away with me. -He was very willing to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and -started off for the address that was given us in the advertisement. - -“I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From -north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his -hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Fleet -Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope’s Court looked like a -coster’s orange barrow. I should not have thought there were so many in -the whole country as were brought together by that single -advertisement. Every shade of colour they were—straw, lemon, orange, -brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but, as Spaulding said, there were -not many who had the real vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how -many were waiting, I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding -would not hear of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed -and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up -to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream upon -the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back dejected; but we -wedged in as well as we could and soon found ourselves in the office.” - -“Your experience has been a most entertaining one,” remarked Holmes as -his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge pinch of snuff. -“Pray continue your very interesting statement.” - -“There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and a -deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was even -redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as he came up, -and then he always managed to find some fault in them which would -disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very easy -matter, after all. However, when our turn came the little man was much -more favourable to me than to any of the others, and he closed the door -as we entered, so that he might have a private word with us. - -“‘This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,’ said my assistant, ‘and he is willing to -fill a vacancy in the League.’ - -“‘And he is admirably suited for it,’ the other answered. ‘He has every -requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine.’ He -took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair -until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my -hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success. - -“‘It would be injustice to hesitate,’ said he. ‘You will, however, I am -sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.’ With that he seized -my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled with the pain. -‘There is water in your eyes,’ said he as he released me. ‘I perceive -that all is as it should be. But we have to be careful, for we have -twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint. I could tell you tales -of cobbler’s wax which would disgust you with human nature.’ He stepped -over to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that -the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, -and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was -not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager. - -“‘My name,’ said he, ‘is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the -pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are you a -married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?’ - -“I answered that I had not. - -“His face fell immediately. - -“‘Dear me!’ he said gravely, ‘that is very serious indeed! I am sorry -to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the propagation and -spread of the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. It is -exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bachelor.’ - -“My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was not -to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a few -minutes he said that it would be all right. - -“‘In the case of another,’ said he, ‘the objection might be fatal, but -we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a head of hair as -yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties?’ - -“‘Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,’ said I. - -“‘Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!’ said Vincent Spaulding. ‘I -should be able to look after that for you.’ - -“‘What would be the hours?’ I asked. - -“‘Ten to two.’ - -“Now a pawnbroker’s business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes, -especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just before pay-day; -so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the mornings. -Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and that he would see -to anything that turned up. - -“‘That would suit me very well,’ said I. ‘And the pay?’ - -“‘Is £ 4 a week.’ - -“‘And the work?’ - -“‘Is purely nominal.’ - -“‘What do you call purely nominal?’ - -“‘Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the building, the -whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole position forever. The -will is very clear upon that point. You don’t comply with the -conditions if you budge from the office during that time.’ - -“‘It’s only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,’ said -I. - -“‘No excuse will avail,’ said Mr. Duncan Ross; ‘neither sickness nor -business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose your -billet.’ - -“‘And the work?’ - -“‘Is to copy out the _Encyclopædia Britannica_. There is the first -volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and -blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ready -to-morrow?’ - -“‘Certainly,’ I answered. - -“‘Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you once -more on the important position which you have been fortunate enough to -gain.’ He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my assistant, -hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at my own good -fortune. - -“Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in low -spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the whole affair -must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its object might be I -could not imagine. It seemed altogether past belief that anyone could -make such a will, or that they would pay such a sum for doing anything -so simple as copying out the _Encyclopædia Britannica_. Vincent -Spaulding did what he could to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had -reasoned myself out of the whole thing. However, in the morning I -determined to have a look at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of -ink, and with a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I -started off for Pope’s Court. - -“Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as possible. -The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross was there to -see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the letter A, and -then he left me; but he would drop in from time to time to see that all -was right with me. At two o’clock he bade me good-day, complimented me -upon the amount that I had written, and locked the door of the office -after me. - -“This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the manager -came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my week’s work. It -was the same next week, and the same the week after. Every morning I -was there at ten, and every afternoon I left at two. By degrees Mr. -Duncan Ross took to coming in only once of a morning, and then, after a -time, he did not come in at all. Still, of course, I never dared to -leave the room for an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, -and the billet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would -not risk the loss of it. - -“Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Abbots and -Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hoped with -diligence that I might get on to the B’s before very long. It cost me -something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly filled a shelf with my -writings. And then suddenly the whole business came to an end.” - -“To an end?” - -“Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as usual -at ten o’clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little square -of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the panel with a tack. Here -it is, and you can read for yourself.” - -He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of -note-paper. It read in this fashion: - -“THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. October 9, 1890.” - - -Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the rueful -face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so completely -overtopped every other consideration that we both burst out into a roar -of laughter. - -“I cannot see that there is anything very funny,” cried our client, -flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. “If you can do nothing -better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere.” - -“No, no,” cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from which he -had half risen. “I really wouldn’t miss your case for the world. It is -most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will excuse my saying -so, something just a little funny about it. Pray what steps did you -take when you found the card upon the door?” - -“I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at the -offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything about it. -Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant living on the -ground floor, and I asked him if he could tell me what had become of -the Red-headed League. He said that he had never heard of any such -body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ross was. He answered that the -name was new to him. - -“‘Well,’ said I, ‘the gentleman at No. 4.’ - -“‘What, the red-headed man?’ - -“‘Yes.’ - -“‘Oh,’ said he, ‘his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor and -was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new premises -were ready. He moved out yesterday.’ - -“‘Where could I find him?’ - -“‘Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 King -Edward Street, near St. Paul’s.’ - -“I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was a -manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heard of -either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross.” - -“And what did you do then?” asked Holmes. - -“I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my -assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that -if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite good enough, -Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place without a struggle, so, -as I had heard that you were good enough to give advice to poor folk -who were in need of it, I came right away to you.” - -“And you did very wisely,” said Holmes. “Your case is an exceedingly -remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. From what you -have told me I think that it is possible that graver issues hang from -it than might at first sight appear.” - -“Grave enough!” said Mr. Jabez Wilson. “Why, I have lost four pound a -week.” - -“As far as you are personally concerned,” remarked Holmes, “I do not -see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary league. On -the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some £ 30, to say -nothing of the minute knowledge which you have gained on every subject -which comes under the letter A. You have lost nothing by them.” - -“No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and what -their object was in playing this prank—if it was a prank—upon me. It -was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it cost them two and thirty -pounds.” - -“We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, one -or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who first called -your attention to the advertisement—how long had he been with you?” - -“About a month then.” - -“How did he come?” - -“In answer to an advertisement.” - -“Was he the only applicant?” - -“No, I had a dozen.” - -“Why did you pick him?” - -“Because he was handy and would come cheap.” - -“At half wages, in fact.” - -“Yes.” - -“What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?” - -“Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, -though he’s not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon his -forehead.” - -Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. “I thought as -much,” said he. “Have you ever observed that his ears are pierced for -earrings?” - -“Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he was a -lad.” - -“Hum!” said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. “He is still with -you?” - -“Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him.” - -“And has your business been attended to in your absence?” - -“Nothing to complain of, sir. There’s never very much to do of a -morning.” - -“That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an opinion upon -the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Saturday, and I -hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion.” - -“Well, Watson,” said Holmes when our visitor had left us, “what do you -make of it all?” - -“I make nothing of it,” I answered frankly. “It is a most mysterious -business.” - -“As a rule,” said Holmes, “the more bizarre a thing is the less -mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes -which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most -difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this matter.” - -“What are you going to do, then?” I asked. - -“To smoke,” he answered. “It is quite a three pipe problem, and I beg -that you won’t speak to me for fifty minutes.” He curled himself up in -his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose, and -there he sat with his eyes closed and his black clay pipe thrusting out -like the bill of some strange bird. I had come to the conclusion that -he had dropped asleep, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly -sprang out of his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his -mind and put his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. - -“Sarasate plays at the St. James’s Hall this afternoon,” he remarked. -“What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare you for a few -hours?” - -“I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very absorbing.” - -“Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City first, and -we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that there is a good deal -of German music on the programme, which is rather more to my taste than -Italian or French. It is introspective, and I want to introspect. Come -along!” - -We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short walk -took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular story which we -had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, little, shabby-genteel -place, where four lines of dingy two-storied brick houses looked out -into a small railed-in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few -clumps of faded laurel bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden -and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with -“JABEZ WILSON” in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the -place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Sherlock -Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and looked it -all over, with his eyes shining brightly between puckered lids. Then he -walked slowly up the street, and then down again to the corner, still -looking keenly at the houses. Finally he returned to the pawnbroker’s, -and, having thumped vigorously upon the pavement with his stick two or -three times, he went up to the door and knocked. It was instantly -opened by a bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to -step in. - -“Thank you,” said Holmes, “I only wished to ask you how you would go -from here to the Strand.” - -“Third right, fourth left,” answered the assistant promptly, closing -the door. - -“Smart fellow, that,” observed Holmes as we walked away. “He is, in my -judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I am not -sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known something of him -before.” - -“Evidently,” said I, “Mr. Wilson’s assistant counts for a good deal in -this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you inquired your -way merely in order that you might see him.” - -“Not him.” - -“What then?” - -“The knees of his trousers.” - -“And what did you see?” - -“What I expected to see.” - -“Why did you beat the pavement?” - -“My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We are -spies in an enemy’s country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Square. -Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it.” - -The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the corner from -the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a contrast to it as -the front of a picture does to the back. It was one of the main -arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to the north and west. -The roadway was blocked with the immense stream of commerce flowing in -a double tide inward and outward, while the footpaths were black with -the hurrying swarm of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we -looked at the line of fine shops and stately business premises that -they really abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant -square which we had just quitted. - -“Let me see,” said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing along -the line, “I should like just to remember the order of the houses here. -It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London. There is -Mortimer’s, the tobacconist, the little newspaper shop, the Coburg -branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and -McFarlane’s carriage-building depot. That carries us right on to the -other block. And now, Doctor, we’ve done our work, so it’s time we had -some play. A sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, -where all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no -red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums.” - -My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a very -capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the -afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happiness, -gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the music, while his -gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes were as unlike those -of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the relentless, keen-witted, -ready-handed criminal agent, as it was possible to conceive. In his -singular character the dual nature alternately asserted itself, and his -extreme exactness and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, -the reaction against the poetic and contemplative mood which -occasionally predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from -extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was never -so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been lounging in -his armchair amid his improvisations and his black-letter editions. -Then it was that the lust of the chase would suddenly come upon him, -and that his brilliant reasoning power would rise to the level of -intuition, until those who were unacquainted with his methods would -look askance at him as on a man whose knowledge was not that of other -mortals. When I saw him that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. -James’s Hall I felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom -he had set himself to hunt down. - -“You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor,” he remarked as we emerged. - -“Yes, it would be as well.” - -“And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This -business at Coburg Square is serious.” - -“Why serious?” - -“A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to -believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Saturday -rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to-night.” - -“At what time?” - -“Ten will be early enough.” - -“I shall be at Baker Street at ten.” - -“Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, so -kindly put your army revolver in your pocket.” He waved his hand, -turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the crowd. - -I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was always -oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings with Sherlock -Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had seen what he had -seen, and yet from his words it was evident that he saw clearly not -only what had happened but what was about to happen, while to me the -whole business was still confused and grotesque. As I drove home to my -house in Kensington I thought over it all, from the extraordinary story -of the red-headed copier of the _Encyclopædia_ down to the visit to -Saxe-Coburg Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from -me. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? -Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes -that this smooth-faced pawnbroker’s assistant was a formidable man—a -man who might play a deep game. I tried to puzzle it out, but gave it -up in despair and set the matter aside until night should bring an -explanation. - -It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my way -across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Street. Two -hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the passage I heard -the sound of voices from above. On entering his room, I found Holmes in -animated conversation with two men, one of whom I recognised as Peter -Jones, the official police agent, while the other was a long, thin, -sad-faced man, with a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable -frock-coat. - -“Ha! Our party is complete,” said Holmes, buttoning up his pea-jacket -and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. “Watson, I think you -know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me introduce you to Mr. -Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to-night’s adventure.” - -“We’re hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see,” said Jones in his -consequential way. “Our friend here is a wonderful man for starting a -chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the running down.” - -“I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase,” -observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. - -“You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir,” said the -police agent loftily. “He has his own little methods, which are, if he -won’t mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and fantastic, -but he has the makings of a detective in him. It is not too much to say -that once or twice, as in that business of the Sholto murder and the -Agra treasure, he has been more nearly correct than the official -force.” - -“Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right,” said the stranger with -deference. “Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. It is the first -Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have not had my -rubber.” - -“I think you will find,” said Sherlock Holmes, “that you will play for -a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and that the play -will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the stake will be -some £ 30,000; and for you, Jones, it will be the man upon whom you -wish to lay your hands.” - -“John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He’s a young man, -Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his profession, and I would -rather have my bracelets on him than on any criminal in London. He’s a -remarkable man, is young John Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, -and he himself has been to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as -his fingers, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never -know where to find the man himself. He’ll crack a crib in Scotland one -week, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. -I’ve been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him yet.” - -“I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. I’ve -had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I agree with -you that he is at the head of his profession. It is past ten, however, -and quite time that we started. If you two will take the first hansom, -Watson and I will follow in the second.” - -Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and -lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the -afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit streets -until we emerged into Farrington Street. - -“We are close there now,” my friend remarked. “This fellow Merryweather -is a bank director, and personally interested in the matter. I thought -it as well to have Jones with us also. He is not a bad fellow, though -an absolute imbecile in his profession. He has one positive virtue. He -is as brave as a bulldog and as tenacious as a lobster if he gets his -claws upon anyone. Here we are, and they are waiting for us.” - -We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had found -ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, following the -guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a narrow passage and -through a side door, which he opened for us. Within there was a small -corridor, which ended in a very massive iron gate. This also was -opened, and led down a flight of winding stone steps, which terminated -at another formidable gate. Mr. Merryweather stopped to light a -lantern, and then conducted us down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and -so, after opening a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was -piled all round with crates and massive boxes. - -“You are not very vulnerable from above,” Holmes remarked as he held up -the lantern and gazed about him. - -“Nor from below,” said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the -flags which lined the floor. “Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow!” he -remarked, looking up in surprise. - -“I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!” said Holmes -severely. “You have already imperilled the whole success of our -expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit down -upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?” - -The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a very -injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees upon -the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, began to examine -minutely the cracks between the stones. A few seconds sufficed to -satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and put his glass in his -pocket. - -“We have at least an hour before us,” he remarked, “for they can hardly -take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they -will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their work the longer -time they will have for their escape. We are at present, Doctor—as no -doubt you have divined—in the cellar of the City branch of one of the -principal London banks. Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, -and he will explain to you that there are reasons why the more daring -criminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar -at present.” - -“It is our French gold,” whispered the director. “We have had several -warnings that an attempt might be made upon it.” - -“Your French gold?” - -“Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and -borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of France. It -has become known that we have never had occasion to unpack the money, -and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crate upon which I sit -contains 2,000 napoleons packed between layers of lead foil. Our -reserve of bullion is much larger at present than is usually kept in a -single branch office, and the directors have had misgivings upon the -subject.” - -“Which were very well justified,” observed Holmes. “And now it is time -that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hour matters -will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Merryweather, we must put the -screen over that dark lantern.” - -“And sit in the dark?” - -“I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I -thought that, as we were a _partie carrée_, you might have your rubber -after all. But I see that the enemy’s preparations have gone so far -that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, first of all, we must -choose our positions. These are daring men, and though we shall take -them at a disadvantage, they may do us some harm unless we are careful. -I shall stand behind this crate, and do you conceal yourselves behind -those. Then, when I flash a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they -fire, Watson, have no compunction about shooting them down.” - -I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case behind -which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern -and left us in pitch darkness—such an absolute darkness as I have never -before experienced. The smell of hot metal remained to assure us that -the light was still there, ready to flash out at a moment’s notice. To -me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy, there was -something depressing and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold -dank air of the vault. - -“They have but one retreat,” whispered Holmes. “That is back through -the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have done what I -asked you, Jones?” - -“I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door.” - -“Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and -wait.” - -What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but an -hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must have -almost gone, and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs were weary and -stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my nerves were worked up -to the highest pitch of tension, and my hearing was so acute that I -could not only hear the gentle breathing of my companions, but I could -distinguish the deeper, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the -thin, sighing note of the bank director. From my position I could look -over the case in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught -the glint of a light. - -At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then it -lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, without any -warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand appeared, a white, -almost womanly hand, which felt about in the centre of the little area -of light. For a minute or more the hand, with its writhing fingers, -protruded out of the floor. Then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it -appeared, and all was dark again save the single lurid spark which -marked a chink between the stones. - -Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, tearing -sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon its side and -left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the light of a -lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, boyish face, which -looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand on either side of the -aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and waist-high, until one knee -rested upon the edge. In another instant he stood at the side of the -hole and was hauling after him a companion, lithe and small like -himself, with a pale face and a shock of very red hair. - -“It’s all clear,” he whispered. “Have you the chisel and the bags? -Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I’ll swing for it!” - -Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the collar. -The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of rending cloth -as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed upon the barrel of a -revolver, but Holmes’ hunting crop came down on the man’s wrist, and -the pistol clinked upon the stone floor. - -“It’s no use, John Clay,” said Holmes blandly. “You have no chance at -all.” - -“So I see,” the other answered with the utmost coolness. “I fancy that -my pal is all right, though I see you have got his coat-tails.” - -“There are three men waiting for him at the door,” said Holmes. - -“Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I must -compliment you.” - -“And I you,” Holmes answered. “Your red-headed idea was very new and -effective.” - -“You’ll see your pal again presently,” said Jones. “He’s quicker at -climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the derbies.” - -“I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands,” remarked our -prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. “You may not be -aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the goodness, also, -when you address me always to say ‘sir’ and ‘please.’” - -“All right,” said Jones with a stare and a snigger. “Well, would you -please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry your -Highness to the police-station?” - -“That is better,” said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to -the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective. - -“Really, Mr. Holmes,” said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from -the cellar, “I do not know how the bank can thank you or repay you. -There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated in the most -complete manner one of the most determined attempts at bank robbery -that have ever come within my experience.” - -“I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. John -Clay,” said Holmes. “I have been at some small expense over this -matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that I am -amply repaid by having had an experience which is in many ways unique, -and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Red-headed League.” - -“You see, Watson,” he explained in the early hours of the morning as we -sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, “it was perfectly -obvious from the first that the only possible object of this rather -fantastic business of the advertisement of the League, and the copying -of the _Encyclopædia_, must be to get this not over-bright pawnbroker -out of the way for a number of hours every day. It was a curious way of -managing it, but, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. -The method was no doubt suggested to Clay’s ingenious mind by the -colour of his accomplice’s hair. The £ 4 a week was a lure which must -draw him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? They -put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary office, the other -rogue incites the man to apply for it, and together they manage to -secure his absence every morning in the week. From the time that I -heard of the assistant having come for half wages, it was obvious to me -that he had some strong motive for securing the situation.” - -“But how could you guess what the motive was?” - -“Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a mere -vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The man’s -business was a small one, and there was nothing in his house which -could account for such elaborate preparations, and such an expenditure -as they were at. It must, then, be something out of the house. What -could it be? I thought of the assistant’s fondness for photography, and -his trick of vanishing into the cellar. The cellar! There was the end -of this tangled clue. Then I made inquiries as to this mysterious -assistant and found that I had to deal with one of the coolest and most -daring criminals in London. He was doing something in the -cellar—something which took many hours a day for months on end. What -could it be, once more? I could think of nothing save that he was -running a tunnel to some other building. - -“So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I -surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was -ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. It -was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the assistant -answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had never set eyes -upon each other before. I hardly looked at his face. His knees were -what I wished to see. You must yourself have remarked how worn, -wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of those hours of -burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were burrowing for. I -walked round the corner, saw the City and Suburban Bank abutted on our -friend’s premises, and felt that I had solved my problem. When you -drove home after the concert I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the -chairman of the bank directors, with the result that you have seen.” - -“And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to-night?” I -asked. - -“Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that they -cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson’s presence—in other words, that -they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that they should -use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the bullion might be -removed. Saturday would suit them better than any other day, as it -would give them two days for their escape. For all these reasons I -expected them to come to-night.” - -“You reasoned it out beautifully,” I exclaimed in unfeigned admiration. -“It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings true.” - -“It saved me from ennui,” he answered, yawning. “Alas! I already feel -it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to escape -from the commonplaces of existence. These little problems help me to do -so.” - -“And you are a benefactor of the race,” said I. - -He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, perhaps, after all, it is of some -little use,” he remarked. “‘_L’homme c’est rien—l’œuvre c’est tout_,’ -as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand.” - - - - -III. A CASE OF IDENTITY - - -“My dear fellow,” said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side of the -fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, “life is infinitely stranger than -anything which the mind of man could invent. We would not dare to -conceive the things which are really mere commonplaces of existence. If -we could fly out of that window hand in hand, hover over this great -city, gently remove the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which -are going on, the strange coincidences, the plannings, the -cross-purposes, the wonderful chains of events, working through -generations, and leading to the most _outré_ results, it would make all -fiction with its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale -and unprofitable.” - -“And yet I am not convinced of it,” I answered. “The cases which come -to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and vulgar enough. -We have in our police reports realism pushed to its extreme limits, and -yet the result is, it must be confessed, neither fascinating nor -artistic.” - -“A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a -realistic effect,” remarked Holmes. “This is wanting in the police -report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the platitudes of the -magistrate than upon the details, which to an observer contain the -vital essence of the whole matter. Depend upon it, there is nothing so -unnatural as the commonplace.” - -I smiled and shook my head. “I can quite understand your thinking so,” -I said. “Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser and helper -to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout three continents, -you are brought in contact with all that is strange and bizarre. But -here”—I picked up the morning paper from the ground—“let us put it to a -practical test. Here is the first heading upon which I come. ‘A -husband’s cruelty to his wife.’ There is half a column of print, but I -know without reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There -is, of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the -bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of writers -could invent nothing more crude.” - -“Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument,” said -Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. “This is the -Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in clearing -up some small points in connection with it. The husband was a -teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the conduct complained of was -that he had drifted into the habit of winding up every meal by taking -out his false teeth and hurling them at his wife, which, you will -allow, is not an action likely to occur to the imagination of the -average story-teller. Take a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge -that I have scored over you in your example.” - -He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the -centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his homely -ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon it. - -“Ah,” said he, “I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. It is -a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my assistance -in the case of the Irene Adler papers.” - -“And the ring?” I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which -sparkled upon his finger. - -“It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in which -I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it even to -you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of my little -problems.” - -“And have you any on hand just now?” I asked with interest. - -“Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of interest. -They are important, you understand, without being interesting. Indeed, -I have found that it is usually in unimportant matters that there is a -field for the observation, and for the quick analysis of cause and -effect which gives the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are -apt to be the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a -rule, is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate -matter which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing -which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that -I may have something better before very many minutes are over, for this -is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken.” - -He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted blinds -gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Looking over -his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite there stood a large -woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and a large curling red -feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was tilted in a coquettish Duchess -of Devonshire fashion over her ear. From under this great panoply she -peeped up in a nervous, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her -body oscillated backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her -glove buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves -the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp clang of -the bell. - -“I have seen those symptoms before,” said Holmes, throwing his -cigarette into the fire. “Oscillation upon the pavement always means an -_affaire de cœur_. She would like advice, but is not sure that the -matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet even here we may -discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wronged by a man she no -longer oscillates, and the usual symptom is a broken bell wire. Here we -may take it that there is a love matter, but that the maiden is not so -much angry as perplexed, or grieved. But here she comes in person to -resolve our doubts.” - -As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons entered -to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself loomed behind -his small black figure like a full-sailed merchant-man behind a tiny -pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed her with the easy courtesy for -which he was remarkable, and, having closed the door and bowed her into -an armchair, he looked her over in the minute and yet abstracted -fashion which was peculiar to him. - -“Do you not find,” he said, “that with your short sight it is a little -trying to do so much typewriting?” - -“I did at first,” she answered, “but now I know where the letters are -without looking.” Then, suddenly realising the full purport of his -words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and -astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. “You’ve heard about -me, Mr. Holmes,” she cried, “else how could you know all that?” - -“Never mind,” said Holmes, laughing; “it is my business to know things. -Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others overlook. If not, why -should you come to consult me?” - -“I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, whose -husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had given him up -for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as much for me. I’m not -rich, but still I have a hundred a year in my own right, besides the -little that I make by the machine, and I would give it all to know what -has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel.” - -“Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?” asked Sherlock -Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the ceiling. - -Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Mary -Sutherland. “Yes, I did bang out of the house,” she said, “for it made -me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Windibank—that is, my -father—took it all. He would not go to the police, and he would not go -to you, and so at last, as he would do nothing and kept on saying that -there was no harm done, it made me mad, and I just on with my things -and came right away to you.” - -“Your father,” said Holmes, “your stepfather, surely, since the name is -different.” - -“Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, too, -for he is only five years and two months older than myself.” - -“And your mother is alive?” - -“Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn’t best pleased, Mr. Holmes, -when she married again so soon after father’s death, and a man who was -nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was a plumber in the -Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy business behind him, which -mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank -came he made her sell the business, for he was very superior, being a -traveller in wines. They got £ 4700 for the goodwill and interest, -which wasn’t near as much as father could have got if he had been -alive.” - -I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this rambling and -inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he had listened with -the greatest concentration of attention. - -“Your own little income,” he asked, “does it come out of the business?” - -“Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Ned in -Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4½ per cent. Two thousand -five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can only touch the interest.” - -“You interest me extremely,” said Holmes. “And since you draw so large -a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the bargain, you no -doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in every way. I believe that -a single lady can get on very nicely upon an income of about £ 60.” - -“I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you understand -that as long as I live at home I don’t wish to be a burden to them, and -so they have the use of the money just while I am staying with them. Of -course, that is only just for the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest -every quarter and pays it over to mother, and I find that I can do -pretty well with what I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a -sheet, and I can often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day.” - -“You have made your position very clear to me,” said Holmes. “This is -my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as freely as before -myself. Kindly tell us now all about your connection with Mr. Hosmer -Angel.” - -A flush stole over Miss Sutherland’s face, and she picked nervously at -the fringe of her jacket. “I met him first at the gasfitters’ ball,” -she said. “They used to send father tickets when he was alive, and then -afterwards they remembered us, and sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank -did not wish us to go. He never did wish us to go anywhere. He would -get quite mad if I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But -this time I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to -prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all -father’s friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing fit -to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much as taken -out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, he went off to -France upon the business of the firm, but we went, mother and I, with -Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was there I met Mr. -Hosmer Angel.” - -“I suppose,” said Holmes, “that when Mr. Windibank came back from -France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball.” - -“Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and -shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying anything to a -woman, for she would have her way.” - -“I see. Then at the gasfitters’ ball you met, as I understand, a -gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel.” - -“Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if we -had got home all safe, and after that we met him—that is to say, Mr. -Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father came back -again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house any more.” - -“No?” - -“Well, you know father didn’t like anything of the sort. He wouldn’t -have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to say that a woman -should be happy in her own family circle. But then, as I used to say to -mother, a woman wants her own circle to begin with, and I had not got -mine yet.” - -“But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see you?” - -“Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wrote -and said that it would be safer and better not to see each other until -he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he used to write every -day. I took the letters in in the morning, so there was no need for -father to know.” - -“Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?” - -“Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that we -took. Hosmer—Mr. Angel—was a cashier in an office in Leadenhall -Street—and—” - -“What office?” - -“That’s the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don’t know.” - -“Where did he live, then?” - -“He slept on the premises.” - -“And you don’t know his address?” - -“No—except that it was Leadenhall Street.” - -“Where did you address your letters, then?” - -“To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called for. He -said that if they were sent to the office he would be chaffed by all -the other clerks about having letters from a lady, so I offered to -typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn’t have that, for he said -that when I wrote them they seemed to come from me, but when they were -typewritten he always felt that the machine had come between us. That -will just show you how fond he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little -things that he would think of.” - -“It was most suggestive,” said Holmes. “It has long been an axiom of -mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Can you -remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?” - -“He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me in the -evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to be -conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his voice was -gentle. He’d had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was young, he -told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and a hesitating, -whispering fashion of speech. He was always well dressed, very neat and -plain, but his eyes were weak, just as mine are, and he wore tinted -glasses against the glare.” - -“Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, returned -to France?” - -“Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we should -marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and made me -swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever happened I would -always be true to him. Mother said he was quite right to make me swear, -and that it was a sign of his passion. Mother was all in his favour -from the first and was even fonder of him than I was. Then, when they -talked of marrying within the week, I began to ask about father; but -they both said never to mind about father, but just to tell him -afterwards, and mother said she would make it all right with him. I -didn’t quite like that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask -his leave, as he was only a few years older than me; but I didn’t want -to do anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the -company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the -very morning of the wedding.” - -“It missed him, then?” - -“Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived.” - -“Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the -Friday. Was it to be in church?” - -“Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour’s, near King’s -Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Pancras -Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were two of us he -put us both into it and stepped himself into a four-wheeler, which -happened to be the only other cab in the street. We got to the church -first, and when the four-wheeler drove up we waited for him to step -out, but he never did, and when the cabman got down from the box and -looked there was no one there! The cabman said that he could not -imagine what had become of him, for he had seen him get in with his own -eyes. That was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard -anything since then to throw any light upon what became of him.” - -“It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated,” said -Holmes. - -“Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the -morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to be true; -and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to separate us, I -was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and that he would -claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed strange talk for a -wedding-morning, but what has happened since gives a meaning to it.” - -“Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some -unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?” - -“Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he would not -have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw happened.” - -“But you have no notion as to what it could have been?” - -“None.” - -“One more question. How did your mother take the matter?” - -“She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter -again.” - -“And your father? Did you tell him?” - -“Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had happened, and -that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, what interest could -anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the church, and then leaving -me? Now, if he had borrowed my money, or if he had married me and got -my money settled on him, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was -very independent about money and never would look at a shilling of -mine. And yet, what could have happened? And why could he not write? -Oh, it drives me half-mad to think of it, and I can’t sleep a wink at -night.” She pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to -sob heavily into it. - -“I shall glance into the case for you,” said Holmes, rising, “and I -have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the weight -of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dwell upon it -further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel vanish from your -memory, as he has done from your life.” - -“Then you don’t think I’ll see him again?” - -“I fear not.” - -“Then what has happened to him?” - -“You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an accurate -description of him and any letters of his which you can spare.” - -“I advertised for him in last Saturday’s _Chronicle_,” said she. “Here -is the slip and here are four letters from him.” - -“Thank you. And your address?” - -“No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell.” - -“Mr. Angel’s address you never had, I understand. Where is your -father’s place of business?” - -“He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers of -Fenchurch Street.” - -“Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will leave -the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you. Let -the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to affect your -life.” - -“You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be true -to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back.” - -For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was something -noble in the simple faith of our visitor which compelled our respect. -She laid her little bundle of papers upon the table and went her way, -with a promise to come again whenever she might be summoned. - -Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips still -pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and his gaze -directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down from the rack the old -and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a counsellor, and, having lit -it, he leaned back in his chair, with the thick blue cloud-wreaths -spinning up from him, and a look of infinite languor in his face. - -“Quite an interesting study, that maiden,” he observed. “I found her -more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, is rather -a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you consult my index, in -Andover in ’77, and there was something of the sort at The Hague last -year. Old as is the idea, however, there were one or two details which -were new to me. But the maiden herself was most instructive.” - -“You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite invisible to -me,” I remarked. - -“Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to look, -and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring you to -realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of thumb-nails, -or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Now, what did you -gather from that woman’s appearance? Describe it.” - -“Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a -feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sewn -upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her dress was -brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little purple plush at -the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and were worn through at -the right forefinger. Her boots I didn’t observe. She had small round, -hanging gold earrings, and a general air of being fairly well-to-do in -a vulgar, comfortable, easy-going way.” - -Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. - -“’Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have -really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed -everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and you -have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general impressions, my -boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My first glance is always -at a woman’s sleeve. In a man it is perhaps better first to take the -knee of the trouser. As you observe, this woman had plush upon her -sleeves, which is a most useful material for showing traces. The double -line a little above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against -the table, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand -type, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side -of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the -broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, observing -the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ventured a remark -upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to surprise her.” - -“It surprised me.” - -“But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and interested -on glancing down to observe that, though the boots which she was -wearing were not unlike each other, they were really odd ones; the one -having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the other a plain one. One was -buttoned only in the two lower buttons out of five, and the other at -the first, third, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, -otherwise neatly dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, -half-buttoned, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a -hurry.” - -“And what else?” I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by my -friend’s incisive reasoning. - -“I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving home -but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right glove was -torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that both glove -and finger were stained with violet ink. She had written in a hurry and -dipped her pen too deep. It must have been this morning, or the mark -would not remain clear upon the finger. All this is amusing, though -rather elementary, but I must go back to business, Watson. Would you -mind reading me the advertised description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?” - -I held the little printed slip to the light. “Missing,” it said, “on -the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman named Hosmer Angel. About -five ft. seven in. in height; strongly built, sallow complexion, black -hair, a little bald in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and -moustache; tinted glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, -when last seen, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, -gold Albert chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters -over elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in -Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing,” &c, &c. - -“That will do,” said Holmes. “As to the letters,” he continued, -glancing over them, “they are very commonplace. Absolutely no clue in -them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There is one -remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you.” - -“They are typewritten,” I remarked. - -“Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the neat -little ‘Hosmer Angel’ at the bottom. There is a date, you see, but no -superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is rather vague. The -point about the signature is very suggestive—in fact, we may call it -conclusive.” - -“Of what?” - -“My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it bears -upon the case?” - -“I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to -deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were instituted.” - -“No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, which -should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the other is to -the young lady’s stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking him whether he could -meet us here at six o’clock to-morrow evening. It is just as well that -we should do business with the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can -do nothing until the answers to those letters come, so we may put our -little problem upon the shelf for the interim.” - -I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend’s subtle powers of -reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that he must -have some solid grounds for the assured and easy demeanour with which -he treated the singular mystery which he had been called upon to -fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in the case of the King of -Bohemia and of the Irene Adler photograph; but when I looked back to -the weird business of the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary -circumstances connected with the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would -be a strange tangle indeed which he could not unravel. - -I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the -conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would find that -he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to the identity -of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Sutherland. - -A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own attention at -the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the bedside of the -sufferer. It was not until close upon six o’clock that I found myself -free and was able to spring into a hansom and drive to Baker Street, -half afraid that I might be too late to assist at the _dénouement_ of -the little mystery. I found Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half -asleep, with his long, thin form curled up in the recesses of his -armchair. A formidable array of bottles and test-tubes, with the -pungent cleanly smell of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent -his day in the chemical work which was so dear to him. - -“Well, have you solved it?” I asked as I entered. - -“Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta.” - -“No, no, the mystery!” I cried. - -“Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. There -was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said yesterday, some -of the details are of interest. The only drawback is that there is no -law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel.” - -“Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss -Sutherland?” - -The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet opened -his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the passage and a -tap at the door. - -“This is the girl’s stepfather, Mr. James Windibank,” said Holmes. “He -has written to me to say that he would be here at six. Come in!” - -The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some thirty -years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a bland, -insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and penetrating -grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of us, placed his shiny -top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a slight bow sidled down into the -nearest chair. - -“Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank,” said Holmes. “I think that this -typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an appointment with -me for six o’clock?” - -“Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not quite my -own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland has troubled you -about this little matter, for I think it is far better not to wash -linen of the sort in public. It was quite against my wishes that she -came, but she is a very excitable, impulsive girl, as you may have -noticed, and she is not easily controlled when she has made up her mind -on a point. Of course, I did not mind you so much, as you are not -connected with the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a -family misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless -expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?” - -“On the contrary,” said Holmes quietly; “I have every reason to believe -that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel.” - -Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. “I am -delighted to hear it,” he said. - -“It is a curious thing,” remarked Holmes, “that a typewriter has really -quite as much individuality as a man’s handwriting. Unless they are -quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some letters get more -worn than others, and some wear only on one side. Now, you remark in -this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in every case there is some -little slurring over of the ‘e,’ and a slight defect in the tail of the -‘r.’ There are fourteen other characteristics, but those are the more -obvious.” - -“We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and no -doubt it is a little worn,” our visitor answered, glancing keenly at -Holmes with his bright little eyes. - -“And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Mr. -Windibank,” Holmes continued. “I think of writing another little -monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its relation to -crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some little attention. I -have here four letters which purport to come from the missing man. They -are all typewritten. In each case, not only are the ‘e’s’ slurred and -the ‘r’s’ tailless, but you will observe, if you care to use my -magnifying lens, that the fourteen other characteristics to which I -have alluded are there as well.” - -Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. “I cannot -waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes,” he said. “If -you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know when you have done -it.” - -“Certainly,” said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the -door. “I let you know, then, that I have caught him!” - -“What! where?” shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and -glancing about him like a rat in a trap. - -“Oh, it won’t do—really it won’t,” said Holmes suavely. “There is no -possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too transparent, -and it was a very bad compliment when you said that it was impossible -for me to solve so simple a question. That’s right! Sit down and let us -talk it over.” - -Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a glitter -of moisture on his brow. “It—it’s not actionable,” he stammered. - -“I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, -Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a petty -way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the course of -events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong.” - -The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his -breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up on -the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in his -pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, than to us. - -“The man married a woman very much older than himself for her money,” -said he, “and he enjoyed the use of the money of the daughter as long -as she lived with them. It was a considerable sum, for people in their -position, and the loss of it would have made a serious difference. It -was worth an effort to preserve it. The daughter was of a good, amiable -disposition, but affectionate and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it -was evident that with her fair personal advantages, and her little -income, she would not be allowed to remain single long. Now her -marriage would mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what -does her stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of -keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of people of -her own age. But soon he found that that would not answer forever. She -became restive, insisted upon her rights, and finally announced her -positive intention of going to a certain ball. What does her clever -stepfather do then? He conceives an idea more creditable to his head -than to his heart. With the connivance and assistance of his wife he -disguised himself, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked -the face with a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear -voice into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the -girl’s short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off other -lovers by making love himself.” - -“It was only a joke at first,” groaned our visitor. “We never thought -that she would have been so carried away.” - -“Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very -decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that her -stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never for an -instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the gentleman’s -attentions, and the effect was increased by the loudly expressed -admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began to call, for it was -obvious that the matter should be pushed as far as it would go if a -real effect were to be produced. There were meetings, and an -engagement, which would finally secure the girl’s affections from -turning towards anyone else. But the deception could not be kept up -forever. These pretended journeys to France were rather cumbrous. The -thing to do was clearly to bring the business to an end in such a -dramatic manner that it would leave a permanent impression upon the -young lady’s mind and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor -for some time to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a -Testament, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something -happening on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished -Miss Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to -his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not listen -to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, and then, as -he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished away by the old trick -of stepping in at one door of a four-wheeler and out at the other. I -think that was the chain of events, Mr. Windibank!” - -Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes had -been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sneer upon his -pale face. - -“It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes,” said he, “but if you are so -very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is you who are -breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing actionable from -the first, but as long as you keep that door locked you lay yourself -open to an action for assault and illegal constraint.” - -“The law cannot, as you say, touch you,” said Holmes, unlocking and -throwing open the door, “yet there never was a man who deserved -punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a friend, he ought -to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!” he continued, flushing -up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the man’s face, “it is not -part of my duties to my client, but here’s a hunting crop handy, and I -think I shall just treat myself to—” He took two swift steps to the -whip, but before he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps -upon the stairs, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we -could see Mr. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the -road. - -“There’s a cold-blooded scoundrel!” said Holmes, laughing, as he threw -himself down into his chair once more. “That fellow will rise from -crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ends on a gallows. -The case has, in some respects, been not entirely devoid of interest.” - -“I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning,” I -remarked. - -“Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Hosmer -Angel must have some strong object for his curious conduct, and it was -equally clear that the only man who really profited by the incident, as -far as we could see, was the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men -were never together, but that the one always appeared when the other -was away, was suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious -voice, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My -suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in typewriting his -signature, which, of course, inferred that his handwriting was so -familiar to her that she would recognise even the smallest sample of -it. You see all these isolated facts, together with many minor ones, -all pointed in the same direction.” - -“And how did you verify them?” - -“Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I knew -the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed -description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the result -of a disguise—the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sent it to -the firm, with a request that they would inform me whether it answered -to the description of any of their travellers. I had already noticed -the peculiarities of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at -his business address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, -his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but -characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from -Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the description -tallied in every respect with that of their employé, James Windibank. -_Voilà tout_!” - -“And Miss Sutherland?” - -“If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old -Persian saying, ‘There is danger for him who taketh the tiger cub, and -danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.’ There is as -much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much knowledge of the world.” - - - - -IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY - - -We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the maid -brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in this way: - -“Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the -west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Shall be -glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Leave -Paddington by the 11:15.” - -“What do you say, dear?” said my wife, looking across at me. “Will you -go?” - -“I really don’t know what to say. I have a fairly long list at -present.” - -“Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a -little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and you -are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes’ cases.” - -“I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained through one -of them,” I answered. “But if I am to go, I must pack at once, for I -have only half an hour.” - -My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the effect -of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were few and -simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a cab with my -valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes was pacing -up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt figure made even gaunter and -taller by his long grey travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. - -“It is really very good of you to come, Watson,” said he. “It makes a -considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can -thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless or else biassed. -If you will keep the two corner seats I shall get the tickets.” - -We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of papers -which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and read, -with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until we were past -Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a gigantic ball and -tossed them up onto the rack. - -“Have you heard anything of the case?” he asked. - -“Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days.” - -“The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just been -looking through all the recent papers in order to master the -particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those simple -cases which are so extremely difficult.” - -“That sounds a little paradoxical.” - -“But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a clue. -The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more difficult it -is to bring it home. In this case, however, they have established a -very serious case against the son of the murdered man.” - -“It is a murder, then?” - -“Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for granted -until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it. I will -explain the state of things to you, as far as I have been able to -understand it, in a very few words. - -“Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in -Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Mr. John -Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned some years ago to -the old country. One of the farms which he held, that of Hatherley, was -let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was also an ex-Australian. The men had -known each other in the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that -when they came to settle down they should do so as near each other as -possible. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his -tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect equality, as -they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, a lad of eighteen, -and Turner had an only daughter of the same age, but neither of them -had wives living. They appear to have avoided the society of the -neighbouring English families and to have led retired lives, though -both the McCarthys were fond of sport and were frequently seen at the -race-meetings of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants—a man -and a girl. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the -least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the -families. Now for the facts. - -“On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at -Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Boscombe -Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of the stream -which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been out with his -serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the man that he -must hurry, as he had an appointment of importance to keep at three. -From that appointment he never came back alive. - -“From Hatherley Farmhouse to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a mile, -and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One was an old -woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was William Crowder, -a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both these witnesses depose -that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The game-keeper adds that within a -few minutes of his seeing Mr. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. -James McCarthy, going the same way with a gun under his arm. To the -best of his belief, the father was actually in sight at the time, and -the son was following him. He thought no more of the matter until he -heard in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. - -“The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the -game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly wooded -round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the edge. A girl -of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the lodge-keeper of -the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the woods picking flowers. -She states that while she was there she saw, at the border of the wood -and close by the lake, Mr. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared -to be having a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using -very strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his -hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their -violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached home -that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Boscombe Pool, and -that she was afraid that they were going to fight. She had hardly said -the words when young Mr. McCarthy came running up to the lodge to say -that he had found his father dead in the wood, and to ask for the help -of the lodge-keeper. He was much excited, without either his gun or his -hat, and his right hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with -fresh blood. On following him they found the dead body stretched out -upon the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated -blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as might -very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son’s gun, which -was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the body. Under -these circumstances the young man was instantly arrested, and a verdict -of ‘wilful murder’ having been returned at the inquest on Tuesday, he -was on Wednesday brought before the magistrates at Ross, who have -referred the case to the next Assizes. Those are the main facts of the -case as they came out before the coroner and the police-court.” - -“I could hardly imagine a more damning case,” I remarked. “If ever -circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so here.” - -“Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing,” answered Holmes -thoughtfully. “It may seem to point very straight to one thing, but if -you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it pointing in -an equally uncompromising manner to something entirely different. It -must be confessed, however, that the case looks exceedingly grave -against the young man, and it is very possible that he is indeed the -culprit. There are several people in the neighbourhood, however, and -among them Miss Turner, the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who -believe in his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may -recollect in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case -in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the case -to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are flying -westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly digesting their -breakfasts at home.” - -“I am afraid,” said I, “that the facts are so obvious that you will -find little credit to be gained out of this case.” - -“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact,” he answered, -laughing. “Besides, we may chance to hit upon some other obvious facts -which may have been by no means obvious to Mr. Lestrade. You know me -too well to think that I am boasting when I say that I shall either -confirm or destroy his theory by means which he is quite incapable of -employing, or even of understanding. To take the first example to hand, -I very clearly perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the -right-hand side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have -noted even so self-evident a thing as that.” - -“How on earth—” - -“My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness which -characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this season you -shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and less complete -as we get farther back on the left side, until it becomes positively -slovenly as we get round the angle of the jaw, it is surely very clear -that that side is less illuminated than the other. I could not imagine -a man of your habits looking at himself in an equal light and being -satisfied with such a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of -observation and inference. Therein lies my _métier_, and it is just -possible that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies -before us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in -the inquest, and which are worth considering.” - -“What are they?” - -“It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the -return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary informing -him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not surprised to -hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. This observation of -his had the natural effect of removing any traces of doubt which might -have remained in the minds of the coroner’s jury.” - -“It was a confession,” I ejaculated. - -“No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence.” - -“Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at least -a most suspicious remark.” - -“On the contrary,” said Holmes, “it is the brightest rift which I can -at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, he could -not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the circumstances -were very black against him. Had he appeared surprised at his own -arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I should have looked upon it as -highly suspicious, because such surprise or anger would not be natural -under the circumstances, and yet might appear to be the best policy to -a scheming man. His frank acceptance of the situation marks him as -either an innocent man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint -and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not -unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of his -father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day so far -forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and even, -according to the little girl whose evidence is so important, to raise -his hand as if to strike him. The self-reproach and contrition which -are displayed in his remark appear to me to be the signs of a healthy -mind rather than of a guilty one.” - -I shook my head. “Many men have been hanged on far slighter evidence,” -I remarked. - -“So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged.” - -“What is the young man’s own account of the matter?” - -“It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, though -there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. You will find -it here, and may read it for yourself.” - -He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire paper, -and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the paragraph in which -the unfortunate young man had given his own statement of what had -occurred. I settled myself down in the corner of the carriage and read -it very carefully. It ran in this way: - -“Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and -gave evidence as follows: ‘I had been away from home for three days at -Bristol, and had only just returned upon the morning of last Monday, -the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the time of my arrival, and -I was informed by the maid that he had driven over to Ross with John -Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my return I heard the wheels of his trap -in the yard, and, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk -rapidly out of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he -was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the -Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit warren which -is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Crowder, the -game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but he is mistaken in -thinking that I was following my father. I had no idea that he was in -front of me. When about a hundred yards from the pool I heard a cry of -“Cooee!” which was a usual signal between my father and myself. I then -hurried forward, and found him standing by the pool. He appeared to be -much surprised at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was -doing there. A conversation ensued which led to high words and almost -to blows, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that -his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned towards -Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, however, when I -heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to run back again. I -found my father expiring upon the ground, with his head terribly -injured. I dropped my gun and held him in my arms, but he almost -instantly expired. I knelt beside him for some minutes, and then made -my way to Mr. Turner’s lodge-keeper, his house being the nearest, to -ask for assistance. I saw no one near my father when I returned, and I -have no idea how he came by his injuries. He was not a popular man, -being somewhat cold and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far -as I know, no active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.’ - -“The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before he died? - -“Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some allusion -to a rat. - -“The Coroner: What did you understand by that? - -“Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was -delirious. - -“The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had -this final quarrel? - -“Witness: I should prefer not to answer. - -“The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. - -“Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can assure you -that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which followed. - -“The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point out to -you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case considerably -in any future proceedings which may arise. - -“Witness: I must still refuse. - -“The Coroner: I understand that the cry of ‘Cooee’ was a common signal -between you and your father? - -“Witness: It was. - -“The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you, -and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? - -“Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. - -“A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when you -returned on hearing the cry and found your father fatally injured? - -“Witness: Nothing definite. - -“The Coroner: What do you mean? - -“Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the open, -that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I have a vague -impression that as I ran forward something lay upon the ground to the -left of me. It seemed to me to be something grey in colour, a coat of -some sort, or a plaid perhaps. When I rose from my father I looked -round for it, but it was gone. - -“‘Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?’ - -“‘Yes, it was gone.’ - -“ ‘You cannot say what it was?’ - -“‘No, I had a feeling something was there.’ - -“‘How far from the body?’ - -“‘A dozen yards or so.’ - -“‘And how far from the edge of the wood?’ - -“‘About the same.’ - -“‘Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen yards of -it?’ - -“‘Yes, but with my back towards it.’ - -“This concluded the examination of the witness.” - -“I see,” said I as I glanced down the column, “that the coroner in his -concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. He calls -attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his father having -signalled to him before seeing him, also to his refusal to give details -of his conversation with his father, and his singular account of his -father’s dying words. They are all, as he remarks, very much against -the son.” - -Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the -cushioned seat. “Both you and the coroner have been at some pains,” -said he, “to single out the very strongest points in the young man’s -favour. Don’t you see that you alternately give him credit for having -too much imagination and too little? Too little, if he could not invent -a cause of quarrel which would give him the sympathy of the jury; too -much, if he evolved from his own inner consciousness anything so -_outré_ as a dying reference to a rat, and the incident of the -vanishing cloth. No, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of -view that what this young man says is true, and we shall see whither -that hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and -not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the scene of -action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be there in twenty -minutes.” - -It was nearly four o’clock when we at last, after passing through the -beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, found -ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A lean, -ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for us upon the -platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and leather-leggings -which he wore in deference to his rustic surroundings, I had no -difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Scotland Yard. With him we drove -to the Hereford Arms where a room had already been engaged for us. - -“I have ordered a carriage,” said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of tea. -“I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be happy until -you had been on the scene of the crime.” - -“It was very nice and complimentary of you,” Holmes answered. “It is -entirely a question of barometric pressure.” - -Lestrade looked startled. “I do not quite follow,” he said. - -“How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in the -sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need smoking, and the -sofa is very much superior to the usual country hotel abomination. I do -not think that it is probable that I shall use the carriage to-night.” - -Lestrade laughed indulgently. “You have, no doubt, already formed your -conclusions from the newspapers,” he said. “The case is as plain as a -pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer it becomes. Still, -of course, one can’t refuse a lady, and such a very positive one, too. -She has heard of you, and would have your opinion, though I repeatedly -told her that there was nothing which you could do which I had not -already done. Why, bless my soul! here is her carriage at the door.” - -He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the most -lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her violet eyes -shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her cheeks, all thought of -her natural reserve lost in her overpowering excitement and concern. - -“Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!” she cried, glancing from one to the other of -us, and finally, with a woman’s quick intuition, fastening upon my -companion, “I am so glad that you have come. I have driven down to tell -you so. I know that James didn’t do it. I know it, and I want you to -start upon your work knowing it, too. Never let yourself doubt upon -that point. We have known each other since we were little children, and -I know his faults as no one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to -hurt a fly. Such a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him.” - -“I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner,” said Sherlock Holmes. “You may -rely upon my doing all that I can.” - -“But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Do -you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself think that he -is innocent?” - -“I think that it is very probable.” - -“There, now!” she cried, throwing back her head and looking defiantly -at Lestrade. “You hear! He gives me hopes.” - -Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. “I am afraid that my colleague has -been a little quick in forming his conclusions,” he said. - -“But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did it. And -about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the reason why he -would not speak about it to the coroner was because I was concerned in -it.” - -“In what way?” asked Holmes. - -“It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had many -disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that there should -be a marriage between us. James and I have always loved each other as -brother and sister; but of course he is young and has seen very little -of life yet, and—and—well, he naturally did not wish to do anything -like that yet. So there were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of -them.” - -“And your father?” asked Holmes. “Was he in favour of such a union?” - -“No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in favour of -it.” A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes shot one -of his keen, questioning glances at her. - -“Thank you for this information,” said he. “May I see your father if I -call to-morrow?” - -“I am afraid the doctor won’t allow it.” - -“The doctor?” - -“Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for years -back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to his bed, -and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his nervous system is -shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive who had known dad in the -old days in Victoria.” - -“Ha! In Victoria! That is important.” - -“Yes, at the mines.” - -“Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner made -his money.” - -“Yes, certainly.” - -“Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to me.” - -“You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you will go -to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do tell him that -I know him to be innocent.” - -“I will, Miss Turner.” - -“I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I -leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking.” She hurried -from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we heard the -wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. - -“I am ashamed of you, Holmes,” said Lestrade with dignity after a few -minutes’ silence. “Why should you raise up hopes which you are bound to -disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I call it cruel.” - -“I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy,” said Holmes. -“Have you an order to see him in prison?” - -“Yes, but only for you and me.” - -“Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have still -time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?” - -“Ample.” - -“Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very slow, but -I shall only be away a couple of hours.” - -I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the -streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, where I lay -upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a yellow-backed novel. -The puny plot of the story was so thin, however, when compared to the -deep mystery through which we were groping, and I found my attention -wander so continually from the action to the fact, that I at last flung -it across the room and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of -the events of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man’s story -were absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely -unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the -time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, drawn back by -his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was something terrible and -deadly. What could it be? Might not the nature of the injuries reveal -something to my medical instincts? I rang the bell and called for the -weekly county paper, which contained a verbatim account of the inquest. -In the surgeon’s deposition it was stated that the posterior third of -the left parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been -shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot upon -my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from behind. -That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when seen -quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it did not go -for very much, for the older man might have turned his back before the -blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Holmes’ attention to -it. Then there was the peculiar dying reference to a rat. What could -that mean? It could not be delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow -does not commonly become delirious. No, it was more likely to be an -attempt to explain how he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I -cudgelled my brains to find some possible explanation. And then the -incident of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true -the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his -overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to return and -to carry it away at the instant when the son was kneeling with his back -turned not a dozen paces off. What a tissue of mysteries and -improbabilities the whole thing was! I did not wonder at Lestrade’s -opinion, and yet I had so much faith in Sherlock Holmes’ insight that I -could not lose hope as long as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen -his conviction of young McCarthy’s innocence. - -It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, for -Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. - -“The glass still keeps very high,” he remarked as he sat down. “It is -of importance that it should not rain before we are able to go over the -ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his very best and keenest -for such nice work as that, and I did not wish to do it when fagged by -a long journey. I have seen young McCarthy.” - -“And what did you learn from him?” - -“Nothing.” - -“Could he throw no light?” - -“None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew who had -done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced now that he is -as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very quick-witted youth, -though comely to look at and, I should think, sound at heart.” - -“I cannot admire his taste,” I remarked, “if it is indeed a fact that -he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as this Miss -Turner.” - -“Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, -insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was only a -lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away five years at -a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get into the clutches of -a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a registry office? No one knows a -word of the matter, but you can imagine how maddening it must be to him -to be upbraided for not doing what he would give his very eyes to do, -but what he knows to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of -this sort which made him throw his hands up into the air when his -father, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss -Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and -his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have thrown -him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with his barmaid wife -that he had spent the last three days in Bristol, and his father did -not know where he was. Mark that point. It is of importance. Good has -come out of evil, however, for the barmaid, finding from the papers -that he is in serious trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him -over utterly and has written to him to say that she has a husband -already in the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between -them. I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all -that he has suffered.” - -“But if he is innocent, who has done it?” - -“Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two points. -One is that the murdered man had an appointment with someone at the -pool, and that the someone could not have been his son, for his son was -away, and he did not know when he would return. The second is that the -murdered man was heard to cry ‘Cooee!’ before he knew that his son had -returned. Those are the crucial points upon which the case depends. And -now let us talk about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall -leave all minor matters until to-morrow.” - -There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke bright -and cloudless. At nine o’clock Lestrade called for us with the -carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Pool. - -“There is serious news this morning,” Lestrade observed. “It is said -that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is despaired of.” - -“An elderly man, I presume?” said Holmes. - -“About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life -abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This business -has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of McCarthy’s, -and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I have learned that he -gave him Hatherley Farm rent free.” - -“Indeed! That is interesting,” said Holmes. - -“Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody about -here speaks of his kindness to him.” - -“Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this -McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have been -under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of marrying his son -to Turner’s daughter, who is, presumably, heiress to the estate, and -that in such a very cocksure manner, as if it were merely a case of a -proposal and all else would follow? It is the more strange, since we -know that Turner himself was averse to the idea. The daughter told us -as much. Do you not deduce something from that?” - -“We have got to the deductions and the inferences,” said Lestrade, -winking at me. “I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Holmes, without -flying away after theories and fancies.” - -“You are right,” said Holmes demurely; “you do find it very hard to -tackle the facts.” - -“Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it difficult to -get hold of,” replied Lestrade with some warmth. - -“And that is—” - -“That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that all -theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine.” - -“Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog,” said Holmes, laughing. -“But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Farm upon the -left.” - -“Yes, that is it.” It was a widespread, comfortable-looking building, -two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of lichen upon -the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless chimneys, however, -gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of this horror still lay -heavy upon it. We called at the door, when the maid, at Holmes’ -request, showed us the boots which her master wore at the time of his -death, and also a pair of the son’s, though not the pair which he had -then had. Having measured these very carefully from seven or eight -different points, Holmes desired to be led to the court-yard, from -which we all followed the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. - -Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent as -this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Baker -Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and -darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, while his -eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. His face was -bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips compressed, and the veins -stood out like whipcord in his long, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed -to dilate with a purely animal lust for the chase, and his mind was so -absolutely concentrated upon the matter before him that a question or -remark fell unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a -quick, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way -along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the -woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is all that -district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the path and -amid the short grass which bounded it on either side. Sometimes Holmes -would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and once he made quite a little -detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I walked behind him, the detective -indifferent and contemptuous, while I watched my friend with the -interest which sprang from the conviction that every one of his actions -was directed towards a definite end. - -The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water some -fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Hatherley -Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Above the woods -which lined it upon the farther side we could see the red, jutting -pinnacles which marked the site of the rich landowner’s dwelling. On -the Hatherley side of the pool the woods grew very thick, and there was -a narrow belt of sodden grass twenty paces across between the edge of -the trees and the reeds which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the -exact spot at which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was -the ground, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by -the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager -face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read upon the -trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking up a scent, and -then turned upon my companion. - -“What did you go into the pool for?” he asked. - -“I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon or -other trace. But how on earth—” - -“Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its inward -twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and there it -vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all have been had I -been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and wallowed all over -it. Here is where the party with the lodge-keeper came, and they have -covered all tracks for six or eight feet round the body. But here are -three separate tracks of the same feet.” He drew out a lens and lay -down upon his waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time -rather to himself than to us. “These are young McCarthy’s feet. Twice -he was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are deeply -marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his story. He ran -when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the father’s feet -as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is the butt-end of the -gun as the son stood listening. And this? Ha, ha! What have we here? -Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite unusual boots! They come, they go, -they come again—of course that was for the cloak. Now where did they -come from?” He ran up and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the -track until we were well within the edge of the wood and under the -shadow of a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes -traced his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon -his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he remained -there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, gathering up what -seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and examining with his lens -not only the ground but even the bark of the tree as far as he could -reach. A jagged stone was lying among the moss, and this also he -carefully examined and retained. Then he followed a pathway through the -wood until he came to the highroad, where all traces were lost. - -“It has been a case of considerable interest,” he remarked, returning -to his natural manner. “I fancy that this grey house on the right must -be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a word with Moran, and -perhaps write a little note. Having done that, we may drive back to our -luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and I shall be with you presently.” - -It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove back into -Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he had picked up -in the wood. - -“This may interest you, Lestrade,” he remarked, holding it out. “The -murder was done with it.” - -“I see no marks.” - -“There are none.” - -“How do you know, then?” - -“The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few days. -There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It corresponds -with the injuries. There is no sign of any other weapon.” - -“And the murderer?” - -“Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears -thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian cigars, uses -a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his pocket. There are -several other indications, but these may be enough to aid us in our -search.” - -Lestrade laughed. “I am afraid that I am still a sceptic,” he said. -“Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hard-headed -British jury.” - -“_Nous verrons_,” answered Holmes calmly. “You work your own method, -and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and shall -probably return to London by the evening train.” - -“And leave your case unfinished?” - -“No, finished.” - -“But the mystery?” - -“It is solved.” - -“Who was the criminal, then?” - -“The gentleman I describe.” - -“But who is he?” - -“Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a -populous neighbourhood.” - -Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. “I am a practical man,” he said, “and -I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking for a -left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the -laughing-stock of Scotland Yard.” - -“All right,” said Holmes quietly. “I have given you the chance. Here -are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I leave.” - -Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where we -found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in thought -with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds himself in a -perplexing position. - -“Look here, Watson,” he said when the cloth was cleared “just sit down -in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don’t know quite -what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a cigar and let me -expound.” - - “Pray do so.” - -“Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about young -McCarthy’s narrative which struck us both instantly, although they -impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was the fact that -his father should, according to his account, cry ‘Cooee!’ before seeing -him. The other was his singular dying reference to a rat. He mumbled -several words, you understand, but that was all that caught the son’s -ear. Now from this double point our research must commence, and we will -begin it by presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true.” - -“What of this ‘Cooee!’ then?” - -“Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The son, as -far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that he was within -earshot. The ‘Cooee!’ was meant to attract the attention of whoever it -was that he had the appointment with. But ‘Cooee’ is a distinctly -Australian cry, and one which is used between Australians. There is a -strong presumption that the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him -at Boscombe Pool was someone who had been in Australia.” - -“What of the rat, then?” - -Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened it -out on the table. “This is a map of the Colony of Victoria,” he said. -“I wired to Bristol for it last night.” He put his hand over part of -the map. “What do you read?” - -“ARAT,” I read. - -“And now?” He raised his hand. - -“BALLARAT.” - -“Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his son only -caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the name of his -murderer. So and so, of Ballarat.” - -“It is wonderful!” I exclaimed. - -“It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down -considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point which, -granting the son’s statement to be correct, was a certainty. We have -come now out of mere vagueness to the definite conception of an -Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak.” - -“Certainly.” - -“And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only be -approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could hardly -wander.” - -“Quite so.” - -“Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ground I -gained the trifling details which I gave to that imbecile Lestrade, as -to the personality of the criminal.” - -“But how did you gain them?” - -“You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of trifles.” - -“His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length of his -stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces.” - -“Yes, they were peculiar boots.” - -“But his lameness?” - -“The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his -left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped—he was lame.” - -“But his left-handedness.” - -“You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded by -the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from immediately -behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can that be unless it -were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind that tree during the -interview between the father and son. He had even smoked there. I found -the ash of a cigar, which my special knowledge of tobacco ashes enables -me to pronounce as an Indian cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some -attention to this, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 -different varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found -the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss -where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety which -are rolled in Rotterdam.” - -“And the cigar-holder?” - -“I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he used -a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the cut was not -a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife.” - -“Holmes,” I said, “you have drawn a net round this man from which he -cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as truly as if -you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the direction in -which all this points. The culprit is—” - -“Mr. John Turner,” cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of our -sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. - -The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His slow, -limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of decrepitude, -and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his enormous limbs -showed that he was possessed of unusual strength of body and of -character. His tangled beard, grizzled hair, and outstanding, drooping -eyebrows combined to give an air of dignity and power to his -appearance, but his face was of an ashen white, while his lips and the -corners of his nostrils were tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear -to me at a glance that he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic -disease. - -“Pray sit down on the sofa,” said Holmes gently. “You had my note?” - -“Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to see -me here to avoid scandal.” - -“I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall.” - -“And why did you wish to see me?” He looked across at my companion with -despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was already answered. - -“Yes,” said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. “It is -so. I know all about McCarthy.” - -The old man sank his face in his hands. “God help me!” he cried. “But I -would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my word that -I would have spoken out if it went against him at the Assizes.” - -“I am glad to hear you say so,” said Holmes gravely. - -“I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It would -break her heart—it will break her heart when she hears that I am -arrested.” - -“It may not come to that,” said Holmes. - -“What?” - -“I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter who -required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Young -McCarthy must be got off, however.” - -“I am a dying man,” said old Turner. “I have had diabetes for years. My -doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a month. Yet I would -rather die under my own roof than in a gaol.” - -Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand and a -bundle of paper before him. “Just tell us the truth,” he said. “I shall -jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson here can witness it. -Then I could produce your confession at the last extremity to save -young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall not use it unless it is -absolutely needed.” - -“It’s as well,” said the old man; “it’s a question whether I shall live -to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I should wish to spare -Alice the shock. And now I will make the thing clear to you; it has -been a long time in the acting, but will not take me long to tell. - -“You didn’t know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil incarnate. I -tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of such a man as he. -His grip has been upon me these twenty years, and he has blasted my -life. I’ll tell you first how I came to be in his power. - -“It was in the early ’60’s at the diggings. I was a young chap then, -hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at anything; I got -among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck with my claim, took to -the bush, and in a word became what you would call over here a highway -robber. There were six of us, and we had a wild, free life of it, -sticking up a station from time to time, or stopping the wagons on the -road to the diggings. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, -and our party is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. - -“One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and we lay -in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and six of us, -so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of their saddles at the -first volley. Three of our boys were killed, however, before we got the -swag. I put my pistol to the head of the wagon-driver, who was this -very man McCarthy. I wish to the Lord that I had shot him then, but I -spared him, though I saw his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as -though to remember every feature. We got away with the gold, became -wealthy men, and made our way over to England without being suspected. -There I parted from my old pals and determined to settle down to a -quiet and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be -in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to -make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and -though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Even when -she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the right path -as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned over a new leaf and -did my best to make up for the past. All was going well when McCarthy -laid his grip upon me. - -“I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Regent -Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his foot. - -“‘Here we are, Jack,’ says he, touching me on the arm; ‘we’ll be as -good as a family to you. There’s two of us, me and my son, and you can -have the keeping of us. If you don’t—it’s a fine, law-abiding country -is England, and there’s always a policeman within hail.’ - -“Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking them -off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land ever since. -There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; turn where I -would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my elbow. It grew worse -as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more afraid of her knowing my -past than of the police. Whatever he wanted he must have, and whatever -it was I gave him without question, land, money, houses, until at last -he asked a thing which I could not give. He asked for Alice. - -“His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was known -to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that his lad -should step into the whole property. But there I was firm. I would not -have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I had any dislike to -the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was enough. I stood firm. -McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do his worst. We were to meet at -the pool midway between our houses to talk it over. - -“When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I smoked a -cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. But as I -listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in me seemed to come -uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my daughter with as little -regard for what she might think as if she were a slut from off the -streets. It drove me mad to think that I and all that I held most dear -should be in the power of such a man as this. Could I not snap the -bond? I was already a dying and a desperate man. Though clear of mind -and fairly strong of limb, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my -memory and my girl! Both could be saved if I could but silence that -foul tongue. I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I -have sinned, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that -my girl should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more -than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction than if -he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought back his son; -but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was forced to go back -to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in my flight. That is the true -story, gentlemen, of all that occurred.” - -“Well, it is not for me to judge you,” said Holmes as the old man -signed the statement which had been drawn out. “I pray that we may -never be exposed to such a temptation.” - -“I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?” - -“In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you will -soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Assizes. I -will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is condemned I shall be -forced to use it. If not, it shall never be seen by mortal eye; and -your secret, whether you be alive or dead, shall be safe with us.” - -“Farewell, then,” said the old man solemnly. “Your own deathbeds, when -they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace which you -have given to mine.” Tottering and shaking in all his giant frame, he -stumbled slowly from the room. - -“God help us!” said Holmes after a long silence. “Why does fate play -such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such a case as -this that I do not think of Baxter’s words, and say, ‘There, but for -the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.’” - -James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a number -of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and submitted to the -defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven months after our -interview, but he is now dead; and there is every prospect that the son -and daughter may come to live happily together in ignorance of the -black cloud which rests upon their past. - - - - -V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS - - -When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes cases -between the years ’82 and ’90, I am faced by so many which present -strange and interesting features that it is no easy matter to know -which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, have already gained -publicity through the papers, and others have not offered a field for -those peculiar qualities which my friend possessed in so high a degree, -and which it is the object of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, -have baffled his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, -beginnings without an ending, while others have been but partially -cleared up, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture -and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to -him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in -its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to give -some account of it in spite of the fact that there are points in -connection with it which never have been, and probably never will be, -entirely cleared up. - -The year ’87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater or -less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my headings under -this one twelve months I find an account of the adventure of the -Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Society, who held a luxurious -club in the lower vault of a furniture warehouse, of the facts -connected with the loss of the British barque _Sophy Anderson_, of the -singular adventures of the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and -finally of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be -remembered, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man’s -watch, to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that -therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time—a deduction -which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the case. All these -I may sketch out at some future date, but none of them present such -singular features as the strange train of circumstances which I have -now taken up my pen to describe. - -It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales had -set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had screamed and the -rain had beaten against the windows, so that even here in the heart of -great, hand-made London we were forced to raise our minds for the -instant from the routine of life and to recognise the presence of those -great elemental forces which shriek at mankind through the bars of his -civilisation, like untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the -storm grew higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a -child in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the -fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the other was -deep in one of Clark Russell’s fine sea-stories until the howl of the -gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and the splash of the -rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the sea waves. My wife was -on a visit to her mother’s, and for a few days I was a dweller once -more in my old quarters at Baker Street. - -“Why,” said I, glancing up at my companion, “that was surely the bell. -Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?” - -“Except yourself I have none,” he answered. “I do not encourage -visitors.” - -“A client, then?” - -“If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out on -such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more likely to -be some crony of the landlady’s.” - -Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there came a -step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He stretched out his -long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and towards the vacant -chair upon which a newcomer must sit. - -“Come in!” said he. - -The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the outside, -well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of refinement and delicacy -in his bearing. The streaming umbrella which he held in his hand, and -his long shining waterproof told of the fierce weather through which he -had come. He looked about him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I -could see that his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a -man who is weighed down with some great anxiety. - -“I owe you an apology,” he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his -eyes. “I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have brought some -traces of the storm and rain into your snug chamber.” - -“Give me your coat and umbrella,” said Holmes. “They may rest here on -the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the -south-west, I see.” - -“Yes, from Horsham.” - -“That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is quite -distinctive.” - -“I have come for advice.” - -“That is easily got.” - -“And help.” - -“That is not always so easy.” - -“I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast how -you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal.” - -“Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards.” - -“He said that you could solve anything.” - -“He said too much.” - -“That you are never beaten.” - -“I have been beaten four times—three times by men, and once by a -woman.” - -“But what is that compared with the number of your successes?” - -“It is true that I have been generally successful.” - -“Then you may be so with me.” - -“I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me with -some details as to your case.” - -“It is no ordinary one.” - -“None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of appeal.” - -“And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you have -ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of events -than those which have happened in my own family.” - -“You fill me with interest,” said Holmes. “Pray give us the essential -facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards question you as to -those details which seem to me to be most important.” - -The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out towards -the blaze. - -“My name,” said he, “is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, as far -as I can understand, little to do with this awful business. It is a -hereditary matter; so in order to give you an idea of the facts, I must -go back to the commencement of the affair. - -“You must know that my grandfather had two sons—my uncle Elias and my -father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, which he -enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was a patentee -of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business met with such -success that he was able to sell it and to retire upon a handsome -competence. - -“My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and became -a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done very well. At -the time of the war he fought in Jackson’s army, and afterwards under -Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Lee laid down his arms my -uncle returned to his plantation, where he remained for three or four -years. About 1869 or 1870 he came back to Europe and took a small -estate in Sussex, near Horsham. He had made a very considerable fortune -in the States, and his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the -negroes, and his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the -franchise to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, -very foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring -disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I doubt if -ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or three fields -round his house, and there he would take his exercise, though very -often for weeks on end he would never leave his room. He drank a great -deal of brandy and smoked very heavily, but he would see no society and -did not want any friends, not even his own brother. - -“He didn’t mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the time -when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This would be -in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in England. He -begged my father to let me live with him and he was very kind to me in -his way. When he was sober he used to be fond of playing backgammon and -draughts with me, and he would make me his representative both with the -servants and with the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was -sixteen I was quite master of the house. I kept all the keys and could -go where I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him -in his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he had a -single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was invariably -locked, and which he would never permit either me or anyone else to -enter. With a boy’s curiosity I have peeped through the keyhole, but I -was never able to see more than such a collection of old trunks and -bundles as would be expected in such a room. - -“One day—it was in March, 1883—a letter with a foreign stamp lay upon -the table in front of the colonel’s plate. It was not a common thing -for him to receive letters, for his bills were all paid in ready money, -and he had no friends of any sort. ‘From India!’ said he as he took it -up, ‘Pondicherry postmark! What can this be?’ Opening it hurriedly, out -there jumped five little dried orange pips, which pattered down upon -his plate. I began to laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my -lips at the sight of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were -protruding, his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope -which he still held in his trembling hand, ‘K. K. K.!’ he shrieked, and -then, ‘My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!’ - -“‘What is it, uncle?’ I cried. - -“‘Death,’ said he, and rising from the table he retired to his room, -leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope and saw -scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the gum, the letter -K three times repeated. There was nothing else save the five dried -pips. What could be the reason of his overpowering terror? I left the -breakfast-table, and as I ascended the stair I met him coming down with -an old rusty key, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, -and a small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. - -“‘They may do what they like, but I’ll checkmate them still,’ said he -with an oath. ‘Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my room to-day, -and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.’ - -“I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to step -up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the grate there -was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned paper, while the brass -box stood open and empty beside it. As I glanced at the box I noticed, -with a start, that upon the lid was printed the treble K which I had -read in the morning upon the envelope. - -“‘I wish you, John,’ said my uncle, ‘to witness my will. I leave my -estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to my -brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to you. If you -can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you cannot, take my -advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest enemy. I am sorry to -give you such a two-edged thing, but I can’t say what turn things are -going to take. Kindly sign the paper where Mr. Fordham shows you.’ - -“I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with him. -The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest impression -upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every way in my mind -without being able to make anything of it. Yet I could not shake off -the vague feeling of dread which it left behind, though the sensation -grew less keen as the weeks passed and nothing happened to disturb the -usual routine of our lives. I could see a change in my uncle, however. -He drank more than ever, and he was less inclined for any sort of -society. Most of his time he would spend in his room, with the door -locked upon the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of -drunken frenzy and would burst out of the house and tear about the -garden with a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of -no man, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by -man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would rush -tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, like a man -who can brazen it out no longer against the terror which lies at the -roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his face, even on a cold -day, glisten with moisture, as though it were new raised from a basin. - -“Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to abuse -your patience, there came a night when he made one of those drunken -sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when we went to -search for him, face downward in a little green-scummed pool, which lay -at the foot of the garden. There was no sign of any violence, and the -water was but two feet deep, so that the jury, having regard to his -known eccentricity, brought in a verdict of ‘suicide.’ But I, who knew -how he winced from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade -myself that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, -however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and of -some £ 14,000, which lay to his credit at the bank.” - -“One moment,” Holmes interposed, “your statement is, I foresee, one of -the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me have the date -of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the date of his -supposed suicide.” - -“The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks later, -upon the night of May 2nd.” - -“Thank you. Pray proceed.” - -“When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my request, made -a careful examination of the attic, which had been always locked up. We -found the brass box there, although its contents had been destroyed. On -the inside of the cover was a paper label, with the initials of K. K. -K. repeated upon it, and ‘Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register’ -written beneath. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers -which had been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was -nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many scattered -papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle’s life in America. Some of -them were of the war time and showed that he had done his duty well and -had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Others were of a date during -the reconstruction of the Southern states, and were mostly concerned -with politics, for he had evidently taken a strong part in opposing the -carpet-bag politicians who had been sent down from the North. - -“Well, it was the beginning of ’84 when my father came to live at -Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the January of -’85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my father give a -sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the breakfast-table. There -he was, sitting with a newly opened envelope in one hand and five dried -orange pips in the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always -laughed at what he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but -he looked very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon -himself. - -“‘Why, what on earth does this mean, John?’ he stammered. - -“My heart had turned to lead. ‘It is K. K. K.,’ said I. - -“He looked inside the envelope. ‘So it is,’ he cried. ‘Here are the -very letters. But what is this written above them?’ - -“‘Put the papers on the sundial,’ I read, peeping over his shoulder. - -“‘What papers? What sundial?’ he asked. - -“‘The sundial in the garden. There is no other,’ said I; ‘but the -papers must be those that are destroyed.’ - -“‘Pooh!’ said he, gripping hard at his courage. ‘We are in a civilised -land here, and we can’t have tomfoolery of this kind. Where does the -thing come from?’ - -“‘From Dundee,’ I answered, glancing at the postmark. - -“‘Some preposterous practical joke,’ said he. ‘What have I to do with -sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such nonsense.’ - -“‘I should certainly speak to the police,’ I said. - -“‘And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.’ - -“‘Then let me do so?’ - -“‘No, I forbid you. I won’t have a fuss made about such nonsense.’ - -“It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate man. I -went about, however, with a heart which was full of forebodings. - -“On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went from -home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is in command -of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that he should go, -for it seemed to me that he was farther from danger when he was away -from home. In that, however, I was in error. Upon the second day of his -absence I received a telegram from the major, imploring me to come at -once. My father had fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound -in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. -I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered his -consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Fareham in -the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and the chalk-pit -unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bringing in a verdict of ‘death -from accidental causes.’ Carefully as I examined every fact connected -with his death, I was unable to find anything which could suggest the -idea of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no -robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. And -yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and that I -was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been woven round him. - -“In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me why I -did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well convinced that our -troubles were in some way dependent upon an incident in my uncle’s -life, and that the danger would be as pressing in one house as in -another. - -“It was in January, ’85, that my poor father met his end, and two years -and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I have lived -happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that this curse had passed -away from the family, and that it had ended with the last generation. I -had begun to take comfort too soon, however; yesterday morning the blow -fell in the very shape in which it had come upon my father.” - -The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and turning -to the table he shook out upon it five little dried orange pips. - -“This is the envelope,” he continued. “The postmark is London—eastern -division. Within are the very words which were upon my father’s last -message: ‘K. K. K.’; and then ‘Put the papers on the sundial.’” - -“What have you done?” asked Holmes. - -“Nothing.” - -“Nothing?” - -“To tell the truth”—he sank his face into his thin, white hands—“I have -felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor rabbits when the -snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the grasp of some -resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and no precautions can -guard against.” - -“Tut! tut!” cried Sherlock Holmes. “You must act, man, or you are lost. -Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for despair.” - -“I have seen the police.” - -“Ah!” - -“But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the -inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all practical -jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really accidents, as -the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the warnings.” - -Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. “Incredible imbecility!” he -cried. - -“They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the -house with me.” - -“Has he come with you to-night?” - -“No. His orders were to stay in the house.” - -Again Holmes raved in the air. - -“Why did you come to me?” he said, “and, above all, why did you not -come at once?” - -“I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Prendergast -about my troubles and was advised by him to come to you.” - -“It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have acted -before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that which -you have placed before us—no suggestive detail which might help us?” - -“There is one thing,” said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat -pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted paper, he -laid it out upon the table. “I have some remembrance,” said he, “that -on the day when my uncle burned the papers I observed that the small, -unburned margins which lay amid the ashes were of this particular -colour. I found this single sheet upon the floor of his room, and I am -inclined to think that it may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, -fluttered out from among the others, and in that way has escaped -destruction. Beyond the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us -much. I think myself that it is a page from some private diary. The -writing is undoubtedly my uncle’s.” - -Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which -showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from a book. It -was headed, “March, 1869,” and beneath were the following enigmatical -notices: - -“4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. - -“7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and John Swain of St. -Augustine. - -“9th. McCauley cleared. - -“10th. John Swain cleared. - -“12th. Visited Paramore. All well.” - -“Thank you!” said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to our -visitor. “And now you must on no account lose another instant. We -cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told me. You must get -home instantly and act.” - -“What shall I do?” - -“There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must put -this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass box which -you have described. You must also put in a note to say that all the -other papers were burned by your uncle, and that this is the only one -which remains. You must assert that in such words as will carry -conviction with them. Having done this, you must at once put the box -out upon the sundial, as directed. Do you understand?” - -“Entirely.” - -“Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I think -that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our web to -weave, while theirs is already woven. The first consideration is to -remove the pressing danger which threatens you. The second is to clear -up the mystery and to punish the guilty parties.” - -“I thank you,” said the young man, rising and pulling on his overcoat. -“You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall certainly do as you -advise.” - -“Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the -meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that you are -threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you go back?” - -“By train from Waterloo.” - -“It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that you -may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too closely.” - -“I am armed.” - -“That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case.” - -“I shall see you at Horsham, then?” - -“No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it.” - -“Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news as to -the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every particular.” -He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the wind still -screamed and the rain splashed and pattered against the windows. This -strange, wild story seemed to have come to us from amid the mad -elements—blown in upon us like a sheet of sea-weed in a gale—and now to -have been reabsorbed by them once more. - -Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk -forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he lit -his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue smoke-rings -as they chased each other up to the ceiling. - -“I think, Watson,” he remarked at last, “that of all our cases we have -had none more fantastic than this.” - -“Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four.” - -“Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems to me -to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Sholtos.” - -“But have you,” I asked, “formed any definite conception as to what -these perils are?” - -“There can be no question as to their nature,” he answered. - -“Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue this -unhappy family?” - -Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the arms of -his chair, with his finger-tips together. “The ideal reasoner,” he -remarked, “would, when he had once been shown a single fact in all its -bearings, deduce from it not only all the chain of events which led up -to it but also all the results which would follow from it. As Cuvier -could correctly describe a whole animal by the contemplation of a -single bone, so the observer who has thoroughly understood one link in -a series of incidents should be able to accurately state all the other -ones, both before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which -the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study -which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the aid of -their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest pitch, it is -necessary that the reasoner should be able to utilise all the facts -which have come to his knowledge; and this in itself implies, as you -will readily see, a possession of all knowledge, which, even in these -days of free education and encyclopædias, is a somewhat rare -accomplishment. It is not so impossible, however, that a man should -possess all knowledge which is likely to be useful to him in his work, -and this I have endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, -you on one occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my -limits in a very precise fashion.” - -“Yes,” I answered, laughing. “It was a singular document. Philosophy, -astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I remember. Botany -variable, geology profound as regards the mud-stains from any region -within fifty miles of town, chemistry eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, -sensational literature and crime records unique, violin-player, boxer, -swordsman, lawyer, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I -think, were the main points of my analysis.” - -Holmes grinned at the last item. “Well,” he said, “I say now, as I said -then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic stocked with all -the furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in -the lumber-room of his library, where he can get it if he wants it. -Now, for such a case as the one which has been submitted to us -to-night, we need certainly to muster all our resources. Kindly hand me -down the letter K of the _American Encyclopædia_ which stands upon the -shelf beside you. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see -what may be deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a -strong presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason -for leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their -habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the -lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love of solitude -in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of someone or -something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis that it was fear of -someone or something which drove him from America. As to what it was he -feared, we can only deduce that by considering the formidable letters -which were received by himself and his successors. Did you remark the -postmarks of those letters?” - -“The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the third -from London.” - -“From East London. What do you deduce from that?” - -“They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship.” - -“Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the -probability—the strong probability—is that the writer was on board of a -ship. And now let us consider another point. In the case of -Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and its fulfilment, -in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Does that suggest -anything?” - -“A greater distance to travel.” - -“But the letter had also a greater distance to come.” - -“Then I do not see the point.” - -“There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man or -men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send their -singular warning or token before them when starting upon their mission. -You see how quickly the deed followed the sign when it came from -Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a steamer they would have -arrived almost as soon as their letter. But, as a matter of fact, seven -weeks elapsed. I think that those seven weeks represented the -difference between the mail-boat which brought the letter and the -sailing vessel which brought the writer.” - -“It is possible.” - -“More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly urgency of -this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to caution. The blow has -always fallen at the end of the time which it would take the senders to -travel the distance. But this one comes from London, and therefore we -cannot count upon delay.” - -“Good God!” I cried. “What can it mean, this relentless persecution?” - -“The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital importance to -the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that it is quite -clear that there must be more than one of them. A single man could not -have carried out two deaths in such a way as to deceive a coroner’s -jury. There must have been several in it, and they must have been men -of resource and determination. Their papers they mean to have, be the -holder of them who it may. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be -the initials of an individual and becomes the badge of a society.” - -“But of what society?” - -“Have you never—” said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and sinking his -voice—“have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?” - -“I never have.” - -Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. “Here it is,” -said he presently: - -“‘Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the -sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret society was -formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Southern states after the -Civil War, and it rapidly formed local branches in different parts of -the country, notably in Tennessee, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, -and Florida. Its power was used for political purposes, principally for -the terrorising of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from -the country of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were -usually preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic -but generally recognised shape—a sprig of oak-leaves in some parts, -melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the victim -might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fly from the -country. If he braved the matter out, death would unfailingly come upon -him, and usually in some strange and unforeseen manner. So perfect was -the organisation of the society, and so systematic its methods, that -there is hardly a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving -it with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to -the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite -of the efforts of the United States government and of the better -classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year 1869, -the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have been -sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.’ - -“You will observe,” said Holmes, laying down the volume, “that the -sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the disappearance -of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may well have been cause -and effect. It is no wonder that he and his family have some of the -more implacable spirits upon their track. You can understand that this -register and diary may implicate some of the first men in the South, -and that there may be many who will not sleep easy at night until it is -recovered.” - -“Then the page we have seen—” - -“Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, ‘sent the -pips to A, B, and C’—that is, sent the society’s warning to them. Then -there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or left the country, -and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sinister result for C. -Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let some light into this dark place, -and I believe that the only chance young Openshaw has in the meantime -is to do what I have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to -be done to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget -for half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable -ways of our fellow men.” - -It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a subdued -brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the great city. -Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came down. - -“You will excuse me for not waiting for you,” said he; “I have, I -foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of young -Openshaw’s.” - -“What steps will you take?” I asked. - -“It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I may -have to go down to Horsham, after all.” - -“You will not go there first?” - -“No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the maid -will bring up your coffee.” - -As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and glanced -my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a chill to my -heart. - -“Holmes,” I cried, “you are too late.” - -“Ah!” said he, laying down his cup, “I feared as much. How was it -done?” He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. - -“My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading ‘Tragedy Near -Waterloo Bridge.’ Here is the account: - -“‘Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H -Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and a -splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and stormy, -so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it was quite -impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was given, and, by -the aid of the water-police, the body was eventually recovered. It -proved to be that of a young gentleman whose name, as it appears from -an envelope which was found in his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose -residence is near Horsham. It is conjectured that he may have been -hurrying down to catch the last train from Waterloo Station, and that -in his haste and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked -over the edge of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. -The body exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt -that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which -should have the effect of calling the attention of the authorities to -the condition of the riverside landing-stages.’” - -We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and shaken -than I had ever seen him. - -“That hurts my pride, Watson,” he said at last. “It is a petty feeling, -no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal matter with me -now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hand upon this gang. -That he should come to me for help, and that I should send him away to -his death—!” He sprang from his chair and paced about the room in -uncontrollable agitation, with a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a -nervous clasping and unclasping of his long thin hands. - -“They must be cunning devils,” he exclaimed at last. “How could they -have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the direct line -to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too crowded, even on such a -night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, we shall see who will win in -the long run. I am going out now!” - -“To the police?” - -“No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may take -the flies, but not before.” - -All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the -evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had not come -back yet. It was nearly ten o’clock before he entered, looking pale and -worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and tearing a piece from the loaf -he devoured it voraciously, washing it down with a long draught of -water. - -“You are hungry,” I remarked. - -“Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since -breakfast.” - -“Nothing?” - -“Not a bite. I had no time to think of it.” - -“And how have you succeeded?” - -“Well.” - -“You have a clue?” - -“I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not long -remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish trade-mark -upon them. It is well thought of!” - -“What do you mean?” - -He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he -squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and thrust -them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote “S. H. for J. -O.” Then he sealed it and addressed it to “Captain James Calhoun, -Barque _Lone Star_, Savannah, Georgia.” - -“That will await him when he enters port,” said he, chuckling. “It may -give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a precursor of his -fate as Openshaw did before him.” - -“And who is this Captain Calhoun?” - -“The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first.” - -“How did you trace it, then?” - -He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with dates -and names. - -“I have spent the whole day,” said he, “over Lloyd’s registers and -files of the old papers, following the future career of every vessel -which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in ’83. There were -thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were reported there during those -months. Of these, one, the _Lone Star_, instantly attracted my -attention, since, although it was reported as having cleared from -London, the name is that which is given to one of the states of the -Union.” - -“Texas, I think.” - -“I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must have an -American origin.” - -“What then?” - -“I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque _Lone -Star_ was there in January, ’85, my suspicion became a certainty. I -then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in the port of -London.” - -“Yes?” - -“The _Lone Star_ had arrived here last week. I went down to the Albert -Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the early tide -this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to Gravesend and -learned that she had passed some time ago, and as the wind is easterly -I have no doubt that she is now past the Goodwins and not very far from -the Isle of Wight.” - -“What will you do, then?” - -“Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I learn, the -only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Finns and -Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away from the ship last -night. I had it from the stevedore who has been loading their cargo. By -the time that their sailing-ship reaches Savannah the mail-boat will -have carried this letter, and the cable will have informed the police -of Savannah that these three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a -charge of murder.” - -There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and the -murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the orange pips which -would show them that another, as cunning and as resolute as themselves, -was upon their track. Very long and very severe were the equinoctial -gales that year. We waited long for news of the _Lone Star_ of -Savannah, but none ever reached us. We did at last hear that somewhere -far out in the Atlantic a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen -swinging in the trough of a wave, with the letters “L. S.” carved upon -it, and that is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the _Lone -Star_. - - - - -VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP - - -Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of the -Theological College of St. George’s, was much addicted to opium. The -habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some foolish freak when he -was at college; for having read De Quincey’s description of his dreams -and sensations, he had drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt -to produce the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that -the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many years -he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of mingled horror and -pity to his friends and relatives. I can see him now, with yellow, -pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pupils, all huddled in a -chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble man. - -One night—it was in June, ’89—there came a ring to my bell, about the -hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock. I sat up -in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work down in her lap and made -a little face of disappointment. - -“A patient!” said she. “You’ll have to go out.” - -I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. - -We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps upon -the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in some -dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. - -“You will excuse my calling so late,” she began, and then, suddenly -losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms about my -wife’s neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. “Oh, I’m in such trouble!” -she cried; “I do so want a little help.” - -“Why,” said my wife, pulling up her veil, “it is Kate Whitney. How you -startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you came in.” - -“I didn’t know what to do, so I came straight to you.” That was always -the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to a -lighthouse. - -“It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and -water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or should you -rather that I sent James off to bed?” - -“Oh, no, no! I want the doctor’s advice and help, too. It’s about Isa. -He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about him!” - -It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her husband’s -trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and school -companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words as we could find. -Did she know where her husband was? Was it possible that we could bring -him back to her? - -It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late he -had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the farthest -east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been confined to one -day, and he had come back, twitching and shattered, in the evening. But -now the spell had been upon him eight-and-forty hours, and he lay -there, doubtless among the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison -or sleeping off the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of -it, at the Bar of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? -How could she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place -and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? - -There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it. -Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second thought, -why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney’s medical adviser, and as -such I had influence over him. I could manage it better if I were -alone. I promised her on my word that I would send him home in a cab -within two hours if he were indeed at the address which she had given -me. And so in ten minutes I had left my armchair and cheery -sitting-room behind me, and was speeding eastward in a hansom on a -strange errand, as it seemed to me at the time, though the future only -could show how strange it was to be. - -But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my adventure. -Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the high wharves -which line the north side of the river to the east of London Bridge. -Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached by a steep flight of -steps leading down to a black gap like the mouth of a cave, I found the -den of which I was in search. