diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock index fc250b1..3d88cba 100644 --- a/Cargo.lock +++ b/Cargo.lock @@ -2,13 +2,22 @@ # It is not intended for manual editing. version = 3 +[[package]] +name = "aho-corasick" +version = "0.7.18" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "1e37cfd5e7657ada45f742d6e99ca5788580b5c529dc78faf11ece6dc702656f" +dependencies = [ + "memchr", +] + [[package]] name = "ansi_term" version = "0.12.1" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "d52a9bb7ec0cf484c551830a7ce27bd20d67eac647e1befb56b0be4ee39a55d2" dependencies = [ - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -60,7 +69,7 @@ checksum = "d9b39be18770d11421cdb1b9947a45dd3f37e93092cbf377614828a319d5fee8" dependencies = [ "hermit-abi", "libc", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -87,12 +96,54 @@ version = "1.3.2" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "bef38d45163c2f1dde094a7dfd33ccf595c92905c8f8f4fdc18d06fb1037718a" +[[package]] +name = "block-buffer" +version = "0.7.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "c0940dc441f31689269e10ac70eb1002a3a1d3ad1390e030043662eb7fe4688b" +dependencies = [ + "block-padding", + "byte-tools", + "byteorder", + "generic-array", +] + +[[package]] +name = "block-padding" +version = "0.1.5" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "fa79dedbb091f449f1f39e53edf88d5dbe95f895dae6135a8d7b881fb5af73f5" +dependencies = [ + "byte-tools", +] + +[[package]] +name = "bstr" +version = "0.2.17" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "ba3569f383e8f1598449f1a423e72e99569137b47740b1da11ef19af3d5c3223" +dependencies = [ + "memchr", +] + [[package]] name = "bumpalo" version = "3.9.1" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "a4a45a46ab1f2412e53d3a0ade76ffad2025804294569aae387231a0cd6e0899" +[[package]] +name = "byte-tools" +version = "0.3.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "e3b5ca7a04898ad4bcd41c90c5285445ff5b791899bb1b0abdd2a2aa791211d7" + +[[package]] +name = "byteorder" +version = "1.4.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "14c189c53d098945499cdfa7ecc63567cf3886b3332b312a5b4585d8d3a6a610" + [[package]] name = "bytes" version = "1.1.0" @@ -105,12 +156,52 @@ version = "1.0.72" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "22a9137b95ea06864e018375b72adfb7db6e6f68cfc8df5a04d00288050485ee" +[[package]] +name = "cfg-if" +version = "0.1.10" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "4785bdd1c96b2a846b2bd7cc02e86b6b3dbf14e7e53446c4f54c92a361040822" + [[package]] name = "cfg-if" version = "1.0.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "baf1de4339761588bc0619e3cbc0120ee582ebb74