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down -the steps, worn hollow in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken -feet; and by the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found -the latch and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with -the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the -forecastle of an emigrant ship. - -Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in -strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads thrown -back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a dark, -lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shadows -there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, now faint, as -the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the metal pipes. The -most lay silent, but some muttered to themselves, and others talked -together in a strange, low, monotonous voice, their conversation coming -in gushes, and then suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling -out his own thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his -neighbour. At the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, -beside which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old -man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his -knees, staring into the fire. - -As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe for -me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. - -“Thank you. I have not come to stay,” said I. “There is a friend of -mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him.” - -There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and peering -through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unkempt, staring -out at me. - -“My God! It’s Watson,” said he. He was in a pitiable state of reaction, -with every nerve in a twitter. “I say, Watson, what o’clock is it?” - -“Nearly eleven.” - -“Of what day?” - -“Of Friday, June 19th.” - -“Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What d’you -want to frighten a chap for?” He sank his face onto his arms and began -to sob in a high treble key. - -“I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting this two -days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!” - -“So I am. But you’ve got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a few -hours, three pipes, four pipes—I forget how many. But I’ll go home with -you. I wouldn’t frighten Kate—poor little Kate. Give me your hand! Have -you a cab?” - -“Yes, I have one waiting.” - -“Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I owe, -Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself.” - -I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sleepers, -holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying fumes of the drug, -and looking about for the manager. As I passed the tall man who sat by -the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my skirt, and a low voice -whispered, “Walk past me, and then look back at me.” The words fell -quite distinctly upon my ear. I glanced down. They could only have come -from the old man at my side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, -very thin, very wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down -from between his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude -from his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all -my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of -astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him but I. -His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull eyes had -regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and grinning at my -surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He made a slight motion -to me to approach him, and instantly, as he turned his face half round -to the company once more, subsided into a doddering, loose-lipped -senility. - -“Holmes!” I whispered, “what on earth are you doing in this den?” - -“As low as you can,” he answered; “I have excellent ears. If you would -have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of yours I -should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you.” - -“I have a cab outside.” - -“Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he -appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should recommend you -also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to say that you have -thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait outside, I shall be with -you in five minutes.” - -It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes’ requests, for they -were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with such a quiet -air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was once confined in -the cab my mission was practically accomplished; and for the rest, I -could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend in -one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his -existence. In a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney’s bill, -led him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a -very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and I -was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two streets he -shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Then, glancing -quickly round, he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit -of laughter. - -“I suppose, Watson,” said he, “that you imagine that I have added -opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little -weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical views.” - -“I was certainly surprised to find you there.” - -“But not more so than I to find you.” - -“I came to find a friend.” - -“And I to find an enemy.” - -“An enemy?” - -“Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural prey. -Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry, and I -have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent ramblings of these sots, as -I have done before now. Had I been recognised in that den my life would -not have been worth an hour’s purchase; for I have used it before now -for my own purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to -have vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that -building, near the corner of Paul’s Wharf, which could tell some -strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights.” - -“What! You do not mean bodies?” - -“Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had £ 1000 for every -poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It is the vilest -murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Neville St. Clair -has entered it never to leave it more. But our trap should be here.” He -put his two forefingers between his teeth and whistled shrilly—a signal -which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance, followed -shortly by the rattle of wheels and the clink of horses’ hoofs. - -“Now, Watson,” said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the -gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side -lanterns. “You’ll come with me, won’t you?” - -“If I can be of use.” - -“Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so. -My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one.” - -“The Cedars?” - -“Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair’s house. I am staying there while I conduct -the inquiry.” - -“Where is it, then?” - -“Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us.” - -“But I am all in the dark.” - -“Of course you are. You’ll know all about it presently. Jump up here. -All right, John; we shall not need you. Here’s half a crown. Look out -for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her head. So long, then!” - -He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the -endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which widened -gradually, until we were flying across a broad balustraded bridge, with -the murky river flowing sluggishly beneath us. Beyond lay another dull -wilderness of bricks and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, -regular footfall of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some -belated party of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the -sky, and a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts -of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his -breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat beside -him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which seemed to tax -his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in upon the current of -his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and were beginning to get to -the fringe of the belt of suburban villas, when he shook himself, -shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his pipe with the air of a man who -has satisfied himself that he is acting for the best. - -“You have a grand gift of silence, Watson,” said he. “It makes you -quite invaluable as a companion. ’Pon my word, it is a great thing for -me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are not -over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little -woman to-night when she meets me at the door.” - -“You forget that I know nothing about it.” - -“I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before we get -to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can get nothing to -go upon. There’s plenty of thread, no doubt, but I can’t get the end of -it into my hand. Now, I’ll state the case clearly and concisely to you, -Watson, and maybe you can see a spark where all is dark to me.” - -“Proceed, then.” - -“Some years ago—to be definite, in May, 1884—there came to Lee a -gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have plenty of -money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very nicely, and -lived generally in good style. By degrees he made friends in the -neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of a local brewer, -by whom he now has two children. He had no occupation, but was -interested in several companies and went into town as a rule in the -morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Street every night. Mr. St. -Clair is now thirty-seven years of age, is a man of temperate habits, a -good husband, a very affectionate father, and a man who is popular with -all who know him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, -as far as we have been able to ascertain, amount to £ 88 10_s_., while -he has £ 220 standing to his credit in the Capital and Counties Bank. -There is no reason, therefore, to think that money troubles have been -weighing upon his mind. - -“Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier than -usual, remarking before he started that he had two important -commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy home a -box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife received a telegram -upon this same Monday, very shortly after his departure, to the effect -that a small parcel of considerable value which she had been expecting -was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. -Now, if you are well up in your London, you will know that the office -of the company is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam -Lane, where you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, -started for the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company’s -office, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking -through Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed -me so far?” - -“It is very clear.” - -“If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Clair -walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, as she did -not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. While she was -walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly heard an -ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her husband looking down -at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to her from a second-floor -window. The window was open, and she distinctly saw his face, which she -describes as being terribly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to -her, and then vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to -her that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from -behind. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that -although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town in, he -had on neither collar nor necktie. - -“Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the -steps—for the house was none other than the opium den in which you -found me to-night—and running through the front room she attempted to -ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the foot of the -stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of whom I have spoken, -who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who acts as assistant there, -pushed her out into the street. Filled with the most maddening doubts -and fears, she rushed down the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in -Fresno Street a number of constables with an inspector, all on their -way to their beat. The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and -in spite of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their -way to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no -sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was no one -to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, it seems, -made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly swore that no one -else had been in the front room during the afternoon. So determined was -their denial that the inspector was staggered, and had almost come to -believe that Mrs. St. Clair had been deluded when, with a cry, she -sprang at a small deal box which lay upon the table and tore the lid -from it. Out there fell a cascade of children’s bricks. It was the toy -which he had promised to bring home. - -“This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple showed, -made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. The rooms were -carefully examined, and results all pointed to an abominable crime. The -front room was plainly furnished as a sitting-room and led into a small -bedroom, which looked out upon the back of one of the wharves. Between -the wharf and the bedroom window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low -tide but is covered at high tide with at least four and a half feet of -water. The bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On -examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and -several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the -bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were all the -clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his coat. His -boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch—all were there. There were no -signs of violence upon any of these garments, and there were no other -traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently -have gone for no other exit could be discovered, and the ominous -bloodstains upon the sill gave little promise that he could save -himself by swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment -of the tragedy. - -“And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately implicated in -the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the vilest antecedents, -but as, by Mrs. St. Clair’s story, he was known to have been at the -foot of the stair within a very few seconds of her husband’s appearance -at the window, he could hardly have been more than an accessory to the -crime. His defence was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that -he had no knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and -that he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing -gentleman’s clothes. - -“So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who lives -upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was certainly the last -human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Clair. His name is Hugh -Boone, and his hideous face is one which is familiar to every man who -goes much to the City. He is a professional beggar, though in order to -avoid the police regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax -vestas. Some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the -left-hand side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in -the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, -cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he is a -piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the greasy -leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have watched the -fellow more than once before ever I thought of making his professional -acquaintance, and I have been surprised at the harvest which he has -reaped in a short time. His appearance, you see, is so remarkable that -no one can pass him without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a -pale face disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has -turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a pair -of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular contrast to the -colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the common crowd of -mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he is ever ready with a reply -to any piece of chaff which may be thrown at him by the passers-by. -This is the man whom we now learn to have been the lodger at the opium -den, and to have been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are -in quest.” - -“But a cripple!” said I. “What could he have done single-handed against -a man in the prime of life?” - -“He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in other -respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Surely your -medical experience would tell you, Watson, that weakness in one limb is -often compensated for by exceptional strength in the others.” - -“Pray continue your narrative.” - -“Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the window, -and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her presence could -be of no help to them in their investigations. Inspector Barton, who -had charge of the case, made a very careful examination of the -premises, but without finding anything which threw any light upon the -matter. One mistake had been made in not arresting Boone instantly, as -he was allowed some few minutes during which he might have communicated -with his friend the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he -was seized and searched, without anything being found which could -incriminate him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his -right shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been -cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from there, -adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that the -stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the same -source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Neville St. Clair -and swore that the presence of the clothes in his room was as much a -mystery to him as to the police. As to Mrs. St. Clair’s assertion that -she had actually seen her husband at the window, he declared that she -must have been either mad or dreaming. He was removed, loudly -protesting, to the police-station, while the inspector remained upon -the premises in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh -clue. - -“And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had -feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair’s coat, and not Neville St. -Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And what do you think -they found in the pockets?” - -“I cannot imagine.” - -“No, I don’t think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with pennies -and half-pennies—421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was no wonder -that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a human body is a -different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the wharf and the -house. It seemed likely enough that the weighted coat had remained when -the stripped body had been sucked away into the river.” - -“But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the room. -Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?” - -“No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that -this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the window, there -is no human eye which could have seen the deed. What would he do then? -It would of course instantly strike him that he must get rid of the -tell-tale garments. He would seize the coat, then, and be in the act of -throwing it out, when it would occur to him that it would swim and not -sink. He has little time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when -the wife tried to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard -from his Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. -There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret hoard, -where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he stuffs all -the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the pockets to make sure -of the coat’s sinking. He throws it out, and would have done the same -with the other garments had not he heard the rush of steps below, and -only just had time to close the window when the police appeared.” - -“It certainly sounds feasible.” - -“Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a better. -Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the station, but -it could not be shown that there had ever before been anything against -him. He had for years been known as a professional beggar, but his life -appeared to have been a very quiet and innocent one. There the matter -stands at present, and the questions which have to be solved—what -Neville St. Clair was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when -there, where is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his -disappearance—are all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I -cannot recall any case within my experience which looked at the first -glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties.” - -While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of -events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great town -until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and we rattled -along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Just as he finished, -however, we drove through two scattered villages, where a few lights -still glimmered in the windows. - -“We are on the outskirts of Lee,” said my companion. “We have touched -on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Middlesex, -passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. See that light -among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that lamp sits a woman -whose anxious ears have already, I have little doubt, caught the clink -of our horse’s feet.” - -“But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?” I asked. - -“Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Mrs. St. -Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you may rest -assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for my friend and -colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have no news of her -husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!” - -We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its own -grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse’s head, and springing -down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding gravel-drive which led to -the house. As we approached, the door flew open, and a little blonde -woman stood in the opening, clad in some sort of light mousseline de -soie, with a touch of fluffy pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She -stood with her figure outlined against the flood of light, one hand -upon the door, one half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly -bent, her head and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a -standing question. - -“Well?” she cried, “well?” And then, seeing that there were two of us, -she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw that my -companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. - -“No good news?” - -“None.” - -“No bad?” - -“No.” - -“Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have had a -long day.” - -“This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to me in -several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it possible for me to -bring him out and associate him with this investigation.” - -“I am delighted to see you,” said she, pressing my hand warmly. “You -will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our -arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so suddenly -upon us.” - -“My dear madam,” said I, “I am an old campaigner, and if I were not I -can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of any -assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be indeed -happy.” - -“Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said the lady as we entered a well-lit -dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had been laid out, -“I should very much like to ask you one or two plain questions, to -which I beg that you will give a plain answer.” - -“Certainly, madam.” - -“Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given to -fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion.” - -“Upon what point?” - -“In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?” - -Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. “Frankly, -now!” she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking keenly down at -him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. - -“Frankly, then, madam, I do not.” - -“You think that he is dead?” - -“I do.” - -“Murdered?” - -“I don’t say that. Perhaps.” - -“And on what day did he meet his death?” - -“On Monday.” - -“Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it is -that I have received a letter from him to-day.” - -Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been galvanised. - -“What!” he roared. - -“Yes, to-day.” She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of paper in -the air. - -“May I see it?” - -“Certainly.” - -He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out upon the -table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had left my -chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The envelope was a very -coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend postmark and with the -date of that very day, or rather of the day before, for it was -considerably after midnight. - -“Coarse writing,” murmured Holmes. “Surely this is not your husband’s -writing, madam.” - -“No, but the enclosure is.” - -“I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and -inquire as to the address.” - -“How can you tell that?” - -“The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried itself. -The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that blotting-paper has -been used. If it had been written straight off, and then blotted, none -would be of a deep black shade. This man has written the name, and -there has then been a pause before he wrote the address, which can only -mean that he was not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but -there is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. -Ha! there has been an enclosure here!” - -“Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring.” - -“And you are sure that this is your husband’s hand?” - -“One of his hands.” - -“One?” - -“His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual writing, -and yet I know it well.” - -“‘Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a huge -error which it may take some little time to rectify. Wait in -patience.—NEVILLE.’ Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of a book, -octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Gravesend by a man -with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been gummed, if I am not very -much in error, by a person who had been chewing tobacco. And you have -no doubt that it is your husband’s hand, madam?” - -“None. Neville wrote those words.” - -“And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the -clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the danger is -over.” - -“But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes.” - -“Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. The -ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from him.” - -“No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!” - -“Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only -posted to-day.” - -“That is possible.” - -“If so, much may have happened between.” - -“Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is well -with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I should know if -evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him last he cut himself -in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rushed upstairs instantly -with the utmost certainty that something had happened. Do you think -that I would respond to such a trifle and yet be ignorant of his -death?” - -“I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be -more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner. And in -this letter you certainly have a very strong piece of evidence to -corroborate your view. But if your husband is alive and able to write -letters, why should he remain away from you?” - -“I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable.” - -“And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?” - -“No.” - -“And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?” - -“Very much so.” - -“Was the window open?” - -“Yes.” - -“Then he might have called to you?” - -“He might.” - -“He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?” - -“Yes.” - -“A call for help, you thought?” - -“Yes. He waved his hands.” - -“But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the -unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?” - -“It is possible.” - -“And you thought he was pulled back?” - -“He disappeared so suddenly.” - -“He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the room?” - -“No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the -Lascar was at the foot of the stairs.” - -“Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his ordinary -clothes on?” - -“But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare throat.” - -“Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?” - -“Never.” - -“Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?” - -“Never.” - -“Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about which -I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little supper and -then retire, for we may have a very busy day to-morrow.” - -A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our -disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary after -my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who, when he -had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for days, and even for -a week, without rest, turning it over, rearranging his facts, looking -at it from every point of view until he had either fathomed it or -convinced himself that his data were insufficient. It was soon evident -to me that he was now preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off -his coat and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then -wandered about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions -from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of -Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with an -ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of him. In -the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe -between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the -ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, silent, motionless, with -the light shining upon his strong-set aquiline features. So he sat as I -dropped off to sleep, and so he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me -to wake up, and I found the summer sun shining into the apartment. The -pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the -room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap -of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. - -“Awake, Watson?” he asked. - -“Yes.” - -“Game for a morning drive?” - -“Certainly.” - -“Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the stable-boy -sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out.” He chuckled to himself as -he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed a different man to the -sombre thinker of the previous night. - -As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was -stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly finished -when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was putting in the -horse. - -“I want to test a little theory of mine,” said he, pulling on his -boots. “I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of -one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from -here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the key of the affair now.” - -“And where is it?” I asked, smiling. - -“In the bathroom,” he answered. “Oh, yes, I am not joking,” he -continued, seeing my look of incredulity. “I have just been there, and -I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Gladstone bag. Come on, -my boy, and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock.” - -We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the -bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and trap, with the -half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sprang in, and away -we dashed down the London Road. A few country carts were stirring, -bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the lines of villas on -either side were as silent and lifeless as some city in a dream. - -“It has been in some points a singular case,” said Holmes, flicking the -horse on into a gallop. “I confess that I have been as blind as a mole, -but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all.” - -In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily from -their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey side. -Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the river, and -dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the right and found -ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well known to the force, -and the two constables at the door saluted him. One of them held the -horse’s head while the other led us in. - -“Who is on duty?” asked Holmes. - -“Inspector Bradstreet, sir.” - -“Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?” A tall, stout official had come down the -stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged jacket. “I wish to -have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet.” - -“Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here.” - -It was a small, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, -and a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his -desk. - -“What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?” - -“I called about that beggarman, Boone—the one who was charged with -being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee.” - -“Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries.” - -“So I heard. You have him here?” - -“In the cells.” - -“Is he quiet?” - -“Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel.” - -“Dirty?” - -“Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his face is -as black as a tinker’s. Well, when once his case has been settled, he -will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you saw him, you would -agree with me that he needed it.” - -“I should like to see him very much.” - -“Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave your -bag.” - -“No, I think that I’ll take it.” - -“Very good. Come this way, if you please.” He led us down a passage, -opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and brought us to a -whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each side. - -“The third on the right is his,” said the inspector. “Here it is!” He -quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and glanced -through. - -“He is asleep,” said he. “You can see him very well.” - -We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his face -towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and heavily. He was -a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his calling, with a -coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his tattered coat. He -was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which -covered his face could not conceal its repulsive ugliness. A broad -wheal from an old scar ran right across it from eye to chin, and by its -contraction had turned up one side of the upper lip, so that three -teeth were exposed in a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red -hair grew low over his eyes and forehead. - -“He’s a beauty, isn’t he?” said the inspector. - -“He certainly needs a wash,” remarked Holmes. “I had an idea that he -might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me.” He opened -the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my astonishment, a very -large bath-sponge. - -“He! he! You are a funny one,” chuckled the inspector. - -“Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very -quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable figure.” - -“Well, I don’t know why not,” said the inspector. “He doesn’t look a -credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?” He slipped his key into the -lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sleeper half -turned, and then settled down once more into a deep slumber. Holmes -stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and then rubbed it -twice vigorously across and down the prisoner’s face. - -“Let me introduce you,” he shouted, “to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Lee, -in the county of Kent.” - -Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man’s face peeled off -under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the coarse brown -tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had seamed it across, and -the twisted lip which had given the repulsive sneer to the face! A -twitch brought away the tangled red hair, and there, sitting up in his -bed, was a pale, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and -smooth-skinned, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy -bewilderment. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a -scream and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. - -“Great heavens!” cried the inspector, “it is, indeed, the missing man. -I know him from the photograph.” - -The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons himself -to his destiny. “Be it so,” said he. “And pray what am I charged with?” - -“With making away with Mr. Neville St.— Oh, come, you can’t be charged -with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of it,” said the -inspector with a grin. “Well, I have been twenty-seven years in the -force, but this really takes the cake.” - -“If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime has -been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally detained.” - -“No crime, but a very great error has been committed,” said Holmes. -“You would have done better to have trusted your wife.” - -“It was not the wife; it was the children,” groaned the prisoner. “God -help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My God! What an -exposure! What can I do?” - -Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him kindly -on the shoulder. - -“If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up,” said he, -“of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you -convince the police authorities that there is no possible case against -you, I do not know that there is any reason that the details should -find their way into the papers. Inspector Bradstreet would, I am sure, -make notes upon anything which you might tell us and submit it to the -proper authorities. The case would then never go into court at all.” - -“God bless you!” cried the prisoner passionately. “I would have endured -imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left my miserable -secret as a family blot to my children. - -“You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a -schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent education. -I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and finally became a -reporter on an evening paper in London. One day my editor wished to -have a series of articles upon begging in the metropolis, and I -volunteered to supply them. There was the point from which all my -adventures started. It was only by trying begging as an amateur that I -could get the facts upon which to base my articles. When an actor I -had, of course, learned all the secrets of making up, and had been -famous in the green-room for my skill. I took advantage now of my -attainments. I painted my face, and to make myself as pitiable as -possible I made a good scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by -the aid of a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head -of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business -part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a beggar. -For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned home in the -evening I found to my surprise that I had received no less than 26_s_. -4_d_. - -“I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, some -time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ served upon me -for £ 25. I was at my wit’s end where to get the money, but a sudden -idea came to me. I begged a fortnight’s grace from the creditor, asked -for a holiday from my employers, and spent the time in begging in the -City under my disguise. In ten days I had the money and had paid the -debt. - -“Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous work -at £ 2 a week when I knew that I could earn as much in a day by -smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the ground, and -sitting still. It was a long fight between my pride and the money, but -the dollars won at last, and I threw up reporting and sat day after day -in the corner which I had first chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly -face and filling my pockets with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. -He was the keeper of a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam -Lane, where I could every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the -evenings transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This -fellow, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew -that my secret was safe in his possession. - -“Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of money. -I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London could earn £ 700 -a year—which is less than my average takings—but I had exceptional -advantages in my power of making up, and also in a facility of -repartee, which improved by practice and made me quite a recognised -character in the City. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, -poured in upon me, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take -£ 2. - -“As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the country, -and eventually married, without anyone having a suspicion as to my real -occupation. My dear wife knew that I had business in the City. She -little knew what. - -“Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my room -above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to my -horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the street, with -her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of surprise, threw up my arms -to cover my face, and, rushing to my confidant, the Lascar, entreated -him to prevent anyone from coming up to me. I heard her voice -downstairs, but I knew that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off -my clothes, pulled on those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and -wig. Even a wife’s eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But -then it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and -that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening by -my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the -bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was weighted by the -coppers which I had just transferred to it from the leather bag in -which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the window, and it -disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes would have followed, but -at that moment there was a rush of constables up the stair, and a few -minutes after I found, rather, I confess, to my relief, that instead of -being identified as Mr. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his -murderer. - -“I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was -determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hence my -preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would be terribly -anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Lascar at a -moment when no constable was watching me, together with a hurried -scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fear.” - -“That note only reached her yesterday,” said Holmes. - -“Good God! What a week she must have spent!” - -“The police have watched this Lascar,” said Inspector Bradstreet, “and -I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to post a letter -unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor customer of his, who -forgot all about it for some days.” - -“That was it,” said Holmes, nodding approvingly; “I have no doubt of -it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?” - -“Many times; but what was a fine to me?” - -“It must stop here, however,” said Bradstreet. “If the police are to -hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone.” - -“I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take.” - -“In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps may be -taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I am sure, -Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for having cleared -the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your results.” - -“I reached this one,” said my friend, “by sitting upon five pillows and -consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if we drive to Baker -Street we shall just be in time for breakfast.” - - - - -VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE - - -I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning -after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of -the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a -pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled -morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch -was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and -disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in -several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair -suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the -purpose of examination. - -“You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.” - -“Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my -results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one”—he jerked his thumb in -the direction of the old hat—“but there are points in connection with -it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction.” - -I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his -crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were -thick with the ice crystals. “I suppose,” I remarked, “that, homely as -it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to it—that it is -the clue which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the -punishment of some crime.” - -“No, no. No crime,” said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. “Only one of those -whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million -human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square -miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, -every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and -many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and -bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of -such.” - -“So much so,” I remarked, “that of the last six cases which I have -added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime.” - -“Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers, -to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of -the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small -matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know Peterson, -the commissionaire?” - -“Yes.” - -“It is to him that this trophy belongs.” - -“It is his hat.” - -“No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look -upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual problem. -And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, -in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting -at this moment in front of Peterson’s fire. The facts are these: about -four o’clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a -very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification and was -making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he -saw, in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and -carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the -corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a -little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the man’s hat, on -which he raised his stick to defend himself and, swinging it over his -head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward -to protect the stranger from his assailants; but the man, shocked at -having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in -uniform rushing towards him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and -vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of -Tottenham Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of -Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and -also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a -most unimpeachable Christmas goose.” - -“Which surely he restored to their owner?” - -“My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that ‘For Mrs. -Henry Baker’ was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird’s -left leg, and it is also true that the initials ‘H. B.’ are legible -upon the lining of this hat, but as there are some thousands of Bakers, -and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this city of ours, it is not easy -to restore lost property to any one of them.” - -“What, then, did Peterson do?” - -“He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, -knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The -goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in -spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten -without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to -fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the -hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner.” - -“Did he not advertise?” - -“No.” - -“Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?” - -“Only as much as we can deduce.” - -“From his hat?” - -“Precisely.” - -“But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt?” - -“Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as -to the individuality of the man who has worn this article?” - -I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather -ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape, -hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of red silk, but -was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker’s name; but, as Holmes -had remarked, the initials “H. B.” were scrawled upon one side. It was -pierced in the brim for a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For -the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several -places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the -discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. - -“I can see nothing,” said I, handing it back to my friend. - -“On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to -reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your -inferences.” - -“Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?” - -He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective fashion -which was characteristic of him. “It is perhaps less suggestive than it -might have been,” he remarked, “and yet there are a few inferences -which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a -strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is -of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly -well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon -evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing -to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his -fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at -work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife -has ceased to love him.” - -“My dear Holmes!” - -“He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect,” he continued, -disregarding my remonstrance. “He is a man who leads a sedentary life, -goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has -grizzled hair which he has had cut within the last few days, and which -he anoints with lime-cream. These are the more patent facts which are -to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely -improbable that he has gas laid on in his house.” - -“You are certainly joking, Holmes.” - -“Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these -results, you are unable to see how they are attained?” - -“I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am -unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was -intellectual?” - -For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the -forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. “It is a question of -cubic capacity,” said he; “a man with so large a brain must have -something in it.” - -“The decline of his fortunes, then?” - -“This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came -in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of -ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy -so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no hat since, then he -has assuredly gone down in the world.” - -“Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and -the moral retrogression?” - -Sherlock Holmes laughed. “Here is the foresight,” said he putting his -finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. “They are -never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a -certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take this -precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the -elastic and has not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has -less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a -weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some -of these stains upon the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign -that he has not entirely lost his self-respect.” - -“Your reasoning is certainly plausible.” - -“The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, -that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lime-cream, are all to -be gathered from a close examination of the lower part of the lining. -The lens discloses a large number of hair-ends, clean cut by the -scissors of the barber. They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a -distinct odour of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the -gritty, grey dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, -showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the -marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wearer -perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the best of -training.” - -“But his wife—you said that she had ceased to love him.” - -“This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear -Watson, with a week’s accumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your -wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you also -have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife’s affection.” - -“But he might be a bachelor.” - -“Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wife. -Remember the card upon the bird’s leg.” - -“You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that -the gas is not laid on in his house?” - -“One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I see no -less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that the -individual must be brought into frequent contact with burning -tallow—walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in one hand and a -guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never got tallow-stains from -a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?” - -“Well, it is very ingenious,” said I, laughing; “but since, as you said -just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done save the -loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of energy.” - -Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew open, -and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with -flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment. - -“The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!” he gasped. - -“Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off through -the kitchen window?” Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get -a fairer view of the man’s excited face. - -“See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!” He held out his -hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly -scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of -such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric point in the -dark hollow of his hand. - -Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. “By Jove, Peterson!” said he, -“this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got?” - -“A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it were -putty.” - -“It’s more than a precious stone. It is _the_ precious stone.” - -“Not the Countess of Morcar’s blue carbuncle!” I ejaculated. - -“Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have -read the advertisement about it in _The Times_ every day lately. It is -absolutely unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but the -reward offered of £ 1000 is certainly not within a twentieth part of -the market price.” - -“A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!” The commissionaire plumped -down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. - -“That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are -sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the -Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recover the -gem.” - -“It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan,” I -remarked. - -“Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, a -plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady’s -jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has -been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the matter here, I -believe.” He rummaged amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates, -until at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and read the -following paragraph: - -“Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was -brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., abstracted -from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the valuable gem known as -the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his -evidence to the effect that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room -of the Countess of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he -might solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had -remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called -away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the -bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco casket in -which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was accustomed to keep -her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly -gave the alarm, and Horner was arrested the same evening; but the stone -could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine -Cusack, maid to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder’s cry of -dismay on discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, -where she found matters as described by the last witness. Inspector -Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who -struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in the strongest -terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given -against the prisoner, the magistrate refused to deal summarily with the -offence, but referred it to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of -intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion -and was carried out of court.” - -“Hum! So much for the police-court,” said Holmes thoughtfully, tossing -aside the paper. “The question for us now to solve is the sequence of -events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the crop of a -goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You see, Watson, our little -deductions have suddenly assumed a much more important and less -innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the stone came from the goose, and -the goose came 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 good stone is. They are the devil’s pet baits. In the larger and -older jewels every facet may stand for a bloody deed. This stone is not -yet twenty years old. It was found in the banks of the Amoy River in -southern China and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the -carbuncle, save that it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite -of its youth, it has already a sinister history. There have been two -murders, a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought -about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. -Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows -and the prison? I’ll lock it up in my strong box now and drop a line to -the Countess to say that we have it.” - -“Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?” - -“I cannot tell.” - -“Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had -anything to do with the matter?” - -“It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely -innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying was -of considerably more value than if it were made of solid gold. That, -however, I shall determine by a very simple test if we have an answer -to our advertisement.” - -“And you can do nothing until then?” - -“Nothing.” - -“In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall come -back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should like -to see the solution of so tangled a business.” - -“Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I believe. -By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs. -Hudson to examine its crop.” - -I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past six -when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the -house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a coat which was -buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bright semicircle which -was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I arrived the door was opened, -and we were shown up together to Holmes’ room. - -“Mr. Henry Baker, I believe,” said he, rising from his armchair and -greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he could so -readily assume. “Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker. It is a -cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for -summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have just come at the right -time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?” - -“Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat.” - -He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broad, -intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. A -touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended -hand, recalled Holmes’ surmise as to his habits. His rusty black -frock-coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up, -and his lank wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff -or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with -care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and -letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune. - -“We have retained these things for some days,” said Holmes, “because we -expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address. I am at -a loss to know now why you did not advertise.” - -Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. “Shillings have not been so -plentiful with me as they once were,” he remarked. “I had no doubt that -the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat and the -bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at -recovering them.” - -“Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eat -it.” - -“To eat it!” Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement. - -“Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. But I -presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the -same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally -well?” - -“Oh, certainly, certainly,” answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief. - -“Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your -own bird, so if you wish—” - -The man burst into a hearty laugh. “They might be useful to me as -relics of my adventure,” said he, “but beyond that I can hardly see -what use the _disjecta membra_ of my late acquaintance are going to be -to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I will confine my -attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard.” - -Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his -shoulders. - -“There is your hat, then, and there your bird,” said he. “By the way, -would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one from? I am -somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a better grown -goose.” - -“Certainly, sir,” said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly gained -property under his arm. “There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha -Inn, near the Museum—we are to be found in the Museum itself during the -day, you understand. This year our good host, Windigate by name, -instituted a goose club, by which, on consideration of some few pence -every week, we were each to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were -duly paid, and the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, -sir, for a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity.” -With a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and -strode off upon his way. - -“So much for Mr. Henry Baker,” said Holmes when he had closed the door -behind him. “It is quite certain that he knows nothing whatever about -the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?” - -“Not particularly.” - -“Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow up -this clue while it is still hot.” - -“By all means.” - -It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped cravats -about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in a -cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out into smoke -like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly as -we swung through the doctors’ quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, -and so through Wigmore Street into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an -hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small -public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into -Holborn. Holmes pushed open the door of the private bar and ordered two -glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. - -“Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese,” said -he. - -“My geese!” The man seemed surprised. - -“Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, who was -a member of your goose club.” - -“Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them’s not _our_ geese.” - -“Indeed! Whose, then?” - -“Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden.” - -“Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?” - -“Breckinridge is his name.” - -“Ah! I don’t know him. Well, here’s your good health landlord, and -prosperity to your house. Good-night.” - -“Now for Mr. Breckinridge,” he continued, buttoning up his coat as we -came out into the frosty air. “Remember, Watson that though we have so -homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have at the -other a man who will certainly get seven years’ penal servitude unless -we can establish his innocence. It is possible that our inquiry may but -confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have a line of investigation -which has been missed by the police, and which a singular chance has -placed in our hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to -the south, then, and quick march!” - -We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag -of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls bore the -name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor a horsey-looking man, -with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was helping a boy to put up -the shutters. - -“Good-evening. It’s a cold night,” said Holmes. - -The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion. - -“Sold out of geese, I see,” continued Holmes, pointing at the bare -slabs of marble. - -“Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning.” - -“That’s no good.” - -“Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare.” - -“Ah, but I was recommended to you.” - -“Who by?” - -“The landlord of the Alpha.” - -“Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen.” - -“Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?” - -To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the -salesman. - -“Now, then, mister,” said he, with his head cocked and his arms akimbo, -“what are you driving at? Let’s have it straight, now.” - -“It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese -which you supplied to the Alpha.” - -“Well then, I shan’t tell you. So now!” - -“Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don’t know why you should -be so warm over such a trifle.” - -“Warm! You’d be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. When I -pay good money for a good article there should be an end of the -business; but it’s ‘Where are the geese?’ and ‘Who did you sell the -geese to?’ and ‘What will you take for the geese?’ One would think they -were the only geese in the world, to hear the fuss that is made over -them.” - -“Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making -inquiries,” said Holmes carelessly. “If you won’t tell us the bet is -off, that is all. But I’m always ready to back my opinion on a matter -of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country -bred.” - -“Well, then, you’ve lost your fiver, for it’s town bred,” snapped the -salesman. - -“It’s nothing of the kind.” - -“I say it is.” - -“I don’t believe it.” - -“D’you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled them -ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that went to the -Alpha were town bred.” - -“You’ll never persuade me to believe that.” - -“Will you bet, then?” - -“It’s merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I’ll -have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate.” - -The salesman chuckled grimly. “Bring me the books, Bill,” said he. - -The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great -greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp. - -“Now then, Mr. Cocksure,” said the salesman, “I thought that I was out -of geese, but before I finish you’ll find that there is still one left -in my shop. You see this little book?” - -“Well?” - -“That’s the list of the folk from whom I buy. D’you see? Well, then, -here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers after their -names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Now, then! You -see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a list of my town -suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just read it out to me.” - -“Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road—249,” read Holmes. - -“Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger.” - -Holmes turned to the page indicated. “Here you are, ‘Mrs. Oakshott, -117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.’” - -“Now, then, what’s the last entry?” - -“‘December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7_s_. 6_d_.’” - -“Quite so. There you are. And underneath?” - -“‘Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12_s_.’” - -“What have you to say now?” - -Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his -pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a -man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he stopped -under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless fashion which -was peculiar to him. - -“When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the ‘Pink ’un’ -protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet,” said -he. “I daresay that if I had put £ 100 down in front of him, that man -would not have given me such complete information as was drawn from him -by the idea that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I -fancy, nearing the end of our quest, and the only point which remains -to be determined is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott -to-night, or whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear -from what that surly fellow said that there are others besides -ourselves who are anxious about the matter, and I should—” - -His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke out -from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a little -rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of yellow light -which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Breckinridge, the -salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shaking his fists -fiercely at the cringing figure. - -“I’ve had enough of you and your geese,” he shouted. “I wish you were -all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your -silly talk I’ll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oakshott here and -I’ll answer her, but what have you to do with it? Did I buy the geese -off you?” - -“No; but one of them was mine all the same,” whined the little man. - -“Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it.” - -“She told me to ask you.” - -“Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I’ve had enough -of it. Get out of this!” He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer -flitted away into the darkness. - -“Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road,” whispered Holmes. “Come -with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow.” Striding -through the scattered knots of people who lounged round the flaring -stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little man and touched him -upon the shoulder. He sprang round, and I could see in the gas-light -that every vestige of colour had been driven from his face. - -“Who are you, then? What do you want?” he asked in a quavering voice. - -“You will excuse me,” said Holmes blandly, “but I could not help -overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I -think that I could be of assistance to you.” - -“You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?” - -“My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other -people don’t know.” - -“But you can know nothing of this?” - -“Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to trace some -geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman -named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and -by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member.” - -“Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet,” cried the -little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. “I can -hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter.” - -Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. “In that case -we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wind-swept -market-place,” said he. “But pray tell me, before we go farther, who it -is that I have the pleasure of assisting.” - -The man hesitated for an instant. “My name is John Robinson,” he -answered with a sidelong glance. - -“No, no; the real name,” said Holmes sweetly. “It is always awkward -doing business with an alias.” - -A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. “Well then,” said -he, “my real name is James Ryder.” - -“Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray step into -the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you everything which you -would wish to know.” - -The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with -half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure whether he -is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped into -the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the sitting-room at Baker -Street. Nothing had been said during our drive, but the high, thin -breathing of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of -his hands, spoke of the nervous tension within him. - -“Here we are!” said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. “The -fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Mr. Ryder. -Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my slippers before we -settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! You want to know what -became of those geese?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which -you were interested—white, with a black bar across the tail.” - -Ryder quivered with emotion. “Oh, sir,” he cried, “can you tell me -where it went to?” - -“It came here.” - -“Here?” - -“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. I have it here -in my museum.” - -Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with his -right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the blue -carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, brilliant, -many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a drawn face, uncertain -whether to claim or to disown it. - -“The game’s up, Ryder,” said Holmes quietly. “Hold up, man, or you’ll -be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson. He’s not -got blood enough to go in for felony with impunity. Give him a dash of -brandy. So! Now he looks a little more human. What a shrimp it is, to -be sure!” - -For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy brought -a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring with frightened -eyes at his accuser. - -“I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I could -possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Still, that -little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete. You had -heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Countess of Morcar’s?” - -“It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it,” said he in a crackling -voice. - -“I see—her ladyship’s waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sudden -wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has been for -better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in the means -you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the making of a very -pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Horner, the plumber, had -been concerned in some such matter before, and that suspicion would -rest the more readily upon him. What did you do, then? You made some -small job in my lady’s room—you and your confederate Cusack—and you -managed that he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you -rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man -arrested. You then—” - -Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my -companion’s knees. “For God’s sake, have mercy!” he shrieked. “Think of -my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I never went -wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I’ll swear it on a Bible. -Oh, don’t bring it into court! For Christ’s sake, don’t!” - -“Get back into your chair!” said Holmes sternly. “It is very well to -cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this poor Horner -in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing.” - -“I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the charge -against him will break down.” - -“Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of -the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the goose -into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies your only hope -of safety.” - -Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. “I will tell you it just -as it happened, sir,” said he. “When Horner had been arrested, it -seemed to me that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at -once, for I did not know at what moment the police might not take it -into their heads to search me and my room. There was no place about the -hotel where it would be safe. I went out, as if on some commission, and -I made for my sister’s house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and -lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the -way there every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a -detective; and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring -down my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me what -was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I had been -upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went into the back yard -and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be best to do. - -“I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and has just -been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me, and fell -into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they could get rid of what -they stole. I knew that he would be true to me, for I knew one or two -things about him; so I made up my mind to go right on to Kilburn, where -he lived, and take him into my confidence. He would show me how to turn -the stone into money. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the -agonies I had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any -moment be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my -waistcoat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and -looking at the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and -suddenly an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the -best detective that ever lived. - -“My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the pick of -her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was always as -good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in it I would carry my -stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the yard, and behind this -I drove one of the birds—a fine big one, white, with a barred tail. I -caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust the stone down its throat -as far as my finger could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the -stone pass along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature -flapped and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the -matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fluttered -off among the others. - -“‘Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?’ says she. - -“‘Well,’ said I, ‘you said you’d give me one for Christmas, and I was -feeling which was the fattest.’ - -“‘Oh,’ says she, ‘we’ve set yours aside for you—Jem’s bird, we call it. -It’s the big white one over yonder. There’s twenty-six of them, which -makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen for the market.’ - -“‘Thank you, Maggie,’ says I; ‘but if it is all the same to you, I’d -rather have that one I was handling just now.’ - -“‘The other is a good three pound heavier,’ said she, ‘and we fattened -it expressly for you.’ - -“‘Never mind. I’ll have the other, and I’ll take it now,’ said I. - -“‘Oh, just as you like,’ said she, a little huffed. ‘Which is it you -want, then?’ - -“‘That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the -flock.’ - -“‘Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.’ - -“Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird all the -way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was a man that it -was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed until he choked, and -we got a knife and opened the goose. My heart turned to water, for -there was no sign of the stone, and I knew that some terrible mistake -had occurred. I left the bird, rushed back to my sister’s, and hurried -into the back yard. There was not a bird to be seen there. - -“‘Where are they all, Maggie?’ I cried. - -“‘Gone to the dealer’s, Jem.’ - -“‘Which dealer’s?’ - -“‘Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.’ - -“‘But was there another with a barred tail?’ I asked, ‘the same as the -one I chose?’ - -“‘Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never tell -them apart.’ - -“Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my feet -would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at -once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had gone. You -heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always answered me like -that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sometimes I think that I am -myself. And now—and now I am myself a branded thief, without ever -having touched the wealth for which I sold my character. God help me! -God help me!” He burst into convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in -his hands. - -There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and by the -measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes’ finger-tips upon the edge of the -table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. - -“Get out!” said he. - -“What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!” - -“No more words. Get out!” - -And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the -stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running footfalls -from the street. - -“After all, Watson,” said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay -pipe, “I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies. If -Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this fellow will -not appear against him, and the case must collapse. I suppose that I am -commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. -This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened. -Send him to gaol now, and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, -it is the season of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most -singular and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If -you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin -another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief -feature.” - - - - -VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND - - -On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have -during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock -Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, -but none commonplace; for, working as he did rather for the love of his -art than for the acquirement of wealth, he refused to associate himself -with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even -the fantastic. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any -which presented more singular features than that which was associated -with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The -events in question occurred in the early days of my association with -Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in Baker Street. It is -possible that I might have placed them upon record before, but a -promise of secrecy was made at the time, from which I have only been -freed during the last month by the untimely death of the lady to whom -the pledge was given. It is perhaps as well that the facts should now -come to light, for I have reasons to know that there are widespread -rumours as to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the -matter even more terrible than the truth. - -It was early in April in the year ’83 that I woke one morning to find -Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bed. He was -a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me -that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some -surprise, and perhaps just a little resentment, for I was myself -regular in my habits. - -“Very sorry to knock you up, Watson,” said he, “but it’s the common lot -this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, -and I on you.” - -“What is it, then—a fire?” - -“No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a considerable -state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is waiting now in -the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander about the metropolis at -this hour of the morning, and knock sleepy people up out of their beds, -I presume that it is something very pressing which they have to -communicate. Should it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am -sure, wish to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I -should call you and give you the chance.” - -“My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything.” - -I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his professional -investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as -intuitions, and yet always founded on a logical basis with which he -unravelled the problems which were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on -my clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my friend down -to the sitting-room. A lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who -had been sitting in the window, rose as we entered. - -“Good-morning, madam,” said Holmes cheerily. “My name is Sherlock -Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before -whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am glad to see -that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire. Pray draw up -to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for I observe that -you are shivering.” - -“It is not cold which makes me shiver,” said the woman in a low voice, -changing her seat as requested. - -“What, then?” - -“It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror.” She raised her veil as she -spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of -agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes, -like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of -a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature grey, and her -expression was weary and haggard. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one -of his quick, all-comprehensive glances. - -“You must not fear,” said he soothingly, bending forward and patting -her forearm. “We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt. You -have come in by train this morning, I see.” - -“You know me, then?” - -“No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of -your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a good -drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the -station.” - -The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my -companion. - -“There is no mystery, my dear madam,” said he, smiling. “The left arm -of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven places. The -marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dog-cart which -throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left-hand -side of the driver.” - -“Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct,” said she. “I -started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at twenty past, and -came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I can stand this strain no -longer; I shall go mad if it continues. I have no one to turn to—none, -save only one, who cares for me, and he, poor fellow, can be of little -aid. I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. -Farintosh, whom you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from -her that I had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could -help me, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense -darkness which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward -you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be married, -with the control of my own income, and then at least you shall not find -me ungrateful.” - -Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small -case-book, which he consulted. - -“Farintosh,” said he. “Ah yes, I recall the case; it was concerned with -an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Watson. I can only say, -madam, that I shall be happy to devote the same care to your case as I -did to that of your friend. As to reward, my profession is its own -reward; but you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put -to, at the time which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay -before us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the -matter.” - -“Alas!” replied our visitor, “the very horror of my situation lies in -the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions depend so -entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to another, that -even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and -advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a -nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can read it from his soothing -answers and averted eyes. But I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can -see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart. You may -advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me.” - -“I am all attention, madam.” - -“My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who is -the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in England, the -Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Surrey.” - -Holmes nodded his head. “The name is familiar to me,” said he. - -“The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the -estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and -Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four successive -heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and the family ruin -was eventually completed by a gambler in the days of the Regency. -Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and the -two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under a heavy -mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence there, living the -horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but his only son, my -stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the new conditions, -obtained an advance from a relative, which enabled him to take a -medical degree and went out to Calcutta, where, by his professional -skill and his force of character, he established a large practice. In a -fit of anger, however, caused by some robberies which had been -perpetrated in the house, he beat his native butler to death and -narrowly escaped a capital sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term -of imprisonment and afterwards returned to England a morose and -disappointed man. - -“When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the -young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. My sister -Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old at the time of -my mother’s re-marriage. She had a considerable sum of money—not less -than £ 1000 a year—and this she bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely -while we resided with him, with a provision that a certain annual sum -should be allowed to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly -after our return to England my mother died—she was killed eight years -ago in a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his -attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to live -with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The money which my -mother had left was enough for all our wants, and there seemed to be no -obstacle to our happiness. - -“But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. -Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our neighbours, -who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Stoke Moran back in -the old family seat, he shut himself up in his house and seldom came -out save to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his -path. Violence of temper approaching to mania has been hereditary in -the men of the family, and in my stepfather’s case it had, I believe, -been intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of -disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the police-court, -until at last he became the terror of the village, and the folks would -fly at his approach, for he is a man of immense strength, and -absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. - -“Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream, -and it was only by paying over all the money which I could gather -together that I was able to avert another public exposure. He had no -friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and he would give these -vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few acres of bramble-covered land -which represent the family estate, and would accept in return the -hospitality of their tents, wandering away with them sometimes for -weeks on end. He has a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent -over to him by a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and -a baboon, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the -villagers almost as much as their master. - -“You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had no -great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with us, and for a -long time we did all the work of the house. She was but thirty at the -time of her death, and yet her hair had already begun to whiten, even -as mine has.” - -“Your sister is dead, then?” - -“She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish to -speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I have -described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own age and -position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother’s maiden sister, Miss -Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we were occasionally -allowed to pay short visits at this lady’s house. Julia went there at -Christmas two years ago, and met there a half-pay major of marines, to -whom she became engaged. My stepfather learned of the engagement when -my sister returned and offered no objection to the marriage; but within -a fortnight of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the -terrible event occurred which has deprived me of my only companion.” - -Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed -and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his lids now and -glanced across at his visitor. - -“Pray be precise as to details,” said he. - -“It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful time is -seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have already said, very -old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The bedrooms in this wing are -on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms being in the central block of -the buildings. Of these bedrooms the first is Dr. Roylott’s, the second -my sister’s, and the third my own. There is no communication between -them, but they all open out into the same corridor. Do I make myself -plain?” - -“Perfectly so.” - -“The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fatal -night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we knew that he -had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled by the smell of the -strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to smoke. She left her -room, therefore, and came into mine, where she sat for some time, -chatting about her approaching wedding. At eleven o’clock she rose to -leave me, but she paused at the door and looked back. - -“‘Tell me, Helen,’ said she, ‘have you ever heard anyone whistle in the -dead of the night?’ - -“‘Never,’ said I. - -“‘I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in your -sleep?’ - -“‘Certainly not. But why?’ - -“‘Because during the last few nights I have always, about three in the -morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and it has -awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from—perhaps from the next -room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would just ask you -whether you had heard it.’ - -“‘No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the plantation.’ - -“‘Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you did -not hear it also.’ - -“‘Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.’ - -“‘Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.’ She smiled back at -me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her key turn in the -lock.” - -“Indeed,” said Holmes. “Was it your custom always to lock yourselves in -at night?” - -“Always.” - -“And why?” - -“I think that I mentioned to you that the Doctor kept a cheetah and a -baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were locked.” - -“Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement.” - -“I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending misfortune -impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, were twins, and you -know how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely -allied. It was a wild night. The wind was howling outside, and the rain -was beating and splashing against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the -hubbub of the gale, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified -woman. I knew that it was my sister’s voice. I sprang from my bed, -wrapped a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my -door I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a -few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fallen. -As I ran down the passage, my sister’s door was unlocked, and revolved -slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it horror-stricken, not knowing -what was about to issue from it. By the light of the corridor-lamp I -saw my sister appear at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her -hands groping for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that -of a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that -moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. She -writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dreadfully -convulsed. At first I thought that she had not recognised me, but as I -bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in a voice which I shall never -forget, ‘Oh, my God! Helen! It was the band! The speckled band!’ There -was something else which she would fain have said, and she stabbed with -her finger into the air in the direction of the Doctor’s room, but a -fresh convulsion seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling -loudly for my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his -dressing-gown. When he reached my sister’s side she was unconscious, -and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent for medical aid -from the village, all efforts were in vain, for she slowly sank and -died without having recovered her consciousness. Such was the dreadful -end of my beloved sister.” - -“One moment,” said Holmes, “are you sure about this whistle and -metallic sound? Could you swear to it?” - -“That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is my -strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the gale -and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have been deceived.” - -“Was your sister dressed?” - -“No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the -charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box.” - -“Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the -alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the -coroner come to?” - -“He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott’s conduct -had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable to find any -satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the door had been -fastened upon the inner side, and the windows were blocked by -old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, which were secured every -night. The walls were carefully sounded, and were shown to be quite -solid all round, and the flooring was also thoroughly examined, with -the same result. The chimney is wide, but is barred up by four large -staples. It is certain, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when -she met her end. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon -her.” - -“How about poison?” - -“The doctors examined her for it, but without success.” - -“What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?” - -“It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, though -what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine.” - -“Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?” - -“Yes, there are nearly always some there.” - -“Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band—a speckled -band?” - -“Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of delirium, -sometimes that it may have referred to some band of people, perhaps to -these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not know whether the spotted -handkerchiefs which so many of them wear over their heads might have -suggested the strange adjective which she used.” - -Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. - -“These are very deep waters,” said he; “pray go on with your -narrative.” - -“Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until lately -lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, whom I have -known for many years, has done me the honour to ask my hand in -marriage. His name is Armitage—Percy Armitage—the second son of Mr. -Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My stepfather has offered no -opposition to the match, and we are to be married in the course of the -spring. Two days ago some repairs were started in the west wing of the -building, and my bedroom wall has been pierced, so that I have had to -move into the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very -bed in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last -night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I suddenly -heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had been the -herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the lamp, but nothing was -to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to go to bed again, however, -so I dressed, and as soon as it was daylight I slipped down, got a -dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, -from whence I have come on this morning with the one object of seeing -you and asking your advice.” - -“You have done wisely,” said my friend. “But have you told me all?” - -“Yes, all.” - -“Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather.” - -“Why, what do you mean?” - -For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fringed the -hand that lay upon our visitor’s knee. Five little livid spots, the -marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon the white wrist. - -“You have been cruelly used,” said Holmes. - -The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. “He is a -hard man,” she said, “and perhaps he hardly knows his own strength.” - -There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin upon his -hands and stared into the crackling fire. - -“This is a very deep business,” he said at last. “There are a thousand -details which I should desire to know before I decide upon our course -of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If we were to come to -Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for us to see over these rooms -without the knowledge of your stepfather?” - -“As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some most -important business. It is probable that he will be away all day, and -that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a housekeeper now, -but she is old and foolish, and I could easily get her out of the way.” - -“Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?” - -“By no means.” - -“Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?” - -“I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am in -town. But I shall return by the twelve o’clock train, so as to be there -in time for your coming.” - -“And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some small -business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and breakfast?” - -“No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have confided my -trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you again this -afternoon.” She dropped her thick black veil over her face and glided -from the room. - -“And what do you think of it all, Watson?” asked Sherlock Holmes, -leaning back in his chair. - -“It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business.” - -“Dark enough and sinister enough.” - -“Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls are -sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, then her -sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her mysterious -end.” - -“What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the very -peculiar words of the dying woman?” - -“I cannot think.” - -“When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of a -band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the -fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has an -interest in preventing his stepdaughter’s marriage, the dying allusion -to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner heard a -metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of those metal bars -that secured the shutters falling back into its place, I think that -there is good ground to think that the mystery may be cleared along -those lines.” - -“But what, then, did the gipsies do?” - -“I cannot imagine.” - -“I see many objections to any such theory.” - -“And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to -Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are fatal, -or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the devil!” - -The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that our -door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had framed -himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar mixture of the -professional and of the agricultural, having a black top-hat, a long -frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, with a hunting-crop swinging in -his hand. So tall was he that his hat actually brushed the cross bar of -the doorway, and his breadth seemed to span it across from side to -side. A large face, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with -the sun, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the -other of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, -fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bird -of prey. - -“Which of you is Holmes?” asked this apparition. - -“My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me,” said my companion -quietly. - -“I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran.” - -“Indeed, Doctor,” said Holmes blandly. “Pray take a seat.” - -“I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I have -traced her. What has she been saying to you?” - -“It is a little cold for the time of the year,” said Holmes. - -“What has she been saying to you?” screamed the old man furiously. - -“But I have heard that the crocuses promise well,” continued my -companion imperturbably. - -“Ha! You put me off, do you?” said our new visitor, taking a step -forward and shaking his hunting-crop. “I know you, you scoundrel! I -have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler.” - -My friend smiled. - -“Holmes, the busybody!” - -His smile broadened. - -“Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!” - -Holmes chuckled heartily. “Your conversation is most entertaining,” -said he. “When you go out close the door, for there is a decided -draught.” - -“I will go when I have had my say. Don’t you dare to meddle with my -affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I am a -dangerous man to fall foul of! See here.” He stepped swiftly forward, -seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands. - -“See that you keep yourself out of my grip,” he snarled, and hurling -the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room. - -“He seems a very amiable person,” said Holmes, laughing. “I am not -quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him that my -grip was not much more feeble than his own.” As he spoke he picked up -the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, straightened it out again. - -“Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official -detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, -however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from -her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Watson, we -shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk down to Doctors’ -Commons, where I hope to get some data which may help us in this -matter.” - -It was nearly one o’clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his -excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled over -with notes and figures. - -“I have seen the will of the deceased wife,” said he. “To determine its -exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the present prices of the -investments with which it is concerned. The total income, which at the -time of the wife’s death was little short of £ 1,100, is now, through -the fall in agricultural prices, not more than £ 750. Each daughter can -claim an income of £ 250, in case of marriage. It is evident, -therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have had a -mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to a very -serious extent. My morning’s work has not been wasted, since it has -proved that he has the very strongest motives for standing in the way -of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, this is too serious for -dawdling, especially as the old man is aware that we are interesting -ourselves in his affairs; so if you are ready, we shall call a cab and -drive to Waterloo. I should be very much obliged if you would slip your -revolver into your pocket. An Eley’s No. 2 is an excellent argument -with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a -tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need.” - -At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Leatherhead, -where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove for four or five -miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a perfect day, with a -bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens. The trees and -wayside hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots, and the -air was full of the pleasant smell of the moist earth. To me at least -there was a strange contrast between the sweet promise of the spring -and this sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in -the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over his -eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the deepest thought. -Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the shoulder, and pointed -over the meadows. - -“Look there!” said he. - -A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thickening into -a grove at the highest point. From amid the branches there jutted out -the grey gables and high roof-tree of a very old mansion. - -“Stoke Moran?” said he. - -“Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott,” remarked the -driver. - -“There is some building going on there,” said Holmes; “that is where we -are going.” - -“There’s the village,” said the driver, pointing to a cluster of roofs -some distance to the left; “but if you want to get to the house, you’ll -find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the footpath over the -fields. There it is, where the lady is walking.” - -“And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner,” observed Holmes, shading his -eyes. “Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest.” - -We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to -Leatherhead. - -“I thought it as well,” said Holmes as we climbed the stile, “that this -fellow should think we had come here as architects, or on some definite -business. It may stop his gossip. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see -that we have been as good as our word.” - -Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a face -which spoke her joy. “I have been waiting so eagerly for you,” she -cried, shaking hands with us warmly. “All has turned out splendidly. -Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that he will be back -before evening.” - -“We have had the pleasure of making the Doctor’s acquaintance,” said -Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred. Miss -Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. - -“Good heavens!” she cried, “he has followed me, then.” - -“So it appears.” - -“He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will -he say when he returns?” - -“He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone more -cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself up from him -to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your aunt’s at -Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our time, so kindly take us -at once to the rooms which we are to examine.” - -The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high central -portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thrown out on -each side. In one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked -with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved in, a picture of -ruin. The central portion was in little better repair, but the -right-hand block was comparatively modern, and the blinds in the -windows, with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys, showed that -this was where the family resided. Some scaffolding had been erected -against the end wall, and the stone-work had been broken into, but -there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes -walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep -attention the outsides of the windows. - -“This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the -centre one to your sister’s, and the one next to the main building to -Dr. Roylott’s chamber?” - -“Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one.” - -“Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does not -seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall.” - -“There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my -room.” - -“Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wing -runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There are windows -in it, of course?” - -“Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass through.” - -“As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unapproachable -from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room -and bar your shutters?” - -Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination through the -open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shutter open, but -without success. There was no slit through which a knife could be -passed to raise the bar. Then with his lens he tested the hinges, but -they were of solid iron, built firmly into the massive masonry. “Hum!” -said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity, “my theory certainly -presents some difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they -were bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the -matter.” - -A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the -three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so -we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Stoner was now -sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fate. It was a -homely little room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace, after -the fashion of old country-houses. A brown chest of drawers stood in -one corner, a narrow white-counterpaned bed in another, and a -dressing-table on the left-hand side of the window. These articles, -with two small wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the -room save for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round -and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old -and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of -the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent, -while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, taking in -every detail of the apartment. - -“Where does that bell communicate with?” he asked at last pointing to a -thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually -lying upon the pillow. - -“It goes to the housekeeper’s room.” - -“It looks newer than the other things?” - -“Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago.” - -“Your sister asked for it, I suppose?” - -“No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we -wanted for ourselves.” - -“Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. You -will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this -floor.” He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his hand -and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining minutely the cracks -between the boards. Then he did the same with the wood-work with which -the chamber was panelled. Finally he walked over to the bed and spent -some time in staring at it and in running his eye up and down the wall. -Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. - -“Why, it’s a dummy,” said he. - -“Won’t it ring?” - -“No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. You -can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little -opening for the ventilator is.” - -“How very absurd! I never noticed that before.” - -“Very strange!” muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. “There are one or -two very singular points about this room. For example, what a fool a -builder must be to open a ventilator into another room, when, with the -same trouble, he might have communicated with the outside air!” - -“That is also quite modern,” said the lady. - -“Done about the same time as the bell-rope?” remarked Holmes. - -“Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that time.” - -“They seem to have been of a most interesting character—dummy -bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your -permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the -inner apartment.” - -Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s chamber was larger than that of his -step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small wooden -shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an armchair -beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a round table, -and a large iron safe were the principal things which met the eye. -Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all of them with the -keenest interest. - -“What’s in here?” he asked, tapping the safe. - -“My stepfather’s business papers.” - -“Oh! you have seen inside, then?” - -“Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of papers.” - -“There isn’t a cat in it, for example?” - -“No. What a strange idea!” - -“Well, look at this!” He took up a small saucer of milk which stood on -the top of it. - -“No; we don’t keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon.” - -“Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a -saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I daresay. -There is one point which I should wish to determine.” He squatted down -in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of it with the -greatest attention. - -“Thank you. That is quite settled,” said he, rising and putting his -lens in his pocket. “Hullo! Here is something interesting!” - -The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on one -corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and tied -so as to make a loop of whipcord. - -“What do you make of that, Watson?” - -“It’s a common enough lash. But I don’t know why it should be tied.” - -“That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it’s a wicked world, and -when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of all. I -think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and with your -permission we shall walk out upon the lawn.” - -I had never seen my friend’s face so grim or his brow so dark as it was -when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had walked -several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Stoner nor myself -liking to break in upon his thoughts before he roused himself from his -reverie. - -“It is very essential, Miss Stoner,” said he, “that you should -absolutely follow my advice in every respect.” - -“I shall most certainly do so.” - -“The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may depend -upon your compliance.” - -“I assure you that I am in your hands.” - -“In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in your -room.” - -Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. - -“Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the village -inn over there?” - -“Yes, that is the Crown.” - -“Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?” - -“Certainly.” - -“You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a headache, -when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him retire for the -night, you must open the shutters of your window, undo the hasp, put -your lamp there as a signal to us, and then withdraw quietly with -everything which you are likely to want into the room which you used to -occupy. I have no doubt that, in spite of the repairs, you could manage -there for one night.” - -“Oh, yes, easily.” - -“The rest you will leave in our hands.” - -“But what will you do?” - -“We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the -cause of this noise which has disturbed you.” - -“I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind,” said -Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion’s sleeve. - -“Perhaps I have.” - -“Then, for pity’s sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister’s -death.” - -“I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak.” - -“You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and if she -died from some sudden fright.” - -“No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more -tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Dr. -Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Good-bye, and -be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, you may rest assured -that we shall soon drive away the dangers that threaten you.” - -Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and -sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and from -our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of the -inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Dr. Grimesby -Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the little figure -of the lad who drove him. The boy had some slight difficulty in undoing -the heavy iron gates, and we heard the hoarse roar of the Doctor’s -voice and saw the fury with which he shook his clinched fists at him. -The trap drove on, and a few minutes later we saw a sudden light spring -up among the trees as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. - -“Do you know, Watson,” said Holmes as we sat together in the gathering -darkness, “I have really some scruples as to taking you to-night. There -is a distinct element of danger.” - -“Can I be of assistance?” - -“Your presence might be invaluable.” - -“Then I shall certainly come.” - -“It is very kind of you.” - -“You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms than -was visible to me.” - -“No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that -you saw all that I did.” - -“I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that -could answer I confess is more than I can imagine.” - -“You saw the ventilator, too?” - -“Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to have a -small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rat could -hardly pass through.” - -“I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Stoke -Moran.” - -“My dear Holmes!” - -“Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her sister -could smell Dr. Roylott’s cigar. Now, of course that suggested at once -that there must be a communication between the two rooms. It could only -be a small one, or it would have been remarked upon at the coroner’s -inquiry. I deduced a ventilator.” - -“But what harm can there be in that?” - -“Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ventilator -is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the bed dies. Does -not that strike you?” - -“I cannot as yet see any connection.” - -“Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?” - -“No.” - -“It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened like that -before?” - -“I cannot say that I have.” - -“The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same -relative position to the ventilator and to the rope—or so we may call -it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull.” - -“Holmes,” I cried, “I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. We are -only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime.” - -“Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he is -the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Palmer and -Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. This man strikes -even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall be able to strike -deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough before the night is -over; for goodness’ sake let us have a quiet pipe and turn our minds -for a few hours to something more cheerful.” - -About nine o’clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and all -was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours passed slowly -away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of eleven, a single bright -light shone out right in front of us. - -“That is our signal,” said Holmes, springing to his feet; “it comes -from the middle window.” - -As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, explaining -that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and that it was -possible that we might spend the night there. A moment later we were -out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in our faces, and one yellow -light twinkling in front of us through the gloom to guide us on our -sombre errand. - -There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for unrepaired -breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way among the trees, we -reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to enter through the -window when out from a clump of laurel bushes there darted what seemed -to be a hideous and distorted child, who threw itself upon the grass -with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the -darkness. - -“My God!” I whispered; “did you see it?” - -Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like a vice -upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put -his lips to my ear. - -“It is a nice household,” he murmured. “That is the baboon.” - -I had forgotten the strange pets which the Doctor affected. There was a -cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at any -moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, after following -Holmes’ example and slipping off my shoes, I found myself inside the -bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the shutters, moved the lamp -onto the table, and cast his eyes round the room. All was as we had -seen it in the daytime. Then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of -his hand, he whispered into my ear again so gently that it was all that -I could do to distinguish the words: - -“The least sound would be fatal to our plans.” - -I nodded to show that I had heard. - -“We must sit without light. He would see it through the ventilator.” - -I nodded again. - -“Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pistol -ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the bed, and -you in that chair.” - -I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. - -Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the bed -beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the stump of a candle. -Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in darkness. - -How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a sound, -not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my companion sat -open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same state of nervous -tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut off the least ray of -light, and we waited in absolute darkness. - -From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at our -very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the cheetah -was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the deep tones of the -parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of an hour. How long they -seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one and two and three, and -still we sat waiting silently for whatever might befall. - -Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the direction -of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was succeeded by a -strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Someone in the next room -had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle sound of movement, and then -all was silent once more, though the smell grew stronger. For half an -hour I sat with straining ears. Then suddenly another sound became -audible—a very gentle, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of -steam escaping continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, -Holmes sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with -his cane at the bell-pull. - -“You see it, Watson?” he yelled. “You see it?” - -But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I heard a -low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my weary eyes -made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which my friend lashed -so savagely. I could, however, see that his face was deadly pale and -filled with horror and loathing. He had ceased to strike and was gazing -up at the ventilator when suddenly there broke from the silence of the -night the most horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled -up louder and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all -mingled in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the -village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the -sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I stood -gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it had died -away into the silence from which it rose. - -“What can it mean?” I gasped. - -“It means that it is all over,” Holmes answered. “And perhaps, after -all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will enter Dr. -Roylott’s room.” - -With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the corridor. -Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from within. Then -he turned the handle and entered, I at his heels, with the cocked -pistol in my hand. - -It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a -dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant beam of -light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Beside this -table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott clad in a long -grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding beneath, and his feet -thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Across his lap lay the short -stock with the long lash which we had noticed during the day. His chin -was cocked upward and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at -the corner of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow -band, with brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round -his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. - -“The band! the speckled band!” whispered Holmes. - -I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to -move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat -diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. - -“It is a swamp adder!” cried Holmes; “the deadliest snake in India. He -has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence does, in truth, -recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he -digs for another. Let us thrust this creature back into its den, and we -can then remove Miss Stoner to some place of shelter and let the county -police know what has happened.” - -As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man’s lap, and -throwing the noose round the reptile’s neck he drew it from its horrid -perch and, carrying it at arm’s length, threw it into the iron safe, -which he closed upon it. - -Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke -Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a narrative which has -already run to too great a length by telling how we broke the sad news -to the terrified girl, how we conveyed her by the morning train to the -care of her good aunt at Harrow, of how the slow process of official -inquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while -indiscreetly playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet -to learn of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled -back next day. - -“I had,” said he, “come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which -shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from -insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the word -‘band,’ which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to explain the -appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of by the light of -her match, were sufficient to put me upon an entirely wrong scent. I -can only claim the merit that I instantly reconsidered my position -when, however, it became clear to me that whatever danger threatened an -occupant of the room could not come either from the window or the door. -My attention was speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to -this ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The -discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the -floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as -a bridge for something passing through the hole and coming to the bed. -The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and when I coupled it -with my knowledge that the doctor was furnished with a supply of -creatures from India, I felt that I was probably on the right track. -The idea of using a form of poison which could not possibly be -discovered by any chemical test was just such a one as would occur to a -clever and ruthless man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity -with which such a poison would take effect would also, from his point -of view, be an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who -could distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where -the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the whistle. Of -course he must recall the snake before the morning light revealed it to -the victim. He had trained it, probably by the use of the milk which we -saw, to return to him when summoned. He would put it through this -ventilator at the hour that he thought best, with the certainty that it -would crawl down the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not -bite the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but -sooner or later she must fall a victim. - -“I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his room. An -inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of -standing on it, which of course would be necessary in order that he -should reach the ventilator. The sight of the safe, the saucer of milk, -and the loop of whipcord were enough to finally dispel any doubts which -may have remained. The metallic clang heard by Miss Stoner was -obviously caused by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe -upon its terrible occupant. Having once made up my mind, you know the -steps which I took in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the -creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit -the light and attacked it.” - -“With the result of driving it through the ventilator.” - -“And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the -other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and roused its -snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it saw. In this -way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott’s -death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my -conscience.” - - - - -IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER’S THUMB - - -Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. -Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, there -were only two which I was the means of introducing to his notice—that -of Mr. Hatherley’s thumb, and that of Colonel Warburton’s madness. Of -these the latter may have afforded a finer field for an acute and -original observer, but the other was so strange in its inception and so -dramatic in its details that it may be the more worthy of being placed -upon record, even if it gave my friend fewer openings for those -deductive methods of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable -results. The story has, I believe, been told more than once in the -newspapers, but, like all such narratives, its effect is much less -striking when set forth _en bloc_ in a single half-column of print than -when the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery -clears gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which -leads on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a -deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly served -to weaken the effect. - -It was in the summer of ’89, not long after my marriage, that the -events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to -civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Street -rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally even -persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and visit -us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I happened to live at no -very great distance from Paddington Station, I got a few patients from -among the officials. One of these, whom I had cured of a painful and -lingering disease, was never weary of advertising my virtues and of -endeavouring to send me on every sufferer over whom he might have any -influence. - -One morning, at a little before seven o’clock, I was awakened by the -maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come from -Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I dressed -hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases were seldom -trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my old ally, the -guard, came out of the room and closed the door tightly behind him. - -“I’ve got him here,” he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shoulder; -“he’s all right.” - -“What is it, then?” I asked, for his manner suggested that it was some -strange creature which he had caged up in my room. - -“It’s a new patient,” he whispered. “I thought I’d bring him round -myself; then he couldn’t slip away. There he is, all safe and sound. I -must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the same as you.” And off -he went, this trusty tout, without even giving me time to thank him. - -I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the table. -He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a soft cloth cap -which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his hands he had a -handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all over with bloodstains. He -was young, not more than five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, -masculine face; but he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression -of a man who was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took -all his strength of mind to control. - -“I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor,” said he, “but I have had -a very serious accident during the night. I came in by train this -morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I might find a -doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me here. I gave the maid a -card, but I see that she has left it upon the side-table.” - -I took it up and glanced at it. “Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic -engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor).” That was the name, style, -and abode of my morning visitor. “I regret that I have kept you -waiting,” said I, sitting down in my library-chair. “You are fresh from -a night journey, I understand, which is in itself a monotonous -occupation.” - -“Oh, my night could not be called monotonous,” said he, and laughed. He -laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, leaning back in his -chair and shaking his sides. All my medical instincts rose up against -that laugh. - -“Stop it!” I cried; “pull yourself together!” and I poured out some -water from a caraffe. - -It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical -outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis is -over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very weary and -pale-looking. - -“I have been making a fool of myself,” he gasped. - -“Not at all. Drink this.” I dashed some brandy into the water, and the -colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. - -“That’s better!” said he. “And now, Doctor, perhaps you would kindly -attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb used to be.” - -He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my -hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four protruding -fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the thumb should have -been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the roots. - -“Good heavens!” I cried, “this is a terrible injury. It must have bled -considerably.” - -“Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have -been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it was -still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very tightly round -the wrist and braced it up with a twig.” - -“Excellent! You should have been a surgeon.” - -“It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own -province.” - -“This has been done,” said I, examining the wound, “by a very heavy and -sharp instrument.” - -“A thing like a cleaver,” said he. - -“An accident, I presume?” - -“By no means.” - -“What! a murderous attack?” - -“Very murderous indeed.” - -“You horrify me.” - -I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered it -over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back without -wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. - -“How is that?” I asked when I had finished. - -“Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I was -very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through.” - -“Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently trying -to your nerves.” - -“Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; but, -between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing evidence of this -wound of mine, I should be surprised if they believed my statement, for -it is a very extraordinary one, and I have not much in the way of proof -with which to back it up; and, even if they believe me, the clues which -I can give them are so vague that it is a question whether justice will -be done.” - -“Ha!” cried I, “if it is anything in the nature of a problem which you -desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to come to my -friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the official police.” - -“Oh, I have heard of that fellow,” answered my visitor, “and I should -be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of course I must -use the official police as well. Would you give me an introduction to -him?” - -“I’ll do better. I’ll take you round to him myself.” - -“I should be immensely obliged to you.” - -“We’ll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to have a -little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?” - -“Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story.” - -“Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an -instant.” I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wife, -and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my new -acquaintance to Baker Street. - -Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sitting-room in -his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of _The Times_ and smoking -his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of all the plugs and -dottles left from his smokes of the day before, all carefully dried and -collected on the corner of the mantelpiece. He received us in his -quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us -in a hearty meal. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance -upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of -brandy and water within his reach. - -“It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Mr. -Hatherley,” said he. “Pray, lie down there and make yourself absolutely -at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tired and keep up -your strength with a little stimulant.” - -“Thank you,” said my patient, “but I have felt another man since the -doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has completed the -cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable time as possible, so I -shall start at once upon my peculiar experiences.” - -Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded expression -which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opposite to him, -and we listened in silence to the strange story which our visitor -detailed to us. - -“You must know,” said he, “that I am an orphan and a bachelor, residing -alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hydraulic engineer, -and I have had considerable experience of my work during the seven -years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Matheson, the well-known firm, -of Greenwich. Two years ago, having served my time, and having also -come into a fair sum of money through my poor father’s death, I -determined to start in business for myself and took professional -chambers in Victoria Street. - -“I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in business -a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. During two -years I have had three consultations and one small job, and that is -absolutely all that my profession has brought me. My gross takings -amount to £ 27 10_s_. Every day, from nine in the morning until four in -the afternoon, I waited in my little den, until at last my heart began -to sink, and I came to believe that I should never have any practice at -all. - -“Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the office, my -clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who wished to see me -upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the name of ‘Colonel -Lysander Stark’ engraved upon it. Close at his heels came the colonel -himself, a man rather over the middle size, but of an exceeding -thinness. I do not think that I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole -face sharpened away into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was -drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation -seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was -bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but -neatly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than -thirty. - -“‘Mr. Hatherley?’ said he, with something of a German accent. ‘You have -been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who is not only -proficient in his profession but is also discreet and capable of -preserving a secret.’ - -“I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an -address. ‘May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?’ - -“‘Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just at -this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan -and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.’ - -“‘That is quite correct,’ I answered; ‘but you will excuse me if I say -that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional -qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that -you wished to speak to me?’ - -“‘Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the -point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute secrecy -is quite essential—absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we -may expect that more from a man who is alone than from one who lives in -the bosom of his family.’ - -“‘If I promise to keep a secret,’ said I, ‘you may absolutely depend -upon my doing so.’ - -“He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had -never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. - -“‘Do you promise, then?’ said he at last. - -“‘Yes, I promise.’ - -“‘Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reference -to the matter at all, either in word or writing?’ - -“‘I have already given you my word.’ - -“‘Very good.’ He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning across -the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was empty. - -“‘That’s all right,’ said he, coming back. ‘I know that clerks are -sometimes curious as to their master’s affairs. Now we can talk in -safety.’ He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stare at -me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. - -“A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to -rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Even my -dread of losing a client could not restrain me from showing my -impatience. - -“‘I beg that you will state your business, sir,’ said I; ‘my time is of -value.’ Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the words came to -my lips. - -“‘How would fifty guineas for a night’s work suit you?’ he asked. - -“‘Most admirably.’ - -“‘I say a night’s work, but an hour’s would be nearer the mark. I -simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which has -got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon set it -right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as that?’ - -“‘The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.’ - -“‘Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last train.’ - -“‘Where to?’ - -“‘To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of -Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a train from -Paddington which would bring you there at about 11:15.’ - -“‘Very good.’ - -“‘I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.’ - -“‘There is a drive, then?’ - -“‘Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good seven -miles from Eyford Station.’ - -“‘Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there would -be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the night.’ - -“‘Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.’ - -“‘That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient hour?’ - -“‘We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to recompense -you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a young and -unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the very heads of -your profession. Still, of course, if you would like to draw out of the -business, there is plenty of time to do so.’ - -“I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they would be -to me. ‘Not at all,’ said I, ‘I shall be very happy to accommodate -myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to understand a little -more clearly what it is that you wish me to do.’ - -“‘Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which we have -exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have no wish to -commit you to anything without your having it all laid before you. I -suppose that we are absolutely safe from eavesdroppers?’ - -“‘Entirely.’ - -“‘Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that -fuller’s-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in one -or two places in England?’ - -“‘I have heard so.’ - -“‘Some little time ago I bought a small place—a very small place—within -ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to discover that there was -a deposit of fuller’s-earth in one of my fields. On examining it, -however, I found that this deposit was a comparatively small one, and -that it formed a link between two very much larger ones upon the right -and left—both of them, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These -good people were absolutely ignorant that their land contained that -which was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my -interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, but -unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I took a few -of my friends into the secret, however, and they suggested that we -should quietly and secretly work our own little deposit and that in -this way we should earn the money which would enable us to buy the -neighbouring fields. This we have now been doing for some time, and in -order to help us in our operations we erected a hydraulic press. This -press, as I have already explained, has got out of order, and we wish -your advice upon the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, -however, and if it once became known that we had hydraulic engineers -coming to our little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if -the facts came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these -fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you promise -me that you will not tell a human being that you are going to Eyford -to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?’ - -“‘I quite follow you,’ said I. ‘The only point which I could not quite -understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press in -excavating fuller’s-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out like -gravel from a pit.’ - -“‘Ah!’ said he carelessly, ‘we have our own process. We compress the -earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing what they -are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully into my -confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I trust you.’ -He rose as he spoke. ‘I shall expect you, then, at Eyford at 11:15.’ - -“‘I shall certainly be there.’ - -“‘And not a word to a soul.’ He looked at me with a last long, -questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank grasp, he -hurried from the room. - -“Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very much -astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which had -been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was glad, for the -fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked had I set a price -upon my own services, and it was possible that this order might lead to -other ones. On the other hand, the face and manner of my patron had -made an unpleasant impression upon me, and I could not think that his -explanation of the fuller’s-earth was sufficient to explain the -necessity for my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I -should tell anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the -winds, ate a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, -having obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. - -“At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. -However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I reached the -little dim-lit station after eleven o’clock. I was the only passenger -who got out there, and there was no one upon the platform save a single -sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed out through the wicket gate, -however, I found my acquaintance of the morning waiting in the shadow -upon the other side. Without a word he grasped my arm and hurried me -into a carriage, the door of which was standing open. He drew up the -windows on either side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as -fast as the horse could go.” - -“One horse?” interjected Holmes. - -“Yes, only one.” - -“Did you observe the colour?” - -“Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the -carriage. It was a chestnut.” - -“Tired-looking or fresh?” - -“Oh, fresh and glossy.” - -“Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue your most -interesting statement.” - -“Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Lysander -Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I should think, from -the rate that we seemed to go, and from the time that we took, that it -must have been nearer twelve. He sat at my side in silence all the -time, and I was aware, more than once when I glanced in his direction, -that he was looking at me with great intensity. The country roads seem -to be not very good in that part of the world, for we lurched and -jolted terribly. I tried to look out of the windows to see something of -where we were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make -out nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and -then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the journey, but -the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the conversation soon -flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the road was exchanged for -the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and the carriage came to a -stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang out, and, as I followed after him, -pulled me swiftly into a porch which gaped in front of us. We stepped, -as it were, right out of the carriage and into the hall, so that I -failed to catch the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The -instant that I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily -behind us, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage -drove away. - -“It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled about -looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Suddenly a door -opened at the other end of the passage, and a long, golden bar of light -shot out in our direction. It grew broader, and a woman appeared with a -lamp in her hand, which she held above her head, pushing her face -forward and peering at us. I could see that she was pretty, and from -the gloss with which the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it -was a rich material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a -tone as though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a -gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly fell from -her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered something in her ear, -and then, pushing her back into the room from whence she had come, he -walked towards me again with the lamp in his hand. - -“‘Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a few -minutes,’ said he, throwing open another door. It was a quiet, little, -plainly furnished room, with a round table in the centre, on which -several German books were scattered. Colonel Stark laid down the lamp -on the top of a harmonium beside the door. ‘I shall not keep you -waiting an instant,’ said he, and vanished into the darkness. - -“I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my ignorance of -German I could see that two of them were treatises on science, the -others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked across to the window, -hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the country-side, but an oak -shutter, heavily barred, was folded across it. It was a wonderfully -silent house. There was an old clock ticking loudly somewhere in the -passage, but otherwise everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of -uneasiness began to steal over me. Who were these German people, and -what were they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And -where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was all I -knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no idea. For that -matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, were within that -radius, so the place might not be so secluded, after all. Yet it was -quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that we were in the -country. I paced up and down the room, humming a tune under my breath -to keep up my spirits and feeling that I was thoroughly earning my -fifty-guinea fee. - -“Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the utter -stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman was -standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind her, the -yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and beautiful face. I -could see at a glance that she was sick with fear, and the sight sent a -chill to my own heart. She held up one shaking finger to warn me to be -silent, and she shot a few whispered words of broken English at me, her -eyes glancing back, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom -behind her. - -“‘I would go,’ said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to speak -calmly; ‘I would go. I should not stay here. There is no good for you -to do.’ - -“‘But, madam,’ said I, ‘I have not yet done what I came for. I cannot -possibly leave until I have seen the machine.’ - -“‘It is not worth your while to wait,’ she went on. ‘You can pass -through the door; no one hinders.’ And then, seeing that I smiled and -shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and made a step -forward, with her hands wrung together. ‘For the love of Heaven!’ she -whispered, ‘get away from here before it is too late!’ - -“But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to engage -in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I thought of my -fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the unpleasant night -which seemed to be before me. Was it all to go for nothing? Why should -I slink away without having carried out my commission, and without the -payment which was my due? This woman might, for all I knew, be a -monomaniac. With a stout bearing, therefore, though her manner had -shaken me more than I cared to confess, I still shook my head and -declared my intention of remaining where I was. She was about to renew -her entreaties when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several -footsteps was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw -up her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and as -noiselessly as she had come. - -“The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man with a -chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double chin, who was -introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. - -“‘This is my secretary and manager,’ said the colonel. ‘By the way, I -was under the impression that I left this door shut just now. I fear -that you have felt the draught.’ - -“‘On the contrary,’ said I, ‘I opened the door myself because I felt -the room to be a little close.’ - -“He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. ‘Perhaps we had better -proceed to business, then,’ said he. ‘Mr. Ferguson and I will take you -up to see the machine.’ - -“‘I had better put my hat on, I suppose.’ - -“‘Oh, no, it is in the house.’ - -“‘What, you dig fuller’s-earth in the house?’ - -“‘No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. All -we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us know what is -wrong with it.’ - -“We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the fat -manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, with -corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little low doors, -the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the generations who had -crossed them. There were no carpets and no signs of any furniture above -the ground floor, while the plaster was peeling off the walls, and the -damp was breaking through in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put -on as unconcerned an air as possible, but I had not forgotten the -warnings of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen -eye upon my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent -man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at least -a fellow-countryman. - -“Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which he -unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three of us -could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and the -colonel ushered me in. - -“‘We are now,’ said he, ‘actually within the hydraulic press, and it -would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to turn -it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the end of the -descending piston, and it comes down with the force of many tons upon -this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of water outside -which receive the force, and which transmit and multiply it in the -manner which is familiar to you. The machine goes readily enough, but -there is some stiffness in the working of it, and it has lost a little -of its force. Perhaps you will have the goodness to look it over and to -show us how we can set it right.’ - -“I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very thoroughly. -It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of exercising enormous -pressure. When I passed outside, however, and pressed down the levers -which controlled it, I knew at once by the whishing sound that there -was a slight leakage, which allowed a regurgitation of water through -one of the side cylinders. An examination showed that one of the -india-rubber bands which was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk -so as not quite to fill the socket along which it worked. This was -clearly the cause of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my -companions, who followed my remarks very carefully and asked several -practical questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When -I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the -machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. It was -obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller’s-earth was the merest -fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that so powerful an -engine could be designed for so inadequate a purpose. The walls were of -wood, but the floor consisted of a large iron trough, and when I came -to examine it I could see a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I -had stooped and was scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I -heard a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of -the colonel looking down at me. - -“‘What are you doing there?’ he asked. - -“I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that -which he had told me. ‘I was admiring your fuller’s-earth,’ said I; ‘I -think that I should be better able to advise you as to your machine if -I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was used.’ - -“The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of my -speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his grey -eyes. - -“‘Very well,’ said he, ‘you shall know all about the machine.’ He took -a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in the -lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it was quite -secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and shoves. ‘Hullo!’ -I yelled. ‘Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!’ - -“And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my heart -into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of the -leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp still stood -upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the trough. By its -light I saw that the black ceiling was coming down upon me, slowly, -jerkily, but, as none knew better than myself, with a force which must -within a minute grind me to a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, -screaming, against the door, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I -implored the colonel to let me out, but the remorseless clanking of the -levers drowned my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my -head, and with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. -Then it flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend -very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my face the -weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to think of that -dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and yet, had I the nerve -to lie and look up at that deadly black shadow wavering down upon me? -Already I was unable to stand erect, when my eye caught something which -brought a gush of hope back to my heart. - -“I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the walls -were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw a thin line -of yellow light between two of the boards, which broadened and -broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For an instant I could -hardly believe that here was indeed a door which led away from death. -The next instant I threw myself through, and lay half-fainting upon the -other side. The panel had closed again behind me, but the crash of the -lamp, and a few moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, -told me how narrow had been my escape. - -“I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I -found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, while a -woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, while she held -a candle in her right. It was the same good friend whose warning I had -so foolishly rejected. - -“‘Come! come!’ she cried breathlessly. ‘They will be here in a moment. -They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the so-precious -time, but come!’ - -“This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my -feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding stair. The -latter led to another broad passage, and just as we reached it we heard -the sound of running feet and the shouting of two voices, one answering -the other from the floor on which we were and from the one beneath. My -guide stopped and looked about her like one who is at her wit’s end. -Then she threw open a door which led into a bedroom, through the window -of which the moon was shining brightly. - -“‘It is your only chance,’ said she. ‘It is high, but it may be that -you can jump it.’ - -“As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the -passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark rushing -forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a butcher’s -cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, flung open the -window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wholesome the garden -looked in the moonlight, and it could not be more than thirty feet -down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hesitated to jump until I -should have heard what passed between my saviour and the ruffian who -pursued me. If she were ill-used, then at any risks I was determined to -go back to her assistance. The thought had hardly flashed through my -mind before he was at the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw -her arms round him and tried to hold him back. - -“‘Fritz! Fritz!’ she cried in English, ‘remember your promise after the -last time. You said it should not be again. He will be silent! Oh, he -will be silent!’ - -“‘You are mad, Elise!’ he shouted, struggling to break away from her. -‘You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me pass, I say!’ -He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the window, cut at me with -his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was hanging by the hands to -the sill, when his blow fell. I was conscious of a dull pain, my grip -loosened, and I fell into the garden below. - -“I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and -rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I understood -that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, however, as I -ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. I glanced down at my -hand, which was throbbing painfully, and then, for the first time, saw -that my thumb had been cut off and that the blood was pouring from my -wound. I endeavoured to tie my handkerchief round it, but there came a -sudden buzzing in my ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among -the rose-bushes. - -“How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a -very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was -breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with dew, -and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thumb. The -smarting of it recalled in an instant all the particulars of my night’s -adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the feeling that I might hardly -yet be safe from my pursuers. But to my astonishment, when I came to -look round me, neither house nor garden were to be seen. I had been -lying in an angle of the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little -lower down was a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, -to be the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. -Were it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed during -those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. - -“Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning train. -There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The same porter was -on duty, I found, as had been there when I arrived. I inquired of him -whether he had ever heard of Colonel Lysander Stark. The name was -strange to him. Had he observed a carriage the night before waiting for -me? No, he had not. Was there a police-station anywhere near? There was -one about three miles off. - -“It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to -wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the police. It -was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to have my wound -dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to bring me along here. I -put the case into your hands and shall do exactly what you advise.” - -We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to this -extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down from the -shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he placed his -cuttings. - -“Here is an advertisement which will interest you,” said he. “It -appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: ‘Lost, on -the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged twenty-six, a hydraulic -engineer. Left his lodgings at ten o’clock at night, and has not been -heard of since. Was dressed in,’ etc., etc. Ha! That represents the -last time that the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I -fancy.” - -“Good heavens!” cried my patient. “Then that explains what the girl -said.” - -“Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and -desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should stand -in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out pirates who will -leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, every moment now is -precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall go down to Scotland Yard -at once as a preliminary to starting for Eyford.” - -Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train together, -bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. There were Sherlock -Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, -a plain-clothes man, and myself. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map -of the county out upon the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing -a circle with Eyford for its centre. - -“There you are,” said he. “That circle is drawn at a radius of ten -miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere near that -line. You said ten miles, I think, sir.” - -“It was an hour’s good drive.” - -“And you think that they brought you back all that way when you were -unconscious?” - -“They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having been -lifted and conveyed somewhere.” - -“What I cannot understand,” said I, “is why they should have spared you -when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Perhaps the villain -was softened by the woman’s entreaties.” - -“I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in my -life.” - -“Oh, we shall soon clear up all that,” said Bradstreet. “Well, I have -drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it the folk -that we are in search of are to be found.” - -“I think I could lay my finger on it,” said Holmes quietly. - -“Really, now!” cried the inspector, “you have formed your opinion! -Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is south, for the -country is more deserted there.” - -“And I say east,” said my patient. - -“I am for west,” remarked the plain-clothes man. “There are several -quiet little villages up there.” - -“And I am for north,” said I, “because there are no hills there, and -our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up any.” - -“Come,” cried the inspector, laughing; “it’s a very pretty diversity of -opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do you give your -casting vote to?” - -“You are all wrong.” - -“But we can’t all be.” - -“Oh, yes, you can. This is my point.” He placed his finger in the -centre of the circle. “This is where we shall find them.” - -“But the twelve-mile drive?” gasped Hatherley. - -“Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the horse -was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that if it had -gone twelve miles over heavy roads?” - -“Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough,” observed Bradstreet thoughtfully. -“Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of this gang.” - -“None at all,” said Holmes. “They are coiners on a large scale, and -have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the place of -silver.” - -“We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work,” said the -inspector. “They have been turning out half-crowns by the thousand. We -even traced them as far as Reading, but could get no farther, for they -had covered their traces in a way that showed that they were very old -hands. But now, thanks to this lucky chance, I think that we have got -them right enough.” - -But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not destined -to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Eyford Station we -saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed up from behind a small -clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hung like an immense ostrich -feather over the landscape. - -“A house on fire?” asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off again on -its way. - -“Yes, sir!” said the station-master. - -“When did it break out?” - -“I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and -the whole place is in a blaze.” - -“Whose house is it?” - -“Dr. Becher’s.” - -“Tell me,” broke in the engineer, “is Dr. Becher a German, very thin, -with a long, sharp nose?” - -The station-master laughed heartily. “No, sir, Dr. Becher is an -Englishman, and there isn’t a man in the parish who has a better-lined -waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, a patient, as I -understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as if a little good -Berkshire beef would do him no harm.” - -The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all -hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low hill, and -there was a great widespread whitewashed building in front of us, -spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the garden in front -three fire-engines were vainly striving to keep the flames under. - -“That’s it!” cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. “There is the -gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That second -window is the one that I jumped from.” - -“Well, at least,” said Holmes, “you have had your revenge upon them. -There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, when it was -crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, though no doubt -they were too excited in the chase after you to observe it at the time. -Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for your friends of last night, -though I very much fear that they are a good hundred miles off by now.” - -And Holmes’ fears came to be realised, for from that day to this no -word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sinister -German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a peasant had met -a cart containing several people and some very bulky boxes driving -rapidly in the direction of Reading, but there all traces of the -fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes’ ingenuity failed ever to -discover the least clue as to their whereabouts. - -The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements which -they had found within, and still more so by discovering a newly severed -human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. About sunset, -however, their efforts were at last successful, and they subdued the -flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and the whole place been -reduced to such absolute ruin that, save some twisted cylinders and -iron piping, not a trace remained of the machinery which had cost our -unfortunate acquaintance so dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin -were discovered stored in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, -which may have explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have -been already referred to. - -How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the -spot where he recovered his senses might have remained forever a -mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a very plain -tale. He had evidently been carried down by two persons, one of whom -had remarkably small feet and the other unusually large ones. On the -whole, it was most probable that the silent Englishman, being less bold -or less murderous than his companion, had assisted the woman to bear -the unconscious man out of the way of danger. - -“Well,” said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return once -more to London, “it has been a pretty business for me! I have lost my -thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what have I gained?” - -“Experience,” said Holmes, laughing. “Indirectly it may be of value, -you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reputation of -being excellent company for the remainder of your existence.” - - - - -X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR - - -The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have long -ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles in which -the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have eclipsed it, and -their more piquant details have drawn the gossips away from this -four-year-old drama. As I have reason to believe, however, that the -full facts have never been revealed to the general public, and as my -friend Sherlock Holmes had a considerable share in clearing the matter -up, I feel that no memoir of him would be complete without some little -sketch of this remarkable episode. - -It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was -still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came home from -an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table waiting for him. I -had remained indoors all day, for the weather had taken a sudden turn -to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the jezail bullet which I had -brought back in one of my limbs as a relic of my Afghan campaign -throbbed with dull persistence. With my body in one easy-chair and my -legs upon another, I had surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers -until at last, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all -aside and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the -envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend’s noble -correspondent could be. - -“Here is a very fashionable epistle,” I remarked as he entered. “Your -morning letters, if I remember right, were from a fish-monger and a -tide-waiter.” - -“Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety,” he -answered, smiling, “and the humbler are usually the more interesting. -This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon -a man either to be bored or to lie.” - -He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. - -“Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all.” - -“Not social, then?” - -“No, distinctly professional.” - -“And from a noble client?” - -“One of the highest in England.” - -“My dear fellow, I congratulate you.” - -“I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my -client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his case. -It is just possible, however, that that also may not be wanting in this -new investigation. You have been reading the papers diligently of late, -have you not?” - -“It looks like it,” said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the -corner. “I have had nothing else to do.” - -“It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I read -nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The latter is -always instructive. But if you have followed recent events so closely -you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his wedding?” - -“Oh, yes, with the deepest interest.” - -“That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord St. -Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn over these -papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. This is what he -says: - - “‘MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,—Lord Backwater tells me that I may - place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have - determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in - reference to the very painful event which has occurred in - connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is - acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no - objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it - might be of some assistance. I will call at four o’clock in the - afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that time, - I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of paramount - importance. Yours faithfully, - - - “‘ROBERT ST. SIMON.’ - - -“It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and the -noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink upon the outer -side of his right little finger,” remarked Holmes as he folded up the -epistle. - -“He says four o’clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hour.” - -“Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the -subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in their order -of time, while I take a glance as to who our client is.” He picked a -red-covered volume from a line of books of reference beside the -mantelpiece. “Here he is,” said he, sitting down and flattening it out -upon his knee. “‘Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St. Simon, second son -of the Duke of Balmoral.’ Hum! ‘Arms: Azure, three caltrops in chief -over a fess sable. Born in 1846.’ He’s forty-one years of age, which is -mature for marriage. Was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late -administration. The Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for -Foreign Affairs. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and -Tudor on the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive -in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something more -solid.” - -“I have very little difficulty in finding what I want,” said I, “for -the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as remarkable. I -feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew that you had an inquiry -on hand and that you disliked the intrusion of other matters.” - -“Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square furniture van. -That is quite cleared up now—though, indeed, it was obvious from the -first. Pray give me the results of your newspaper selections.” - -“Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal -column of the _Morning Post_, and dates, as you see, some weeks back: -‘A marriage has been arranged,’ it says, ‘and will, if rumour is -correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert St. Simon, second -son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Doran, the only daughter of -Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.’ That is all.” - -“Terse and to the point,” remarked Holmes, stretching his long, thin -legs towards the fire. - -“There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society papers of -the same week. Ah, here it is: ‘There will soon be a call for -protection in the marriage market, for the present free-trade -principle appears to tell heavily against our home product. One by one -the management of the noble houses of Great Britain is passing into the -hands of our fair cousins from across the Atlantic. An important -addition has been made during the last week to the list of the prizes -which have been borne away by these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, -who has shown himself for over twenty years proof against the little -god’s arrows, has now definitely announced his approaching marriage -with Miss Hatty Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California -millionaire. Miss Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face -attracted much attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only -child, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to -considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the future. As -it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has been compelled to -sell his pictures within the last few years, and as Lord St. Simon has -no property of his own save the small estate of Birchmoor, it is -obvious that the Californian heiress is not the only gainer by an -alliance which will enable her to make the easy and common transition -from a Republican lady to a British peeress.’” - -“Anything else?” asked Holmes, yawning. - -“Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the _Morning Post_ to -say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it would -be at St. George’s, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen intimate -friends would be invited, and that the party would return to the -furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been taken by Mr. Aloysius -Doran. Two days later—that is, on Wednesday last—there is a curt -announcement that the wedding had taken place, and that the honeymoon -would be passed at Lord Backwater’s place, near Petersfield. Those are -all the notices which appeared before the disappearance of the bride.” - -“Before the what?” asked Holmes with a start. - -“The vanishing of the lady.” - -“When did she vanish, then?” - -“At the wedding breakfast.” - -“Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite -dramatic, in fact.” - -“Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common.” - -“They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the -honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt as this. -Pray let me have the details.” - -“I warn you that they are very incomplete.” - -“Perhaps we may make them less so.” - -“Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a morning -paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is headed, ‘Singular -Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding’: - -“‘The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the greatest -consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have taken -place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as shortly -announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the previous morning; -but it is only now that it has been possible to confirm the strange -rumours which have been so persistently floating about. In spite of the -attempts of the friends to hush the matter up, so much public attention -has now been drawn to it that no good purpose can be served by -affecting to disregard what is a common subject for conversation. - -“‘The ceremony, which was performed at St. George’s, Hanover Square, -was a very quiet one, no one being present save the father of the -bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Lord Backwater, -Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the younger brother and sister -of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Whittington. The whole party -proceeded afterwards to the house of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster -Gate, where breakfast had been prepared. It appears that some little -trouble was caused by a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who -endeavoured to force her way into the house after the bridal party, -alleging that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after -a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and -the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house before -this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with the rest, -when she complained of a sudden indisposition and retired to her room. -Her prolonged absence having caused some comment, her father followed -her, but learned from her maid that she had only come up to her chamber -for an instant, caught up an ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the -passage. One of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the -house thus apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his -mistress, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that -his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with -the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the -police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which will -probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very singular business. -Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing had transpired as to the -whereabouts of the missing lady. There are rumours of foul play in the -matter, and it is said that the police have caused the arrest of the -woman who had caused the original disturbance, in the belief that, from -jealousy or some other motive, she may have been concerned in the -strange disappearance of the bride.’” - -“And is that all?” - -“Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is a -suggestive one.” - -“And it is—” - -“That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, has -actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a _danseuse_ -at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for some years. -There are no further particulars, and the whole case is in your hands -now—so far as it has been set forth in the public press.” - -“And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would not have -missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Watson, and as -the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I have no doubt that this -will prove to be our noble client. Do not dream of going, Watson, for I -very much prefer having a witness, if only as a check to my own -memory.” - -“Lord Robert St. Simon,” announced our page-boy, throwing open the -door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, high-nosed -and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the mouth, and with -the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose pleasant lot it had ever -been to command and to be obeyed. His manner was brisk, and yet his -general appearance gave an undue impression of age, for he had a slight -forward stoop and a little bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, -too, as he swept off his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the -edges and thin upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the -verge of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white -waistcoat, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured -gaiters. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left -to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his golden -eyeglasses. - -“Good-day, Lord St. Simon,” said Holmes, rising and bowing. “Pray take -the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson. Draw up -a little to the fire, and we will talk this matter over.” - -“A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. -Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you have -already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I -presume that they were hardly from the same class of society.” - -“No, I am descending.” - -“I beg pardon.” - -“My last client of the sort was a king.” - -“Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?” - -“The King of Scandinavia.” - -“What! Had he lost his wife?” - -“You can understand,” said Holmes suavely, “that I extend to the -affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you in -yours.” - -“Of course! Very right! very right! I’m sure I beg pardon. As to my own -case, I am ready to give you any information which may assist you in -forming an opinion.” - -“Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public prints, -nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct—this article, for -example, as to the disappearance of the bride.” - -Lord St. Simon glanced over it. “Yes, it is correct, as far as it -goes.” - -“But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could offer -an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most directly by -questioning you.” - -“Pray do so.” - -“When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?” - -“In San Francisco, a year ago.” - -“You were travelling in the States?” - -“Yes.” - -“Did you become engaged then?” - -“No.” - -“But you were on a friendly footing?” - -“I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was amused.” - -“Her father is very rich?” - -“He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope.” - -“And how did he make his money?” - -“In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, -invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds.” - -“Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady’s—your wife’s -character?” - -The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down into the -fire. “You see, Mr. Holmes,” said he, “my wife was twenty before her -father became a rich man. During that time she ran free in a mining -camp and wandered through woods or mountains, so that her education has -come from Nature rather than from the schoolmaster. She is what we call -in England a tomboy, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by -any sort of traditions. She is impetuous—volcanic, I was about to say. -She is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her -resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the name -which I have the honour to bear”—he gave a little stately cough—“had I -not thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I believe that she is -capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that anything dishonourable would -be repugnant to her.” - -“Have you her photograph?” - -“I brought this with me.” He opened a locket and showed us the full -face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an ivory -miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect of the -lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the exquisite mouth. -Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he closed the locket and -handed it back to Lord St. Simon. - -“The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your -acquaintance?” - -“Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I met -her several times, became engaged to her, and have now married her.” - -“She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?” - -“A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family.” - -“And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a _fait -accompli_?” - -“I really have made no inquiries on the subject.” - -“Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the -wedding?” - -“Yes.” - -“Was she in good spirits?” - -“Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our future -lives.” - -“Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the wedding?” - -“She was as bright as possible—at least until after the ceremony.” - -“And did you observe any change in her then?” - -“Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had ever -seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident however, was -too trivial to relate and can have no possible bearing upon the case.” - -“Pray let us have it, for all that.” - -“Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the -vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it fell over -into the pew. There was a moment’s delay, but the gentleman in the pew -handed it up to her again, and it did not appear to be the worse for -the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the matter, she answered me -abruptly; and in the carriage, on our way home, she seemed absurdly -agitated over this trifling cause.” - -“Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the -general public were present, then?” - -“Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is open.” - -“This gentleman was not one of your wife’s friends?” - -“No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a -common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But really I -think that we are wandering rather far from the point.” - -“Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less cheerful -frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do on re-entering -her father’s house?” - -“I saw her in conversation with her maid.” - -“And who is her maid?” - -“Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California with -her.” - -“A confidential servant?” - -“A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed her to -take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they look upon these -things in a different way.” - -“How long did she speak to this Alice?” - -“Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of.” - -“You did not overhear what they said?” - -“Lady St. Simon said something about ‘jumping a claim.’ She was -accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she meant.” - -“American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wife do -when she finished speaking to her maid?” - -“She walked into the breakfast-room.” - -“On your arm?” - -“No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Then, -after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose hurriedly, -muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She never came -back.” - -“But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to her -room, covered her bride’s dress with a long ulster, put on a bonnet, -and went out.” - -“Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in -company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who had -already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran’s house that morning.” - -“Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and -your relations to her.” - -Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. “We have -been on a friendly footing for some years—I may say on a _very_ -friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have not treated her -ungenerously, and she had no just cause of complaint against me, but -you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Flora was a dear little thing, but -exceedingly hot-headed and devotedly attached to me. She wrote me -dreadful letters when she heard that I was about to be married, and, to -tell the truth, the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly -was that I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came -to Mr. Doran’s door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to push -her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my wife, and even -threatening her, but I had foreseen the possibility of something of the -sort, and I had two police fellows there in private clothes, who soon -pushed her out again. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good -in making a row.” - -“Did your wife hear all this?” - -“No, thank goodness, she did not.” - -“And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?” - -“Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as so -serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid some -terrible trap for her.” - -“Well, it is a possible supposition.” - -“You think so, too?” - -“I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon this -as likely?” - -“I do not think Flora would hurt a fly.” - -“Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray what is -your own theory as to what took place?” - -“Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I have -given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may say that it -has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of this affair, the -consciousness that she had made so immense a social stride, had the -effect of causing some little nervous disturbance in my wife.” - -“In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?” - -“Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back—I will not -say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to without -success—I can hardly explain it in any other fashion.” - -“Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis,” said Holmes, -smiling. “And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have nearly all my -data. May I ask whether you were seated at the breakfast-table so that -you could see out of the window?” - -“We could see the other side of the road and the Park.” - -“Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. I -shall communicate with you.” - -“Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem,” said our -client, rising. - -“I have solved it.” - -“Eh? What was that?” - -“I say that I have solved it.” - -“Where, then, is my wife?” - -“That is a detail which I shall speedily supply.” - -Lord St. Simon shook his head. “I am afraid that it will take wiser -heads than yours or mine,” he remarked, and bowing in a stately, -old-fashioned manner he departed. - -“It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting it on a -level with his own,” said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. “I think that I -shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all this -cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the case before -our client came into the room.” - -“My dear Holmes!” - -“I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I remarked -before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination served to turn -my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial evidence is occasionally -very convincing, as when you find a trout in the milk, to quote -Thoreau’s example.” - -“But I have heard all that you have heard.” - -“Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which serves me -so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some years back, and -something on very much the same lines at Munich the year after the -Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these cases—but, hullo, here is -Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! You will find an extra tumbler upon -the sideboard, and there are cigars in the box.” - -The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, which -gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a black canvas -bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated himself and lit the -cigar which had been offered to him. - -“What’s up, then?” asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. “You look -dissatisfied.” - -“And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage case. -I can make neither head nor tail of the business.” - -“Really! You surprise me.” - -“Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip -through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day.” - -“And very wet it seems to have made you,” said Holmes laying his hand -upon the arm of the pea-jacket. - -“Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine.” - -“In Heaven’s name, what for?” - -“In search of the body of Lady St. Simon.” - -Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. - -“Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?” he asked. - -“Why? What do you mean?” - -“Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the one -as in the other.” - -Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. “I suppose you know all -about it,” he snarled. - -“Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up.” - -“Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the -matter?” - -“I think it very unlikely.” - -“Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found this in -it?” He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the floor a -wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin shoes and a -bride’s wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked in water. “There,” -said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the top of the pile. “There is -a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes.” - -“Oh, indeed!” said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. “You -dragged them from the Serpentine?” - -“No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. They -have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that if the -clothes were there the body would not be far off.” - -“By the same brilliant reasoning, every man’s body is to be found in -the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to arrive -at through this?” - -“At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance.” - -“I am afraid that you will find it difficult.” - -“Are you, indeed, now?” cried Lestrade with some bitterness. “I am -afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deductions -and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as many minutes. -This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar.” - -“And how?” - -“In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the -card-case is a note. And here is the very note.” He slapped it down -upon the table in front of him. “Listen to this: ‘You will see me when -all is ready. Come at once. F. H. M.’ Now my theory all along has been -that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that she, -with confederates, no doubt, was responsible for her disappearance. -Here, signed with her initials, is the very note which was no doubt -quietly slipped into her hand at the door and which lured her within -their reach.” - -“Very good, Lestrade,” said Holmes, laughing. “You really are very fine -indeed. Let me see it.” He took up the paper in a listless way, but his -attention instantly became riveted, and he gave a little cry of -satisfaction. “This is indeed important,” said he. - -“Ha! you find it so?” - -“Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly.” - -Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. “Why,” he -shrieked, “you’re looking at the wrong side!” - -“On the contrary, this is the right side.” - -“The right side? You’re mad! Here is the note written in pencil over -here.” - -“And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel bill, -which interests me deeply.” - -“There’s nothing in it. I looked at it before,” said Lestrade. “‘Oct. -4th, rooms 8_s_., breakfast 2_s_. 6_d_., cocktail 1_s_., lunch 2_s_. -6_d_., glass sherry, 8_d_.’ I see nothing in that.” - -“Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the note, -it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I congratulate -you again.” - -“I’ve wasted time enough,” said Lestrade, rising. “I believe in hard -work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Good-day, -Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the matter -first.” He gathered up the garments, thrust them into the bag, and made -for the door. - -“Just one hint to you, Lestrade,” drawled Holmes before his rival -vanished; “I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady St. -Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any such -person.” - -Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, tapped his -forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hurried away. - -He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his -overcoat. “There is something in what the fellow says about outdoor -work,” he remarked, “so I think, Watson, that I must leave you to your -papers for a little.” - -It was after five o’clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had no -time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a confectioner’s -man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with the help of a -youth whom he had brought with him, and presently, to my very great -astonishment, a quite epicurean little cold supper began to be laid out -upon our humble lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of -cold woodcock, a pheasant, a _pâté de foie gras_ pie with a group of -ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, my -two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Nights, with -no explanation save that the things had been paid for and were ordered -to this address. - -Just before nine o’clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room. -His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his eye which -made me think that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions. - -“They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rubbing his hands. - -“You seem to expect company. They have laid for five.” - -“Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in,” said he. “I am -surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fancy that -I hear his step now upon the stairs.” - -It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, -dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very -perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. - -“My messenger reached you, then?” asked Holmes. - -“Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Have -you good authority for what you say?” - -“The best possible.” - -Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his forehead. - -“What will the Duke say,” he murmured, “when he hears that one of the -family has been subjected to such humiliation?” - -“It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any -humiliation.” - -“Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint.” - -“I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the lady -could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of doing it was -undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she had no one to advise -her at such a crisis.” - -“It was a slight, sir, a public slight,” said Lord St. Simon, tapping -his fingers upon the table. - -“You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so unprecedented -a position.” - -“I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have been -shamefully used.” - -“I think that I heard a ring,” said Holmes. “Yes, there are steps on -the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the -matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here who may be more -successful.” He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman. -“Lord St. Simon,” said he “allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. -Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I think, you have already met.” - -At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his seat and -stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand thrust into the -breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended dignity. The lady had -taken a quick step forward and had held out her hand to him, but he -still refused to raise his eyes. It was as well for his resolution, -perhaps, for her pleading face was one which it was hard to resist. - -“You’re angry, Robert,” said she. “Well, I guess you have every cause -to be.” - -“Pray make no apology to me,” said Lord St. Simon bitterly. - -“Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I should -have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rattled, and from -the time when I saw Frank here again I just didn’t know what I was -doing or saying. I only wonder I didn’t fall down and do a faint right -there before the altar.” - -“Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the -room while you explain this matter?” - -“If I may give an opinion,” remarked the strange gentleman, “we’ve had -just a little too much secrecy over this business already. For my part, -I should like all Europe and America to hear the rights of it.” He was -a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert -manner. - -“Then I’ll tell our story right away,” said the lady. “Frank here and I -met in ’84, in McQuire’s camp, near the Rockies, where Pa was working a -claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; but then one day -father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, while poor Frank here had -a claim that petered out and came to nothing. The richer Pa grew the -poorer was Frank; so at last Pa wouldn’t hear of our engagement lasting -any longer, and he took me away to ’Frisco. Frank wouldn’t throw up his -hand, though; so he followed me there, and he saw me without Pa knowing -anything about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just -fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and make his -pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had as much as Pa. -So then I promised to wait for him to the end of time and pledged -myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. ‘Why shouldn’t we be -married right away, then,’ said he, ‘and then I will feel sure of you; -and I won’t claim to be your husband until I come back?’ Well, we -talked it over, and he had fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman -all ready in waiting, that we just did it right there; and then Frank -went off to seek his fortune, and I went back to Pa. - -“The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then he went -prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Mexico. After -that came a long newspaper story about how a miners’ camp had been -attacked by Apache Indians, and there was my Frank’s name among the -killed. I fainted dead away, and I was very sick for months after. Pa -thought I had a decline and took me to half the doctors in ’Frisco. Not -a word of news came for a year and more, so that I never doubted that -Frank was really dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to ’Frisco, and we came -to London, and a marriage was arranged, and Pa was very pleased, but I -felt all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place -in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. - -“Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I’d have done my -duty by him. We can’t command our love, but we can our actions. I went -to the altar with him with the intention to make him just as good a -wife as it was in me to be. But you may imagine what I felt when, just -as I came to the altar rails, I glanced back and saw Frank standing and -looking at me out of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at -first; but when I looked again there he was still, with a kind of -question in his eyes, as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to -see him. I wonder I didn’t drop. I know that everything was turning -round, and the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee -in my ear. I didn’t know what to do. Should I stop the service and make -a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to know -what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to tell me to -be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and I knew that -he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the way out I dropped -my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the note into my hand when he -returned me the flowers. It was only a line asking me to join him when -he made the sign to me to do so. Of course I never doubted for a moment -that my first duty was now to him, and I determined to do just whatever -he might direct. - -“When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and -had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to get a -few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have spoken to -Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before his mother and all -those great people. I just made up my mind to run away and explain -afterwards. I hadn’t been at the table ten minutes before I saw Frank -out of the window at the other side of the road. He beckoned to me and -then began walking into the Park. I slipped out, put on my things, and -followed him. Some woman came talking something or other about Lord St. -Simon to me—seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little -secret of his own before marriage also—but I managed to get away from -her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and away we -drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that was my -true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank had been a -prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to ’Frisco, found that -I had given him up for dead and had gone to England, followed me there, -and had come upon me at last on the very morning of my second wedding.” - -“I saw it in a paper,” explained the American. “It gave the name and -the church but not where the lady lived.” - -“Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all for -openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I should -like to vanish away and never see any of them again—just sending a line -to Pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It was awful to me to -think of all those lords and ladies sitting round that breakfast-table -and waiting for me to come back. So Frank took my wedding-clothes and -things and made a bundle of them, so that I should not be traced, and -dropped them away somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely -that we should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good -gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how he -found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very clearly and -kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that we should be -putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so secret. Then he offered to -give us a chance of talking to Lord St. Simon alone, and so we came -right away round to his rooms at once. Now, Robert, you have heard it -all, and I am very sorry if I have given you pain, and I hope that you -do not think very meanly of me.” - -Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had -listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this long -narrative. - -“Excuse me,” he said, “but it is not my custom to discuss my most -intimate personal affairs in this public manner.” - -“Then you won’t forgive me? You won’t shake hands before I go?” - -“Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure.” He put out his hand -and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. - -“I had hoped,” suggested Holmes, “that you would have joined us in a -friendly supper.” - -“I think that there you ask a little too much,” responded his Lordship. -“I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent developments, but I can -hardly be expected to make merry over them. I think that with your -permission I will now wish you all a very good-night.” He included us -all in a sweeping bow and stalked out of the room. - -“Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your company,” said -Sherlock Holmes. “It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, -for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the -blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our -children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country -under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the -Stars and Stripes.” - -“The case has been an interesting one,” remarked Holmes when our -visitors had left us, “because it serves to show very clearly how -simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seems -to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural than the -sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing stranger than -the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lestrade of Scotland -Yard.” - -“You were not yourself at fault at all, then?” - -“From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the -lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the other -that she had repented of it within a few minutes of returning home. -Obviously something had occurred during the morning, then, to cause her -to change her mind. What could that something be? She could not have -spoken to anyone when she was out, for she had been in the company of -the bridegroom. Had she seen someone, then? If she had, it must be -someone from America because she had spent so short a time in this -country that she could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an -influence over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to -change her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a -process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an American. -Then who could this American be, and why should he possess so much -influence over her? It might be a lover; it might be a husband. Her -young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in rough scenes and under -strange conditions. So far I had got before I ever heard Lord St. -Simon’s narrative. When he told us of a man in a pew, of the change in -the bride’s manner, of so transparent a device for obtaining a note as -the dropping of a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and -of her very significant allusion to claim-jumping—which in miners’ -parlance means taking possession of that which another person has a -prior claim to—the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had -gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a previous -husband—the chances being in favour of the latter.” - -“And how in the world did you find them?” - -“It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held information in -his hands the value of which he did not himself know. The initials -were, of course, of the highest importance, but more valuable still was -it to know that within a week he had settled his bill at one of the -most select London hotels.” - -“How did you deduce the select?” - -“By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence for a -glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hotels. There are -not many in London which charge at that rate. In the second one which I -visited in Northumberland Avenue, I learned by an inspection of the -book that Francis H. Moulton, an American gentleman, had left only the -day before, and on looking over the entries against him, I came upon -the very items which I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were -to be forwarded to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being -fortunate enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give -them some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be -better in every way that they should make their position a little -clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in particular. -I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I made him keep the -appointment.” - -“But with no very good result,” I remarked. “His conduct was certainly -not very gracious.” - -“Ah, Watson,” said Holmes, smiling, “perhaps you would not be very -gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wedding, you -found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fortune. I think -that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and thank our stars -that we are never likely to find ourselves in the same position. Draw -your chair up and hand me my violin, for the only problem we have still -to solve is how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings.” - - - - -XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET - - -“Holmes,” said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking down -the street, “here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sad that -his relatives should allow him to come out alone.” - -My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in the -pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It was a -bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before still -lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wintry sun. Down -the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed into a brown crumbly -band by the traffic, but at either side and on the heaped-up edges of -the footpaths it still lay as white as when it fell. The grey pavement -had been cleaned and scraped, but was still dangerously slippery, so -that there were fewer passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction -of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman -whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. - -He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a -massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was dressed -in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining hat, neat -brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his actions were -in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and features, for he was -running hard, with occasional little springs, such as a weary man gives -who is little accustomed to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he -jerked his hands up and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face -into the most extraordinary contortions. - -“What on earth can be the matter with him?” I asked. “He is looking up -at the numbers of the houses.” - -“I believe that he is coming here,” said Holmes, rubbing his hands. - -“Here?” - -“Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I think -that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?” As he spoke, -the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pulled at our bell -until the whole house resounded with the clanging. - -A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still -gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in his -eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pity. For -a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his body and plucked -at his hair like one who has been driven to the extreme limits of his -reason. Then, suddenly springing to his feet, he beat his head against -the wall with such force that we both rushed upon him and tore him away -to the centre of the room. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the -easy-chair and, sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted with -him in the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. - -“You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?” said he. “You -are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have recovered -yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into any little -problem which you may submit to me.” - -The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting against -his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his brow, set his -lips tight, and turned his face towards us. - -“No doubt you think me mad?” said he. - -“I see that you have had some great trouble,” responded Holmes. - -“God knows I have!—a trouble which is enough to unseat my reason, so -sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might have faced, -although I am a man whose character has never yet borne a stain. -Private affliction also is the lot of every man; but the two coming -together, and in so frightful a form, have been enough to shake my very -soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The very noblest in the land may -suffer unless some way be found out of this horrible affair.” - -“Pray compose yourself, sir,” said Holmes, “and let me have a clear -account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you.” - -“My name,” answered our visitor, “is probably familiar to your ears. I -am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Stevenson, of -Threadneedle Street.” - -The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior partner -in the second largest private banking concern in the City of London. -What could have happened, then, to bring one of the foremost citizens -of London to this most pitiable pass? We waited, all curiosity, until -with another effort he braced himself to tell his story. - -“I feel that time is of value,” said he; “that is why I hastened here -when the police inspector suggested that I should secure your -co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hurried -from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this snow. That is -why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who takes very little -exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the facts before you as -shortly and yet as clearly as I can. - -“It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking -business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative -investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and the -number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of laying out -money is in the shape of loans, where the security is unimpeachable. We -have done a good deal in this direction during the last few years, and -there are many noble families to whom we have advanced large sums upon -the security of their pictures, libraries, or plate. - -“Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a card -was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I saw the -name, for it was that of none other than—well, perhaps even to you I -had better say no more than that it was a name which is a household -word all over the earth—one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names -in England. I was overwhelmed by the honour and attempted, when he -entered, to say so, but he plunged at once into business with the air -of a man who wishes to hurry quickly through a disagreeable task. - -“‘Mr. Holder,’ said he, ‘I have been informed that you are in the habit -of advancing money.’ - -“‘The firm does so when the security is good.’ I answered. - -“‘It is absolutely essential to me,’ said he, ‘that I should have £ -50,000 at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sum ten times -over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a matter of business -and to carry out that business myself. In my position you can readily -understand that it is unwise to place one’s self under obligations.’ - -“‘For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?’ I asked. - -“‘Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most -certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you think it -right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the money should -be paid at once.’ - -“‘I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my own -private purse,’ said I, ‘were it not that the strain would be rather -more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do it in the -name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must insist that, -even in your case, every businesslike precaution should be taken.’ - -“‘I should much prefer to have it so,’ said he, raising up a square, -black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. ‘You have -doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?’ - -“‘One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,’ said I. - -“‘Precisely.’ He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, -flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which he -had named. ‘There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,’ said he, ‘and the -price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The lowest estimate would -put the worth of the coronet at double the sum which I have asked. I am -prepared to leave it with you as my security.’ - -“I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some perplexity -from it to my illustrious client. - -“‘You doubt its value?’ he asked. - -“‘Not at all. I only doubt—’ - -“‘The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest about -that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely certain -that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a pure matter -of form. Is the security sufficient?’ - -“‘Ample.’ - -“‘You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof of -the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I have heard -of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to refrain from all -gossip upon the matter but, above all, to preserve this coronet with -every possible precaution because I need not say that a great public -scandal would be caused if any harm were to befall it. Any injury to it -would be almost as serious as its complete loss, for there are no -beryls in the world to match these, and it would be impossible to -replace them. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and -I shall call for it in person on Monday morning.’ - -“Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, -calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty £ 1000 notes. -When I was alone once more, however, with the precious case lying upon -the table in front of me, I could not but think with some misgivings of -the immense responsibility which it entailed upon me. There could be no -doubt that, as it was a national possession, a horrible scandal would -ensue if any misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having -ever consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter -the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned once -more to my work. - -“When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave so -precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers’ safes had been -forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how terrible -would be the position in which I should find myself! I determined, -therefore, that for the next few days I would always carry the case -backward and forward with me, so that it might never be really out of -my reach. With this intention, I called a cab and drove out to my house -at Streatham, carrying the jewel with me. I did not breathe freely -until I had taken it upstairs and locked it in the bureau of my -dressing-room. - -“And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to -thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep out of -the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three maid-servants -who have been with me a number of years and whose absolute reliability -is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Parr, the second waiting-maid, -has only been in my service a few months. She came with an excellent -character, however, and has always given me satisfaction. She is a very -pretty girl and has attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about -the place. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we -believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. - -“So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it will -not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an only son, -Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes—a grievous -disappointment. I have no doubt that I am myself to blame. People tell -me that I have spoiled him. Very likely I have. When my dear wife died -I felt that he was all I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile -fade even for a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. -Perhaps it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, -but I meant it for the best. - -“It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my -business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wayward, and, -to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the handling of large sums -of money. When he was young he became a member of an aristocratic club, -and there, having charming manners, he was soon the intimate of a -number of men with long purses and expensive habits. He learned to play -heavily at cards and to squander money on the turf, until he had again -and again to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his -allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried more than -once to break away from the dangerous company which he was keeping, but -each time the influence of his friend, Sir George Burnwell, was enough -to draw him back again. - -“And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Burnwell -should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently brought him to -my house, and I have found myself that I could hardly resist the -fascination of his manner. He is older than Arthur, a man of the world -to his finger-tips, one who had been everywhere, seen everything, a -brilliant talker, and a man of great personal beauty. Yet when I think -of him in cold blood, far away from the glamour of his presence, I am -convinced from his cynical speech and the look which I have caught in -his eyes that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, -and so, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman’s quick insight -into character. - -“And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but when -my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the world I -adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my daughter. She is -a sunbeam in my house—sweet, loving, beautiful, a wonderful manager and -housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and gentle as a woman could be. -She is my right hand. I do not know what I could do without her. In -only one matter has she ever gone against my wishes. Twice my boy has -asked her to marry him, for he loves her devotedly, but each time she -has refused him. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the -right path it would have been she, and that his marriage might have -changed his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late—forever too late! - -“Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I -shall continue with my miserable story. - -“When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after -dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious -treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of my -client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am sure, left -the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mary and Arthur -were much interested and wished to see the famous coronet, but I -thought it better not to disturb it. - -“‘Where have you put it?’ asked Arthur. - -“‘In my own bureau.’ - -“‘Well, I hope to goodness the house won’t be burgled during the -night.’ said he. - -“‘It is locked up,’ I answered. - -“‘Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have -opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.’ - -“He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of what -he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with a very -grave face. - -“‘Look here, dad,’ said he with his eyes cast down, ‘can you let me -have £ 200?’ - -“‘No, I cannot!’ I answered sharply. ‘I have been far too generous with -you in money matters.’ - -“‘You have been very kind,’ said he, ‘but I must have this money, or -else I can never show my face inside the club again.’ - -“‘And a very good thing, too!’ I cried. - -“‘Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,’ said he. -‘I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in some way, and -if you will not let me have it, then I must try other means.’ - -“I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the month. ‘You -shall not have a farthing from me,’ I cried, on which he bowed and left -the room without another word. - -“When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my treasure was -safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go round the house to see -that all was secure—a duty which I usually leave to Mary but which I -thought it well to perform myself that night. As I came down the stairs -I saw Mary herself at the side window of the hall, which she closed and -fastened as I approached. - -“‘Tell me, dad,’ said she, looking, I thought, a little disturbed, ‘did -you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to-night?’ - -“‘Certainly not.’ - -“‘She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she has -only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that it is -hardly safe and should be stopped.’ - -“‘You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer it. Are -you sure that everything is fastened?’ - -“‘Quite sure, dad.’ - -“‘Then, good-night.’ I kissed her and went up to my bedroom again, -where I was soon asleep. - -“I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have -any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question me upon any -point which I do not make clear.” - -“On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid.” - -“I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be -particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in my -mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. About two in -the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the house. It had -ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an impression behind it as -though a window had gently closed somewhere. I lay listening with all -my ears. Suddenly, to my horror, there was a distinct sound of -footsteps moving softly in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all -palpitating with fear, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room -door. - -“‘Arthur!’ I screamed, ‘you villain! you thief! How dare you touch that -coronet?’ - -“The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, dressed -only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the light, holding -the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wrenching at it, or bending -it with all his strength. At my cry he dropped it from his grasp and -turned as pale as death. I snatched it up and examined it. One of the -gold corners, with three of the beryls in it, was missing. - -“‘You blackguard!’ I shouted, beside myself with rage. ‘You have -destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the jewels -which you have stolen?’ - -“‘Stolen!’ he cried. - -“‘Yes, thief!’ I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. - -“‘There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,’ said he. - -“‘There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I call you -a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to tear off another -piece?’ - -“‘You have called me names enough,’ said he, ‘I will not stand it any -longer. I shall not say another word about this business, since you -have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the morning and -make my own way in the world.’ - -“‘You shall leave it in the hands of the police!’ I cried half-mad with -grief and rage. ‘I shall have this matter probed to the bottom.’ - -“‘You shall learn nothing from me,’ said he with a passion such as I -should not have thought was in his nature. ‘If you choose to call the -police, let the police find what they can.’ - -“By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my voice in -my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, at the sight of -the coronet and of Arthur’s face, she read the whole story and, with a -scream, fell down senseless on the ground. I sent the housemaid for the -police and put the investigation into their hands at once. When the -inspector and a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood -sullenly with his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to -charge him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private -matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was -national property. I was determined that the law should have its way in -everything. - -“‘At least,’ said he, ‘you will not have me arrested at once. It would -be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the house for -five minutes.’ - -“‘That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you have -stolen,’ said I. And then, realising the dreadful position in which I -was placed, I implored him to remember that not only my honour but that -of one who was far greater than I was at stake; and that he threatened -to raise a scandal which would convulse the nation. He might avert it -all if he would but tell me what he had done with the three missing -stones. - -“‘You may as well face the matter,’ said I; ‘you have been caught in -the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. If you -but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling us where the -beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.’ - -“‘Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,’ he answered, turning -away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened for any words -of mine to influence him. There was but one way for it. I called in the -inspector and gave him into custody. A search was made at once not only -of his person but of his room and of every portion of the house where -he could possibly have concealed the gems; but no trace of them could -be found, nor would the wretched boy open his mouth for all our -persuasions and our threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and -I, after going through all the police formalities, have hurried round -to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. The -police have openly confessed that they can at present make nothing of -it. You may go to any expense which you think necessary. I have already -offered a reward of £ 1000. My God, what shall I do! I have lost my -honour, my gems, and my son in one night. Oh, what shall I do!” - -He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and fro, -droning to himself like a child whose grief has got beyond words. - -Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows knitted -and his eyes fixed upon the fire. - -“Do you receive much company?” he asked. - -“None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of -Arthur’s. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No one -else, I think.” - -“Do you go out much in society?” - -“Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for it.” - -“That is unusual in a young girl.” - -“She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She is -four-and-twenty.” - -“This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to her -also.” - -“Terrible! She is even more affected than I.” - -“You have neither of you any doubt as to your son’s guilt?” - -“How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in -his hands.” - -“I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the -coronet at all injured?” - -“Yes, it was twisted.” - -“Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to straighten -it?” - -“God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. But it -is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his purpose -were innocent, why did he not say so?” - -“Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? His -silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several singular -points about the case. What did the police think of the noise which -awoke you from your sleep?” - -“They considered that it might be caused by Arthur’s closing his -bedroom door.” - -“A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door so as -to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the disappearance of -these gems?” - -“They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the -hope of finding them.” - -“Have they thought of looking outside the house?” - -“Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has -already been minutely examined.” - -“Now, my dear sir,” said Holmes, “is it not obvious to you now that -this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you or the -police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to be a -simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider what is -involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came down from his -bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, opened your bureau, -took out your coronet, broke off by main force a small portion of it, -went off to some other place, concealed three gems out of the -thirty-nine, with such skill that nobody can find them, and then -returned with the other thirty-six into the room in which he exposed -himself to the greatest danger of being discovered. I ask you now, is -such a theory tenable?” - -“But what other is there?” cried the banker with a gesture of despair. -“If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain them?” - -“It is our task to find that out,” replied Holmes; “so now, if you -please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and devote -an hour to glancing a little more closely into details.” - -My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, which -I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were deeply -stirred by the story to which we had listened. I confess that the guilt -of the banker’s son appeared to me to be as obvious as it did to his -unhappy father, but still I had such faith in Holmes’ judgment that I -felt that there must be some grounds for hope as long as he was -dissatisfied with the accepted explanation. He hardly spoke a word the -whole way out to the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his -breast and his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. -Our client appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of -hope which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a -desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway -journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest residence -of the great financier. - -Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing back a -little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a snow-clad lawn, -stretched down in front to two large iron gates which closed the -entrance. On the right side was a small wooden thicket, which led into -a narrow path between two neat hedges stretching from the road to the -kitchen door, and forming the tradesmen’s entrance. On the left ran a -lane which led to the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at -all, being a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us -standing at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the -front, down the tradesmen’s path, and so round by the garden behind -into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I went into -the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should return. We were -sitting there in silence when the door opened and a young lady came in. -She was rather above the middle height, slim, with dark hair and eyes, -which seemed the darker against the absolute pallor of her skin. I do -not think that I have ever seen such deadly paleness in a woman’s face. -Her lips, too, were bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. -As she swept silently into the room she impressed me with a greater -sense of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the -more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong character, -with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding my presence, she -went straight to her uncle and passed her hand over his head with a -sweet womanly caress. - -“You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you not, -dad?” she asked. - -“No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom.” - -“But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman’s instincts -are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will be sorry for -having acted so harshly.” - -“Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?” - -“Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should suspect -him.” - -“How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the -coronet in his hand?” - -“Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take my -word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say no more. -It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in prison!” - -“I shall never let it drop until the gems are found—never, Mary! Your -affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences to me. Far -from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman down from London -to inquire more deeply into it.” - -“This gentleman?” she asked, facing round to me. - -“No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the -stable lane now.” - -“The stable lane?” She raised her dark eyebrows. “What can he hope to -find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that you will -succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that my cousin -Arthur is innocent of this crime.” - -“I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may prove -it,” returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the snow from his -shoes. “I believe I have the honour of addressing Miss Mary Holder. -Might I ask you a question or two?” - -“Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up.” - -“You heard nothing yourself last night?” - -“Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard that, and -I came down.” - -“You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you fasten all -the windows?” - -“Yes.” - -“Were they all fastened this morning?” - -“Yes.” - -“You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked to -your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?” - -“Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and who may -have heard uncle’s remarks about the coronet.” - -“I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sweetheart, -and that the two may have planned the robbery.” - -“But what is the good of all these vague theories,” cried the banker -impatiently, “when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the coronet -in his hands?” - -“Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this girl, -Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I presume?” - -“Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I met -her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom.” - -“Do you know him?” - -“Oh, yes! he is the greengrocer who brings our vegetables round. His -name is Francis Prosper.” - -“He stood,” said Holmes, “to the left of the door—that is to say, -farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?” - -“Yes, he did.” - -“And he is a man with a wooden leg?” - -Something like fear sprang up in the young lady’s expressive black -eyes. “Why, you are like a magician,” said she. “How do you know that?” -She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Holmes’ thin, eager -face. - -“I should be very glad now to go upstairs,” said he. “I shall probably -wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I had better -take a look at the lower windows before I go up.” - -He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the -large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. This he -opened and made a very careful examination of the sill with his -powerful magnifying lens. “Now we shall go upstairs,” said he at last. - -The banker’s dressing-room was a plainly furnished little chamber, with -a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes went to the -bureau first and looked hard at the lock. - -“Which key was used to open it?” he asked. - -“That which my son himself indicated—that of the cupboard of the -lumber-room.” - -“Have you it here?” - -“That is it on the dressing-table.” - -Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. - -“It is a noiseless lock,” said he. “It is no wonder that it did not -wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must have a -look at it.” He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he laid it -upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the jeweller’s art, -and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have ever seen. At one -side of the coronet was a cracked edge, where a corner holding three -gems had been torn away. - -“Now, Mr. Holder,” said Holmes, “here is the corner which corresponds -to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beg that you will -break it off.” - -The banker recoiled in horror. “I should not dream of trying,” said he. - -“Then I will.” Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without -result. “I feel it give a little,” said he; “but, though I am -exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my time to -break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you think would -happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would be a noise like a -pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this happened within a few yards -of your bed and that you heard nothing of it?” - -“I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me.” - -“But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Miss -Holder?” - -“I confess that I still share my uncle’s perplexity.” - -“Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?” - -“He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt.” - -“Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary luck -during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault if we do not -succeed in clearing the matter up. With your permission, Mr. Holder, I -shall now continue my investigations outside.” - -He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any -unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an hour -or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet heavy with snow -and his features as inscrutable as ever. - -“I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Holder,” -said he; “I can serve you best by returning to my rooms.” - -“But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?” - -“I cannot tell.” - -The banker wrung his hands. “I shall never see them again!” he cried. -“And my son? You give me hopes?” - -“My opinion is in no way altered.” - -“Then, for God’s sake, what was this dark business which was acted in -my house last night?” - -“If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning -between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to make it -clearer. I understand that you give me _carte blanche_ to act for you, -provided only that I get back the gems, and that you place no limit on -the sum I may draw.” - -“I would give my fortune to have them back.” - -“Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. -Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here again -before evening.” - -It was obvious to me that my companion’s mind was now made up about the -case, although what his conclusions were was more than I could even -dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward journey I endeavoured -to sound him upon the point, but he always glided away to some other -topic, until at last I gave it over in despair. It was not yet three -when we found ourselves in our rooms once more. He hurried to his -chamber and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. -With his collar turned up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and -his worn boots, he was a perfect sample of the class. - -“I think that this should do,” said he, glancing into the glass above -the fireplace. “I only wish that you could come with me, Watson, but I -fear that it won’t do. I may be on the trail in this matter, or I may -be following a will-o’-the-wisp, but I shall soon know which it is. I -hope that I may be back in a few hours.” He cut a slice of beef from -the joint upon the sideboard, sandwiched it between two rounds of -bread, and thrusting this rude meal into his pocket he started off upon -his expedition. - -I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in excellent -spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his hand. He chucked it -down into a corner and helped himself to a cup of tea. - -“I only looked in as I passed,” said he. “I am going right on.” - -“Where to?” - -“Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time before I -get back. Don’t wait up for me in case I should be late.” - -“How are you getting on?” - -“Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham since -I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a very sweet -little problem, and I would not have missed it for a good deal. -However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get these disreputable -clothes off and return to my highly respectable self.” - -I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for satisfaction -than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, and there was even -a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hastened upstairs, and a -few minutes later I heard the slam of the hall door, which told me that -he was off once more upon his congenial hunt. - -I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I -retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away for -days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that his -lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he came in, -but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there he was with a -cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the other, as fresh and trim -as possible. - -“You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson,” said he, “but you -remember that our client has rather an early appointment this morning.” - -“Why, it is after nine now,” I answered. “I should not be surprised if -that were he. I thought I heard a ring.” - -It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the change -which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of a broad -and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, while his hair seemed -to me at least a shade whiter. He entered with a weariness and lethargy -which was even more painful than his violence of the morning before, -and he dropped heavily into the armchair which I pushed forward for -him. - -“I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried,” said he. -“Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without a care in -the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured age. One sorrow -comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Mary, has deserted -me.” - -“Deserted you?” - -“Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was empty, -and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to her last -night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had married my boy all -might have been well with him. Perhaps it was thoughtless of me to say -so. It is to that remark that she refers in this note: - - “‘MY DEAREST UNCLE,—I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, - and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune might - never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mind, ever - again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must leave you - forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is provided for; - and, above all, do not search for me, for it will be fruitless - labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in death, I am ever - your loving, - - - “‘MARY.’ - - -“What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it points -to suicide?” - -“No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible solution. -I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of your troubles.” - -“Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have learned -something! Where are the gems?” - -“You would not think £ 1000 apiece an excessive sum for them?” - -“I would pay ten.” - -“That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. And -there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your cheque-book? Here is a -pen. Better make it out for £ 4000.” - -With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes walked -over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of gold with three -gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. - -With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. - -“You have it!” he gasped. “I am saved! I am saved!” - -The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and he -hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. - -“There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder,” said Sherlock Holmes -rather sternly. - -“Owe!” He caught up a pen. “Name the sum, and I will pay it.” - -“No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that noble -lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I should be -proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to have one.” - -“Then it was not Arthur who took them?” - -“I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not.” - -“You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him know -that the truth is known.” - -“He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an interview -with him, and finding that he would not tell me the story, I told it to -him, on which he had to confess that I was right and to add the very -few details which were not yet quite clear to me. Your news of this -morning, however, may open his lips.” - -“For Heaven’s sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary mystery!” - -“I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached it. And -let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to say and -for you to hear: there has been an understanding between Sir George -Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fled together.” - -“My Mary? Impossible!” - -“It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither you nor -your son knew the true character of this man when you admitted him into -your family circle. He is one of the most dangerous men in England—a -ruined gambler, an absolutely desperate villain, a man without heart or -conscience. Your niece knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his -vows to her, as he had done to a hundred before her, she flattered -herself that she alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what -he said, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of -seeing him nearly every evening.” - -“I cannot, and I will not, believe it!” cried the banker with an ashen -face. - -“I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Your -niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, slipped down -and talked to her lover through the window which leads into the stable -lane. His footmarks had pressed right through the snow, so long had he -stood there. She told him of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold -kindled at the news, and he bent her to his will. I have no doubt that -she loved you, but there are women in whom the love of a lover -extinguishes all other loves, and I think that she must have been one. -She had hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming -downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you about -one of the servants’ escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which was -all perfectly true. - -“Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but he -slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. In the -middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, so he rose -and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin walking very -stealthily along the passage until she disappeared into your -dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad slipped on some -clothes and waited there in the dark to see what would come of this -strange affair. Presently she emerged from the room again, and in the -light of the passage-lamp your son saw that she carried the precious -coronet in her hands. She passed down the stairs, and he, thrilling -with horror, ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door, -whence he could see what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her -stealthily open the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the -gloom, and then closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing -quite close to where he stood hid behind the curtain. - -“As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action without a -horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the instant that she -was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune this would be for you, -and how all-important it was to set it right. He rushed down, just as -he was, in his bare feet, opened the window, sprang out into the snow, -and ran down the lane, where he could see a dark figure in the -moonlight. Sir George Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught -him, and there was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one -side of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, -your son struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something -suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in his -hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your room, and had -just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the struggle and was -endeavouring to straighten it when you appeared upon the scene.” - -“Is it possible?” gasped the banker. - -“You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when he -felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not explain the -true state of affairs without betraying one who certainly deserved -little enough consideration at his hands. He took the more chivalrous -view, however, and preserved her secret.” - -“And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coronet,” -cried Mr. Holder. “Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have been! And his -asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! The dear fellow wanted -to see if the missing piece were at the scene of the struggle. How -cruelly I have misjudged him!” - -“When I arrived at the house,” continued Holmes, “I at once went very -carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the snow -which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the evening -before, and also that there had been a strong frost to preserve -impressions. I passed along the tradesmen’s path, but found it all -trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, however, at the -far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and talked with a man, -whose round impressions on one side showed that he had a wooden leg. I -could even tell that they had been disturbed, for the woman had run -back swiftly to the door, as was shown by the deep toe and light heel -marks, while Wooden-leg had waited a little, and then had gone away. I -thought at the time that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of -whom you had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I -passed round the garden without seeing anything more than random -tracks, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable -lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in front of -me. - -“There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second double -line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked feet. I was -at once convinced from what you had told me that the latter was your -son. The first had walked both ways, but the other had run swiftly, and -as his tread was marked in places over the depression of the boot, it -was obvious that he had passed after the other. I followed them up and -found they led to the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow -away while waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred -yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, where -the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and, finally, -where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that I was not -mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and another little smudge -of blood showed that it was he who had been hurt. When he came to the -highroad at the other end, I found that the pavement had been cleared, -so there was an end to that clue. - -“On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the sill -and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could at once see -that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the outline of an -instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in. I was then -beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had occurred. A man -had waited outside the window; someone had brought the gems; the deed -had been overseen by your son; he had pursued the thief; had struggled -with him; they had each tugged at the coronet, their united strength -causing injuries which neither alone could have effected. He had -returned with the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his -opponent. So far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and -who was it brought him the coronet? - -“It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the impossible, -whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Now, I knew -that it was not you who had brought it down, so there only remained -your niece and the maids. But if it were the maids, why should your son -allow himself to be accused in their place? There could be no possible -reason. As he loved his cousin, however, there was an excellent -explanation why he should retain her secret—the more so as the secret -was a disgraceful one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that -window, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my -conjecture became a certainty. - -“And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, for -who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must feel to -you? I knew that you went out little, and that your circle of friends -was a very limited one. But among them was Sir George Burnwell. I had -heard of him before as being a man of evil reputation among women. It -must have been he who wore those boots and retained the missing gems. -Even though he knew that Arthur had discovered him, he might still -flatter himself that he was safe, for the lad could not say a word -without compromising his own family. - -“Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took next. I -went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George’s house, managed to pick up -an acquaintance with his valet, learned that his master had cut his -head the night before, and, finally, at the expense of six shillings, -made all sure by buying a pair of his cast-off shoes. With these I -journeyed down to Streatham and saw that they exactly fitted the -tracks.” - -“I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening,” said Mr. -Holder. - -“Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and -changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to play then, -for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert scandal, and I -knew that so astute a villain would see that our hands were tied in the -matter. I went and saw him. At first, of course, he denied everything. -But when I gave him every particular that had occurred, he tried to -bluster and took down a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, -however, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. -Then he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give -him a price for the stones he held—£ 1000 apiece. That brought out the -first signs of grief that he had shown. ‘Why, dash it all!’ said he, -‘I’ve let them go at six hundred for the three!’ I soon managed to get -the address of the receiver who had them, on promising him that there -would be no prosecution. Off I set to him, and after much chaffering I -got our stones at £ 1000 apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told -him that all was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o’clock, -after what I may call a really hard day’s work.” - -“A day which has saved England from a great public scandal,” said the -banker, rising. “Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you shall -not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your skill has indeed -exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I must fly to my dear boy -to apologise to him for the wrong which I have done him. As to what you -tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very heart. Not even your skill can -inform me where she is now.” - -“I think that we may safely say,” returned Holmes, “that she is -wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that -whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than sufficient -punishment.” - - - - -XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES - - -“To the man who loves art for its own sake,” remarked Sherlock Holmes, -tossing aside the advertisement sheet of _The Daily Telegraph_, “it is -frequently in its least important and lowliest manifestations that the -keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is pleasant to me to observe, -Watson, that you have so far grasped this truth that in these little -records of our cases which you have been good enough to draw up, and, I -am bound to say, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence -not so much to the many _causes célèbres_ and sensational trials in -which I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been -trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those faculties of -deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made my special -province.” - -“And yet,” said I, smiling, “I cannot quite hold myself absolved from -the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my records.” - -“You have erred, perhaps,” he observed, taking up a glowing cinder with -the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood pipe which was wont -to replace his clay when he was in a disputatious rather than a -meditative mood—“you have erred perhaps in attempting to put colour and -life into each of your statements instead of confining yourself to the -task of placing upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect -which is really the only notable feature about the thing.” - -“It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter,” I -remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism which I -had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my friend’s -singular character. - -“No, it is not selfishness or conceit,” said he, answering, as was his -wont, my thoughts rather than my words. “If I claim full justice for my -art, it is because it is an impersonal thing—a thing beyond myself. -Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it is upon the logic rather -than upon the crime that you should dwell. You have degraded what -should have been a course of lectures into a series of tales.” - -It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after breakfast -on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Baker Street. A -thick fog rolled down between the lines of dun-coloured houses, and the -opposing windows loomed like dark, shapeless blurs through the heavy -yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and shone on the white cloth and -glimmer of china and metal, for the table had not been cleared yet. -Sherlock Holmes had been silent all the morning, dipping continuously -into the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, -having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very sweet -temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. - -“At the same time,” he remarked after a pause, during which he had sat -puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, “you can hardly -be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of these cases which you -have been so kind as to interest yourself in, a fair proportion do not -treat of crime, in its legal sense, at all. The small matter in which I -endeavoured to help the King of Bohemia, the singular experience of -Miss Mary Sutherland, the problem connected with the man with the -twisted lip, and the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters -which are outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, -I fear that you may have bordered on the trivial.” - -“The end may have been so,” I answered, “but the methods I hold to have -been novel and of interest.” - -“Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant -public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a compositor by -his left thumb, care about the finer shades of analysis and deduction! -But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot blame you, for the days of -the great cases are past. Man, or at least criminal man, has lost all -enterprise and originality. As to my own little practice, it seems to -be degenerating into an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and -giving advice to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I -have touched bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning -marks my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!” He tossed a crumpled letter -across to me. - -It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ran -thus: - - “DEAR MR. HOLMES,—I am very anxious to consult you as to whether I - should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to - me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I do - not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, - - - “VIOLET HUNTER.” - - -“Do you know the young lady?” I asked. - -“Not I.” - -“It is half-past ten now.” - -“Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring.” - -“It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You remember -that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to be a mere whim -at first, developed into a serious investigation. It may be so in this -case, also.” - -“Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, for -here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question.” - -As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. She was -plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, freckled like a -plover’s egg, and with the brisk manner of a woman who has had her own -way to make in the world. - -“You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure,” said she, as my -companion rose to greet her, “but I have had a very strange experience, -and as I have no parents or relations of any sort from whom I could ask -advice, I thought that perhaps you would be kind enough to tell me what -I should do.” - -“Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything that I -can to serve you.” - -I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and -speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fashion, -and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and his finger-tips -together, to listen to her story. - -“I have been a governess for five years,” said she, “in the family of -Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel received an -appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his children over to -America with him, so that I found myself without a situation. I -advertised, and I answered advertisements, but without success. At last -the little money which I had saved began to run short, and I was at my -wit’s end as to what I should do. - -“There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End called -Westaway’s, and there I used to call about once a week in order to see -whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Westaway was the -name of the founder of the business, but it is really managed by Miss -Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and the ladies who are -seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and are then shown in one by -one, when she consults her ledgers and sees whether she has anything -which would suit them. - -“Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office as -usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A prodigiously stout -man with a very smiling face and a great heavy chin which rolled down -in fold upon fold over his throat sat at her elbow with a pair of -glasses on his nose, looking very earnestly at the ladies who entered. -As I came in he gave quite a jump in his chair and turned quickly to -Miss Stoper. - -“‘That will do,’ said he; ‘I could not ask for anything better. -Capital! capital!’ He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his hands -together in the most genial fashion. He was such a comfortable-looking -man that it was quite a pleasure to look at him. - -“‘You are looking for a situation, miss?’ he asked. - -“‘Yes, sir.’ - -“‘As governess?’ - -“‘Yes, sir.’ - -“‘And what salary do you ask?’ - -“‘I had £ 4 a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Munro.’ - -“‘Oh, tut, tut! sweating—rank sweating!’ he cried, throwing his fat -hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling passion. ‘How -could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with such attractions and -accomplishments?’ - -“‘My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,’ said I. ‘A -little French, a little German, music, and drawing—’ - -“‘Tut, tut!’ he cried. ‘This is all quite beside the question. The -point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of a -lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not fitted -for the rearing of a child who may some day play a considerable part in -the history of the country. But if you have why, then, how could any -gentleman ask you to condescend to accept anything under the three -figures? Your salary with me, madam, would commence at £ 100 a year.’ - -“You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, such an -offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, however, seeing -perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, opened a pocket-book and -took out a note. - -“‘It is also my custom,’ said he, smiling in the most pleasant fashion -until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the white -creases of his face, ‘to advance to my young ladies half their salary -beforehand, so that they may meet any little expenses of their journey -and their wardrobe.’ - -“It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so thoughtful -a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the advance was a -great convenience, and yet there was something unnatural about the -whole transaction which made me wish to know a little more before I -quite committed myself. - -“‘May I ask where you live, sir?’ said I. - -“‘Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles on -the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dear -young lady, and the dearest old country-house.’ - -“‘And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would be.’ - -“‘One child—one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if you could -see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! smack! smack! Three -gone before you could wink!’ He leaned back in his chair and laughed -his eyes into his head again. - -“I was a little startled at the nature of the child’s amusement, but -the father’s laughter made me think that perhaps he was joking. - -“‘My sole duties, then,’ I asked, ‘are to take charge of a single -child?’ - -“‘No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,’ he cried. -‘Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would suggest, to -obey any little commands my wife might give, provided always that they -were such commands as a lady might with propriety obey. You see no -difficulty, heh?’ - -“‘I should be happy to make myself useful.’ - -“‘Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you -know—faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress which -we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Heh?’ - -“‘No,’ said I, considerably astonished at his words. - -“‘Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you?’ - -“‘Oh, no.’ - -“‘Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?’ - -“I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, my -hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of chestnut. -It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of sacrificing it in -this offhand fashion. - -“‘I am afraid that that is quite impossible,’ said I. He had been -watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a shadow -pass over his face as I spoke. - -“‘I am afraid that it is quite essential,’ said he. ‘It is a little -fancy of my wife’s, and ladies’ fancies, you know, madam, ladies’ -fancies must be consulted. And so you won’t cut your hair?’ - -“‘No, sir, I really could not,’ I answered firmly. - -“‘Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a pity, -because in other respects you would really have done very nicely. In -that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of your young -ladies.’ - -“The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers without a -word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so much annoyance -upon her face that I could not help suspecting that she had lost a -handsome commission through my refusal. - -“‘Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?’ she asked. - -“‘If you please, Miss Stoper.’ - -“‘Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the most -excellent offers in this fashion,’ said she sharply. ‘You can hardly -expect us to exert ourselves to find another such opening for you. -Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.’ She struck a gong upon the table, and I -was shown out by the page. - -“Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found little -enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the table, I began -to ask myself whether I had not done a very foolish thing. After all, -if these people had strange fads and expected obedience on the most -extraordinary matters, they were at least ready to pay for their -eccentricity. Very few governesses in England are getting £ 100 a year. -Besides, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by -wearing it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I -was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I -was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go back to -the agency and inquire whether the place was still open when I received -this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it here and I will read -it to you: - -“‘The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. - - “‘DEAR MISS HUNTER,—Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your - address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have - reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you should - come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you. We - are willing to give £ 30 a quarter, or £ 120 a year, so as to - recompense you for any little inconvenience which our fads may - cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My wife is fond - of a particular shade of electric blue and would like you to wear - such a dress indoors in the morning. You need not, however, go to - the expense of purchasing one, as we have one belonging to my dear - daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would, I should think, - fit you very well. Then, as to sitting here or there, or amusing - yourself in any manner indicated, that need cause you no - inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no doubt a pity, - especially as I could not help remarking its beauty during our - short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain firm upon this - point, and I only hope that the increased salary may recompense you - for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child is concerned, are - very light. Now do try to come, and I shall meet you with the - dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Yours faithfully, - - - “‘JEPHRO RUCASTLE.’ - - -“That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and my mind -is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, that before -taking the final step I should like to submit the whole matter to your -consideration.” - -“Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the -question,” said Holmes, smiling. - -“But you would not advise me to refuse?” - -“I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to see a -sister of mine apply for.” - -“What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?” - -“Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself formed -some opinion?” - -“Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Rucastle -seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not possible that his -wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the matter quiet for fear -she should be taken to an asylum, and that he humours her fancies in -every way in order to prevent an outbreak?” - -“That is a possible solution—in fact, as matters stand, it is the most -probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a nice household -for a young lady.” - -“But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!” - -“Well, yes, of course the pay is good—too good. That is what makes me -uneasy. Why should they give you £ 120 a year, when they could have -their pick for £ 40? There must be some strong reason behind.” - -“I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would understand -afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so much stronger if I -felt that you were at the back of me.” - -“Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that your -little problem promises to be the most interesting which has come my -way for some months. There is something distinctly novel about some of -the features. If you should find yourself in doubt or in danger—” - -“Danger! What danger do you foresee?” - -Holmes shook his head gravely. “It would cease to be a danger if we -could define it,” said he. “But at any time, day or night, a telegram -would bring me down to your help.” - -“That is enough.” She rose briskly from her chair with the anxiety all -swept from her face. “I shall go down to Hampshire quite easy in my -mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sacrifice my poor hair -to-night, and start for Winchester to-morrow.” With a few grateful -words to Holmes she bade us both good-night and bustled off upon her -way. - -“At least,” said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the -stairs, “she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to take -care of herself.” - -“And she would need to be,” said Holmes gravely. “I am much mistaken if -we do not hear from her before many days are past.” - -It was not very long before my friend’s prediction was fulfilled. A -fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts turning -in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of human -experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual salary, the -curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to something -abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the man were a -philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my powers to -determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat frequently for half an -hour on end, with knitted brows and an abstracted air, but he swept the -matter away with a wave of his hand when I mentioned it. “Data! data! -data!” he cried impatiently. “I can’t make bricks without clay.” And -yet he would always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should -ever have accepted such a situation. - -The telegram which we eventually received came late one night just as I -was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to one of those -all-night chemical researches which he frequently indulged in, when I -would leave him stooping over a retort and a test-tube at night and -find him in the same position when I came down to breakfast in the -morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and then, glancing at the -message, threw it across to me. - -“Just look up the trains in Bradshaw,” said he, and turned back to his -chemical studies. - -The summons was a brief and urgent one. - -“Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to-morrow,” -it said. “Do come! I am at my wit’s end. - - -“HUNTER.” - - -“Will you come with me?” asked Holmes, glancing up. - -“I should wish to.” - -“Just look it up, then.” - -“There is a train at half-past nine,” said I, glancing over my -Bradshaw. “It is due at Winchester at 11:30.” - -“That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my -analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the -morning.” - -By eleven o’clock the next day we were well upon our way to the old -English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers all the -way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he threw them -down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal spring day, a -light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white clouds drifting across -from west to east. The sun was shining very brightly, and yet there was -an exhilarating nip in the air, which set an edge to a man’s energy. -All over the countryside, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, -the little red and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from -amid the light green of the new foliage. - -“Are they not fresh and beautiful?” I cried with all the enthusiasm of -a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. - -But Holmes shook his head gravely. - -“Do you know, Watson,” said he, “that it is one of the curses of a mind -with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reference to -my own special subject. You look at these scattered houses, and you are -impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and the only thought which -comes to me is a feeling of their isolation and of the impunity with -which crime may be committed there.” - -“Good heavens!” I cried. “Who would associate crime with these dear old -homesteads?” - -“They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Watson, -founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London -do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and -beautiful countryside.” - -“You horrify me!” - -“But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion can do -in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no lane so vile -that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a drunkard’s blow, -does not beget sympathy and indignation among the neighbours, and then -the whole machinery of justice is ever so close that a word of -complaint can set it going, and there is but a step between the crime -and the dock. But look at these lonely houses, each in its own fields, -filled for the most part with poor ignorant folk who know little of the -law. Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which -may go on, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had -this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I -should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of country -which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is not personally -threatened.” - -“No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away.” - -“Quite so. She has her freedom.” - -“What _can_ be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?” - -“I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cover -the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is correct can -only be determined by the fresh information which we shall no doubt -find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the cathedral, and we -shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to tell.” - -The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no distance -from the station, and there we found the young lady waiting for us. She -had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch awaited us upon the table. - -“I am so delighted that you have come,” she said earnestly. “It is so -very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I should do. Your -advice will be altogether invaluable to me.” - -“Pray tell us what has happened to you.” - -“I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Rucastle to -be back before three. I got his leave to come into town this morning, -though he little knew for what purpose.” - -“Let us have everything in its due order.” Holmes thrust his long thin -legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. - -“In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, with no -actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is only fair to -them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and I am not easy in my -mind about them.” - -“What can you not understand?” - -“Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just as it -occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and drove me in -his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he said, beautifully -situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, for it is a large square -block of a house, whitewashed, but all stained and streaked with damp -and bad weather. There are grounds round it, woods on three sides, and -on the fourth a field which slopes down to the Southampton highroad, -which curves past about a hundred yards from the front door. This -ground in front belongs to the house, but the woods all round are part -of Lord Southerton’s preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately -in front of the hall door has given its name to the place. - -“I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and was -introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. There was no -truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to us to be probable -in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is not mad. I found her to -be a silent, pale-faced woman, much younger than her husband, not more -than thirty, I should think, while he can hardly be less than -forty-five. From their conversation I have gathered that they have been -married about seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only -child by the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. -Mr. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them -was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the -daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite imagine that -her position must have been uncomfortable with her father’s young wife. - -“Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in -feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. She was a -nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately devoted both to -her husband and to her little son. Her light grey eyes wandered -continually from one to the other, noting every little want and -forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her also in his bluff, -boisterous fashion, and on the whole they seemed to be a happy couple. -And yet she had some secret sorrow, this woman. She would often be lost -in deep thought, with the saddest look upon her face. More than once I -have surprised her in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the -disposition of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never -met so utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is -small for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. -His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between savage -fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving pain to any -creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of amusement, and -he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the capture of mice, -little birds, and insects. But I would rather not talk about the -creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he has little to do with my story.” - -“I am glad of all details,” remarked my friend, “whether they seem to -you to be relevant or not.” - -“I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one unpleasant -thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the appearance and -conduct of the servants. There are only two, a man and his wife. -Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, uncouth man, with grizzled -hair and whiskers, and a perpetual smell of drink. Twice since I have -been with them he has been quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to -take no notice of it. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a -sour face, as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a -most unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the -nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one corner of -the building. - -“For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was very -quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after breakfast and -whispered something to her husband. - -“‘Oh, yes,’ said he, turning to me, ‘we are very much obliged to you, -Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut your hair. -I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest iota from your -appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue dress will become -you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in your room, and if you -would be so good as to put it on we should both be extremely obliged.’ - -“The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of -blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it bore -unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not have been a -better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle -expressed a delight at the look of it, which seemed quite exaggerated -in its vehemence. They were waiting for me in the drawing-room, which -is a very large room, stretching along the entire front of the house, -with three long windows reaching down to the floor. A chair had been -placed close to the central window, with its back turned towards it. In -this I was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on -the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest -stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how comical he -was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Rucastle, however, who -has evidently no sense of humour, never so much as smiled, but sat with -her hands in her lap, and a sad, anxious look upon her face. After an -hour or so, Mr. Rucastle suddenly remarked that it was time to commence -the duties of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to -little Edward in the nursery. - -“Two days later this same performance was gone through under exactly -similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I sat in the -window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny stories of which -my employer had an immense _répertoire_, and which he told inimitably. -Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and moving my chair a little -sideways, that my own shadow might not fall upon the page, he begged me -to read aloud to him. I read for about ten minutes, beginning in the -heart of a chapter, and then suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he -ordered me to cease and to change my dress. - -“You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to what -the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly be. They -were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face away from the -window, so that I became consumed with the desire to see what was going -on behind my back. At first it seemed to be impossible, but I soon -devised a means. My hand-mirror had been broken, so a happy thought -seized me, and I concealed a piece of the glass in my handkerchief. On -the next occasion, in the midst of my laughter, I put my handkerchief -up to my eyes, and was able with a little management to see all that -there was behind me. I confess that I was disappointed. There was -nothing. At least that was my first impression. At the second glance, -however, I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton -Road, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in -my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are usually -people there. This man, however, was leaning against the railings which -bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I lowered my -handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her eyes fixed upon -me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, but I am convinced -that she had divined that I had a mirror in my hand and had seen what -was behind me. She rose at once. - -“‘Jephro,’ said she, ‘there is an impertinent fellow upon the road -there who stares up at Miss Hunter.’ - -“‘No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?’ he asked. - -“‘No, I know no one in these parts.’ - -“‘Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to him to -go away.’ - -“‘Surely it would be better to take no notice.’ - -“‘No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn round -and wave him away like that.’ - -“I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew down -the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have not sat again -in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor seen the man in the -road.” - -“Pray continue,” said Holmes. “Your narrative promises to be a most -interesting one.” - -“You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may prove to -be little relation between the different incidents of which I speak. On -the very first day that I was at the Copper Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took -me to a small outhouse which stands near the kitchen door. As we -approached it I heard the sharp rattling of a chain, and the sound as -of a large animal moving about. - -“‘Look in here!’ said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two -planks. ‘Is he not a beauty?’ - -“I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a vague -figure huddled up in the darkness. - -“‘Don’t be frightened,’ said my employer, laughing at the start which I -had given. ‘It’s only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, but really -old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do anything with him. We -feed him once a day, and not too much then, so that he is always as -keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose every night, and God help the -trespasser whom he lays his fangs upon. For goodness’ sake don’t you -ever on any pretext set your foot over the threshold at night, for it’s -as much as your life is worth.’ - -“The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to look -out of my bedroom window about two o’clock in the morning. It was a -beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the house was -silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was standing, rapt in the -peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was aware that something was -moving under the shadow of the copper beeches. As it emerged into the -moonshine I saw what it was. It was a giant dog, as large as a calf, -tawny tinted, with hanging jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting -bones. It walked slowly across the lawn and vanished into the shadow -upon the other side. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart -which I do not think that any burglar could have done. - -“And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as you -know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a great coil at -the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the child was in bed, I -began to amuse myself by examining the furniture of my room and by -rearranging my own little things. There was an old chest of drawers in -the room, the two upper ones empty and open, the lower one locked. I -had filled the first two with my linen, and as I had still much to pack -away I was naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. -It struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, so I -took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very first key -fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was only one -thing in it, but I am sure that you would never guess what it was. It -was my coil of hair. - -“I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and -the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing obtruded -itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the drawer? With -trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the contents, and drew -from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two tresses together, and I -assure you that they were identical. Was it not extraordinary? Puzzle -as I would, I could make nothing at all of what it meant. I returned -the strange hair to the drawer, and I said nothing of the matter to the -Rucastles as I felt that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a -drawer which they had locked. - -“I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and I -soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. There was -one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited at all. A door -which faced that which led into the quarters of the Tollers opened into -this suite, but it was invariably locked. One day, however, as I -ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle coming out through this door, -his keys in his hand, and a look on his face which made him a very -different person to the round, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His -cheeks were red, his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins -stood out at his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried -past me without a word or a look. - -“This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the -grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I could -see the windows of this part of the house. There were four of them in a -row, three of which were simply dirty, while the fourth was shuttered -up. They were evidently all deserted. As I strolled up and down, -glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle came out to me, looking as -merry and jovial as ever. - -“‘Ah!’ said he, ‘you must not think me rude if I passed you without a -word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with business matters.’ - -“I assured him that I was not offended. ‘By the way,’ said I, ‘you seem -to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of them has the -shutters up.’ - -“He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled at my -remark. - -“‘Photography is one of my hobbies,’ said he. ‘I have made my dark room -up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we have come upon. -Who would have believed it? Who would have ever believed it?’ He spoke -in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in his eyes as he looked at -me. I read suspicion there and annoyance, but no jest. - -“Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was -something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I was all -on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, though I have my -share of that. It was more a feeling of duty—a feeling that some good -might come from my penetrating to this place. They talk of woman’s -instinct; perhaps it was woman’s instinct which gave me that feeling. -At any rate, it was there, and I was keenly on the lookout for any -chance to pass the forbidden door. - -“It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, -besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to do in -these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large black linen -bag with him through the door. Recently he has been drinking hard, and -yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when I came upstairs there was -the key in the door. I have no doubt at all that he had left it there. -Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both downstairs, and the child was with -them, so that I had an admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently -in the lock, opened the door, and slipped through. - -“There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and uncarpeted, -which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Round this corner -were three doors in a line, the first and third of which were open. -They each led into an empty room, dusty and cheerless, with two windows -in the one and one in the other, so thick with dirt that the evening -light glimmered dimly through them. The centre door was closed, and -across the outside of it had been fastened one of the broad bars of an -iron bed, padlocked at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at -the other with stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the -key was not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the -shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from -beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was a -skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the passage -gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it might veil, I -suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and saw a shadow pass -backward and forward against the little slit of dim light which shone -out from under the door. A mad, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the -sight, Mr. Holmes. My overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I -turned and ran—ran as though some dreadful hand were behind me -clutching at the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through -the door, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting -outside. - -“‘So,’ said he, smiling, ‘it was you, then. I thought that it must be -when I saw the door open.’ - -“‘Oh, I am so frightened!’ I panted. - -“‘My dear young lady! my dear young lady!’—you cannot think how -caressing and soothing his manner was—‘and what has frightened you, my -dear young lady?’ - -“But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I was -keenly on my guard against him. - -“‘I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,’ I answered. ‘But it -is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was frightened and ran -out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in there!’ - -“‘Only that?’ said he, looking at me keenly. - -“‘Why, what did you think?’ I asked. - -“‘Why do you think that I lock this door?’ - -“‘I am sure that I do not know.’ - -“‘It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you see?’ He -was still smiling in the most amiable manner. - -“‘I am sure if I had known—’ - -“‘Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that -threshold again’—here in an instant the smile hardened into a grin of -rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a demon—‘I’ll throw you -to the mastiff.’ - -“I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I -must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing until I -found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I thought of you, -Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without some advice. I was -frightened of the house, of the man, of the woman, of the servants, -even of the child. They were all horrible to me. If I could only bring -you down all would be well. Of course I might have fled from the house, -but my curiosity was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon -made up. I would send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down -to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then -returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my mind -as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I remembered -that Toller had drunk himself into a state of insensibility that -evening, and I knew that he was the only one in the household who had -any influence with the savage creature, or who would venture to set him -free. I slipped in in safety and lay awake half the night in my joy at -the thought of seeing you. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come -into Winchester this morning, but I must be back before three o’clock, -for Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all -the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you -all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you could -tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should do.” - -Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. My -friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his -pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his face. - -“Is Toller still drunk?” he asked. - -“Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do nothing -with him.” - -“That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?” - -“Yes.” - -“Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?” - -“Yes, the wine-cellar.” - -“You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very brave -and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could perform one -more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite -exceptional woman.” - -“I will try. What is it?” - -“We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o’clock, my friend and I. -The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, we hope, be -incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might give the alarm. If -you could send her into the cellar on some errand, and then turn the -key upon her, you would facilitate matters immensely.” - -“I will do it.” - -“Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of course -there is only one feasible explanation. You have been brought there to -personate someone, and the real person is imprisoned in this chamber. -That is obvious. As to who this prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is -the daughter, Miss Alice Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to -have gone to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in -height, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, -very possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of -course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you came -upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some friend of -hers—possibly her _fiancé_—and no doubt, as you wore the girl’s dress -and were so like her, he was convinced from your laughter, whenever he -saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that Miss Rucastle was -perfectly happy, and that she no longer desired his attentions. The dog -is let loose at night to prevent him from endeavouring to communicate -with her. So much is fairly clear. The most serious point in the case -is the disposition of the child.” - -“What on earth has that to do with it?” I ejaculated. - -“My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining light as -to the tendencies of a child by the study of the parents. Don’t you see -that the converse is equally valid. I have frequently gained my first -real insight into the character of parents by studying their children. -This child’s disposition is abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty’s -sake, and whether he derives this from his smiling father, as I should -suspect, or from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in -their power.” - -“I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes,” cried our client. “A -thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you have hit -it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to this poor -creature.” - -“We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning man. We -can do nothing until seven o’clock. At that hour we shall be with you, -and it will not be long before we solve the mystery.” - -We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we reached the -Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside public-house. The -group of trees, with their dark leaves shining like burnished metal in -the light of the setting sun, were sufficient to mark the house even -had Miss Hunter not been standing smiling on the door-step. - -“Have you managed it?” asked Holmes. - -A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. “That is Mrs. -Toller in the cellar,” said she. “Her husband lies snoring on the -kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of Mr. -Rucastle’s.” - -“You have done well indeed!” cried Holmes with enthusiasm. “Now lead -the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black business.” - -We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a passage, -and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Hunter had -described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the transverse bar. Then he -tried the various keys in the lock, but without success. No sound came -from within, and at the silence Holmes’ face clouded over. - -“I trust that we are not too late,” said he. “I think, Miss Hunter, -that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put your shoulder to -it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our way in.” - -It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united strength. -Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There was no furniture -save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a basketful of linen. The -skylight above was open, and the prisoner gone. - -“There has been some villainy here,” said Holmes; “this beauty has -guessed Miss Hunter’s intentions and has carried his victim off.” - -“But how?” - -“Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it.” He swung -himself up onto the roof. “Ah, yes,” he cried, “here’s the end of a -long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did it.” - -“But it is impossible,” said Miss Hunter; “the ladder was not there -when the Rucastles went away.” - -“He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and -dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he -whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it would be -as well for you to have your pistol ready.” - -The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the -door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy stick in his -hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the wall at the sight of -him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and confronted him. - -“You villain!” said he, “where’s your daughter?” - -The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open skylight. - -“It is for me to ask you that,” he shrieked, “you thieves! Spies and -thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I’ll serve -you!” He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he could go. - -“He’s gone for the dog!” cried Miss Hunter. - -“I have my revolver,” said I. - -“Better close the front door,” cried Holmes, and we all rushed down the -stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we heard the -baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a horrible worrying -sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An elderly man with a red -face and shaking limbs came staggering out at a side door. - -“My God!” he cried. “Someone has loosed the dog. It’s not been fed for -two days. Quick, quick, or it’ll be too late!” - -Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Toller -hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its black muzzle -buried in Rucastle’s throat, while he writhed and screamed upon the -ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and it fell over with its -keen white teeth still meeting in the great creases of his neck. With -much labour we separated them and carried him, living but horribly -mangled, into the house. We laid him upon the drawing-room sofa, and -having dispatched the sobered Toller to bear the news to his wife, I -did what I could to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him -when the door opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. - -“Mrs. Toller!” cried Miss Hunter. - -“Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he went up -to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn’t let me know what you were -planning, for I would have told you that your pains were wasted.” - -“Ha!” said Holmes, looking keenly at her. “It is clear that Mrs. Toller -knows more about this matter than anyone else.” - -“Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know.” - -“Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several points -on which I must confess that I am still in the dark.” - -“I will soon make it clear to you,” said she; “and I’d have done so -before now if I could ha’ got out from the cellar. If there’s -police-court business over this, you’ll remember that I was the one -that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice’s friend too. - -“She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn’t, from the time that her -father married again. She was slighted like and had no say in anything, -but it never really became bad for her until after she met Mr. Fowler -at a friend’s house. As well as I could learn, Miss Alice had rights of -her own by will, but she was so quiet and patient, she was, that she -never said a word about them but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle’s -hands. He knew he was safe with her; but when there was a chance of a -husband coming forward, who would ask for all that the law would give -him, then her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her -to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use her -money. When she wouldn’t do it, he kept on worrying her until she got -brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death’s door. Then she got better -at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her beautiful hair cut off; but -that didn’t make no change in her young man, and he stuck to her as -true as man could be.” - -“Ah,” said Holmes, “I think that what you have been good enough to tell -us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce all that -remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this system of -imprisonment?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the -disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler.” - -“That was it, sir.” - -“But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should be, -blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain arguments, -metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your interests were the -same as his.” - -“Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman,” said Mrs. -Toller serenely. - -“And in this way he managed that your good man should have no want of -drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment when your master -had gone out.” - -“You have it, sir, just as it happened.” - -“I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller,” said Holmes, “for you -have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And here comes -the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Watson, that we had -best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, as it seems to me that our -_locus standi_ now is rather a questionable one.” - -And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the copper -beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but was always a -broken man, kept alive solely through the care of his devoted wife. -They still live with their old servants, who probably know so much of -Rucastle’s past life that he finds it difficult to part from them. Mr. -Fowler and Miss Rucastle were married, by special license, in -Southampton the day after their flight, and he is now the holder of a -government appointment in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet -Hunter, my friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no -further interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of -one of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at -Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Foods That Will Win The War And How To Cook Them (1918) - -Author: C. Houston Goudiss and Alberta M. Goudiss - -Release Date: March 25, 2005 [EBook #15464] - -Language: English - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOODS THAT WILL WIN THE WAR *** - - - - -Produced by Albert R. Mann Library. Home Economics Archive: -Research, Tradition and History (HEARTH). Ithaca, NY: -Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University, Audrey -Longhurst, William Flis, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team. - - - - - -[Illustration: save - - 1-wheat - _use more corn_ - - 2-meat - _use more fish & beans_ - - 3-fats - _use just enough_ - - 4-sugar - _use syrups_ - - and serve - the cause of freedom - U.S. FOOD ADMINISTRATION] - - -[Illustration: food - - 1--buy it with thought - 2--cook it with care - 3--serve just enough - 4--save what will keep - 5--eat what would spoil - 6--home-grown is best - -_don't waste it_] - - - - -FOODS THAT WILL WIN THE WAR - -AND - -HOW TO COOK THEM - -BY C. HOUSTON GOUDISS - -FOOD EXPERT AND PUBLISHER OF THE FORECAST MAGAZINE - -AND - -ALBERTA M. GOUDISS - -DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF MODERN COOKERY - -The authors can be reached by addressing the - -WORLD SYNDICATE COMPANY - -NEW YORK - -Copyright 1918 by THE FORECAST PUBLISHING CO. - -_All rights reserved, including the translation into foreign -languages, including the Scandinavian._ - -[Illustration: _This is_ what GOD gives us. - -What are you giving so that others may live? - -_Eat less_ - WHEAT - MEAT - FATS - SUGAR - -Send more to Europe or they will Starve] - - - - -FOREWORD - - -Food will win the war, and the nation whose food resources are best -conserved will be the victor. This is the truth that our government -is trying to drive home to every man, woman and child in America. We -have always been happy in the fact that ours was the richest nation -in the world, possessing unlimited supplies of food, fuel, energy -and ability; but rich as these resources are they will not meet -the present food shortage unless every family and every individual -enthusiastically co-operates in the national saving campaign as -outlined by the United States Food Administration. - -The regulations prescribed for this saving campaign are simple and -easy of application. Our government does not ask us to give up three -square meals a day--nor even one. All it asks is that we substitute as -far as possible corn and other cereals for wheat, reduce a little our -meat consumption and save sugar and fats by careful utilization of -these products. - -There are few housekeepers who are not eager to help in this saving -campaign, and there are few indeed who do not feel the need of -conserving family resources. But just how is sometimes a difficult -task. - -This book is planned to solve the housekeeper's problem. It shows how -to substitute cereals and other grains for wheat, how to cut down -the meat bill by the use of meat extension and meat substitute dishes -which supply equivalent nutrition at much less cost; it shows the use -of syrup and other products that save sugar, and it explains how to -utilize all kinds of fats. It contains 47 recipes for the making of -war breads; 64 recipes on low-cost meat dishes and meat substitutes; -54 recipes for sugarless desserts; menus for meatless and wheatless -days, methods of purchasing--in all some two hundred ways of meeting -present food conditions at minimum cost and without the sacrifice of -nutrition. - -Not only have its authors planned to help the woman in the home, -conserve the family income, but to encourage those saving habits which -must be acquired by this nation if we are to secure a permanent peace -that will insure the world against another onslaught by the Prussian -military powers. - -A little bit of saving in food means a tremendous aggregate total, -when 100,000,000 people are doing the saving. One wheatless meal a -day would not mean hardship; there are always corn and other products -to be used. Yet one wheatless meal a day in every family would mean a -saving of 90,000,000 bushels of wheat, which totals 5,400,000,000 lbs. -Two meatless days a week would mean a saving of 2,200,000 lbs. of meat -per annum. One teaspoonful of sugar per person saved each day would -insure a supply ample to take care of our soldiers and our Allies. -These quantities mean but a small individual sacrifice, but when -multiplied by our vast population they will immeasurably aid and -encourage the men who are giving their lives to the noble cause of -humanity on which our nation has embarked. - -_The Authors._ - - - - -CONTENTS - - PAGE - FOREWORD 4 - - SAVE WHEAT: Reasons Why Our Government Asks Us to Save Wheat, with - Practical Recipes for the Use of Other Grains 11 - A General rule for proportions in bread-making 15 - Use of Corn 18 - Use of Oats 20 - Use of Rye 22 - Use of Barley 23 - Use of Potatoes 24 - Use of Mixed Grains 25 - Pancakes and Waffles 27 - - SAVE MEAT: Reasons Why Our Government Has Asked Us to Save Meat, - with Practical Recipes for Meat Conservation 29 - Selection of Meat 33, 36, 37, 38 - Methods of Cooking 34, 35 - Charts 36, 37 - Comparative Composition of Meat and Meat Substitutes 38 - Economy of Meat and Meat Substitutes 39 - Meat Economy Dishes 41 - Fish as a Meat Substitute 44 - Fish Recipes 46 - Cheese as a Meat Substitute 49 - Meat Substitute Dishes 53 - - SAVE SUGAR: Reasons Why Our Government Asks Us to Save Sugar, with - Practical Recipes for Sugarless Desserts, Cakes, Candies - and Preserves 57 - Sugarless Desserts 61 - Sugarless Preserves 71 - - SAVE FAT: Reasons Why Our Government Asks Us to Save Fat, with - Practical Recipes for Fat Conservation 73 - To Render Fats 78 - Various Uses for Leftover Fats 82 - - SAVE FOOD: Reasons Why Our Government Asks Us Not to Waste Food, - with Practical Recipes for the Use of Leftovers 83 - A Simple Way to Plan a Balanced Ration 84 - Table Showing Number of Calories per Day Required by Various - Classes 91 - Sauces Make Leftovers Attractive 93 - Use of Gelatine in Combining Leftovers 97 - Salads Provide an Easy Method of Using Leftovers 99 - Use of Stale Bread, Cake and Leftover Cereals 102 - Soups Utilize Leftovers 106 - All-in-one-dish Meals--Needing only fruit or simple dessert, - bread and butter to complete a well-balanced menu 109 - Wheatless Day Menus 113 - Meatless Day Menus 115 - Meat Substitute Dinners 116 - Vegetable Dinners 118 - Save and Serve--Bread; Meat; Sugar; Fat; Milk; Vegetables - 120, 121 - Blank Pages for Recording Favorite Family Recipes 122 - - - - -_The Recipes in this book have been examined and approved by the -United States Food Administration_ - - -_Illustrations furnished by courtesy of the United States Food -Administration_ - - - - -[Illustration] - -All the recipes in this book have been prepared and used in The School -of Modern Cookery conducted by _The Forecast Magazine_ and have been -endorsed by the U.S. Food Administration. They have been worked -out under the direction of Grace E. Frysinger, graduate in Domestic -Science of Drexel Institute, of Philadelphia, and the University -of Chicago. Miss Frysinger, who has had nine years' experience as -a teacher of Domestic Science, has earnestly used her skill to make -these recipes practical for home use, and at the same time accurate -and scientific. - -The above illustration shows a class at the School of Modern Cookery. -These classes are entirely free, the instruction being given in -the interest of household economics. The foods cooked during the -demonstration are sampled by the students and in this way it is -possible to get in close touch with the needs of the homemakers and -the tastes of the average family. - - - - -FOODS THAT WILL WIN THE WAR - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -SAVE WHEAT - -_REASONS WHY OUR GOVERNMENT ASKS US TO SAVE WHEAT, WITH PRACTICAL -RECIPES FOR THE USE OF OTHER GRAINS_ - - -A slice of bread seems an unimportant thing. Yet one good-sized slice -of bread weighs an ounce. It contains almost three-fourths of an ounce -of flour. - -If every one of the country's 20,000,000 homes wastes on the average -only one such slice of bread a day, the country is throwing away -daily over 14,000,000 ounces of flour--over 875,000 pounds, or enough -flour for over a million one-pound loaves a day. For a full year -at this rate there would be a waste of over 319,000,000 pounds of -flour--1,500,000 barrels--enough flour to make 365,000,000 loaves. - -As it takes four and one-half bushels of wheat to make a barrel -of ordinary flour, this waste would represent the flour from over -7,000,000 bushels of wheat. Fourteen and nine-tenths bushels of wheat -on the average are raised per acre. It would take the product of some -470,000 acres just to provide a single slice of bread to be wasted -daily in every home. - -But some one says, "a full slice of bread is not wasted in every -home." Very well, make it a daily slice for every four or every ten -or every thirty homes--make it a weekly or monthly slice in every -home--or make the wasted slice thinner. The waste of flour involved -is still appalling. These are figures compiled by government experts, -and they should give pause to every housekeeper who permits a slice of -bread to be wasted in her home. - -Another source of waste of which few of us take account is home-made -bread. Sixty per cent. of the bread used in America is made in the -home. When one stops to consider how much home-made bread is poorly -made, and represents a large waste of flour, yeast and fuel, this -housewifely energy is not so commendable. The bread flour used in the -home is also in the main wheat flour, and all waste of wheat at the -present time increases the shortage of this most necessary food. - -Fuel, too, is a serious national problem, and all coal used in either -range, gas, or electric oven for the baking of poor bread is an actual -national loss. There must be no waste in poor baking or from poor care -after the bread is made, or from the waste of a crust or crumb. - -Waste in your kitchen means starvation in some other kitchen across -the sea. Our Allies are asking for 450,000,000 bushels of wheat, -and we are told that even then theirs will be a privation loaf. Crop -shortage and unusual demand has left Canada and the United States, -which are the largest sources of wheat, with but 300,000,000 bushels -available for export. The deficit must be met by reducing consumption -on this side the Atlantic. This can be done by eliminating waste and -by making use of cereals and flours other than wheat in bread-making. - -The wide use of wheat flour for bread-making has been due to custom. -In Europe rye and oats form the staple breads of many countries, and -in some sections of the South corn-bread is the staff of life. We have -only to modify a little our bread-eating habits in order to meet the -present need. Other cereals can well be used to eke out the wheat, but -they require slightly different handling. - -In making yeast breads, the essential ingredient is gluten, which -is extended by carbon dioxide gas formed by yeast growth. With the -exception of rye, grains other than wheat do not contain sufficient -gluten for yeast bread, and it is necessary to use a wheat in varying -proportions in order to supply the deficient gluten. Even the baker's -rye loaf is usually made of one-half rye and one-half wheat. This is -the safest proportion for home use in order to secure a good texture. - -When oatmeal is used, it is necessary to scald the oatmeal to prevent -a raw taste. Oatmeal also makes a softer dough than wheat, and it -is best to make the loaf smaller and bake it longer: about one hour -instead of the forty-five minutes which we allow for wheat bread. - -The addition of one-third barley flour to wheat flour makes a light -colored, good flavored bread. If a larger proportion than this is -used, the loaf has a decided barley flavor. If you like this flavor -and increase the proportion of barley, be sure to allow the dough a -little longer time to rise, as by increasing the barley you weaken the -gluten content of your loaf. - -Rice and cornmeal can be added to wheat breads in a 10 per cent. -proportion. Laboratory tests have shown that any greater proportion -than this produces a heavy, small loaf. - -Potato flour or mashed potato can be used to extend the wheat, it -being possible to work in almost 50 per cent. of potato, but this -makes a darker and moister loaf than when wheat alone is used. In -order to take care of this moisture, it is best to reserve part of -the wheat for the second kneading. - -Graham and entire wheat flour also effect a saving of wheat because -a larger percentage of the wheat berry is used. Graham flour is -the whole kernel of wheat, ground. Entire wheat flour is the flour -resulting from the grinding of all but the outer layer of wheat. A -larger use of these coarser flours will therefore help materially -in eking out our scant wheat supply as the percentage of the wheat -berry used for bread flour is but 72 per cent. Breads made from these -coarser flours also aid digestion and are a valuable addition to the -dietary. - -In order to keep down waste by eliminating the poor batch of bread, -it is necessary to understand the principles of bread-making. -Fermentation is the basic principle of yeast bread, and fermentation -is controlled by temperature. The yeast plant grows at a temperature -from 70 to 90 degrees (Fahrenheit), and if care is taken to maintain -this temperature during the process of fermentation, waste caused by -sour dough or over-fermentation will be eliminated. When we control -the temperature we can also reduce the time necessary for making a -loaf of bread, or several loaves of bread as may be needed, into as -short a period as three hours. This is what is known as the quick -method. It not only saves time and labor, but, controlling the -temperature, insures accurate results. The easiest way to control the -temperature is to put the bowl containing the dough into another of -slightly larger size containing water at a temperature of 90 degrees. -The water of course should never be hot. Hot water kills the yeast -plant. Cold water checks its growth. Cover the bowl and set it in the -gas oven or fireless cooker or on the shelf of the coal range. As the -water in the large bowl cools off, remove a cupful and add a cupful of -hot water. At the end of one and one-half hours the dough should have -doubled in bulk. Take it out of the pan and knead until the large gas -bubbles are broken (about ten minutes). Then place in greased bread -pans and allow to rise for another half hour. At the end of this time -it will not only fill the pan, but will project out of it. Do not -allow the dough to rise too high, for then the bread will have large -holes in it. A good proportion as a general rule to follow, is: - - 3-1/2 cupfuls of flour (this includes added cereals) - 1 cupful of water or milk - 1/2 tablespoon shortening - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1 cake of compressed yeast - - In this recipe sugar has been omitted because of the serious - shortage, but after the war a teaspoon of sugar should be - added. The shortening, although small in quantity, may also be - omitted. - -These materials make a loaf of about one pound, which should be -baked in forty to fifty minutes at a temperature of 450 degrees -(Fahrenheit). Allow a little longer time for bread containing oatmeal -or other grains. Such breads require a little longer baking and -a little lower temperature than wheat breads. If you do not use a -thermometer in testing your oven, place a piece of paper on the center -shelf, and if it browns in two minutes your oven is right. If a longer -period for raising is allowed than is suggested in the above recipe, -the yeast proportion should be decreased. For overnight bread use -one-quarter yeast cake per loaf; for six-hour bread, use one-half -yeast cake per loaf; for three-hour bread, use one yeast cake per -loaf. In baking, the time allowed should depend on the size of the -loaf. When baked at a temperature of 450 degrees, large loaves take -from forty-five to sixty minutes, small loaves from thirty to forty -minutes, rolls from ten to twenty minutes. - -It is well to divide the oven time into four parts. During the first -quarter, the rising continues; second quarter, browning begins; the -third quarter, browning is finished; the fourth quarter, bread shrinks -from the side of the pan. These are always safe tests to follow in -your baking. When baked, the bread should be turned out of the pans -and allow to cool on a wire rack. When cool, put the bread in a stone -crock or bread box. To prevent staleness, keep the old bread away from -the fresh--scald the bread crock or give your bread box a sun bath at -frequent intervals. - -Even with all possible care to prevent waste, yeast breads will not -conserve our wheat supply so well as quick breads, because all yeast -breads need a larger percentage of wheat. The home baker can better -serve her country by introducing into her menus numerous quick -breads that can be made from cornmeal, rye, corn and rye, hominy, and -buckwheat. Griddle cakes and waffles can also be made from lentils, -soy beans, potatoes, rice and peas. - -Do not expect that the use of other cereals in bread-making will -reduce the cost of your bread. That is not the object. Saving of wheat -for war needs is the thing we are striving for, and this is as much -an act of loyalty as buying Liberty Bonds. It is to meet the crucial -world need of bread that we are learning to substitute, and not to -spare the national purse. - -Besides this saving of wheat, our Government also asks us to omit -all fat from our yeast breads in order to conserve the diminishing -fat supply. This may seem impossible to the woman who has never made -bread without shortening, but recent experiments in bread-making -laboratories have proved that bread, without shortening, is just -as light and as good in texture as that made with shortening--the -only difference being a slight change in flavor. These experiments -have also shown that it is possible to supply shortening by the -introduction of 3 per cent. to 5 per cent. of canned cocoanut or of -peanut butter, and that sugar may also be omitted from bread-making -recipes. In fact, the war is bringing about manifold interesting -experiments which prove that edible and nutritious bread can be made -of many things besides the usual white flour. - -The recipes herewith appended, showing the use of combinations of -cereals and wheat, have been carefully tested in The Forecast School -of Modern Cookery. Good bread can be made from each recipe, and the -new flavors obtained by the use of other grains make a pleasing and -wholesome variety. - -A family which has eaten oatmeal or entire wheat bread will never -again be satisfied with a diet that includes only bread made from -bleached flour. Children, especially, will be benefited by the change, -as the breads made from coarser flours are not only more nutritious, -but are rich in the minerals and vitamine elements that are so -essential to the growth of strong teeth, bones and growing tissues. - -The homemaker, too, will never regret her larger acquaintance with -bread-making materials, as the greater variety of breads that she will -find herself able to produce will be a source of pleasure and keen -satisfaction. - -[Illustration: Breads Made From the Coarser Flours, Whole Wheat, -Cornmeal, Rye, Conserve Our Wheat Supply] - - -_To Conform to U.S. Food Administration Regulations During the War, -Eliminate Fat and Sweetening in Breads--Whenever Fat Is Used, Use -Drippings_ - - - -THE USE OF CORN - - -CORNMEAL ROLLS - - 1 cup bread flour - 1 cup cornmeal - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 egg - 1/3 cup milk - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1 tablespoon sugar - -Mix and sift dry ingredients and cut in the fat. Beat the egg and add -to it the milk. Combine the liquid with the dry ingredients. Shape as -Parker House rolls and bake in a hot oven 12 to 15 minutes. - - -BUTTERMILK OR SOUR MILK CORNMEAL MUFFINS - - 2 cups cornmeal - 1 egg - 2 tablespoons sugar - 2 tablespoons fat - 2 cups sour or buttermilk - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon soda - -Dissolve soda in a little cold water. Mix ingredients adding soda -last. Bake in hot oven 20 minutes. - - -CORNMEAL GRIDDLE CAKES - - 1-1/3 cups cornmeal - 1-1/2 cups boiling water - 3/4 cup milk - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 tablespoon molasses - 2/3 cup flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 4 teaspoons baking powder - -Scald meal with boiling water. Add milk, fat and molasses. Add sifted -dry ingredients. Bake on hot griddle. - - -SOUTHERN SPOON BREAD - - 1 cup white cornmeal - 2 cups boiling water - 1/4 cup bacon fat or drippings - 3 teaspoons baking powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 eggs - 3 slices bread - 1/2 cup cold water - 1 cup milk -Scald cornmeal with boiling water. Soak bread in cold water and -milk. Separate yolks and whites of eggs. Beat each until light. Mix -ingredients in order given, folding in whites of eggs last. Bake in -buttered dish in hot oven 50 minutes. - - -SPOON BREAD - - 2 cups water - 1 cup milk - 1 cup cornmeal - 1/3 cup sweet pepper - 1 tablespoon fat - 2 eggs - 2 teaspoons salt - -Mix water and cornmeal and bring to the boiling point and cook 5 -minutes. Beat eggs well and add with other materials to the mush. -Beat well and bake in a well-greased pan for 25 minutes in a hot oven. -Serve from the same dish with a spoon. Serve with milk or syrup. - - -CORNMEAL RAGGED ROBINS - - 1-1/2 cups cornmeal - 1 cup bread flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1-1/3 cups milk - 2-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar - 4 tablespoons fat - 1-1/4 teaspoons soda - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in the fat. Add liquid and drop by spoonfuls -on greased baking sheet. Bake in hot oven 12 to 15 minutes. These may -be rolled and cut same as baking powder biscuits. - - -INDIAN PUDDING - - 4 cups milk - 1/3 cup cornmeal - 1/3 cup molasses - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon ginger - 1 teaspoon allspice - -Cook milk and meal in a double boiler 20 minutes; add molasses, salt -and ginger. Pour into greased pudding dish and bake two hours in a -slow oven, or use fireless cooker. Serve with milk. This makes a good -and nourishing dessert. Serves six. - - -TAMALE PIE - - 2 cups cornmeal - 5 cups water (boiling) - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 onion - 2 cups tomatoes - 2 cups cooked or raw meat cut in small pieces - 1/4 cup green peppers - -To the cornmeal and 1 teaspoon salt, add boiling water. Cook one-half -hour. Brown onion in fat, add meat. Add salt, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, -the tomatoes and green peppers. Grease baking dish, put in layer of -cornmeal mush, add seasoned meat, and cover with mush. Bake one-half -hour. - - -EGGLESS CORN BREAD - - 1 cup cornmeal - 1/2 cup bread flour - 3 tablespoons molasses - 1 cup milk - 3 teaspoons baking powder - 2 teaspoons salt - 2 tablespoons fat - -Beat thoroughly. Bake in greased muffin pans 20 minutes. - - -SWEET MILK CORN BREAD - - 2 cups cornmeal - 2 cups sweet milk (whole or skim) - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - -Mix dry ingredients. Add milk, well-beaten egg, and melted fat. Beat -well. Bake in shallow pan for about 30 minutes. - - -SOUR MILK CORN BREAD - - 2 cups cornmeal - 2 cups sour milk - 1 teaspoon soda - 2 tablespoons fat - 2 tablespoons corn syrup or molasses - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - -Mix dry ingredients. Add milk, egg and fat. Beat well. Bake in greased -pan 20 minutes. - - - - -THE USE OF OATS - - -COOKED OATMEAL BREAD - - 3 cups thick cooked oatmeal - 2 tablespoons fat - 1-1/2 tablespoons salt - 3 tablespoons molasses - 1-1/2 cakes yeast - 3/4 cup lukewarm water - About 5 cups flour - -To oatmeal add the sugar, salt and fat. Mix the yeast cake with the -lukewarm water, add it to the other materials and stir in the flour -until the dough will not stick to the sides of the bowl. Knead until -elastic, ten to fifteen minutes, moisten the top of the dough with -a little water to prevent a hard crust forming, and set to rise in a -warm place. When double its bulk, knead again for a few minutes. Shape -into loaves and put into greased pans. Let rise double in bulk and -bake in a moderate oven for about 50 minutes. - - -OATMEAL BREAD - - 2 cups rolled oats - 2 cups boiling water - 1/3 cup molasses - 1 yeast cake - 3/4 cup lukewarm water - 1 tablespoon salt - 2 tablespoons fat (melted) - About 6 cups bread flour - -Scald the rolled oats with the boiling water and let stand until cool. -Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and add to the first mixture -when cool. Add the molasses, salt and melted fat. Stir in enough bread -flour to knead. Turn on a floured board. Knead lightly. Return to bowl -and let rise until double in bulk. Knead and shape in loaves and let -rise until double again. Bake in a moderate oven 45 minutes. - - -OATMEAL NUT BREAD - - 1 cake compressed yeast - 2 cups boiling water - 1/2 cup lukewarm water - 2 cups rolled oats - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup brown sugar or 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 2 tablespoons fat - 4 cups flour - 1/2 cup chopped nuts. - -Pour two cups of boiling water over oatmeal, cover and let stand until -lukewarm. Dissolve yeast and sugar in one-half cup lukewarm water, -add shortening and add this to the oatmeal and water. Add one cup of -flour, or enough to make an ordinary sponge. Beat well. Cover and set -aside in a moderately warm place to rise for one hour. - -Add enough flour to make a dough--about three cups, add nuts and -the salt. Knead well. Place in greased bowl, cover and let rise in -a moderately warm place until double in bulk--about one and one-half -hour. Mould into loaves, fill well-greased pans half full, cover and -let rise again one hour. Bake forty-five minutes in a moderate oven. - - -OATMEAL SCONES - - 1 cup cold porridge (stiff) - 1 cup boiling water - 1 tablespoon fat - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder or 1/4 teaspoon soda - 1 teaspoon corn syrup - 1/2 teaspoon salt - -Mix soda, boiling water and fat. Mix all. Turn on board. Mould -flat--cut 1/4-inch thick and bake on griddle. - - -OATMEAL MUFFINS - - 1-1/3 cups flour - 2 tablespoons molasses - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons fat - 3 teaspoons baking powder - 1 egg beaten - 1/2 cup milk - 1 cup cooked oatmeal - -Sift dry ingredients. Add egg and milk. Add fat and cereal. Beat well. -Bake in greased tins 20 minutes. - - -ROLLED OATS RAGGED ROBINS - - 1-1/2 cups rolled oats - 1 cup bread flour - 1-1/3 teaspoons salt - 1-1/3 cups milk - 2-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar - 4 tablespoons fat - 1-1/4 teaspoons soda - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in the fat. Add liquid and drop by spoonfuls -on greased baking sheet. Bake in hot oven 12 to 15 minutes. These may -be rolled and cut same as baking powder biscuits. (If uncooked rolled -oats are used, allow to stand in the milk for 30 minutes before making -recipe.) - - - - -THE USE OF RYE - - -RYE YEAST BREAD - - 1 cup milk and water, or water - 1 tablespoon fat - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 1 teaspoon salt - 2-1/2 cups rye flour - 2-1/2 cups wheat flour - 1/2 cake compressed yeast - 2 tablespoons water - -Combine ingredients. Mix into dough and knead. Let rise until double -original bulk. Knead again. When double bulk, bake about - - -RYE ROLLS - - 4 cups rye flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 6 teaspoons baking powder - 1-1/2 cups milk - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 cup chopped nuts - -Mix dry ingredients thoroughly. Add milk, nuts and melted shortening. -Knead. Shape into rolls. Put into greased pans. Let stand one-half -hour. Bake in moderate oven 30 minutes. - - -WAR BREAD - - 2 cups boiling water - 2 tablespoons sugar - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 cup lukewarm water - 2 tablespoons fat - 6 cups rye flour - 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour - 1 cake yeast - -To the boiling water, add the sugar, fat and salt. When lukewarm, add -the yeast which has been dissolved in the lukewarm water. Add the rye -and whole wheat flour. Cover and let rise until twice its bulk, shape -into loaves; let rise until double and bake about 40 minutes, in a -moderately hot oven. - - -RYE RAGGED ROBINS - - 1-1/2 cups rye flour - 1 cup bread flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1-1/3 cups milk - 2-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar - 4 tablespoons fat - 1-1/4 teaspoons soda - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in the fat. Add liquid and drop by spoonfuls -on greased baking sheet. Bake in hot oven 12 to 15 minutes. These may -be rolled and cut same as baking powder biscuits. - - - - -THE USE OF BARLEY - - -BARLEY YEAST BREAD - - 1 cup milk and water, or water - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 1 tablespoon fat - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1-1/6 cups barley flour - 2-1/3 cups wheat flour - 1/2 cake compressed yeast - -Soften the yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm liquid. Combine ingredients. Mix -into a dough. Knead and let rise to double original bulk. Knead again. -Put in pan; when again double in bulk bake 45 minutes. - - -BARLEY MUFFINS - - 1-1/4 cups whole wheat flour - 1 cup barley meal - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 3 teaspoons baking powder - 1 egg - 1-1/4 cups sour milk - 1/2 teaspoon soda - 2 tablespoons drippings - -Sift flour, barley meal, salt and baking powder. Dissolve soda in a -little cold water and add to sour milk. Combine flour mixture and sour -milk, add beaten egg and melted fat. Bake in muffin pans in a moderate -oven 25 minutes. - - -BARLEY SPOON BREAD - - 2 tablespoons pork drippings - 3 cups boiling water - 1 cup barley meal - 2 eggs - -Heat drippings in saucepan until slightly brown, add water and when -boiling, add barley meal, stirring constantly. Cook in a double -boiler one-half hour, cool, and add well-beaten yolks. Fold in whites, -beaten. Bake in greased dish in moderate oven one-half hour. - - -BARLEY PUDDING - - 5 cups milk - 1/2 cup barley meal - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon ginger - 3/4 cup molasses - -Scald the milk, pour this on the meal and cook in double boiler -one-half hour; add molasses, salt and ginger. Pour into greased -pudding dish and bake two hours in a slow oven. Serve either hot or -cold with syrup. - - -BARLEY SCONES - - 1 cup whole wheat flour - 1 cup barley meal - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 3 tablespoons fat - 3/4 cup sour milk - 1/3 teaspoon soda - -Sift flour, barley meal, salt and baking powder together. Add fat. -Dissolve soda in one tablespoon cold water and add to sour milk. -Combine flour mixture and sour milk to form a soft dough. Turn out on -a well-floured board, knead slightly, roll to one-half inch thickness; -cut in small pieces and bake in a hot oven 15 minutes. - - - - -THE USE OF POTATO - - -POTATO BISCUIT - - 1 cup mashed lightly packed potato - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 cup whole wheat flour - 1 teaspoons baking powder - 1 teaspoon salt - About 1/2 cup milk or water in which potatoes were cooked - -Add melted fat to mashed potato. Mix and sift flour, baking powder and -salt and add to potato mixture, add enough of the milk to make a soft -dough. Roll out 1/2 inch thick, cut with a biscuit cutter and bake in -a quick oven for 15 minutes. (If bread flour is used in place of whole -wheat, the biscuits are slightly lighter and flakier in texture.) - - -POTATO BREAD - - 1-1/2 cups tightly packed mashed potato - 2-1/2 cups wheat flour - 1 tablespoon warm water - 1/2 yeast cake - 1/2 teaspoon salt - -Make dough as usual. Let rise in warm place for 15 minutes. Mould into -loaf, put in pan, let rise until double in bulk in warm place. Bake -for 45 minutes in hot oven. - - -POTATO YEAST BREAD - - 1/2 cup milk and water or water - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 4 tablespoons fat - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 4 cups boiled potatoes - 8 cups flour - 1/2 cake compressed yeast - 1/4 cup warm water - -Dissolve yeast in the warm water. Add other ingredients and make same -as any bread. - - -POTATO PARKER HOUSE ROLLS - - 1/2 cake yeast - 1 cup milk (scalded) - 1 teaspoon fat - 3 tablespoons corn syrup (or 1 tablespoon sugar) - 3-1/2 cups flour - 2 cups potato (mashed and hot) - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - -Dissolve yeast in milk (luke warm). Stir in dry ingredients. Add -potato and knead until smooth. Let rise until light. Roll thin, fold -over, bake until brown. - - - - -THE USE OF MIXED GRAINS - - -WAR BREAD OR THIRDS BREAD - - 1 pint milk, or milk and water - 2 teaspoons salt - 2 tablespoons molasses - 1 yeast cake - 2 tablespoons fat - -Mix as ordinary bread dough. Add 2 cups cornmeal and 2 cups rye meal -and enough whole wheat flour to knead. Let rise, knead, shape, let -rise again in the pan and bake 45 minutes. - - -CORN MEAL AND RYE BREAD - - 2 cups lukewarm water - 1 cake yeast - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/3 cup molasses - 1-1/4 cup rye flour - 1 cup corn meal - 3 cups bread flour - -Dissolve yeast cake in water, add remaining ingredients, and mix -thoroughly. Let rise, shape, let rise again and bake. - - -BOSTON BROWN BREAD - - 1 cup rye meal - 1 cup cornmeal - 1 cup graham flour - 2 cups sour milk - 1-3/4 teaspoons soda - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 3/4 cup molasses - -Beat well. Put in greased covered molds, steam 2 to 3 hours. - - -BREAD MUFFINS - - 2 cups bread crumbs - 1/3 cup flour - 1 tablespoon fat, melted - 1-1/2 cups milk - 1 egg - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - -Cover crumbs with milk and soak 10 minutes. Beat smooth, add egg -yolks, dry ingredients sifted together and fat. Fold in beaten whites -of eggs. Bake in muffin tins in moderate oven for 15 minutes. - - -CORN, RYE AND WHOLE WHEAT FRUIT MUFFINS - - 1/3 cup boiling water - 1 cup cornmeal - 1/4 teaspoon soda - 1/4 cup molasses - 1 cup whole wheat flour - 1 cup rye flour - 3 teaspoons baking powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 cup milk - 1/3 cup raisins cut in halves - 1/4 cup chopped nuts - 2 tablespoons fat - -Scald meal with boiling water, mix soda and molasses. Mix dry -ingredients, mix all thoroughly. Bake in muffin pans one-half hour. - - -SOY BEAN MEAL BISCUIT - - 1 cup soy bean meal or flour - 1 cup whole wheat - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 1 tablespoon corn syrup - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 cup milk - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in fat. Add liquid to make soft dough. Roll -one-half inch thick. Cut and bake 12 to 15 minutes in hot oven. - - -EMERGENCY BISCUIT - - 1 cup whole wheat flour - 1 cup cornmeal - 1 tablespoon fat - 1/2 teaspoon soda - 1 cup sour milk - 1 teaspoon salt - -Mix as baking powder biscuit. Drop by spoonfuls on greased baking -sheet. Bake 15 minutes in hot oven. - - - - -PANCAKES AND WAFFLES - - -SOUR MILK PANCAKES - - 1 cup sour milk - 1/2 cup cooked cereal or - 1 cup bread crumbs - 1 tablespoon melted fat - 1 egg - 3/4 cup whole wheat flour - 1 teaspoon soda - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -Mix bread crumbs, flour, salt; add beaten egg, fat and cereal; mix -soda with sour milk and add to other ingredients. - - -SPLIT PEA PANCAKES - - 2 cups split peas - 2 egg whites - 1/3 cup flour - 1 cup milk - 2 egg yolks - 2 tablespoons pork drippings - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoonful baking powder - -Soak peas over night, cook, and when tender, put through a food -chopper and mix the ingredients. Bake on hot greased griddle. - - -BREAD GRIDDLE CAKES - - 2 cups sour milk - 2 cups bread - -Let stand until soft - -Put through colander. For each one pint use: - - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon soda - 2 teaspoons sugar - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 3/4 cup flour - 1 egg beaten - -Mix well; bake at once on hot greased griddle. - - -OATMEAL PANCAKES - - 2 cups oatmeal - 1 tablespoon melted fat - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -Add: - - 1 egg beaten into a cupful of milk - 1 cupful flour into which has been sifted 1 teaspoonful baking - powder. - -Beat well. Cook on a griddle. This is an excellent way to use -left-over oatmeal. - - -POTATO PANCAKES - - 2 cups of chopped potato - 1/2 cup milk - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 cups flour - 5 teaspoons of baking powder - 2 cups of hot water - -Parboil potatoes in the skins for fifteen minutes. Pare and chop fine -or put through food chopper. Mix potatoes, milk, eggs and salt. Sift -the flour and baking powder and stir into a smooth batter. Thin with -hot water as necessary. Bake on a greased griddle. - - -RICE WAFFLES - - 1 cup cold boiled rice - 1-1/2 cups milk - 2 eggs - 2 cups flour - 1/3 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon melted fat - 4 teaspoons baking powder - -Add milk to rice and stir until smooth. Add salt, egg yolks beaten; -add flour sifted with baking powder and salt; add fat; add stiffly -beaten whites. - - -RICE GRIDDLE CAKES - - 1/2 cup boiled rice - 1/2 cup flour - 3 tablespoons fat - 1 pint milk - 2/3 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon soda - -Stir rice in milk. Let stand one-half hour. Add other ingredients, -having dissolved soda in one tablespoon cold water. - - -CORNMEAL WAFFLES - - 1 cup cornmeal - 1/2 cup flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 1 egg - 1 pint milk - 1 tablespoon fat - -Cook cornmeal and milk in double boiler 10 minutes. Sift dry -ingredients. Add milk, cornmeal; beaten yolks; fat, beaten whites. - - -CORNMEAL AND RYE WAFFLES - - 1 cup rye flour - 3/4 cup cornmeal - 1 teaspoon salt - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 1 tablespoon melted fat - 2 eggs - 1-1/4 cups milk - -Sift dry ingredients. Add beaten yolks added to milk. Add fat and -stiffly beaten whites. If waffles are not crisp add more liquid. - -[Illustration: Each Food Shown is Equivalent in Protein to the Platter -of Meat in the Center of the Picture.] - - - - -SAVE MEAT - -_REASONS WHY OUR GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED US TO SAVE MEAT WITH PRACTICAL -RECIPES FOR MEAT CONSERVATION_ - - -As a nation we eat and waste 80 per cent. more meat than we require to -maintain health. This statement, recently issued by the United States -Food Administration, is appalling when we consider that there is a -greater demand for meat in the world to-day than ever before, coupled -with a greatly decreased production. The increase in the demand for -meat and animal products is due to the stress of the war. Millions of -men are on the fighting line doing hard physical labor, and require -a larger food allowance than when they were civilians. To meet -the demand for meat and to save their grains, our Allies have been -compelled to kill upward of thirty-three million head of their stock -animals, and they have thus stifled their animal production. This was -burning the candle at both ends, and they now face increased demand -handicapped by decreased production. - -America must fill the breach. Not only must we meet the present -increased demand, but we must be prepared as the war advances to meet -an even greater demand for this most necessary food. The way out of -this serious situation is first to reduce meat consumption to the -amount really needed and then to learn to use other foods that will -supply the food element which is found in meat. This element is called -protein, and we depend upon it to build and repair body tissues. - -Although most persons believe that protein can only be obtained -from meat, it is found in many other foods, such as milk, skim milk, -cheese, cottage cheese, poultry, eggs, fish, dried peas, beans, cow -peas, lentils and nuts. For instance, pound for pound, salmon, either -fresh or canned, equals round steak in protein content; cream cheese -contains one-quarter more protein and three times as much fat; peanuts -(hulled) one-quarter more protein and three and a half times as much -fat; beans (dried) a little more protein and one-fifth as much fat; -eggs (one dozen) about the same in protein and one-half more fat. It -is our manifest duty to learn how to make the best use of these foods -in order to save beef, pork and mutton, to be shipped across the sea. -This means that the housekeeper has before her the task of training -the family palate to accept new food preparations. Training the family -palate is not easy, because bodies that have grown accustomed to -certain food combinations find it difficult to get along without them, -and rebel at a change. If these habits of diet are suddenly disturbed -we may upset digestion, as well as create a feeling of dissatisfaction -which is equally harmful to physical well-being. The wise housekeeper -will therefore make her changes gradually. - -In reducing meat in the diet of a family that has been used to having -meat twice a day, it will be well to start out with meat once a day -and keep up this régime for a couple of weeks. Then drop meat for a -whole day, supplying in its stead a meat substitute dish that will -furnish the same nutriment. After a while you can use meat substitutes -at least twice a week without disturbing the family's mental or -physical equilibrium. It would be well also to introduce dishes -that extend the meat flavor, such as stews combined with dumplings, -hominy, or rice; pot pies or short cakes with a dressing of meat and -vegetables; meat loaf, souffle or croquettes in which meat is combined -with bread crumbs, potato or rice. - -Meat eating is largely a matter of flavor. If flavor is supplied, -the reduction of meat in the diet can be made with little annoyance. -Nutrition can always be supplied in the other dishes that accompany -the meal, as a certain proportion of protein is found in almost every -food product. The meat that we use to obtain flavor in sauces and -gravies need not be large in quantity, nor expensive in cut. The poor -or cheap cuts have generally more flavor than the expensive ones, -the difference being entirely in texture and tenderness, freedom from -gristle and inedible tissue. There are many cereals, such as rice, -hominy, cornmeal, samp and many vegetable dishes, especially dried -beans of all kinds, that are greatly improved by the addition of meat -sauce and when prepared in this way may be served as the main dish of -a meal. - -Dr. Harvey W. Wiley has stated that the meat eating of the future will -not be regarded as a necessity so much as it has been in the past, and -that meat will be used more as a condimental substance. Europe has for -years used meat for flavor rather than for nutriment. It would seem -that the time has come for Americans to learn the use of meat for -flavor and to utilize more skillfully the protein of other foods. - -It may be difficult to convince the meat lover that he can radically -reduce the proportion of meat in his diet without detriment to health. -Many persons adhere to the notion that you are not nourished unless -you eat meat; that meat foods are absolutely necessary to maintain the -body strength. This idea is entirely without foundation, for the foods -mentioned as meat substitutes earlier in this chapter can be made to -feed the world, and feed it well--in fact, no nation uses so large a -proportion of meat as America. - -The first step, therefore, in preparing ourselves to reduce meat -consumption is to recognize that only a small quantity of meat is -necessary to supply sufficient protein for adult life. The growing -child or the youth springing into manhood needs a larger percentage of -meat than the adult, and in apportioning the family's meat ration this -fact should not be overlooked. - -The second step is to reduce the amount purchased, choosing cuts that -contain the least waste, and by utilizing with care that which we do -purchase. Fat, trimmings, and bones all have their uses and should be -saved from the garbage pail. - -Careful buying, of course, depends on a knowledge of cuts, a study -of the percentage of waste in each cut, and the food value of the -different kinds of meat. Make a study of the different cuts, as shown -in the charts on pages 36, 37, and armed with this knowledge go forth -to the butcher for practical buying. - -Then comes the cooking, which can only be properly done when the -fundamental principles of the cooking processes, such as boiling, -braising, broiling, stewing, roasting and frying are understood. -Each cut requires different handling to secure the maximum amount of -nutriment and flavor. The waste occasioned by improper cooking is a -large factor in both household and national economy. - -It has been estimated that a waste of an ounce each day of edible meat -or fat in the twenty million American homes amounts to 456,000,000 -pounds of valuable animal food a year. At average dressed weights, -this amounts to 875,000 steers, or over 3,000,000 hogs. Each -housekeeper, therefore, who saves her ounce a day aids in this -enormous saving, which will mean so much in the feeding of our men on -the fighting line. - -So the housekeeper who goes to her task of training the family palate -to accept meat substitutes and meat economy dishes, who revolutionizes -her methods of cooking so as to utilize even "the pig's squeak," will -be doing her bit toward making the world safe for democracy. - -The following charts, tables of nutritive values and suggested menus -have been arranged to help her do this work. The American woman has -her share in this great world struggle, and that is the intelligent -conservation of food. - - -SELECTION OF MEAT - -BEEF--Dull red as cut, brighter after exposure to air; lean, well -mottled with fat; flesh, firm; fat, yellowish in color. Best beef from -animal 3 to 5 years old, weighing 900 to 1,200 pounds. Do not buy wet, -soft, or pink beef. - -VEAL--Flesh pink. (If white, calf was bled before killed or animal too -young.) The fat should be white. - -MUTTON--Best from animal 3 years old. Flesh dull red, fat firm and -white. - -LAMB--(Spring Lamb 3 months to 6 months old; season, February to -March.) Bones of lamb should be small; end of bone in leg of lamb -should be serrated; flesh pink, and fat white. - -PORK--The lean should be fine grained and pale pink. The skin should -be smooth and clear. If flesh is soft, or fat yellowish, pork is not -good. - - -SELECTION OF TOUGHER CUTS AND THEIR USES - -Less expensive cuts of meat have more nourishment than the more -expensive, and if properly cooked and seasoned, have as much -tenderness. Tough cuts, as chuck or top sirloin, may be boned and -rolled and then roasted by the same method as tender cuts, the only -difference will be that the tougher cuts require longer cooking. Have -the bones from rolled meats sent home to use for soups. Corned beef -may be selected from flank, naval, plate or brisket. These cuts are -more juicy than rump or round cuts. - -1. _For pot roast_ use chuck, crossrib, round, shoulder, rump or top -sirloin. - -2. _For stew_ use shin, shoulder, top sirloin or neck. - -3. _For steaks_ use flank, round or chuck. If these cuts are pounded, -or both pounded and rubbed with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 -parts oil before cooking, they will be very tender. - -4. _Soups_--Buy shin or neck. The meat from these may be utilized -by serving with horseradish or mustard sauce, or combined with equal -amount of fresh meat for meat loaf, scalloped dish, etc. - - -DRY METHODS - -1. _Roasting or Baking_--Oven roasting or baking is applied to roasts. - -Place the roast in a hot oven, or if gas is used, put in the broiling -oven to sear the outside quickly, and thus keep in the juices. -Salt, pepper and flour. If an open roasting pan is used place a few -tablespoonfuls of fat and 1 cup of water in the pan, which should be -used to baste the roast frequently. If a covered pan is used basting -is unnecessary. - - Beef or mutton (5 to 8 lbs.) 10 min. to the lb. 10 min. extra - Lamb (5 to 8 lbs.) 12 min. to the lb. 12 min. extra - Veal (5 to 8 lbs.) 15 min. to the lb. 15 min. extra - Pork (5 to 8 lbs.) 25 min. to the lb. 25 min. extra - Turkey 20 min. to the lb. - Chicken 30 min. to the lb. - Duck 30 min. to the lb. - Goose 30 min. to the lb. - Game 30 min. to the lb. - -2. _Broiling_--Cooking over or under clear fire. This method is used -for chops or steaks. - -Sear the meat on both sides. Then reduce the heat and turn the meat -frequently. Use no fat. - - _Time Table_--(Count time after meat is seared). - 1/2 inch chops or steaks, 5 minutes - 1 inch chops or steaks, 10 minutes - 2 inch chops or steaks, 15 to 18 minutes - -3. _Pan Broiling_--Cooking in pan with no fat. _Time table same as for -broiling_ chops, steaks, etc. - -4. _Sautéing_--Cooking in pan in small amount of fat. Commonly -termed "frying." Used for steaks, chops, etc. _Time table same as for -broiling._ - - -MOIST METHODS - -1. Boiling--Cooking in boiling water--especially poultry, salt meats, -etc. - -2. Steaming--A method of cooking by utilizing steam from boiling -water, which retains more food value than any other. Too seldom -applied to meats. - -3. Frying--Cooking by immersion in hot fat at temperature 400 to 450 -degrees Fahrenheit. Used for croquettes, etc. - -If a fat thermometer is not available, test by using small pieces of -bread. Put into heated fat: - -A--For croquettes made from food requiring little cooking, such as -oysters, or from previously cooked mixtures, as rice, fish or meat -croquettes, bread should brown in one-half minute. - -B--For mixtures requiring cooking, as doughnuts, fritters, etc., bread -should brown in one minute. - - -COMBINATION METHODS - -1. Pot Roasting--Cooking (by use of steam from small amount of water) -tough cuts of meat which have been browned but not cooked thoroughly. - -Season meat. Dredge with flour. Sear in hot pan until well browned. -Place oil rack in pot containing water to height of one inch, but do -not let water reach the meat. Keep water slowly boiling. Replenish as -needed with boiling water. This method renders tough cuts tender, but -requires several hours cooking. - -2. Stewing--A combination of methods which draws part of flavor into -gravy and retains part in pieces which are to be used as meat. - -Cut meat into pieces suitable for serving. Cover one-half of meat with -cold water. Let stand one hour. Bring slowly to boiling point. Dredge -other half of meat with flour and brown in small amount of fat. Add -to the other mixture and cook slowly 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until tender, -adding diced vegetables, thickening and seasoning as desired one-half -hour before cooking is finished. - -3. Fricasseeing--Cooking in a sauce until tender, meat which has been -previously browned but not cooked throughout. - -Brown meat in small amount of fat. Place in boiling water to cover. -Cook slowly until tender. To 1 pint of water in which meat is cooked, -add 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, and 1/4 cup -milk, thoroughly blended. When at boiling point, add one beaten egg, 1 -tablespoon chopped parsley and 1 tablespoon cold water well mixed, Add -cooked meat and serve. - -[Illustration: VEAL] - -Neck for stews. - -Shoulder for inexpensive chops. - -Sweetbread--broiled or creamed. - -Breast for roast or pot roast. - -Loin for roast. - -Rump for stews. - -Cutlet for broiling. - -[Illustration: BEEF] - -[Illustration: LAMB AND MUTTON] - -Neck--use for stews. - -Shoulder for cheaper chops. - -Breast for roast - -Ribs for chops or crown roast. - -Loin for roast. - -Flank for stews. - -Leg for cutlet and roast. - -[Illustration: PORK] - -Head for cheese. - -Shoulder same as ham but have it boned. Has same flavor and is much -cheaper. - -Loin used for chops or roast. - -Ham for boiling, roasting or pan broiling. - - -LESS-USED EDIBLE PARTS OF ANIMAL, AND METHODS OF COOKING BEST ADAPTED -TO THEIR USE - - | ANIMAL | - ORGAN | SOURCE | METHODS OF COOKING - -------------+------------+-------------------------- - Brains | Sheep | Broiled or scrambled - | Pork | with egg - -------------+------------+-------------------------- - | Veal | - Heart | Pork | Stuffed, baked or broiled - | Beef | - -------------+------------+-------------------------- - | Beef | - Kidney | Lamb | Stewed or sauted - | Veal | - -------------+------------+------------------------- - | Beef | Fried, boiled, sauted or - Liver | Veal | broiled - | Lamb | - -------------+------------+------------------------- - Sweetbreads | Young Veal | Creamed, broiled - | Young Beef | - -------------+------------+------------------------- - Tail | Beef | Soup or boiled - | Pork | - -------------+------------+------------------------- - Tongue | Beef | Boiled, pickled, corned - | Pork | - -------------+------------+------------------------- - Tripe | Veal | Broiled or boiled - -------------+------------+------------------------- - Fat | All Animals| Fried out for cooking or - | | soap making - -------------+------------+------------------------- - | | Pickled or boiled or used - Pigs Feet | Pork | with meat from head - | | for head cheese - -------------+------------+-------------------------- - - -COMPARATIVE COMPOSITION OF MEAT AND MEAT SUBSTITUTES - - |Carbo- |Mineral| - | Water |Protein| Fat |hydrate|Matter |Calories - Name | % | % | % | % | % | per lb. - -------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------- - Cheese | 34.2 | 25.2 | 31.7 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 1,950 - Eggs | 73.7 | 13.4 | 10.5 | ... | 1.0 | 720 - Milk | 87.0 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 310 - Beef | 54.8 | 23.5 | 20.4 | ... | 1.2 | 1,300 - Cod | 58.5 | 11.1 | 0.2 | ... | 0.8 | 209 - Salmon | 64.0 | 22.0 | 12.8 | ... | 1.4 | 923 - Peas | 85.3 | 3.6 | 0.2 | 9.8 | 1.1 | 252 - Baked Beans | 68.9 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 19.6 | 2.1 | 583 - Lentils | 15.9 | 25.1 | 1.0 | 56.1 | 1.1 | 1,620 - Peanuts | 9.2 | 25.8 | 38.6 | 24.4 | 0.2 | 2,490 - String Beans | 93.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 92 - Walnuts | 2.5 | 18.4 | 64.4 | 13.0 | 1.7 | 3,182 - Almonds | 4.8 | 21.0 | 54.9 | 17.3 | 2.0 | 2,940 - - - -THE ECONOMY OF MEAT AND MEAT SUBSTITUTES - - -Don't buy more than your family actually needs. Study and know what -the actual needs are, and you will not make unnecessary expenditures. - -Learn what the various cuts of meat are, what they can be used for, -and which are best suited to the particular needs of your household. - -Study the timeliness of buying certain cuts of meats. There are days -when prices are lower than normal. - -Always check the butcher's weights by watching him closely or by -weighing the goods on scales of your own. - -Always buy a definite quantity. Ask what the pound rate is, and note -any fractional part of the weight. Don't ask for "ten or twenty cents' -worth." - -Select your meat or fish personally. There is no doubt that high -retail prices are due to the tendency of many housewives to do their -buying by telephone or through their servants. - -Test the freshness of meat and fish. Staleness of meat and fish is -shown by loose and flabby flesh. The gills of fresh fish are red and -the fins stiff. - -Make all the purchases possible at a public market, if you can walk -to it, or if carfare will not make too large an increase in the amount -you have set aside for the day's buying. - -A food chopper can be made to pay for itself in a short time by the -great variety of ways it furnishes of utilizing left-overs. - -If possible, buy meat trimmings. They cost 20 cents a pound and can be -used in many ways. - -Buy the ends of bacon strips. They are just as nutritious as sliced -bacon and cost 50 per cent. less. - -Learn to use drippings in place of butter for cooking purposes. - -Buy cracked eggs. They cost much less than whole ones and are usually -just as good. - -Keep a stock pot. Drop into it all left-overs. These make an excellent -basis for soup stock. - -Don't throw away the heads and bones of fish. Clean them and use them -with vegetables for fish chowder or cream of fish soup. - -Study attractive ways of serving food. Plain, cheap, dishes can be -made appetizing if they look attractive on the table. - -Experiment with meat substitutes. Cheese, dried vegetables and the -cheaper varieties of fish can supply all the nutriment of meat at a -much lower cost. - -Don't do your cooking "by guess." If the various ingredients are -measured accurately, the dish will taste better and cost less. - -Don't buy delicatessen food if you can possibly avoid it. Delicatessen -meals cost 15 per cent. more than the same meals cooked at home, and -the food is not as nourishing. You pay for the cooking and the rent of -the delicatessen store, as well as the proprietor's profit. - -Don't pay five or ten cents more a dozen for white eggs in the belief -that they are superior to brown eggs. The food value of each is the -same. The difference in shell color is due to the breed of hen. - -Tell the butcher to give you the trimmings of chicken, i.e., the head, -feet, fat and giblets. They make delicious chicken soup. The feet -contain gelatine, which gives soup consistency. - -Buy a tough, and consequently less expensive, chicken and make it -tender by steaming it for three hours before roasting. - -Don't put meat wrapped in paper into the ice-box, as the paper tends -to absorb the juices. - -Try to find a way to buy at least a part of your meats and eggs direct -from the farm. You will get fresher, better food, and if it is sent by -parcels post it can usually be delivered to your table for much less -than city prices. - - -MEAT ECONOMY DISHES - - -MOCK DUCK - - 1 flank steak - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon pepper - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1 tablespoon onion juice - 1 tablespoon chopped parsley - 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning - 1 pint boiling water - 1/3 cup of whole wheat flour - -Reserve the water and the flour. Mix other ingredients. Spread -on steak. Roll the steak and tie. Roll in the flour. Brown in two -tablespoons of fat. Add the water--cover and cook until tender. - - -BEEF STEW - - 1 lb. of meat from the neck, cross ribs, shin or knuckles - 1 sliced onion - 3/4 cup carrots - 1/2 cup turnips - 1 cup potatoes - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon pepper - 1/2 cup flour - 1 quart water - -Soak one-half of the meat, cut in small pieces, in the quart of water -for one hour. Heat slowly to boiling point. Season the other half -of the meat with salt and pepper. Roll in flour. Brown in three -tablespoons of fat with the onion. Add to the soaked meat, which has -been brought to the boiling point. Cook one hour or until tender. -Add the vegetables, and flour mixed with half cup of cold water. Cook -until vegetables are tender. - - -HAM SOUFFLE - - 1-1/2 cups breadcrumbs - 2 cups scalded milk - 1-1/2 cups chopped cooked ham - 2 egg yolks - 1 tablespoon chopped parsley - 1 teaspoon minced onion - 1/2 teaspoon paprika - 2 egg whites - - -PARSLEY SAUCE - - 2 tablespoons butter - 3 tablespoons flour - 1 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - -For the soufflé, cook together breadcrumbs and milk for two minutes. -Remove from fire, add ham and mix well. Add egg yolks, first beating -these well; also the parsley (one tablespoon), onion and paprika. Fold -in, last of all, the egg whites whipped to a stiff, dry froth. Turn -quickly into a well-greased baking dish and bake in moderate oven for -thirty-five minutes, or until firm to the touch; meantime, make the -parsley sauce, so that both can be served instantly when the soufflé -is done; then it will not fall and grow tough. - -For the parsley sauce, melt the butter in saucepan and stir in the -flour, stirring until perfectly smooth, then add the milk slowly, -stirring constantly; cook until thick, stir in the parsley and salt, -and serve at once in a gravy boat. - - -BATTLE PUDDING - -BATTER - - 1 cup flour - 1/2 cup milk - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1 egg - 4 tablespoons water - 1/2 teaspoon salt - -FILLING - - 2 cups coarsely chopped cold cooked meat - 1 tablespoon drippings - 1 medium-sized potato - 1 cup stock or hot water - salt and pepper - 1 small onion - -Any cold meat may be used for this. Cut it into inch pieces. Slice the -onion and potato and fry in drippings until onion is slightly browned. -Add the meat and stock, or hot water, or dissolve in hot water any -left-over meat gravy. Cook all together until potato is soft, but not -crumbled; season with the pepper and salt. Thicken with a tablespoon -of flour and turn into a pudding dish. - -Make a batter by sifting together flour, baking-powder and salt; stir -in the egg and milk, mixed with the water. Beat hard until free from -lumps, then pour over meat and vegetables in the pudding and bake -until brown. - - -CHINESE MUTTON - - 1 pint chopped cooked mutton - 1 head shredded lettuce - 1 can cooked peas - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1 tablespoon fat - 1-1/2 cups broth - 1 teaspoon of salt - -Cook 15 minutes. Serve as a border around rice. - - -SHEPHERD'S PIE - - 2 cups chopped cooked mutton - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1/4 teaspoon curry powder - 2 cups hominy - 1 cup peas or carrots - 1/2 pint of brown sauce or water - -Put meat and vegetables in baking dish. Cover with rice, hominy, or -samp, which has been cooked. Bake until brown. - - -SCALLOPED HAM AND HOMINY - - 2 cups hominy (cooked) - 1 cup chopped cooked ham - 1/3 cup fat - 1/3 cup flour - 1 teaspoon of salt - 1/8 teaspoon mustard - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 egg - 1 cup milk - 1/2 cup water - -Melt the fat. Add the dry ingredients and the liquid slowly. When -at boiling point, add hominy and ham. Stir in the egg. Place in a -baking-dish. Cover with buttered crumbs. Bake until brown. - - -BEEF LOAF - - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 tablespoon sour pickle - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 teaspoon celery salt - -To 1 tablespoon of gelatine, softened in 1/2 cup of cold water add 1 -cup of hot tomato juice and pulp. Add seasoned meat. Chill and slice. -May be served with salad dressing. - - -BAKED HASH - - 1 cup chopped cooked meat - 2 cups raw potato, cut fine - 1 tablespoon onion juice - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1/4 cup drippings - 1/2 cup gravy or water - -Melt fat in frying pan. Put in all the other ingredients. Cook over a -slow fire for 1/2 hour. Fold and serve as omelet. - - -MEAT SHORTCAKE - - 1-1/2 cups flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 3 tablespoons shortening - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 2 cups chopped, cooked meat - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 1/2 cup gravy or soup stock - Salt and pepper - 3/4 cup milk and water - -Mix flour, salt and baking powder. Rub in shortening, and mix to dough -with milk and water. Roll out to quarter of an inch thickness, bake -in layer cake tins. Put together with the chopped meat mixed with the -onion and seasoning, and heated hot with the gravy or stock. If stock -is used, thicken with a tablespoon of flour mixed with one of butter, -or butter substitute. Serve as soon as put together. Cold cooked fish -heated in cream sauce may be used for a filling instead of the meat. - - -SCRAPPLE - -Place a pig's head in 4 quarts of cold water and bring slowly to the -boil. Skim carefully and season the liquid highly with salt, cayenne -and a teaspoon of rubbed sage. Let the liquid simmer gently until the -meat falls from the bones. Strain off the liquid, remove the bones, -and chop the meat fine. - -Measure the liquid and allow 1 cup of sifted cornmeal to 3 cups of -liquid. Blend the cornmeal in the liquid and simmer until it is the -consistency of thick porridge. Stir in the chopped meat and pour in -greased baking pans to cool. One-third buckwheat may be used instead -of cornmeal, and any kind of chopped meat can be blended with the pork -if desired. Any type of savory herb can also be used, according to -taste. - -When scrapple is to be eaten, cut into one-half inch slices, dredge -with flour, and brown in hot fat. - - -FISH AS A MEAT SUBSTITUTE - -As the main course at a meal, fish may be served accompanied by -vegetables or it may be prepared as a "one-meal dish" requiring only -bread and butter and a simple dessert to complete a nutritious and -well balanced diet. A lack of proper knowledge of selection of fish -for the different methods of cooking, and the improper cooking of -fish once it is acquired, are responsible to a large extent for the -prejudice so frequently to be found against the use of fish. - -The kinds of fish obtainable in different markets vary somewhat, but -the greatest difficulty for many housekeepers seems to be, to know -what fish may best be selected for baking, broiling, etc., and the -tests for fish when cooked. An invariable rule for cooking fish is -to apply high heat at first, until the flesh is well seared so as to -retain the juices; then a lower temperature until the flesh is cooked -throughout. Fish is thoroughly cooked when the flesh flakes. For -broiling or pan broiling, roll fish in flour or cornmeal, preferably -the latter, which has been well seasoned with salt and cayenne. This -causes the outside to be crisp and also gives added flavor. Leftover -bits of baked or other fish may be combined with white sauce or tomato -sauce, or variations of these sauces, and served as creamed fish, or -placed in a greased baking dish, crumbs placed on top and browned and -served as scalloped fish. Fish canapes, fish cocktail, fish soup or -chowder; baked, steamed, broiled or pan broiled fish, entrees without -number, and fish salad give opportunity to use it in endless variety. - -Combined with starchy foods such as rice, hominy, macaroni, spaghetti -or potato, and accompanied by a green vegetable or fruit, the dish -becomes a meal. Leftover bits may also be utilized for salad, either -alone with cooked or mayonaise salad dressing, or combined with -vegetables such as peas, carrots, cucumbers, etc. The addition of a -small amount of chopped pickle to fish salad improves its flavor, or -a plain or tomato gelatine foundation may be used as a basis for the -salad. The appended lists of fish suitable for the various methods -of cooking, and the variety in the recipes for the uses of fish, -have been arranged to encourage a wider use of this excellent meat -substitute, so largely eaten by European epicures, but too seldom -included in American menus. During the period of the war, the larger -use of fish is a patriotic measure in that it will save the beef, -mutton and pork needed for our armies. - - -FISH SHORTCAKE - - 2 cups cooked meat or fish - 1 cup gravy or water - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 teaspoon onion juice - - 2 cups rye flour - 1 teaspoon of salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 4 tablespoons fat - 1 cup gravy, water or milk - -Place meat or fish and seasonings in greased dish. Make shortcake by -sifting dry ingredients, cut in fat, and add liquid. Place on top of -meat or fish mixture. Bake 30 minutes. - - -CREOLE CODFISH - - 1 cup codfish, soaked over night and cooked until tender - 2 cups cold boiled potatoes - 1/3 cup pimento - 2 cups breadcrumbs - 1 cup tomato sauce - -Make sauce by melting 1/4 cup of fat, adding 2 tablespoons of whole -wheat flour. - - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1 teaspoon onion juice, and, gradually - 1 cup of tomato and juice - -Place the codfish, potatoes and pimento in a baking dish. Cover with -the tomato sauce, then the breadcrumbs, to which have been added 2 -tablespoons of drippings. Bake brown. - - -CREAMED SHRIMPS AND PEAS - - 1 cup shrimps - 1 cup peas - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1-1/2 cups milk - 2 tablespoons flour - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients, and gradually the liquid. Then add fish -and peas. - - -DRESSING FOR BAKED FISH - - 2 cups breadcrumbs - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper (cayenne) - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 1 tablespoon parsley - 1 tablespoon chopped pickle - 1/4 cup fat - -Mix well and fill fish till it is plump with the mixture. - - -SHRIMP AND PEA SALAD - - 1 cup cooked fish - 1 cup celery - 2 tablespoons pickle - 1 cup salad dressing - 1 cup peas - -FOR DRESSING - - 1 egg - 2 tablespoons flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon mustard - 2 tablespoons fat - 3/4 cup milk - 1/4 cup vinegar - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - -Directions for making dressing: Mix all ingredients. Cook over hot -water until consistency of custard. - - -FISH CHOWDER - - 1/4 lb. fat salt pork - 1 onion - 2 cups fish - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - Water to cover - 2 cups potatoes, diced - -Cook slowly, covered, for 1/2 hour. Add 1 pint of boiling milk and 1 -dozen water crackers. - - -BAKED FINNAN HADDIE - - 1/2 cup each of milk and water, boiling hot - 1 fish - -Pour over fish. Let stand, warm, 25 minutes. Pour off. Dot with fat -and bake 25 minutes. One tablespoon chopped parsley on top. - - -FISH CROQUETTES - - 1 cup of cooked fish - 1-1/2 cups mashed potato - 1 tablespoon parsley - 1 egg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1/2 teaspoon celery seed - 1 teaspoon lemon juice - -Shape as croquette and bake in a moderate oven 25 minutes. - - -CLAMS A LA BECHAMEL - - 1 cup chopped clams - 1-1/2 cups milk - 1 bay leaf - 3 tablespoons fat - 3 tablespoons flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg - 1 tablespoon chopped parsley - 1 teaspoon lemon juice - Yolks of 2 eggs - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - -Scald bay-leaf in milk. Make sauce, by melting fat with flour; add dry -ingredients, and gradually add the liquid. Add egg. Add fish. Put in -baking dish. Cover top with breadcrumbs. Bake 20 minutes. - - -SCALLOPED SHRIMPS - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 cup cooked shrimps - 1/2 cup cheese - 1/2 cup celery stalk - 1 cup milk - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients, and gradually the liquid. Then add fish -and cheese. Bring to boiling point and serve. - - -ESCALLOPED SALMON - - 1 large can salmon - 1/2 doz. soda crackers - 2 cups thin white sauce - Salt, pepper - 1 hard-boiled egg - -Alternate layers of the salmon and the crumbled crackers in a -well-greased baking dish, sprinkling each layer with salt, pepper, -the finely chopped hard-boiled egg, and bits of butter or butter -substitute, moistening with the white sauce. Finish with a layer of -the fish, sprinkling it with the cracker crumbs dotted with butter. -Bake in a moderate oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is well -browned. - - -Fish for Frying.--Brook trout, black bass, cod steaks, flounder -fillet, perch, pickerel, pompano, smelts, whitefish steak, pike, -weakfish, tilefish. - - -Fish for Boiling.--Cod, fresh herring, weakfish, tilefish, sea bass, -pickerel, red snapper, salt and fresh mackerel, haddock, halibut, -salmon, sheepshead. - - -Fish for Baking.--Black bass, bluefish, haddock, halibut, fresh -mackerel, sea bass, weakfish, red snapper, fresh salmon, pickerel, -shad, muskellunge. - - -Fish for Broiling.--Bluefish, flounder, fresh mackerel, pompano, -salmon steak, black bass, smelts, sea bass steaks, whitefish steaks, -trout steaks, shad roe, shad (whole). - - - - -CHEESE AS A MEAT SUBSTITUTE - - -CHEESE AND BREAD RELISH - - 2 cups of stale breadcrumbs - 1 cup of American cheese, grated - 2 teaspoons of salt - 1/8 teaspoon of pepper - 2 cups of milk - 1 egg - 2 tablespoons of fat - -Mix well. Bake in a greased dish in moderate oven for 25 minutes. - - -WELSH RAREBIT - - 1 cup of cheese - 1 cup of milk - 1/4 teaspoon of mustard - 1/8 teaspoon of pepper - 2 tablespoons of flour - 1 teaspoon of fat - 1 teaspoon of salt - 1 egg - -Put milk and cheese in top of double boiler over hot water. Heat until -cheese is melted. Mix other ingredients. Add to cheese and milk. Cook -five minutes, stirring constantly, and serve at once on toast. - - -MACARONI WITH CHEESE - -Over 1 cup macaroni, boiled in salted water, pour this sauce: - - 2 tablespoons flour - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 cupful milk - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1/2 cup grated American cheese - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients. Add liquid slowly. Bring to boiling -point. Add cheese. Stir until melted. Pour over macaroni. - - -CHEESE AND CABBAGE - - 2 cups cooked cabbage - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1-1/2 cups milk - 1 cup grated cheese - 1 teaspoon salt - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients. Add milk gradually. When at boiling -point, add cheese. Pour over cabbage in greased dish and bake 20 -minutes. Buttered crumbs may be put on top before baking if desired. - - -NUT AND CHEESE CROQUETTES - - 2 cups stale breadcrumbs - 1 cup milk - 1 yolk of egg - 1 cup chopped nuts - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/2 cup grated cheese - -Shape and roll in dried breadcrumbs. Bake 20 minutes. - - -CHEESE WITH TOMATO AND CORN - - 1 tablespoon fat - 3/4 cup cooked corn - 1/2 cup tomato purée - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 cups grated cheese - 1/4 cup pimento - 1 egg - 1/2 teaspoon paprika - -Heat purée. Add fat, corn, salt, paprika and pimento. When hot, add -cheese. When melted, add yolk. Cook till thick. Serve on toast. - - -CHEESE AND CELERY LOAF - - 1/2 loaf thinly sliced bread - 1 cup cheese - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1/4 cup fat - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 2 eggs - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 cup cooked celery knob or celery - -Mix all ingredients except milk and bread. Spread on bread. Pile in -baking dish. Pour milk over the mixture. Bake in a moderate oven until -firm in center. Serve hot. - - -FARINA AND CHEESE ENTREE - - 1 cup cooked farina or rice - 1 cup cheese - 1 cup nuts - 1 cup milk - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Mix all thoroughly. Bake in greased dish 30 minutes. - - -BOSTON ROAST - - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 1 cup grated cheese - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 cup beans (kidney) - About 1 cup breadcrumbs - -Soak and cook beans. Mix all ingredients into loaf. Baste with fat and -water. Bake 30 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce. - - -SPINACH LOAF - - 1 cup spinach - 1 cup cheese - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1 tablespoon fat - 1/4 teaspoon salt - -Mix and bake in greased dish 20 minutes. - - -CHEESE FONDUE - - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1 cup milk - 1 cup cheese - 1 egg - 2 tablespoons fat - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -Soak bread 10 minutes in milk. Add fat and cheese. When melted, add -egg and seasoning. Cook in double boiler or bake 20 minutes. - - -RICE-CHEESE RAREBIT - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1-1/2 cups tomato juice and pulp - 1 cup cheese - 1 cup cooked rice - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Melt fat. Add dry ingredients. Add liquid slowly. When at boiling -point, add cheese and rice. Serve hot. - - -POLENTA - - 1 cup cooked cornmeal mush - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup cheese - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - -While mush is hot place ingredients in layers in baking dish. Bake 20 -minutes. - - -CHEESE SAUCE - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/2 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 cups milk - 1/2 cup cheese - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - -Prepare same as tomato sauce. Serve with rice or spaghetti. - - -TOMATO CHEESE SAUCE - - 1 pt. milk - 1/2 teaspoon soda - 2/3 cup flour - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 pt. tomatoes - 1 cup cheese - -For both the sauces, melt fat, add dry ingredients and, gradually, -the liquid. When at boiling point, add cheese and serve. This is an -excellent sauce for fish. - - -CHEESE SAUCE ON TOAST - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 pint milk - 1/4 cup flour - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1 cup cheese - -Make as white sauce and add cheese. Pour over bread, sliced and -toasted. Bake in moderate oven. - - -CHEESE MOLD - - 1/2 pint cottage cheese - 1/4 cup green peppers, chopped - 1/2 cup condensed milk - 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne - 1 tablespoon of gelatine - 2 tablespoons of cold water - 1 teaspoon salt - -Soak the gelatine in the cold water until soft. Dissolve over hot -water. Add the other ingredients. Chill. Serve as a salad or as a -lunch or supper entrée. - - -CHEESE SOUP - - 1 quart milk or part stock - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup fat - 1 cup cheese - 1/4 tablespoon paprika - -Cream fat and flour; add gradually the liquid, and season. When creamy -and ready to serve, stir in the cheese, grated. - - -CHEESE BISCUIT - - 1 cup flour - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup water - 3 teaspoons baking powder - 1 tablespoon butter or fat - 8 tablespoons grated cheese - -Mix like drop baking powder biscuit. Bake 12 minutes in hot oven. -This recipe makes twelve biscuits. They are excellent to serve with a -vegetable salad as they are high in nutrition. - - -CELERY-CHEESE SCALLOP - - 1-1/2 cups breadcrumbs - 2 cups milk - 3 cups chopped celery - 1 cup shaved cheese - -Cook celery till tender. Put layer of crumbs in greased baking dish, -then celery; cover with cheese and sprinkle with salt and pepper. -Repeat to fill dish. Turn in boiling hot milk with 1 cup of celery -water. Bake for 30 minutes. - - -MEAT SUBSTITUTE DISHES - - -CORN AND OYSTER FRITTERS - - 1 cup flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon pepper - 1/4 cup milk - 1 egg - 6 oysters - 2 full tablespoons Kornlet - -Sift dry ingredients, add milk, egg and Kornlet. Add oysters last. Fry -in deep fat, using a tablespoonful to an oyster. - - -SALMON LOAF - - 2 cups cooked salmon - 1 cup grated breadcrumbs - 2 beaten eggs - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon paprika - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon chopped parsley - 1 teaspoonful onion juice - -Mix thoroughly. Bake in greased dish 30 minutes. - - -BAKED LENTILS - -Two cups lentils that have been soaked over night. Boil until soft, -with 2 small onions and 1 teaspoon each of thyme, savory, marjoram, -and 4 cloves. Drain. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, and put into baking dish. -Dot with fat. Bake for 30 minutes. - - -HOMINY CROQUETTES - - 1 cup of cooked hominy - 1/2 cup nuts - 1 tablespoon corn syrup - 1 teaspoon of salt - 1/8 teaspoon of pepper - 1 egg - 1 tablespoon melted fat - -Mix and roll in dried breadcrumbs and bake in oven 20 minutes. - - -MEATLESS SAUSAGE - - 1 cup soaked and cooked dried peas, beans, lentils or lima beans - 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup fat - 1 egg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon sage - -Mix and shape as sausage. Roll in flour and fry in dripping. - - -RICE AND NUT LOAF - - 1 cup boiled rice or potato - 1 cup peanuts - 2/3 cup dried breadcrumbs - 3/4 cup milk - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 2 tablespoons fat - -Mix well. Bake in greased pan 30 minutes. - - -SOY BEAN CROQUETTES - - 2 cups baked or boiled soy beans - 1-1/2 tablespoons molasses - 2 tablespoons butter or drippings - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon vinegar - Pepper to taste - 1 egg - 1 scant cup breadcrumbs - -When the beans are placed on to boil, put tablespoon fat and half an -onion with them. After draining well, put through the foodchopper, -keeping the liquid for soup stock. Mix all the ingredients, beating -the egg white before adding. Form into balls or cylinders, dip in the -leftover egg yolk, to which a few drops of water have been added, and -then coat with stale bread or cracker crumbs. Be sure the croquettes -are well covered, then fry brown. Serve with cream sauce or with -scalloped or stewed tomatoes. With a green salad, this is a complete -meal. - - -LEGUME LOAF - - 1/3 cup dried breadcrumbs - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 2 teaspoons chopped nuts - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 3 tablespoons fat - 3/4 cup milk - 1/2 cup pulp from peas, beans or lentils, soaked and cooked until - tender - -Mix well. Bake in greased pan 30 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce, -or white sauce, with 2 tablespoons nuts, or 2 teaspoons horseradish -added. - - -VEGETABLE LOAF - -One cup peas, beans or lentils soaked over night, then cooked until -tender. Put through colander. To 2 cups of mixture, add: - - 2 eggs - 3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs - 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning - 2 teaspoons celery salt - 1/2 cup whole wheat flour - 1-1/2 cups tomato juice and pulp - 2 teaspoons onion juice - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 cups chopped peanuts - -Mix thoroughly. Place in greased baking dish. Bake 30 minutes. - - -KIDNEY BEAN SCALLOP - -Two cups kidney beans, soaked over night. Cook until tender. Drain. - -To each 2 cups of beans, add: - - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 tablespoon chopped onion - 1/4 cup tomato pulp - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - -Mix thoroughly. Place in greased baking dish. Cover with 2 cups -crumbs, to which have been added 2 tablespoons melted fat. Bake 30 -minutes in moderate oven. - - -VENETIAN SPAGHETTI - - 1 cup cooked spaghetti or macaroni - 1 cup carrots - 1 cup turnips - 1 cup cabbage - 2 cups milk - 1/2 cup onions - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup chopped peanuts - Pepper - -Cook spaghetti until tender (about 30 minutes). Cook vegetables until -tender in 1 quart water, with 1 teaspoon of salt added. Melt fat, add -dry ingredients, add milk gradually and bring to boiling point each -time before adding more milk. When all of milk is added, add peanuts. -Put in greased baking dish one-half of spaghetti, on top place -one-half of vegetables, then one-half of sauce. Repeat, and place in -moderately hot oven 30 minutes. - - -HORSERADISH SAUCE TO SERVE WITH LEFT-OVER SOUP MEAT - - 3 tablespoons of horseradish - 1 tablespoon vinegar - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/2 cup of thick, sour cream, and - 1 tablespoon corn syrup, or - 4 tablespoons of condensed milk - -Mix and chill. - - -BROWN SAUCE FOR LEFTOVER MEATS - - 1/3 cup drippings - 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1-1/2 cups meat stock or water - 1 teaspoon salt - -Melt the fat and brown the flour in it. Add the salt and pepper and -gradually the meat stock or water. If water is used, add 1 teaspoon of -kitchen bouquet. This may be used for leftover slices or small pieces -of any kind of cooked meat. - - - -FOOD WILL WIN THE WAR DON'T WASTE IT - - - -"_To provide adequate supplies for the coming year is of absolutely -vital importance to the conduct of the war, and without a very -conscientious elimination of waste and very strict economy in our food -consumption, we cannot hope to fulfill this primary duty._" - -_WOODROW WILSON._ - - - - -[Illustration] - -SAVE SUGAR - -_REASONS WHY OUR GOVERNMENT ASKS US TO SAVE SUGAR WITH PRACTICAL -RECIPES FOR SUGARLESS DESSERTS, CAKES, CANDIES AND PRESERVES._ - - -One ounce of sugar less per person, per day, is all our Government -asks of us to meet the world sugar shortage. One ounce of sugar equals -two scant level tablespoonfuls and represents a saving that every man, -woman and child should be able to make. Giving up soft drinks and the -frosting on our cakes, the use of sugarless desserts and confections, -careful measuring and thorough stirring of that which we place in our -cups of tea and coffee, and the use of syrup, molasses or honey on our -pancakes and fritters will more than effect this saving. - -It seems but a small sacrifice, if sacrifice it can be called, when -one recognizes that cutting down sugar consumption will be most -beneficial to national health. The United States is the largest -consumer of sugar in the world. In 1916 Germany's consumption was 20 -lbs. per person per year, Italy's 29 to 30 lbs., that of France 37, -of England 40, while the United States averaged 85 lbs. This enormous -consumption is due to the fact that we are a nation of candy-eaters. -We spend annually $80,000,000 on confections. These are usually eaten -between meals, causing digestive disturbances as well as unwarranted -expense. Sweets are a food and should be eaten at the close of the -meal, and if this custom is established during the war, not only -will tons of sugar be available for our Allies, but the health of the -nation improved. - -The average daily consumption of sugar per person in this country is 5 -ounces, and yet nutritional experts agree that not more than 3 ounces -a day should be taken. The giving up of one ounce per day will, -therefore, be of great value in reducing many prevalent American -ailments. Flatulent dyspepsia, rheumatism, diabetes, and stomach -acidity are only too frequently traced to an oversupply of sugar in -our daily diet. - -Most persons apparently think of sugar merely as a sweetening agent, -forgetting entirely the fact that it is a most concentrated food. -It belongs to what is called the carbohydrate group, upon which we -largely depend for energy and heat. It is especially valuable to -the person doing active physical work, the open-air worker, or the -healthy, active, growing child, but should be used sparingly by other -classes of people. Sugar is not only the most concentrated fuel food -in the dietary, but it is one that is very readily utilized in the -body, 98 per cent. of it being available for absorption, while within -thirty minutes of the time it is taken into the system part of it is -available for energy. - -As a food it must be supplied, especially to the classes of people -mentioned above, but as a confection it can well be curtailed. When it -is difficult to obtain, housekeepers must avail themselves of changed -recipes and different combinations to supply the necessary three -ounces per day and to gain the much-desired sweet taste so necessary -to many of our foods of neutral flavor with which sugar is usually -combined. - -Our grandmothers knew how to prepare many dishes without sugar. In -their day lack of transportation facilities, of refining methods and -various economic factors made molasses, sorghum, honey, etc., the -only common methods of sweetening. But the housekeeper of to-day knows -little of sweetening mediums except sugar, and sugar shortage is to -her a crucial problem. There are many ways, however, of getting around -sugar shortage and many methods of supplying the necessary food value -and sweetening. - -By the use of marmalades, jams and jellies canned during the season -when the sugar supply was less limited, necessity for the use of sugar -can be vastly reduced. By the addition to desserts and cereals of -dried fruits, raisins, dates, prunes and figs, which contain large -amounts of natural sugar, the sugar consumption can be greatly -lessened. By utilizing leftover syrup from canned or preserved fruits -for sweetening other fruits, and by the use of honey, molasses, maple -sugar, maple syrup and corn syrup, large quantities of sugar may be -saved. The substitution of sweetened condensed milk for dairy milk -in tea, coffee and cocoa--in fact, in all our cooking processes where -milk is required--will also immeasurably aid in sugar conservation. -The substitutes mentioned are all available in large amounts. Honey -is especially valuable for children, as it consists of the more simple -sugars which are less irritating than cane sugar, and there is no -danger of acid stomach from the amounts generally consumed. - -As desserts are the chief factor in the use of quantities of sugar -in our diet, the appended recipes will be of value, as they deal with -varied forms of nutritious, attractive sugarless desserts. It is only -by the one-ounce savings of each individual member of our great one -hundred million population that the world sugar shortage may be met, -and it is hoped every housekeeper will study her own time-tested -recipes with the view of utilizing as far as possible other forms of -sweetening. In most recipes the liquid should be slightly reduced in -amount and about one-fifth more of the substitute should be used than -the amount of sugar called for. - -With a few tests along this line one will be surprised how readily -the substitution may be made. If all sweetening agents become scarce, -desserts can well be abandoned. Served at the end of a full meal, -desserts are excess food except in the diet of children, where they -should form a component part of the meal. - -[Illustration] - - - - -SUGARLESS DESSERTS - - -CRUMB SPICE PUDDING - - 1 cup dry bread crumbs - 1 pint hot milk - - Let stand until milk is absorbed. - - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup molasses - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 egg - 1/2 teaspoon mixed spices, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, mace and ginger - 2/3 cup raisins, dates and prunes (steamed 5 minutes) - -Mix and bake 45 minutes. - - -TAPIOCA FRUIT PUDDING - - 1/2 cup pearl tapioca or sago - 3 cups water - 1/4 lb. dried apricots, prunes, dates or raisins - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons fat - 1/2 cup corn syrup - -Soak fruit in water 1 hour. Add other ingredients. Cook directly over -fire 5 minutes, then over hot water until clear, about 45 minutes. - - -MARMALADE PUDDING - - 6 slices stale bread - 1/4 cup fat - 2 egg yolks - 1 tablespoon corn syrup - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 cup milk - 1 cup marmalade or preserves - -Mix eggs, corn syrup, salt and milk. Dip bread and brown in frying -pan. Spread with marmalade or preserves. Pile in baking dish. Cover -with any of the custard mixture which is left. Cover with meringue. -Bake 15 minutes. - - -PRUNE ROLL - - 2 cups whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup milk - 1 tablespoon fat - 2 tablespoons sugar - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - 1/2 lb. washed and scalded prunes, dates, figs or raisins - 2 teaspoons baking powder - -To prunes, add 1/2 cup water and soak 10 minutes. Simmer in same water -until tender (about 10 minutes). Drain prunes and mash to a pulp. -Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add beaten egg and milk. Mix to -a dough. Roll out thin, spread with prune pulp, sprinkle with two -tablespoons sugar. Roll the mixture and place in greased baking dish. -Bake 30 to 40 minutes. Take half cup of juice from prunes, add 1 -tablespoon corn syrup. Bring to boiling point. Serve as sauce for -prune roll. - - -MARMALADE BLANC MANGE - - 1 pint milk - 1/8 cup cornstarch - 2 yolks of eggs - 1/3 cup orange marmalade - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - Few grains of salt - -Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold milk. Scald rest of milk, add -cornstarch, and stir until thick. Cook over hot water 20 minutes. -Add rest of ingredients. Cook, stirring 5 minutes. Chill and serve -with two whites of eggs, beaten stiff, to which has been added 2 -tablespoons orange marmalade. Two ounces grated chocolate and 1/3 -cup corn syrup may be substituted for marmalade. - - -COFFEE MARSHMALLOW CREAM - - 2 cups strong boiling coffee - 2 tablespoons gelatine (granulated) - 2 tablespoons cold water - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 1 cup condensed milk - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - -Soak gelatine in cold water until soft. Add coffee and stir -until dissolved. Add other ingredients. Chill. One-quarter cup of -marshmallows may be cut up and added just before chilling. - - -FRUIT PUDDING - - 2 cups of left-over canned fruit or cooked dried fruit - 2 cups of the juice or water - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 2 tablespoons gelatine - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - -Soften the gelatine in 2 tablespoons of the juice or water. Add the -rest of the fruit after it has been heated. When the gelatine is -dissolved, add the fruit, lemon juice and corn syrup. Pour in mold. - - -CEREAL AND DATE PUDDING - - 1 cup cooked cereal - 2 cups milk - 1-1/2 tablespoons fat - 1 cup dates - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - 1 egg - -Cook over hot water until thick, and boil or bake 20 minutes. Serve -with hot maple syrup. - - -BAKED APPLES WITHOUT SUGAR - -Fill cored apples with 1 tablespoon honey, corn syrup, chopped dates, -raisins, marmalade, or chopped popcorn mixed with corn syrup in -the proportion of two tablespoons of syrup to a cup of corn. Put -one-quarter inch of water in pan. Bake until tender and serve apples -in pan with syrup as sauce. - - -APPLES AND POPCORN - -Core apples. Cut just through the skin around the center of the apple. -Fill the center with popcorn and 1 teaspoon of corn syrup. Bake 30 -minutes. - - -MAPLE RICE PUDDING - - 1/2 cup rice - 1-1/2 cups milk - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1/3 cup maple syrup - 1/2 cup raisins - 1 egg - -Cook in top of double boiler or in steamer 35 minutes. - - -ECONOMY PUDDING - - 1 cup cooked cereal - 1/2 cup corn syrup - 1/4 teaspoon mapline - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 cup chopped nuts - 1/2 cup raisins or dates - 1 egg - -Cook in double boiler until smooth. Serve cold with cream or place in -baking dish and bake 20 minutes. - - -OATMEAL AND PEANUT PUDDING - - 2 cups cooked oatmeal - 1 cup sliced apple - 1 cup peanuts - 1/2 cup raisins - 1/3 cup molasses - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -Mix and bake in greased dish for 30 minutes. Serve hot or cold. This -is a very nourishing dish. - - -CHOCOLATE BLANC MANGE - - 1 pint milk - 1/3 cup cornstarch - 1/3 cup corn syrup - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 2 oz. grated chocolate - -Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold milk. Scald rest of milk. Add -cornstarch. Cook until thick. Add a little of the hot mixture to -the chocolate when melted. Mix all ingredients and cook 5 minutes, -stirring constantly. Chill and serve with plain or chopped nuts. - - -OATMEAL FRUIT PUDDING - - 2 cups cooked oatmeal - 1/8 cup molasses - 1 cup raisins - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup chopped nuts - 1 egg (beaten) - -Mix well. Bake in greased baking dish 30 minutes - - -JELLIED PRUNES - - 1/2 lb. prunes - 2-1/2 cups cold water - 2 tablespoons granulated gelatine - 1/2 cup corn syrup or 1/4 cup sugar - 2 teaspoons grated lemon or orange rind - -Soak washed and scalded prunes in 2 cups cold water 10 minutes. Simmer -until tender (about 10 minutes). Soak gelatine in 1/2 cup cold water. -When soft, add to hot prune mixture. When gelatine is dissolved, add -other ingredients and place in mold. Chill, and stir once or twice -while chilling to prevent prunes settling to bottom of mold. - - -APPLE PORCUPINES - -Core 6 apples. Cut line around apple just through skin. Fill center -with mixture of one-quarter cup each of dates, nuts and figs or -marmalade, to which has been added one-quarter cup corn syrup or -honey. Bake 30 minutes with one-quarter inch water in baking pan. -Stick outside of apple with blanched almonds to make porcupine quills. - - -SCALLOPED FRUIT PUDDING - - 2 tablespoons melted fat - 2 cups crumbs - 1/2 cup of fruit juice or water - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 2 cups of left-over canned or cooked dried fruit - -Put one-quarter of the crumbs on the bottom of a buttered baking pan. -Cover with one-half the fruit, one-half the corn syrup, one-half the -liquid, one-quarter of the crumbs; the other half of the fruit, juice -and corn syrup, and the rest of the crumbs, on top. Bake 20 minutes in -a hot oven. - - -PRUNE FILLING FOR PIE - - 1/2 lb. pitted prunes - 1/3 cup corn syrup, or 2 tablespoons sugar - 1 cup water - 2 teaspoons lemon rind - 1/2 tablespoon fat - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - -Wash and scald prunes. Soak ten minutes in the water. Simmer until -tender. Rub through colander. Add other ingredients, well blended. -Bring to boiling point. Use as filling for pastry. - - -APPLE AND DATE FILLING - - 2 cups apples - 1 cup dates - 1 tablespoon, fat - 1 teaspoon lemon rind - 1/4 cup water - -Mix all and use as filling for double crust, or cook until apples are -tender. Mix well and use as filling for tarts, etc. - - -LEMON FILLING FOR PIE - - 1-1/2 cups corn syrup - 1-1/2 cups water - 1/3 cup cornstarch - 2 eggs - 1 tablespoon lemon rind - 1/2 cup lemon juice (2 lemons) - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -Mix cornstarch and 1 cup water. Add to corn syrup. Cook over -direct flame until thick. Cook over hot water 20 minutes. Mix other -ingredients. Add one-half cup water and add to other mixture. Cook 5 -minutes and use as filling--hot or cold. - - -SOUR CREAM FILLING FOR CAKE - - 1 cup sour cream (heated) - 1 cup chopped nuts - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 1 teaspoon gelatine - 2 tablespoons cold water - -Soften gelatine in cold water. Add heated cream and when dissolved add -other ingredients. Chill and use for cake filling. This is a good way -of using up leftover cream which has turned. - - -MOCK MINCE MEAT FILLING FOR PIE - - 1 cup cranberries, chopped - 1 cup raisins - 1 cup corn syrup - 2 tablespoons flour mixed with 1/4 cup cold water - 2 tablespoons fat - -Mix all. Bring to boiling point and place in double crust pastry or -cook until thick and use as filling for tarts. - - -PUMPKIN FILLING FOR PIE - - 2 cups stewed pumpkin - 1 cup corn syrup - 1 egg - 2 tablespoons flour - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon allspice - 1/8 teaspoon ginger - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1-1/2 cups milk - -Mix all ingredients and bake in double crust pastry, or cook and serve -in cooked single crust with meringue. - - -MERINGUE FOR CHOCOLATE, LEMON OR PUMPKIN PIE - - 2 egg whites - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - -Beat whites until very stiff. Add corn syrup by folding in. Do not -beat. - - -WHEATLESS, EGGLESS, BUTTERLESS, MILKLESS, SUGARLESS CAKE - - 1 cup corn syrup - 2 cups water - 2 cups raisins - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 teaspoons cinnamon - 1 teaspoon nutmeg - 1-1/2 cups fine cornmeal, 2 cups rye flour; or, 3-1/2 cups whole - wheat flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder, or, 1/2 teaspoon soda - -Cook corn syrup, water, raisins, fat, salt and spices slowly 15 -minutes. When cool, add flour, soda or baking powder, thoroughly -blended. Bake in slow oven 1 hour. The longer this cake is kept, the -better the texture and flavor. This recipe is sufficient to fill one -medium-sized bread pan. - - -SOUR MILK GINGER BREAD - - 2 tablespoons fat - 1/4 cup molasses - 1 egg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup sour milk - 1 teaspoon soda - 2 cups whole wheat flour - 1 teaspoon ginger - -Mix soda and molasses. Add other ingredients. Bake in muffin pans 20 -minutes or loaf 40 minutes. - - -MAPLE CAKE - - 1/4 cup fat - 1 cup corn syrup - 1-1/2 teaspoons mapline - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1-1/4 cups whole wheat flour - 1/4 teaspoon soda - 1/4 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - 1/2 cup coarsely cut nuts - -Cream fat, syrup and mapline. Add beaten egg. Sift dry ingredients -and add alternately with milk. Add flavoring and nuts last. Beat well. -Bake 20 minutes in layer pan. This quantity makes one layer. - - -COCOANUT SURPRISE - - 6 slices of bread cut in half - 1/2 cup of milk - 1 egg yolk - 1 tablespoon corn syrup - 2 tablespoons cocoanut - Tart jelly - -Mix milk, egg yolk and corn syrup. Dip bread in this mixture and brown -in frying pan, with small amount of fat. Spread with currant or other -tart jelly, preserve or marmalade. Sprinkle with cocoanut and serve as -cakes. - - -SOY BEAN WAFERS - - 1 cup soy beans, finely chopped - 1/2 cup butter or shortening - 1/4 cup sugar - 1/3 cup corn syrup - 1/2 teaspoon lemon or vanilla - 1/2 cup flour - 1 egg - 2 teaspoons baking powder - -Soak beans over night, boil for 1 hour. Drain. Cool and put through -food-chopper. Cream butter and sugar, add beans, egg. Sift flour with -baking powder and add to first mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls on a -baking sheet and bake 8 minutes in a hot oven. - - -APPLE SPICE CAKE - - 1/2 cup fat - 1/2 cup sugar - 1 beaten egg - 1/3 cup molasses - 1/2 cup tart apple sauce - 1/2 cup raisins, dates, prunes or currants (chopped) - 1-1/2 cups flour - 1/2 teaspoon allspice - 1/4 teaspoon cloves - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - -Cream fat and sugar. Add egg. Alternate dry ingredients (which have -been sifted together) with the liquid. Add fruit last. Beat well. Bake -as loaf about 15 minutes, or in muffin pans about 25 minutes. - - -CRISP GINGER COOKIES - - 1 cup of molasses - 2 tablespoons of fat - 1 teaspoon soda and 1 teaspoon water (hot) - 1 cup of flour - 1 tablespoon ginger - 1/2 teaspoon cloves - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon salt - About 3 cups flour - -Heat molasses and fat until fat is melted. Sift spices with one cup of -flour. Dissolve soda in one teaspoon of hot water. Combine all and add -enough more flour to make dough stiff enough to roll out. Bake 12 to -15 minutes in moderate oven. - - -SOFT CINNAMON COOKIES - - 1 cup molasses - 2 tablespoons fat - 1/2 cup boiling water - 1 cup flour - 1 teaspoon soda - 1/2 teaspoon ginger - 2 tablespoons cinnamon - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon of cloves - -Mix molasses, fat, and boiling water. Sift dry ingredients. Add the -liquid. Add enough more flour (about four cups) to make dough stiff -enough to roll out. Cut and bake about 15 minutes in moderately hot -oven. - - -WARTIME FRUIT CAKE - - 1 cup honey or corn syrup - 1 tablespoon fat - 1 egg - 2 cups flour - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 teaspoon cloves - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 cup chopped dates, figs, prunes or raisins - 3/4 teaspoon soda - 2/3 cup milk - -Cream fat, honey and egg. Sift dry ingredients. Add alternately with -milk. Bake in loaf 45 minutes in moderate oven. - - -HOT WATER GINGER CAKES - - 1-1/2 cup molasses - 3/4 cup boiling water - 2-1/2 cups flour - 1-1/8 teaspoons soda - 1-1/2 teaspoons ginger - 3/4 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup fat - -Sift dry ingredients. Mix fat, molasses and boiling water. Add dry -ingredients. Beat briskly for a few minutes, and pour into greased -muffin pans. Bake twenty to thirty minutes in moderate oven. - - -SPICED OATMEAL FRUIT CAKES - - 1-3/4 cups whole wheat flour - 3/4 cup cooked oatmeal - 2/3 cup corn syrup - 1/2 cup raisins, dates, prunes or figs - 1/4 teaspoon soda - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 3 tablespoons fat - -Heat the corn syrup and fat. Sift dry ingredients and add to first -mixture. Add fruit last. Bake in muffin pans for 30 minutes. - - -FRUIT WONDER CAKES - - 1 doz. salted wafers - 1/3 cup chopped dates - 1/3 cup chopped nuts - 1 egg white - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - -Beat egg white until very stiff. Add other ingredients and place on -the wafers. Place under broiler until a delicate brown. - - - - - -SUGARLESS CANDIES - - -FRUIT PASTE - - 2 teaspoons gelatine - 2 tablespoons cold water - 1/3 cup corn syrup - 2 teaspoons cornstarch - 1/4 cup chopped nuts - 1/2 cup chopped dates - 1/2 cup chopped raisins - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla - -Mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Heat corn syrup to the -boil, add cornstarch and cook for three minutes. Soften the gelatine -in two tablespoons cold water for five minutes; stir into the hot -syrup after taking from fire. When gelatine has dissolved add the -fruit and nuts and flavoring. Chill, cut in squares, and roll each in -powdered sugar. - - -WARTIME TAFFY - - 2 cups corn syrup - 1/2 teaspoon soda - 1 teaspoon water - 2 tablespoons vinegar - -Boil the syrup for fifteen minutes, then add the soda. Cook until a -little snaps brittle when dropped in cold water. Add the vinegar when -this stage is reached and pour into oiled pans. When cool enough to -handle, pull until white; make into inch-thick rolls and clip off into -neat mouthfuls with oiled scissors, or chill and break into irregular -pieces when cold. - - -PEANUT BRITTLE - - 1 cup corn syrup - 1 tablespoon fat - 1 cup peanuts - -Boil syrup and fat until brittle when tested in cold water. Grease a -pan, sprinkle the roasted and shelled peanuts in it, making an even -distribution, then turn in the syrup. When almost cold mark into -squares. Cocoanut, puffed wheat or puffed rice may be used for candy -instead of peanuts. - - -RAISIN AND PEANUT LOAF - -Put equal quantity of seeded raisins and roasted peanuts through the -food chopper, using the coarsest blade. Moisten with molasses just -enough so that the mixture can be molded into a loaf. Chill, cut and -serve as candy. Chopped English walnuts combined with chopped dates or -figs make a very delicious loaf sweetmeat. - - -POPCORN BALLS AND FRITTERS - - 1 cup corn syrup - 2 tablespoons vinegar - Popcorn - -Cook syrup for fifteen minutes, add vinegar, then when a little snaps -when dropped in cold water turn over popped corn, mix well, and form -into balls with oiled hands, or if fritters are desired, roll out the -mass while warm and cut out with a greased cutter. - - -COCOANUT LOAF - - 1 cup shredded cocoanut - 1/2 cup chopped dates - 1/4 cup corn syrup - 1/8 teaspoon mapline - -Mix corn syrup and mapline. Add enough to the dates and cocoanut to -form a stiff cake. Mold into neat square at least an inch thick. Let -stand in the refrigerator for one hour, then cut in squares and roll -each in cornstarch. - - -STUFFED DATES - -Mix one-half cup each of chopped peanuts and raisins. Add a teaspoon -of lemon juice and two tablespoons of cream cheese. Remove stones from -fine large dates, and in their place insert a small roll of the cheese -mixture. These are nice in place of candy or can be served with salad. - - -FRUIT LOAF - - 1/2 cup raisins - 1/2 cup nuts - 2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup or corn syrup - 1/2 cup figs or dates - -Put fruit and nuts through the food chopper, using the coarsest -blade. Add enough syrup or honey to make a stiff loaf. Place in the -refrigerator for one hour; slice and serve in place of candy, rolling -each slice in cornstarch. - - -STUFFED FIGS - -Cut a slit in the side of dried figs, take out some of the pulp -with the tip of a teaspoon. Mix with one-quarter cup of the pulp and -one-quarter cup of finely chopped crystalized ginger, a teaspoon of -grated orange or lemon rind; and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Fill the -figs with mixture, stuffing them so that they look plump. - - - - -SUGARLESS PRESERVES - - -QUINCE OR PEAR PRESERVES - - 1 lb. fruit - 1 cup corn syrup - 1/4 lb. ginger root or 2 oz. crystalized ginger - -Steam or cook sliced and pared fruit in small amount of water until -tender. Add ginger and corn syrup. Cook 20 minutes slowly. Lemon skins -may be used instead of ginger root. - - -APPLE, QUINCE, PEACH, PEAR OR PLUM JAM - - 1 cup left-over cooked fruit or pulp from skins and core - 3/4 cup corn syrup - 2 tablespoons vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon mixed ground spices, allspice, cloves and nutmeg - -Cook slowly until thick. - - -PUMPKIN OR CARROT MARMALADE - -Reduce 1 pint grape juice one-half by boiling slowly. Add 1 cup -vegetables (pumpkin or carrot). Add 2 teaspoons spices and 1 cup corn -syrup. Boil until of consistency of honey and place in sterilized jars -or glasses. - - -GRAPE JUICE - - 5 lb. grapes - 1 pint water - 1 cup corn syrup - -Cook grapes in water until soft. Mash; drain through jelly bag or -wet cheesecloth. Add corn syrup. Boil 5 minutes. Put into sterilized -bottles. If cork stoppers are used cover them with melted sealing wax. - - -SYRUP FOR SPICED APPLES, PEARS, PEACHES, GRAPES - - 1 cup corn syrup - 2 oz. stick cinnamon - 12 allspice berries - 6 whole cloves - 1/4 cup vinegar - -Boil 5 minutes. Add any fruit and cook slowly 20 minutes or until -fruit is clear and syrup thick. If hard fruits, such as pears, -quinces, etc., are used, steam for 20 minutes before adding to syrup. - - -SYRUP FOR CANNED FRUIT - - 1 cup corn syrup - 1 cup water - -Bring to boiling point. Use same as sugar and water syrup. - - -SYRUP FOR PRESERVED FRUIT - - 2 cups crystal corn syrup For each three pounds of fruit - 1/2 cup water - -Use same as water and sugar syrup. - - -CRANBERRY JELLY - - 1 pint cranberries - 1/2 cup water - About 1 cup corn syrup - -Cook cranberries in water very slowly until tender. Leave whole or -press through colander. Measure amount of mixture and add equal amount -of corn syrup. Cook slowly until mixture forms jelly when tested on -cold plate. Turn into mold which has been rinsed in cold water. - - -APRICOT AND RAISIN MARMALADE - - 1 cup of apricots - 1-1/2 cups cold water - 1 cup corn syrup - 1/2 cup chopped seeded raisins - 1 teaspoon orange rind - -Soak apricots and raisins in the water two hours. Cook slowly until -very soft. Add other ingredients and cook slowly (about 30 minutes) -until slightly thick. Place in sterile jars or glasses and seal. - -[Illustration] - - - - -SAVE FAT - -_REASONS WHY OUR GOVERNMENT ASKS US TO SAVE FAT, WITH PRACTICAL -RECIPES FOR FAT CONSERVATION_ - - -With the world-wide decrease of animal production, animal fats are now -growing so scarce that the world is being scoured for new sources of -supply. Our Government has asked the housewife to conserve all the -fats that come to her home and utilize them to the best advantage. To -this end it is necessary to have some knowledge of the character of -different fats and the purposes to which they are best adapted. - -The word fat usually brings to one's mind an unappetizing chunk of -meat fat which most persons cannot and will not eat, and fatty foods -have been popularly supposed to be "bad for us" and "hard to digest." -Fats are, however, an important food absolutely essential to complete -nutrition, which repay us better for the labor of digestion than any -other food. If they are indigestible, it is usually due to improper -cooking or improper use; if they are expensive, it is merely because -they are extravagantly handled. The chief function of fatty food is -to repair and renew the fatty tissues, to yield energy and to maintain -the body heat. The presence of fat in food promotes the flow of the -pancreatic juice and bile, which help in the assimilation of other -foods and assist the excretory functions of the intestine. These are -badly performed if bile and other digestive fluids are not secreted in -sufficient quantity. The absence of fat in the diet leads to a state -of malnutrition, predisposing to tuberculosis, especially in children -and young persons. - -It is claimed that the most serious food shortage in Germany is fat; -that the civilian population is dying in large numbers because of -the lack of it, and that Von Hindenburg's men will lose out on the -basis of fat, rather than on the basis of munitions or military -organization. Worst of all is the effect of fat shortage on the -children of the nation. Leaders of thought all over Europe assert -that even if Germany wins, Germany has lost, because it has sapped the -strength of its coming generation. - -The term fat is used to designate all products of fatty composition -and includes liquid fats such as oils, soft fats such as butter, and -hard fats such as tallow. While all fats have practically the same -energy-value, they differ widely from each other in their melting -point, and the difference in digestibility seems to correspond to the -difference in melting point. Butter burns at 240 degrees Fahrenheit, -while vegetable oils can be heated as high as 600 degrees Fahrenheit, -furnishing a very high temperature for cooking purposes before they -begin to burn. The scorching of fat not only wastes the product, but -renders it indigestible, even dangerous to some people, and for this -reason butter should never be used for frying, as frying temperature -is usually higher than 240 degrees. It is well to choose for cooking -only those fats which have the highest heat-resisting qualities -because they do not burn so easily. - -Beginning with the lowest burning point, fats include genuine butter, -substitute butters, lard and its substitutes, and end with tallow and -vegetable oils. Of the latter, there is a varied selection from the -expensive olive oil to the cheaper cottonseed, peanut, cocoanut and -corn oils and their compounds and the hydrogenated oils. - -The economy of fat, therefore, depends on the choice of the fat used -for the various cooking processes as well as the conservation of -all fatty residue, such as crackling, leftover frying fats and soup -fat. For cooking processes, such as sauteing (pan frying), or deep -fat frying, it is best to use the vegetable and nut oils. These are -more plentiful, and hence cheaper than the animal fats; the latter, -however, can be produced in the home from the fats of meats and -leftover pan fats, which should not be overlooked as frying mediums. -Butter and butter substitutes are best kept for table use and for -flavoring. The hydrogenated oils, home-rendered fats, lard and beef -and mutton suet can be used for shortening fats. - -In the purchase of meats, the careful housewife should see that -the butcher gives her all the fat she pays for, as all fats can be -rendered very easily at home and can be used for cooking purposes. -Butchers usually leave as large a proportion of fat as possible on -all cuts of meat which, when paid for at meat prices, are quite an -expensive item. All good clear fat should, therefore, be carefully -trimmed from meats before cooking. Few people either like or find -digestible greasy, fat meats, and the fat paid for at meat prices, -which could have been rendered and used for cooking, is wasted when -sent to table. - -There are various methods of conserving fat. First, the economical use -of table fats; second, the saving of cooking; and third, the proper -use of all types of fat. - -Economy in the use of table fats may best be secured by careful -serving. One serving of butter is a little thing--there are about -sixty-four of them in a pound. In many households the butter left on -the plates probably would equal a serving or one-fourth of an ounce, -daily, which is usually scraped into the garbage pail or washed off in -the dishpan. But if everyone of our 20,000,000 households should waste -one-fourth of an ounce of butter daily, it would mean 312,500 pounds -a day, or 114,062,500 pounds a year. To make this butter would take -265,261,560 gallons of milk, or the product of over a half-million -cows, an item in national economy which should not be overlooked. - -When butter is used to flavor cooked vegetables, it is more economical -to add it just before they are served rather than while they are -cooking. The flavor thus imparted is more pronounced, and, moreover, -if the butter is added before cooking, much of it will be lost in -the water unless the latter is served with the vegetables. Butter -substitutes, such as oleomargarine and nut margarine, should be more -largely used for the table, especially for adults. Conserve butter -for children, as animal fats contain vitamines necessary for growing -tissues. Butter substitutes are as digestible and as nourishing as -butter, and have a higher melting point. They keep better and cost -less. - -Oleomargarine, which has been in existence for fifty years, was first -offered to the world in 1870 by a famous French chemist, Mege-Mouries, -who was in search of a butter substitute cheap enough to supply the -masses with the much-needed food element. He had noticed that the -children of the poor families were afflicted with rickets and other -diseases which could be remedied by the administration of the right -amount of fat. He combined fresh suet and milk and called the product -"oleomargarine." In the United States this product is now made of oleo -oil or soft beef fat, neutral lard, cottonseed and other oils, churned -with a small quantity of milk, and in the finer grades, cream is -sometimes used. A certain proportion of butter is usually added, and -the whole worked up with salt as in ordinary butter-making. - -Owing to the fears of the butter-makers that oleomargarine would -supplant their product in popular favor, legislation was enacted that -restricted the manufacture of oleo and established a rigid system of -governmental inspection, so that the product is now manufactured -under the most sanitary conditions which furnishes a cleaner and more -reliable product than natural butter. - -Nut margarine is a compound of cocoa oil, which so closely resembles -butter that only an expert can distinguish it from the natural -product. Both these butter substitutes are used in large amounts by -the best bakers, confectioners and biscuit manufacturers, and foolish -prejudice against butter substitutes should not deter their use in the -home. - -A large saving in cooking fats can be made by the careful utilization -of all fats that come into the home. Beef and mutton suet can be -rendered and made available. Fats which have been saved after meals -are cooked should be clarified--that is, freed from all objectionable -odors, tastes or color--so as to be made available as shortening and -frying fats. - -The following recipes and suggestions make possible the use of all -fats, and as fat shortage is one of the most serious of the world's -food problems, it is essential that every housekeeper have a larger -knowledge of the utilization and economy of this essential food. - -[Illustration] - - - - -TO RENDER FATS - - -TO RENDER FAT BY DIRECT METHOD - -Run the fat through the household meat grinder or chop fine in the -chopping bowl. Then heat in the double boiler until completely melted, -finally straining through a rather thick cloth or two thicknesses -of cheese cloth, wrung out in hot water. By this method there is no -danger of scorching. Fats heated at a low temperature also keep better -than those melted at higher temperature. After the fat is rendered, -it should be slowly reheated to sterilize it and make sure it is free -from moisture. The bits of tissue strained out, commonly known as -cracklings, may be used for shortening purposes or may be added to -cornmeal which is to be used as fried cornmeal mush. - - -TO RENDER FAT WITH MILK - -To two pounds of fat (finely chopped if unrendered) add one-half pint -of milk, preferably sour. Heat the mixture in a double boiler until -thoroughly melted. Stir well and strain through a thick cloth or two -thicknesses of cheese cloth wrung out in hot water. When cold the fat -forms a hard, clean layer and any material adhering to the under -side of the fat, may be scraped off. Sour milk being coagulated is -preferable to sweet milk since the curd remains on the cloth through -which the rendered mixture is strained and is thus more easily -separated from the rendered fat which has acquired some of the milk -flavor and butter fat. - - -TO RENDER FAT BY COLD WATER METHOD - -Cut fat in small pieces. Cover with cold water. Heat slowly. Let cook -until bubbling ceases. Press fat during heating so as to obtain all -the oil possible. When boiling ceases strain through cheesecloth and -let harden. If desired one-half teaspoon salt, one-eighth teaspoon -pepper, 1 teaspoon onion and 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning may be added -before straining. - - -TO RENDER STRONG FLAVORED FATS - -To mutton, duck or goose fat add equal amount of beef suet or -vegetable fat and render same as suet. This may then be used for -shortening, or pan broiling for meat or fish dishes, and not have the -characteristic taste of the stronger fats. - -When rendering strong mutton, duck or goose fats if a small whole -onion is added the strong flavor of the fat is reduced. Remove the -onion before straining. It may be used in cooking. - - -TO CLARIFY FAT - -Melt the fat in an equal volume of water and heat for a short time at -a moderate temperature. Stir occasionally. Cool and remove the layer -of fat which forms on the top, scraping off any bits of meat or other -material which may adhere to the other side. - -Fats which have formed on top of soups, of cooked meats (such as pot -roast, stews), salt meats (such as corned beef, ham, etc.), or strong -fats, such as from boiled mutton, poultry and game, may be clarified -in this way and used alone or combined with other animal or vegetable -fats in any savory dish. - - -CARE OF FAT AFTER BEING USED FOR COOKING - -If fat is used for deep fat frying as croquettes, doughnuts, fritters, -etc., while fat is still hot, add a few slices raw potato and allow it -to stay in the fat until it is cool. Remove potato--strain fat, allow -to harden and it is ready to use. The potato absorbs odors from fat. - - -HOW TO MAKE SAVORY FATS - -FAT 1: To 1 pound of unrendered fat (chopped fine) add 1 slice of -onion about one-half inch thick and two inches in diameter, 1 bay -leaf, 1 teaspoonful salt, and about one-eighth teaspoonful of pepper. -Render in a double boiler and strain. - -FAT 2: To 1 pound unrendered fat (chopped fine) add 2 teaspoonfuls -of thyme, 1 slice onion, about one-half inch thick and two inches -in diameter, one teaspoonful salt and about one-eighth teaspoonful -pepper. Render in a double boiler and strain. - -FAT 3: To 1 pound unrendered fat (chopped fine) add 1 teaspoonful -thyme, 1 teaspoonful marjoram, one-half teaspoonful rubbed sage, 1 -teaspoonful salt, and about one-eighth teaspoonful pepper. Render in a -double boiler and strain through fine cloth. - - -EXTENSION OF TABLE FATS - - -A. Butter or other fat may be extended to double its original bulk and -reduce the cost of the fat 40 per cent. A patented churn, any homemade -churn, mayonnaise mixer, or bowl and rotary beater may be used for -the purpose. To any quantity of butter heated until slightly soft add -equal quantity of milk, place in the churn, add one teaspoon salt for -each one pound of butter used. Blend thoroughly in churn, mayonnaise -mixer, or in bowl with rotary beater until of even consistency. Place -in refrigerator to harden. Vegetable coloring, such as comes with -margarine or may be purchased separately, may be added if a deeper -yellow color is desired. - - -B. - - 1 lb. butter - 1 quart milk (2 pint bottles preferred) - 1 tablespoon granulated gelatine - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - -Soak gelatine in one-half cup of the milk. When softened, dissolve -over hot water. Let butter stand in warm place, until soft. Add -gelatine mixture, milk and salt and beat with Dover beater until -thoroughly mixed (about 15 minutes). Vegetable coloring such as comes -with margarine may be added if desired. Do not put on ice. - - -C. - - 1 lb. butter - 1 quart milk (2 pint bottles preferred) - 1 tablespoon granulated gelatine - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1 cup peanut butter - -Soak gelatine in one-half cup of the milk. When softened, dissolve -over hot water. Let butter stand in warm place, until soft. Add -gelatine mixture, peanut butter, milk and salt and beat with rotary -egg beater until thoroughly blended (about 15 minutes). Vegetable -coloring such as comes with margarine may be added if desired. Put in -cool place to harden but do not put on ice as the gelatine would cause -the mixture to flake. It is preferable to make up this mixture enough -for one day at a time only. - - -D. To 1 pound of butter or butter substitute add one cup peanut -butter. Blend thoroughly with wooden spoon or butter paddle; this may -be used in place of butter as a new and delightful variation. - - -E. To 1 pound softened butter add 1 pound softened butter substitute -(oleomargarine, nut margarine, vegetable margarine) or hydrogenated -fat. Blend thoroughly with butter paddle or wooden spoon and use as -butter. - - - - -SUGGESTIONS FOR PASTRY - -Whole wheat makes a more tasty crust than bread flour and all rye -pastry has even better flavor than wheat flour pastry. Half wheat or -rye and the other half cornmeal (white or yellow) makes an excellent -pastry for meat or fish pie. If cornmeal is added, use this recipe: - - -CORNMEAL PASTRY FOR MEAT OR FISH - - 1/2 cup cornmeal - 1/2 cup rye or wheat flour - 2 tablespoons fat - 1/3 cup cold or ice water - 1 teaspoon baking powder - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in fat. Add water and roll out on well -floured board. - - - -PASTRY MADE WITH DRIPPING - - -Well made, digestible pastry should have a minimum of fat to make a -crisp flaky crust. It should be crisp, not brittle; firm, not crumbly. -Pastry may be made in large amounts, kept in refrigerator for several -days and used as needed. Roll out only enough for one crust at a time -as the less pastry is handled, the better. - - -PLAIN PASTRY - - 1 cup flour - 1/3 cup fat - 1/2 teaspoon salt - About 1/4 cup cold or ice water - -Mix flour and salt. Cut in fat and add just enough cold or ice water -to make the mixture into a stiff dough. Roll out. This recipe makes -one crust. - - -MEAT OR FISH PIE CRUST - - 2 cups flour - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 1/3 cup any kind of dripping - 1 cup meat stock or milk - 1 teaspoon salt - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in fat if solid, or add if liquid. Stir in -meat stock or milk to make a soft dough. Place on top of meat or -fish with gravy in greased baking dish and bake 30 to 40 minutes in -moderately hot oven. - - - - -VARIOUS USES FOR LEFTOVER FATS - - -CREOLE RICE - - 2 tablespoons savory drippings - 3 tablespoons flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne - 1-1/2 cups tomato juice and pulp - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper - 1 tablespoon chopped olives - 1 cup of rice - 1 cup water - -Wash rice and soak in water 30 minutes. Melt fat, add dry ingredients -and gradually the tomatoes. Stir in rice and other ingredients, also -the water in which rice was soaked. Cook slowly one-half hour or until -rice is tender. - - -POTATOES ESPAGNOLE - - 2 cups pared and sliced potatoes - 2 tablespoons bacon drippings - 2 tablespoons minced onion - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 tablespoon cayenne - 1-1/2 cups boiling water - 1 tablespoon chopped green pepper or pimento - -Melt drippings. Add onion and cook until slightly brown. Add other -seasonings and water. Pour over potatoes. Let cook slowly in oven -until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. - - -DUMPLINGS - - 2 cups flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 2 tablespoons drippings - 1 cup water, meat stock or milk - -Sift dry ingredients. Cut in fat. Gradually add liquid to make a soft -dough. Roll out, place on greased pan and steam 20 minutes, or drop -into stew and cook covered 30 minutes. Serve at once. - - -POTATO SALAD - - 2 cups freshly cooked and diced potatoes - 1/3 cup bacon drippings - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons chopped peppers - 2 tablespoons vinegar - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Mix drippings, salt, pepper, vinegar and cayenne. Add to the potatoes -and mix thoroughly. Chill and serve. Cold cooked potatoes may be used, -but the flavor is better if mixed while potatoes are hot. - - -SOAP - - 1 can lye - 6 lbs. fat (Fat for soap should be fat which is no longer useful - for culinary purposes.) - 1 quart cold water - -To lye add water--using enamel or agate utensil. When cool add the fat -which has been heated until liquid. Stir until of consistency of honey -(about 20 minutes). Two tablespoons ammonia or two tablespoons borax -may be added for a whiter soap. If stirred thoroughly this soap will -float. - -[Illustration: The illustration shows various forms of food waste--the -discarded outside leaves of lettuce and cabbage, apple cores and -parings, stale bread and drippings.] - - - - -SAVE FOOD - -_REASONS WHY OUR GOVERNMENT ASKS US NOT TO WASTE FOOD, WITH PRACTICAL -RECIPES ON THE USE OF LEFTOVERS_ - - -Elimination of food waste is to-day a patriotic service. It is also a -most effective method of solving our food problem. This country, -like all the powers at war, will undoubtedly be called upon to face -increasing prices so long as the war continues, and waste in any form -is not only needless squandering of the family income, but failure in -devotion to a great cause. - -Food waste is due to poor selection of raw materials, to careless -storage and heedless preparation, to bad cooking, to injudicious -serving, and to the overflowing garbage pail. - -To select food in such a way as will eliminate waste and at the same -time insure the best possible return for money spent, the housekeeper -must purchase for nutriment rather than to please her own or the -family palate. - -When eggs are sixty and seventy cents a dozen their price is out of -all proportion to their food value. Tomatoes at five or ten cents -apiece in winter do not supply sufficient nutriment to warrant their -cost, nor does capon at forty-five cents a pound nourish the body -any better than the fricassee fowl at twenty-eight cents. In order -to prevent such costly purchasing, a knowledge of food values is -necessary. The simplest and easiest way to plan food values is to -divide the common food materials into five main groups and see that -each of these groups appear in each day's menu. - -GROUP 1.--FOODS DEPENDED ON FOR MINERAL MATTERS, VEGETABLE ACIDS, AND -BODY-REGULATING SUBSTANCES. - -FRUITS - - Apples, pears, etc., - Berries, - Melons, - Oranges, lemons, all citrus fruits. - -VEGETABLES - - Salads, lettuce, celery, - Potherbs or "greens" - Tomatoes, squash, - Green peas, green beans, - Potatoes and root vegetables. - -GROUP 2.--FOODS DEPENDED ON FOR PROTEIN. - - Milk, skim milk, cheese, - Eggs, - Meat, - Poultry, - Fish, - Dried peas, beans, cow-peas, - Nuts. - -GROUP 3.--FOODS DEPENDED ON FOR STARCH. - - Cereals, grains, meals, flour, - Cereal breakfast foods, - Bread, - Crackers, - Macaroni and other pastes, - Cakes, cookies, starchy puddings, - Potatoes, other starchy vegetables, - Bananas. - -GROUP 4.--FOODS DEPENDED ON FOR SUGAR. - - Sugar, - Molasses, - Syrups, - Dates, - Raisins, - Figs. - -GROUP 5.--FOODS DEPENDED ON FOR FAT. - - Butter and cream, - Lard, suet, - Salt pork and bacon, - Table and salad oils, - Vegetable, nut, and commercial cooking fats and oils. - -If from each of these groups the housekeeper, when buying, chooses -the lowest-cost food, she will provide the necessary nutriment for the -least expenditure of money. In war time such marketing is essential. - -Other causes of waste in food purchasing may be enumerated as follows: -Ordering by telephone. This permits the butcher or grocer, who has -no time to make selection of foods, to send what comes ready to hand; -whereas if the housekeeper did her own selecting, she could take -advantage of special prices or "leaders"--food sold at cost or nearly -cost to attract patronage. - -Buying out-of-season foods also makes marketing costly. Through -lack of knowledge concerning the periods at which certain fruits and -vegetables are seasonable, and therefore cheaper and in best flavor, -housekeepers frequently pay exorbitant prices for poor flavored, -inferior products. - -Buying in localities where high rental and neighborhood standards -compel the shopkeeper to charge high prices, the consumer pays not -only for the rent and the plate glass windows, but for display of -out-of-season delicacies, game and luxury-foods. Markets should be -selected where food in season is sold; where cleanliness and careful -attention prevail rather than showy display. - -Many a dollar is foolishly spent for delicatessen foods. The retail -cost of ready prepared foods includes a fraction of the salary of the -cook and the fuel, as well as the regular percentage of profit. The -food, also, is not so nourishing or flavorsome as if freshly cooked in -the home kitchen. - -Buying perishable foods in larger quantities than can be used -immediately. Too frequently meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, milk and -cream are purchased in quantities larger than needed for immediate -consumption, and lack of knowledge of use of left-overs causes what is -not eaten to be discarded. - -Buying non-perishable foods in small quantities instead of in bulk. -Food costs on an average 50 to 75 per cent. more when purchased in -small quantities. Select a grocer who keeps his goods in sanitary -condition and who will sell in bulk; then do your purchasing from him -on a large scale and extend the sanitary care to your own storeroom. - -Buying foods high in price but low in food value. Asparagus, canned -or fresh, is not as nourishing, for instance, as canned corn or beans. -Strawberries out of season do not compare with dates, figs or raisins -which are to be had at all times. - -Buying without planning menus. By this carelessness foods are often -purchased which do not combine well, and therefore do not appeal -to the appetite, and so are wasted. Unplanned meals also lead to an -unconscious extravagance in buying and an unnecessary accumulation of -left-overs. - -Buying foreign brands when domestic brands are cheaper and often -better. - -Leaving the trimmings from meats and poultry at the butcher's. Bring -these home and fry out the fatty portions for dripping; use all other -parts for the stock pot. - -Having purchased for nutriment and in sufficiently large quantities to -secure bulk rates, careful storage is the next step in the prevention -of waste. Flour, cereals and meals become wormy if they are not kept -in clean, covered utensils and in a cool place. Milk becomes sour, -especially in summer. This can be prevented by scalding it as soon -as received, cooling quickly, and storing in a cold place in covered, -well-scalded receptacles. Sour milk should not be thrown out. It -is good in biscuits, gingerbread, salad dressings, cottage cheese, -pancakes or waffles, and bread making. - -Meats should not be left in their wrappings. Much juice soaks into the -paper, which causes a loss of flavor and nutriment. Store all meat in -a cool place and do not let flies come in contact with it. - -Bread often molds, especially in warm, moist weather. Trim off moldy -spots and heat through. Keep the bread box sweet by scalding and -sunning once a week. - -Cheese molds. Keep in a cool, dry place. If it becomes too dry for -table use, grate for sauces or use in scalloped dishes. - -Winter vegetables wilt and dry out. Store in a cool place. If cellar -space permits, place in box of sand, sawdust or garden earth. - -Potatoes and onions sprout. Cut off the sprouts as soon as they appear -and use for soup. Soak, before using, vegetables which have sprouted. - -Fruits must be stored carefully so as to keep the skins unbroken. -Broken spots in the skin cause rapid decay. Do not permit good fruit -to remain in contact with specked or rotted fruit. Stored fruit should -be looked over frequently and all specked or rotted fruit removed. -Sweet potatoes are an exception. Picking over, aggravates the trouble. -See that these vegetables are carefully handled at all times; if rot -develops, remove only those that can be reached without danger of -bruising the sound roots. Sweet potatoes may also be stored like fruit -by spreading over a large surface and separating the tubers so that -they do not touch each other. - -Berries should be picked over as soon as received and spread on a -platter or a large surface to prevent crushing and to allow room for -circulation of air. - -Lettuce and greens wilt. Wash carefully as soon as received and use -the coarse leaves for soup. Shake the water from the crisp portions -and store in a paper bag in a cold refrigerator. - -Lemons when cut often grow moldy before they are used. When lemons are -spoiling, squeeze out the juice, make a syrup of one cup of sugar and -one cup of water, boil ten minutes and add lemon juice in any amount -up to one cup. Bring to boiling point and bottle for future use. This -bottled juice may be used for puddings, beverages, etc. If only a -small amount of juice is needed, prick one end of a lemon with a fork. -Squeeze out the amount needed and store the lemon in the ice-box. - -When we come to waste caused by careless preparation we may be -reminded of the miracle of the loaves and fishes--how all the guests -were fed and then twelve baskets were gathered up. Often after -preparation that which is gathered up to be thrown away is as large in -quantity and as high in food value as the portions used. - -Vegetables are wasted in preparation by too thick paring, the -discarding of coarse leaves such as are found on lettuce, cabbage and -cauliflower, discarding wilted parts which can be saved by soaking, -throwing away tips and roots of celery and the roots and ends of -spinach and dandelions. All these waste products can be cooked tender, -rubbed through a sieve and used with stock for vegetable soup, or with -skimmed milk for cream soup. Such products are being conserved by -the enemy, even to the onion skin, which is ground into bread-making -material. - -Throwing away the water in which vegetables have been cooked wastes -their characteristic and valuable element--the mineral salts. Cooking -them so much that they become watery; under-cooking so that they -are hard and indigestible; cooking more than is required for a meal; -failing to use left-over portions promptly as an entree or for cream -soups or scalloped dishes--all these things mean an appalling waste of -valuable food material. Good food material is also lost when the water -in which rice or macaroni or other starchy food has been boiled is -poured down the kitchen sink. Such water should be used for soup -making. - -Fruits are wasted by throwing away the cores and skins, which can be -used for making sauces, jams and jellies, the latter being sweetened -with corn syrup instead of sugar. - -Rhubarb is wasted by removing the pink skin from young rhubarb, which -should be retained to add flavor and color-attractiveness to the dish. - -Raw food in quantity is frequently left in the mixing bowl, while -by the use of a good flexible knife or spatula every particle can -be saved. A large palette knife is as good in the kitchen as in the -studio. - - * * * * * - -The next step in food preparation is cooking, and tons of valuable -material are wasted through ignorance of the principles of cooking. - -Bad cooking, which means under-cooking, over-cooking or flavorless -cooking, renders food inedible, and inedible food contributes to world -shortage. Fats are wasted in cooking by being burned and by not being -carefully utilized as dripping and shortening. The water in which salt -meat, fresh meat, or poultry has been boiled should be allowed to cool -and the fat removed before soup is made of it. Such fat can be used, -first of all, in cooking, and then any inedible portions can be used -in soap making. - - * * * * * - -Tough odds and ends of meat not sightly enough to appear on the table -are often wasted. They can be transformed by long cooking into savory -stews, ragouts, croquettes and hashes, whereas, if carelessly and -insufficiently cooked, they are unpalatable and indigestible. Scraps -of left-over cooked meat should be ground in the food-chopper and made -into appetizing meat balls, hashes or sandwich paste. If you happen to -have a soft cooked egg left over, boil it hard at once. It can be used -for garnishes, sauces, salads or sandwich paste. - - * * * * * - -Use all bits of bread, that cannot be used as toast, in puddings, -croquettes, scalloped dishes or to thicken soup. - - * * * * * - -Don't throw away cold muffins and fancy breads. Split and toast them -for next day's breakfast. - - * * * * * - -Foods that survive the earlier forms of waste are often lost at table -by the serving of portions of like size to all members of the family. -The individual food requirements differ according to age, sex, -vocation and state of health. Each should be considered before the -food is served, then there will be no waste on the plates when the -meal is over. The following table, showing the daily requirement of -calories for men and women in various lines of work, illustrates this -point: - - WOMEN CALORIES - Sedentary work ... 2,400 - Active work ... 2,700 - Hard manual labor ... 3,200 - - MEN CALORIES - Sedentary work ... 2,700 - Active work ... 3,450 - Hard manual labor ... 4,150 - -Although the serving of food should be carefully planned so as to -prevent waste, care should be taken that growing children have ample -food. It is a mistake to suppose that a growing child can be nourished -on less than a sedentary adult. A boy of fourteen who wants to eat -more than his father probably needs all that he asks for. We must not -save on the children; but it will be well to give them plain food for -the most part, which will not tempt them to overeat, and tactfully -combat pernickety, overfastidious likes and dislikes. - -The United States Food Administration is preaching the gospel of the -clean plate, and this can be accomplished by serving smaller portions, -insisting that all food accepted be eaten; by keeping down bread -waste, cutting the bread at the table a slice at a time as needed; by -cooking only sufficient to supply moderately the number to be fed, and -no more. It is a false idea of good providing that platters must leave -the table with a generous left-over. Waste of cooked food is a serious -item in household economy, and no matter how skillfully leftovers are -utilized, it is always less expensive and more appetizing to provide -fresh-cooked foods at each meal. - -One would think that with the various uses to which all kinds of -foodstuffs may be put that there would be little left for the yawning -garbage pail. But the Secretary of the United States Department of -Agriculture is responsible for the statement that $750,000,000 worth -of food has been wasted annually in the American kitchen. Undoubtedly -a large part of this wastefulness was due to ignorance on the part of -the housewife, and the rest of it to the lack of co-operation on -the part of the employees who have handled the food but not paid the -bills. - -According to a well-known domestic scientist, the only things which -should find their way to the garbage pail are: - - Egg shells--after being used to clear coffee. - Potato skins--after having been cooked on the potato. - Banana skins--if there are no tan shoes to be cleaned. - Bones--after having been boiled in soup kettle. - Coffee grounds--if there is no garden where they can be used for - fertilizer, or if they are not desired as filling for - pincushions. - Tea leaves--after every tea-serving, if they are not needed for - brightening carpets or rugs when swept. - Asparagus ends--after being cooked and drained for soup. - Spinach, etc.--decayed leaves and dirty ends of roots. - -If more than this is now thrown away, you are wasting the family -income and not fulfilling your part in the great world struggle. Your -government says that it is your business to know what food your family -needs to be efficient; that you must learn how to make the most of -the foods you buy; that it is your duty to learn the nature and uses -of various foods and to get the greatest possible nourishment out of -every pound of food that comes to your home. - -The art of utilizing left-overs is an important factor in this -prevention of waste. The thrifty have always known it. The careless -have always ignored it. But now as a measure of home economy as well -as a patriotic service, the left-over must be handled intelligently. - -The following recipes show how to make appetizing dishes from products -that heretofore in many homes have found their way to the extravagant -pail. - -In these recipes, sauces are prominent because they are of great -value in making foods of neutral flavor, especially the starchy winter -vegetables, and rice, macaroni and hominy, as attractive as they are -nutritious; salads are included, since these serve to combine odds -and ends of meats and vegetables; gelatine dishes are provided because -gelatine serves as a binder for all kinds of leftovers and is an -extremely practical way of making the most rigid saving acceptable; -desserts made of crumbs of bread and cake, or left-over cereals, are -among the major economies if they are worked out in such a way that -they do not involve the extravagant use of other foodstuffs. All the -recipes in this economy cook-book have been thoughtfully adapted to -the conditions of the time, and will show the practical housekeeper -how to supply wholesome, flavorsome food for the least cost. - - * * * * * - -SAUCES MAKE LEFTOVERS ATTRACTIVE - - -WHITE SAUCE - - 1/4 cup flour - 1/4 cup fat - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1-1/2 cups milk - -Melt fat. Add dry ingredients and a little of the milk. Bring to -boiling point. Continue adding milk a little at a time until all is -added. Serve with vegetables, fish, eggs, meats. - - -WHITE SAUCE WITH CHEESE - - 1/2 cup cheese (cream or American) added to - 1-1/2 cups white sauce - -Excellent to serve with macaroni, hominy or vegetables. - - -WHITE SAUCE WITH SHRIMPS - - 1/2 cup shrimps - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1 cup white sauce - -Serve on toast, or with starchy vegetables. - - -WHITE SAUCE WITH HORSERADISH AND PIMENTO - - 1/4 cup horseradish - 1 tablespoon chopped pimento - 1 cup white sauce - -SERVE WITH BOILED BEEF, HOT OR COLD, OR WITH COLD ROAST BEEF. - - -WHITE SAUCE WITH EGG - - 1 cup white sauce - 2 sliced hard-cooked eggs - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -Excellent for spinach and vegetables, or fish. - - -BROWN SAUCE - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/3 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne - 1-1/2 cups brown stock, or - 1-1/2 cups water and 2 bouillon cubes - 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - -Melt fat until brown. Add flour. Heat until brown. Add liquid -gradually, letting come to boiling point each time before adding more -liquid. When all is added, 1 teaspoon kitchen bouquet may be added if -darker color is desired. - - -BROWN SAUCE WITH OLIVES - - 1 cup brown sauce - 3 tablespoons chopped olives - -Make brown sauce as given in foregoing recipe, then while it is hot -stir in the chopped olives, and serve. - - -BROWN SAUCE WITH PEANUTS - - 1 cup brown sauce - 1/4 cup chopped peanuts - 1/8 teaspoon salt - -A good sauce to serve with rice, macaroni, hominy or other starchy -foods. It supplies almost a meat flavor to these rather insipid foods. - - -MUSHROOM SAUCE - - 1 cup brown sauce - 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms - -Add mushrooms to fat and flour before adding liquid. If fresh -mushrooms are used, cook for two or three minutes after adding liquid. - - -VEGETABLE SAUCES - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 2 cups vegetable stock, - or - 1 cup vegetable stock - 1 cup milk. - -Vegetable stock is the water in which any vegetable is cooked. Make as -white sauce. - - -DRAWN BUTTER SAUCE - - 1/3 cup butter substitute - 1/4 cup flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 cup boiling water - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - -Make as white sauce, reserving 2 tablespoons of the fat to add just -before serving. - - -TOMATO SAUCE - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 1-1/2 cups tomato - -Melt fat; add dry ingredients and gradually the liquid, letting sauce -come to boiling point each time before adding more liquid. - - -FRUIT SAUCE FOR PUDDING - - 1/4 cup fat - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 cup powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla, or - 1 tablespoon brandy - 1 cup mashed cooked fruit - -Mix thoroughly. Let chill and serve with steamed or baked pudding. - - -COCOANUT SAUCE - - 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 cup cocoanut and milk - 2 tablespoons corn syrup - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - 1 teaspoon vanilla - -Mix ingredients. Bring to boiling point over direct fire. Cook over -hot water 20 minutes. Use with leftover stale cake, baked or steamed -puddings. If canned cocoanut containing milk is used, plain milk may -be omitted. - - -MOLASSES SAUCE - - 1 cup molasses - 2 tablespoons fat - 1 tablespoon flour, plus - 1 tablespoon cold water - 1-1/2 tablespoons vinegar - -Mix together. Bring to boiling point and serve with any pudding. - - -FRENCH SAUCE - - 1 cup (crystal) corn syrup - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - 1/2 cup water - 1 tablespoon cream - 1 teaspoon vanilla - -Beat egg light. Pour on gradually the hot corn syrup and water, -beating egg with eggbeater. Add cream and vanilla. Serve at once. - - -SPICE SAUCE - - 1/2 cup corn syrup - 1 egg - 1/3 cup milk - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - -Mix corn syrup and spices. Add beaten yolks and milk. Cook over hot -water until thick. Add vanilla and beaten whites. Serve hot or cold. - - -MAPLE SPICE SAUCE - - 3 tablespoons fat - 1/3 cup maple sugar - 2 eggs - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon allspice - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - 1/3 cup milk - -Cream fat, sugar and spices. Add beaten yolks and milk. Cook in double -boiler until thick. Add vanilla and beaten whites. Serve hot or cold. - - -TOMATO SAUCE WITH CHEESE - - 1 cup tomato sauce - 1/2 cup grated cheese - -Add cheese while sauce is hot and just before serving. Do not boil -sauce after adding cheese. - - -MEXICAN SAUCE - -To one cup tomato sauce, add - - 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper - 3 tablespoons chopped celery - 3 tablespoons chopped carrot - - -HARD SAUCE - - 1/3 cup butter substitute or hydrogenated oil - 1/3 cup corn syrup - 1/3 cup sugar - 1 teaspoon flavoring - -Cream all together. This method reduces the necessary sugar -two-thirds. - - -LEMON OR ORANGE SAUCE - - 1/2 cup corn syrup - 1 tablespoon fat - 1/4 cup lemon juice - 1 teaspoon lemon rind - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - 3 tablespoons lemon juice - 1/2 cup orange juice - 2 teaspoons orange rind - 1 tablespoon flour - 1 tablespoon water - -Mix ingredients. Bring to boiling point and serve. - - -CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH RAISINS - - 1 cup cranberries - 1 cup water - 1 cup corn syrup - 1/2 cup raisins or nuts - 2 tablespoons fat - -Cook cranberries in water until they are soft and the water is almost -entirely absorbed. Add other ingredients and cook about 20 minutes -slowly until thick enough to use as sauce. - - - - -THE USE OF GELATINE IN COMBINING LEFTOVERS - - -LEFTOVER FRUIT MOLD - - 2 tablespoons cold water - 2 tablespoons gelatine - -Let stand until gelatine is soft. Add 1 pint boiling water, or fruit -juice from canned fruit. - - 1/4 cup lemon juice - 2/3 cup corn syrup, or - 1/2 cup sugar - -Stir until gelatine is dissolved. Add 1 cup leftover fruit. Place -in mold which has been dipped in cold water. Stir occasionally while -hardening so fruit does not settle to the bottom. Or a little gelatine -may be poured in mold and allowed to grow almost hard; then some -fruit arranged on it and more gelatine poured in. Repeat until mold is -filled; then chill, and turn out carefully. - - -MOLDED VEGETABLE SALAD - - 1-1/2 cups boiling tomato juice and pulp - 2 tablespoons cold water - 2 tablespoons gelatine - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon paprika - 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 2 cups of any one vegetable, or of mixed vegetables - -Soften gelatine in the cold water. Add other ingredients and chill. -Stir once or twice while chilling so vegetables do not settle to the -bottom. - - -MOLDED MEAT OR FISH LOAF - - 2 tablespoons gelatine - 2 tablespoons cold water - 1 cup boiling gravy, tomato juice, or 1 cup boiling water into - which 1 bouillon cube has been dissolved - 1 cup left-over meat or fish chopped fine - 1 cup chopped celery or cooked vegetable - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Soften gelatine in cold water. Add other ingredients. Stir until -gelatine is dissolved. Pour into mold dipped into cold water. Chill. -Stir once or twice while hardening so meat does not settle to the -bottom. Serve with salad dressing. - - -RICE IMPERIAL - - 1 cup cooked rice - 1 cup corn syrup - 1 tablespoon gelatine - 2 tablespoons water - 1/2 cup cherries or other cooked fruit - 1/2 cup nuts - 1/2 cup juice of fruit - -Chill and serve. - - -CREAM SALAD MOLD - - 1 cup cooked salad dressing - 2 tablespoons gelatine - 2 cups any left-over fish, meat or vegetables - 2 tablespoons cold water - -Use any well-seasoned salad dressing. Soften the gelatine in the cold -water. Dissolve over boiling water. Add to salad dressing. Add other -ingredients well seasoned and chill. - - -CHEESE MOLD - - 1 pint cottage cheese - 1/2 cup pimento or green pepper - 1 cup milk - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 2 tablespoons granulated gelatine - 4 tablespoons cold water - -Soften gelatine in the cold water. Dissolve over hot water. Add all -ingredients. Mix thoroughly and place in mold which has been rinsed -with cold water. When firm, serve as salad. - - -FRUIT SPONGE - - 2 tablespoons gelatine softened in - 1/3 cup cold water - 1 pint clabbered milk, or fruit juice - 1 cup sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1 cup crushed fruit - 2 egg whites - -Mix gelatine with milk. Add sugar. When it begins to thicken, beat -with rotary beater. Add vanilla and fruit. Fold in egg whites and -turn into mold. Apple sauce, strawberries, rhubarb, pineapple or -raspberries may be used. - - -ORIENTAL SALAD - - 1 tablespoon gelatine - 2 cups boiling water - 3/4 cup sugar - 1/2 cup lemon juice - 1/2 cup grated cocoanut - 2 cups apples, chopped - 1 cup celery - 1/2 cup chopped nuts - 3 pimentoes - 1 tablespoon grated onion - 1/3 teaspoon salt - -Soften gelatine in 2 tablespoons cold water, then dissolve in the -boiling water, but do not cook after gelatine is put in. Add all other -ingredients. Mold and chill. Serve with cooked or mayonnaise salad -dressing, plain or on lettuce leaves. - - - - -SALADS PROVIDE AN EASY METHOD OF USING LEFTOVERS - - -MIXED VEGETABLE SALAD - - 1 cup cooked potatoes - 1 cup cooked carrots - 1 cup cooked peas - 1 cup cooked beets - -Make a French dressing of - - 1/2 cup oil - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons vinegar - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Mix dressing thoroughly and pour over the vegetables. If vegetables -are kept in different bowls instead of mixed together, the flavor -of the salad is improved. Any vegetable may be used in this way. Let -stand 30 minutes. When ready to serve, place each portion in a nest -made of two lettuce leaves or other salad, green. If desired, cooked -dressing may be mixed with the vegetable in place of French dressing, -or may be served with it. - - -EGYPTIAN SALAD - - 1 cup left-over baked beans, cooked dried peas, or beans or - lentils, or cooked rice, rice. - 1 cup chopped celery - 3 tablespoons chopped pepper - 3 tablespoons chopped pickle - 1 cup cooked salad dressing - -Mix ingredients thoroughly and let stand 30 minutes to blend flavor -thoroughly. - - -CABBAGE, PEANUT AND APPLE SALAD - - 2 cups chopped cabbage - 1 cup peanuts - 1 cup chopped apples - 1 cup salad dressing - -Mix ingredients and serve with French dressing. This salad looks very -appetizing when served in cups made of hollowed out red apples, the -pulp removed being used in the salad. - - -CHEESE SALAD - - 1 cup American or cream cheese - 2 tablespoons vinegar - 1/3 cup oil - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 2 tablespoons chopped olives - 3 tablespoons chopped nuts - -Blend all ingredients thoroughly. Shape as desired and chill. Serve -with French dressing. (If American cheese is used, grate or cut fine.) - - -FRUIT SALAD - - -Left-over small portions of fruits may be blended in almost any -combination to form a salad. Plain French dressing or French dressing -made with fruit juice in place of vinegar, or cooked dressing or -mayonnaise may be combined with the fruit. Bananas combine well with -any other fruit and, being the least expensive fruit, may be used as -the basis of fruit salads. - - -MANDALAY SALAD - - 1 cup cooked peas or carrots - 1 cup cooked cold rice - -Mix with dressing made of - - 1/3 cup oil - 1 tablespoon vinegar - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/4 teaspoon curry powder - -Mix all ingredients; serve cold, either plain, on lettuce leaves, or -in nests made of cabbage or celery. - - -POTATO SALAD - - 2 cups potatoes from fresh-cooked, or left-over baked, boiled or - mashed potatoes. - 1/4 cup chopped parsley - 1 teaspoon onion juice - 1 cup cooked salad dressing - 3 tablespoons chopped green pepper may be added if desired. - -If mixed while cooked dressing is hot, then chilled, the flavor is -much improved. - -Left-over mashed potatoes may be combined with cooked corn and green -pepper for a delicious salad. - - -MEAT OR FISH SALAD - - 1 cup left-over meat or fish - 3 tablespoons chopped pickle - 1/2 cup chopped celery - 1 cup cooked salad dressing - -Mix ingredients thoroughly and serve. If one-quarter cup of French -dressing is mixed with meat or fish, 30 minutes before adding other -ingredients, the flavor is much improved. - - -CAULIFLOWER SALAD - - 1 cup cooked cauliflower - 1 cup cooked salad dressing - 3 tablespoons chopped pickle - 1 tablespoon chopped pimento - 1 tablespoon vinegar - -Blend ingredients thoroughly and serve. Cauliflower which has been -creamed or scalloped may be used, if sauce is carefully rinsed from -the vegetable. - - -CARROT SALAD - -Grind raw carrot in food chopper. Make French dressing with chicken -fat instead of oil. Mix ingredients and serve. - - 1 cup raw carrots - 1/2 cup oil (preferably oil from chicken fat) - 1 tablespoon vinegar - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon parsley - 1/8 teaspoon paprika - - -HINDU SALAD - - 2 tablespoons flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 2 tablespoons granulated gelatine, plus 2 tablespoons cold water - 1 teaspoon mustard - 1 teaspoon curry powder - 3 tablespoons melted fat - 1 cup milk - 1/3 cup vinegar - 2 cups cooked rice - 2 tablespoons chopped olives - -Mix dry ingredients, add egg and blend thoroughly. Add melted fat, -milk and vinegar. Cook over hot water until thick as custard. Soften -gelatine in cold water. Add to the hot dressing. When dissolved add -rice and olives, place in mold and chill. Serve plain or with 1/2 cup -French dressing. - - - - -THE USE OF STALE BREAD, CAKE, AND LEFTOVER CEREAL - - -DATE CRUMB PUDDING - - 1 cup dried crumbs - 1 pint hot milk - -Let stand until milk is absorbed, then add - - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup molasses - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 cup dates, cut small - 1 egg - 1/2 teaspoon mixed cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger - -Mix ingredients. Bake 40 minutes in moderately hot oven. This pudding -is so well flavored that it does not really require a sauce, but if -one is desired the molasses sauce on page *86, or the hard or lemon -sauce on page *87 will be found to suit. - - -FIG PUDDING - - 1/4 lb suet - 1/2 lb chopped figs - 1 cup sour apple (cored, pared and chopped) - 1 cup milk - 1/2 cup molasses - 1/2 cup corn syrup - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 2 eggs - 1/3 cup flour - -Cream suet; add figs, apple and corn syrup. Pour milk over bread. Add -yolks, beaten. Combine. Add flour and egg whites. Steam 4 hours. - - -FRUIT TAPIOCA - - 1/4 cup pearl tapioca - 1/3 cup corn syrup, or - 1/4 cup sugar - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 cup water - 1 cup milk - 1 cup fruit - -Soak tapioca in the water over night. Add the other ingredients except -the fruit and cook over hot water until the tapioca is clear. Add -fruit and 1 teaspoon vanilla and chill. - - -RICE FRUIT CUSTARD - - 1/3 cup rice - 1 cup milk - 1/3 cup corn syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 egg - 1 cup fruit - -Cook rice with milk in double boiler 30 minutes. Add other ingredients -and cook 10 minutes. Chill and serve. - - -NUT AND FRUIT PUDDING - - 1 cup stale breadcrumbs - 2 cups scalded milk - 1/2 cup corn syrup - 1/2 cup chopped nuts - 2 eggs - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - 3/4 cup chopped figs, dates or raisins - -Pour scalded milk over breadcrumbs. Beat eggs. Add other ingredients. -Bake 25 to 35 minutes in moderate oven. - - -CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING - - 1 cup crumbs - 2 cups milk - 1 oz. chocolate - 1/3 cup sugar - 1/2 cup corn syrup - 2 eggs - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla - -Use whites for meringue with 2 tablespoons corn syrup. - - -CAKE CROQUETTES - - 1 pint stale cake crumbs - 1 cup milk - -Soak 1 hour; heat and add - - 2 yolks of eggs - 2 teaspoons vanilla - -Chill, shape, roll in eggs and crumbs and brown in frying pan. Serve -with hard sauce. - - -CEREAL FRUIT PUDDING - - 2 cups milk - 1 cup any ready-to-eat cereal - 1 egg (beaten) - 1/3 cup molasses - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 cup raisins, dates or prunes - -Mix ingredients. Bake 30 to 40 minutes in moderately hot oven. - - -SCALLOPED FISH - - 2 cups crumbs - 2 cups fish - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 2 teaspoons onion juice - 1-1/2 cups milk - 1 teaspoon salt - 2 tablespoons fat - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients and gradually the liquid to make a -smooth sauce. Add onion juice, lemon juice, parsley and fish. Mix with -crumbs 2 tablespoons fat. Place crumbs on top. Bake in greased pan 25 -minutes. - - -SPANISH CASSEROLE - - 2 cups cooked rice - 1 quart tomatoes - 1/4 to 1 lb. hamburg steak - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 3 teaspoons salt - 2 tablespoons onions, chopped - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Add rice to tomatoes. Add seasoning and meat, browned. Bake in -casserole about 2 hours. - - -PEANUT LOAF - - 3 cups stale bread crumbs - 2 cups milk - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning - 1 tablespoon onion juice and pulp - 2 eggs - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 1-1/2 cups chopped peanuts - -Add bread to milk; add seasoning, beaten eggs, baking powder, and -peanuts. Pour into greased, lined baking tin. Bake in moderate oven 40 -minutes. - - -CHEESE ENTREE - - 1 cup cooked farina or rice - 1 cup cheese - 1 cup nuts - 1 cup milk - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon salt - -Mix ingredients thoroughly. Bake in greased dish 30 minutes. - - -BEAN LOAF - - 2 cups cold cooked beans - 1 egg beaten - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 1 tablespoon minced onion - 2 tablespoons catsup - 1/4 teaspoon salt - -Shape into loaf. Bake 25 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce. - - -ROYAL FRENCH TOAST - -Use leftover bread as French toast by dipping in mixture of - - 1 cup milk - 1 tablespoon corn syrup - 1 egg beaten - -Then brown in frying pan in small amount of fat. Spread with -marmalade, jelly, cocoanut, or preserves and serve as dessert. - - -DRIED FRUIT PUDDING - - One cup dried apricots, peaches or prunes soaked two hours in two - cups of water. - 1 cup bread crumbs - 2/3 cup corn syrup - 1 teaspoon orange or lemon rind - 2 eggs - 1/8 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon lemon juice - 1/2 cup chopped nuts - -Mix ingredients. Place in greased baking dish and bake 30 minutes in -moderately hot oven. - - -CHEESE SAUCE ON BREAD - - 1/4 cup fat - 1 pint milk - 2 qts. milk - 1/4 cup flour - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1 cup cheese - -Make as white sauce and add cheese. Pour over bread, sliced and -toasted. Bake in moderate oven. - - -SURPRISE CEREAL - - 3 cups dried breadcrumbs - 3 tablespoons maple syrup - 1/2 teaspoon salt - -Mix thoroughly and place in moderately hot oven for 20 minutes, -stirring frequently. Remove and serve as breakfast food. Very -inexpensive and delicious. Graham, corn or oatmeal bread is best for -this purpose, but any bread may be used. - - -SURPRISE CROQUETTES - - 1 cup leftover cereal - 1 cup chopped peanuts - 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs - 1 beaten egg - -Shape as croquettes and bake in oven or pan-broil. Serve with tart -jelly. - - -CHEESE STRAWS - - 1 cup stale bread - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1/2 cup grated cheese - 1/4 cup milk - 2/3 cup flour - 1/4 teaspoon salt - -Make into dough; roll 1/4 inch thick. Cut into strips 6 inches long -and 1/2 inch wide. Place on baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes in moderate -oven. Serve with soup, salad, or pastry. - - - - -SOUPS UTILIZE LEFTOVERS - - -In nearly every case when meat is purchased, some bone is paid for. -Too frequently this is either left at the market or thrown away in -the home. Bones, gristle, tough ends, head and feet of chickens, head, -fins and bones of fish, etc., should be utilized for making soup. - -If a meat or fish chowder with plenty of vegetable accompaniment is -served, no other meat is required for the usual home meal. - -If a cream of dried or fresh vegetables, or a meat stock soup with -plenty of vegetables or cereal content, is served, the amount of meat -eaten with the main course of the meal will be materially lessened. - -Soups may be a most economical method of using water in which meat, -fish or vegetables have been cooked; also of utilizing small portions -of leftover meats, fish, vegetables or cereal. - -Cream soups are made by cooking vegetables or cereal, then utilizing -the water in which they are cooked as part of the liquid for the soup. -Outer parts or wilted parts of vegetables may be utilized for soups -instead of being discarded. Water in which ham or mutton has been -boiled makes an excellent basis for dried or fresh vegetable soups. -In fact, soup can be made from all kinds of leftovers--the variety -and kind make little difference so long as the mixture is allowed to -simmer for several hours and is properly seasoned. - - -CREAM SOUP - - 1/3 cup fat - 1/3 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 cup cereal or vegetable - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1 pt. milk - 1 pt. water, in which vegetable or cereal was cooked, or leftover - water in which meat was cooked. - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients and, gradually, liquid. When at boiling -point, add vegetables or cereal and serve. - - -MEAT STOCK - -Leftover bits of meat, bone, or gristle may be used alone or with some -fresh meat and bone from shin or neck. - -To each 1 lb. of meat and bone, add 1 qt. cold water. Let stand 1 -hour. Cover and bring slowly to boiling point and simmer 2 to 3 -hours. Remove bones and meat. Let stand until cold. Skim off fat. -Add vegetables cut in small pieces, season as desired and cook until -vegetables are tender. Leftover cereals, as barley, oatmeal, etc., -vegetables, macaroni, tapioca, sago, etc., etc., may be added for -increased food value. - - -TOMATO GUMBO SOUP - - Bones and gristle from chicken or turkey - 2 qts. cold water - 1 cup okra - 1 tablespoon chopped pimento - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1/2 cup rice - 2 tablespoons fat - 1-1/2 cups tomatoes - 1/4 cup chopped parsley - -Soak bones and gristle in the cold water 1 hour. Then boil slowly 1 -hour, in same water. Strain out the bones and gristle and add other -ingredients to the liquor. Boil this mixture slowly 3/4 hour and -serve. - - -LEGUME SOUP - - 1 cup dried peas, beans or lentils - 3 qts. cold water - 1 tablespoon onion pulp - 1 ham bone or 1/2 pound smoked sausage - 1 teaspoon celery salt - 2 teaspoons salt - 2 tablespoons flour, plus - 2 tablespoons cold water - 1/4 teaspoon pepper - 1 cup tomato - -Wash and soak dried legume over night. In morning drain, add water, -ham bone or sausage and cook very slowly until tender. Add other -ingredients, cook 1/2 hour and serve. - - -VEGETABLE SOUP - - 1 qt. boiling water - 1/2 cup carrots - 1/2 cup cabbage - 1 cup potatoes - 1 cup tomato juice and pulp - 1 tablespoon minced onion - 1/4 teaspoon pepper - 4 tablespoons fat - 4 cloves - 1 bayleaf - 2 teaspoons salt - 4 peppercorns - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - -Heat onion, pepper, salt, bayleaf and peppercorns with tomatoes for -20 minutes. Strain. To juice and pulp add other ingredients and cook -slowly 1 hour. Add parsley just before serving. - - -CREAM OF CARROT SOUP - - 2 cups diced carrots - 2 cups water - 1 cup milk - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 2 tablespoons fat - 2 tablespoons flour - 1 teaspoon salt - -Cook the carrots in the water until tender. Melt the fat, add dry -ingredients, add gradually the 1 cup water in which the carrots were -cooked and the milk. When at boiling point, serve with a little grated -raw carrot sprinkled over top of soup. Any vegetable, raw or cooked, -may be used in the same way, as cauliflower, cabbage, peas, turnips, -etc. - - -SALMON CHOWDER - - 1 cup cooked or canned fish - 1 cup cooked potato, diced - 1 cup peas - 2 tablespoons fat - 2 tablespoons flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 teaspoon paprika - 2 cups milk - 1 cup water from boiled potatoes - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley - 1 teaspoon onion juice - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients and gradually the liquid. When at -boiling point, add parsley and serve. - - -CHEESE CREAM SOUP - - 1 cup cheese - 2 cups milk - 2 tablespoons fat - 1-1/4 teaspoons salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1/2 teaspoon celery salt - 3 tablespoons flour - -Melt fat, add dry ingredients and gradually the liquid. When at -boiling point and just ready to serve add cheese. Any kind of cheese -may be used for this purpose. - - -BEAN SOUP - - 1 cup beans - 1 quart water - 1 tablespoon onion juice - 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 cup brown stock - 1/4 teaspoon celery salt - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1 hard cooked egg - 1 lemon, sliced - 1/4 teaspoon mustard - 2 tablespoons flour, plus 2 tablespoons cold water - -Soak beans over night, drain. Place in 1 quart of fresh cold water -and cook until very tender. Add other ingredients and bring to boiling -point. Slice thin, hard cooked egg and lemon from which seeds have -been removed and serve with each portion. Do not remove lemon rind as -this gives a piquant flavor. - - -POTATO AND CHEESE SOUP - - 2 cups cooked diced potatoes - 2 cups water in which potatoes were cooked - 1 cup milk - 2 teaspoons onion juice - 2 tablespoons fat - 3 tablespoons flour - 1-1/2 teaspoons salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley - 1/4 cup grated cheese - -Dice potatoes and cook slowly until very tender. Rub through strainer, -using potato and 2 cups of the water. Melt fat, add dry ingredients -and gradually the liquids and onion juice. When ready to serve, -sprinkle parsley and cheese over top. - - - - -ALL-IN-ONE-DISH MEALS - - -NEED ONLY FRUIT OR SIMPLE DESSERT, AND BREAD AND BUTTER TO COMPLETE A -WELL-BALANCED MENU - - -LENTILS WITH RICE AND TOMATOES - - 3/4 cup lentils - 1 cup rice - 1 quart tomatoes - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 1/4 teaspoon bay leaf - 1/4 teaspoon sage - -Soak lentils over night; drain; add one quart fresh water and one -teaspoon of salt. Cook slowly until tender. Add other ingredients. -Steam or bake for 45 minutes. - - -RICE, TOMATOES, GREEN PEPPER AND BEEF - - 1/2 cup cooked rice - 1 pint tomatoes - 1/3 cup green pepper chopped - 2 cups fresh or left-over cooked meat - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - -Mix all ingredients. Bake in greased dish slowly for one hour. - - -HOMINY AND CURRIED MUTTON WITH BEETS - - 1 cup hominy which has been soaked over night, drained - 1 quart fresh water and 1 teaspoon of salt added; cook until tender - 2 cups mutton from shoulder - 1 teaspoon kitchen bouquet - 1 teaspoon curry - 2 cups water - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 tablespoon cornstarch - 1 cup diced beets - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Bake in covered casserole slowly for -one hour. Mutton should be cut in about one-inch pieces. - - -TAMALE PIE MADE WITH CORNMEAL MUSH, MEAT AND CHOPPED PEPPERS - - 4 cups water - 1 cup cornmeal - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/3 cup chopped peppers - 2 cups cooked meat - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -To cornmeal add one-half cup of cold water. Boil three cups of water -and add cornmeal. Boil five minutes. Add other ingredients. Cook in -greased baking dish for one hour. - - -BAKED SOY BEANS WITH GREENS AND TOMATO - - 1 pint soy beans - 1/4 lb. salt pork - 1/2 teaspoon soda - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 onion - 1-1/2 tablespoons salt - 3/4 cup molasses - 3/4 tablespoon mustard - Boiling water (about one quart) - 1 pint tomatoes - 2 cups cooked spinach - -Soak beans over night; drain. Cover with fresh water and the soda and -boil, until skins break, but do not let beans become broken. Cut rind -from salt pork and cut into six or eight pieces. To 1 cup of boiling -water add the cayenne, salt, molasses, mustard and tomatoes. In bottom -of bean pot place the onion and a piece of salt pork. Add beans. Pour -over this the seasonings. Cover the beans with boiling water. Bake -three hours covered. Uncover, put spinach to which has been added -1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, one-eighth teaspoon of -pepper, on top. Bake 30 minutes and serve. - - -CASSEROLE OF KIDNEY BEANS, SALT PORK AND SPINACH - -One cup of kidney beans, soak over night; drain. Cover with fresh -water. Add 2 teaspoons of salt, cook in small amount of water until -tender. Force through colander. Measure 1-1/2 cups and add one-quarter -pound salt pork chopped fine, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup -of water or meat stock or gravy. - -Place half of mixture in greased baking dish. Cover with two cups -of spinach, to which has been added one-quarter cup of vinegar, 2 -tablespoons of fat and one-half teaspoon of salt. Cover with other -half of bean mixture. Bake 20 minutes. - - -SCALLOPED MACARONI WITH PEAS IN TOMATO AND CHEESE SAUCE - - 1 cup macaroni - 1 cup peas - 1 pint tomatoes, juice and pulp - 1 cup grated cheese - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Cook macaroni until tender in one quart of boiling water and one -teaspoon of salt; drain. Melt fat, add flour, salt and cayenne. -Gradually add tomatoes and when at boiling point remove from fire, -add cheese and peas. Place macaroni in greased baking dish, pour sauce -over it and bake 30 minutes. - - -CURRIED RICE WITH CORN AND CHEESE IN BROWN SAUCE - - 1/2 cup rice - 1 cup cheese - 1 cup corn - 1-1/2 cup milk - 1/4 cup fat - 1/4 cup flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - -Melt fat until brown. Add flour and seasonings. Heat until brown. Add -milk gradually. When at boiling point add other ingredients. Place in -baking dish and bake 45 minutes. - - -FISH AND VEGETABLE CHOWDER - - 3 lbs. fish - 2 cups diced potatoes - 1/3 cup chopped onion - 1/2 cup chopped salt pork - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 cup peas - 2 cups cold water - 2 tablespoons fat - 2 tablespoons flour - 1 cup diced carrots - 1 pint scalded milk - -Cut fish into small pieces. Cover bones, fins and head with cold -water. Simmer 15 minutes; strain. Cook onion and salt pork until -brown. In kettle place layers of fish and mixed vegetables. To water -in which bones, etc., have been cooked, add the seasonings. Mix all -ingredients. Cook forty minutes, slowly, covered. - - -SAMP, FINAN HADDIE WITH HORSERADISH AND TOMATOES - - 1 smoked haddock - 1 cup samp, which has been soaked over night and cooked until tender - 1 quart water and 1 teaspoon of salt - 2 teaspoons horseradish (grated) - 1 pint tomatoes - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - -Pour 1 cup of boiling water and one-half cup of boiling milk over -fish. Let stand one-half hour, pour off liquid. Place fish in baking -dish. Place samp on fish. Mix other ingredients and pour on top. Cover -and bake three-quarters of an hour. - - -CASSEROLE OF SPAGHETTI AND CARROTS WITH PEANUTS, IN BROWN SAUCE - - 1 cup cooked spaghetti - 2 cups brown stock - 2 cups water, or - 2 bouillon cubes - 2 tablespoons flour - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/2 cup chopped peanuts - 1 cup diced carrots - 3 tablespoons chopped olives - -Blend flour with 2 tablespoons cold water. Dissolve bouillon cubes in -the boiling water. Mix all ingredients. Place in casserole and bake 45 -minutes or until spaghetti is tender. - - -LENTIL, PEANUT AND CHEESE ROAST WITH WHITE SAUCE AND OLIVES - - 1 cup cooked lentils - 1 cup chopped peanuts - 1 cup grated cheese - 1 cup bread crumbs - 1 tablespoon fat - 2 tablespoons lemon juice - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 1 teaspoon onion juice - -Mix all. Place in a greased dish. Bake 30 minutes. Then pour over top -a sauce made by melting 2 tablespoons of fat, adding 2 tablespoons -flour, one-half teaspoon of salt and one-eighth teaspoon cayenne. Then -add 1 cup of milk gradually. When at boiling point add 3 tablespoons -of chopped olives. Pour this sauce over the roast and bake 20 minutes. -Serve at once. - - -CASSEROLE OF CODFISH, PIMENTO AND CORNMEAL MUSH - - 1 lb. codfish - 1/3 cup pimento - 1 cup cornmeal - 2 cups tomatoes, juice and pulp - 2 teaspoons salt - 1/8 teaspoon cayenne - 3 cups boiling water - -Mix cornmeal with one-half cup of cold water. Add to the boiling -water. Boil five minutes. In greased baking dish place fish which -has been soaked over night. Place pimento on fish. Place cornmeal on -pimento. To tomatoes add seasonings and pour over all. Bake slowly 45 -minutes. - - -CURRIED VEGETABLES - -One-half cup dried peas, beans or lentils, soaked over night and -cooked until tender. - - 1/2 cup turnips - 1/2 cup of carrots - 1 cup outer parts of celery - 1/2 cup of peas - 1/2 teaspoon celery salt - 1/8 teaspoon pepper - 3 tablespoons drippings - 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour - 1 teaspoon curry powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup meat stock or water - 1 cup tomato juice and pulp - 1 teaspoon onion juice - -Melt the fat. Add the seasoning; gradually the liquid. Add the -vegetables. Cook 20 minutes. Serve very hot. This is an especially -good way of adding the necessary flavor to lentils. - - - - -WHEATLESS DAY MENUS - - -1 - -BREAKFAST - - Stewed Prunes - Oatmeal - Corn Muffins - Top Milk - Coffee - - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Cream of Spinach Soup - All Rye Rolls - Scalloped Potatoes - Marmalade - - -DINNER - - Pot Roast - Buttered Beets - Fried Egg Plant - Southern Spoon Bread - Maple Cornstarch Pudding - - * * * * * - -2 - -BREAKFAST - - Dried Apricots - Cornflakes - Rye and Peanut Muffins - Top Milk - Coffee - - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Nut and Bean Loaf with White Sauce - Corn Pone - Oatmeal Cookies - Currant or Plum Jelly - Tea - - -DINNER - - Beef Casserole - Baked Potatoes - Green Beans - Barley Biscuits - Cranberry Tapioca Pudding - - * * * * * - -3 - -BREAKFAST - - Baked Apple Stuffed with Nuts - Fried Cornmeal Mush - Maple Syrup - Coffee - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Split Pea Soup - Rye Muffins - Corn Oysters - Cranberry Jelly - -DINNER - - Mutton Pie - Glazed Sweet Potatoes - Pickled Beets - Oatmeal Bread - Scalloped Tomatoes - Brown Betty - - -4 - -BREAKFAST - - Dried Peaches with Jelly Garnish - Corn Puffs and Dates - Top of Milk - Rye Muffins - Coffee - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Macaroni and cheese - Corn and Rice Muffins - Canned Fruit - Cocoa - -DINNER - - Cream of Carrot Soup - Swiss Steak - Stewed Tomatoes - Natural Rice - Cole Slaw - Oatmeal Rolls - Brown Betty - - -5 - -BREAKFAST - - Baked Apples with Marmalade Center - Cream of Grits Cereal - Top of Milk - Rye Finger Rolls - Coffee - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Cream of Lentil Soup - Corn Muffins - Prunes - Hot Tea - -DINNER - - Casserole of Beef and Rice - Baked Potatoes - Stewed Corn - Cabbage Salad - Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding - - - - -MEATLESS DAY MENUS - -1 - -BREAKFAST - - Baked Pears with Cloves and Ginger - Cornmeal and Farina Cereal - Coffee - Toast - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Welsh Rarebit - Hot Tea - Fruit Muffins - Lettuce Salad - -DINNER - - Cream of Corn Soup - Baked Fish - Macaroni with Tomato Sauce - Whole Wheat Bread - Lyonnaise Potatoes - Orange Sago Custard - - -2 - -BREAKFAST - - Dried Peaches - Fried Hominy - Marmalade - Coffee - Popovers - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Bean Soup - Lettuce Salad - Cheese Straws - Olives - -DINNER - - Chicken Fricassee - Dumplings - Baked Squash - Peas - Cranberry Jelly - Barley Muffins - Mock Mince Pie - - -3 - -BREAKFAST - - Oranges - Pearled Barley - Top Milk - Currant Jelly - Rye Bread Toasted - Coffee - -LUNCHEON OR SUPPER - - Mixed Vegetable Salad - Boston Brown Bread - Hot Tea - -DINNER - - Clam Chowder - Spinach and Cheese Loaf - Carrots - Creamed Cauliflower - Oatmeal Nut Bread - Spice Pudding - Hard Sauce - - - - -MEAT SUBSTITUTE DINNERS - - Consommé with Spaghetti - Cornmeal Muffins - Cabbage and Cheese - Julienne Potatoes - Carrots - Dressed Lettuce - Jellied Prunes with Nuts - - Thin Bean Soup - Rye Rolls - Corn and Oyster Fritters - Baked Potato - Scalloped Tomato - Apple and Celery Salad - Graham Pudding with Hard Sauce - - Consommé with Tapioca - Brown Bread - Salmon Loaf or Escalloped Salmon - Creamed Potatoes - Peas - Lettuce Salad - Gelatine Dessert - - Thin Cream of Celery Soup - Rye Bread - Nut Loaf - Brown Sauce - Scalloped Potatoes - Spinach - Lettuce Salad with Tomato Jelly - Sago Pudding - - Scalloped Hominy and Cheese - Swiss Chard or Spinach - Whole Wheat Bread - Stuffed Baked Potato - Baked Pears - Molasses Cookies - - Escalloped Codfish - Baked Onions - Corn Bread - Apple Salad - Fig and Date Pudding with Tart Jelly - - Cream of Barley Soup - Turkish Pilaf - War Muffins - Apple and Cabbage Salad - Chocolate Bread Pudding - - Cream of Rice Soup - Rye Meal Rolls - Kidney Bean Croquette - Greens - Dried Apricot Butter - Oranges, Bananas and Dates - Ginger Cookies - - Bean Soup - Welsh Rarebit or a Cheese Dish - Natural Rice - Tomato Sauce - Corn Meal Parker House Rolls - Dried Peach Pudding - - - - -VEGETABLE DINNERS - - Corn Soup - Oatmeal Bread - Nut Loaf - Tomato Sauce - Green Beans - Potatoes au Gratin - Jellied Prunes - - Boston Roast - Tart Jelly - Whole Wheat Bread - Creamed Cauliflower - Squash - Cranberry Slump - - Kidney Beans with Rice - Fried Apples with Raisins - Celery in Brown Sauce - Cornmeal Baking Powder Biscuits - Tapioca Cream - - Baked Beans - Boston Brown Bread - Spinach - Apple and Pimento Salad - Gelatine Dessert - - Cream of Vegetable Soup - Lima Bean Croquets - Creamed Potatoes - Carrots - Pickled Beets - Cornmeal and Rye Muffins - Cottage Pudding - - Cream of Celery Soup - Rye Bread - Spinach Loaf - Cabbage and Pepper Relish - Brown Rice - Marmalade Pudding - - Cream of Tomato Soup - Corn Sticks - Baked Macaroni and Cheese - Baked Sweet Potatoes - Eggplant - Beet and Cabbage Relish - Whole Wheat Bread - Apricot Shortcake - Hard Sauce - - - - -Of our men we ask their lives; Of ourselves, a little less food. - - - - -SAVE AND SERVE - - -TO SAVE BREAD. Serve bread or rolls made from corn, rye or from coarse -flours. Use breakfast foods and hot cakes, composed of corn, oatmeal, -buckwheat, rice or hominy. Serve no toast as garniture or under meat. -Serve war breads. Use every part of the bread, either fresh or stale, -for puddings and toast; or dried and sifted for baked croquettes; or -use to extend flour in the making of muffins and drop cakes. - -TO SAVE MEAT. Use more chicken, hare, rabbits, duck, goose, lobster, -oysters, clams and egg and cheese dishes of all kinds. Use less beef, -mutton, and pork and serve smaller portions at table of these meats. -Have fewer of these items on the menu. Provide more entrees and -made-over dishes in which a smaller quantity of meat is extended by -the use of potatoes, rice, hominy, etc. Use beans, as they contain -nearly the same nutritive value as meat. Serve bacon only as a dish -and not as a garniture, and this way not more than once a week. Use -cheese, dried vegetables and nuts. Use fish and meat chowders. Use -meat extension dishes. Serve vegetable dinners. - -TO SAVE SUGAR. Use less candy and sweet drinks. Use honey, maple -sugar, corn syrup, molasses and dark syrups with hot cakes and waffles -and in all cooking, in order to save butter and sugar. Use all classes -of fruit preserves, jam, marmalades and jellies. Do not frost or ice -cakes. Serve dried fruits with cereals, and no sugar is needed. - -TO SAVE FATS. Serve as few fried dishes as possible, so as to -save both butter and lard, and in any event use vegetable oils for -frying--that is, olive oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, vegetable oil -compounds, etc. Trim all coarse fats from meats before cooking and use -the waste fats for shortening and for soap. We are short of soap fats -as our supplies of tropical oils used for soap-making are reduced. Do -not waste soap. Save fat from soup stock and from boiled meats. Use -butter substitutes where possible. - -TO SAVE MILK. Use it all. Buy whole milk and let cream rise. Use this -cream, and you secure your milk without cost. Economize on milk and -cream except for children. Serve buttermilk. Serve cottage cheese -regularly in varying forms. It is especially nutritious. Use skimmed -milk in cooking. A great quantity of it goes to waste in this country. -Use cheese generally. The children must have milk whole, therefore -reduce the use of cream. - -USE VEGETABLES. Use more vegetables and potatoes. Make fruits and -vegetables into salads and attractive dishes. Feature vegetable -dinners and salads of all kinds. Encourage the use of cheese with -salads. Make all types of salads from vegetables. We have a great -surplus of vegetables, and they can be used by substituting them for -staples so that the staples most needed will be saved. - -Make all kinds of vegetable soups, especially the cream soups, in -which the waste from staple vegetables, such as outer leaves and -wilted parts, can be utilized. These are wholesome and nutritious and -save meat. - - - - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Foods That Will Win The War And How To -Cook Them (1918), by C. Houston Goudiss and Alberta M. Goudiss - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOODS THAT WILL WIN THE WAR *** - -***** This file should be named 15464-8.txt or 15464-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/4/6/15464/ - -Produced by Albert R. Mann Library. Home Economics Archive: -Research, Tradition and History (HEARTH). Ithaca, NY: -Albert R. 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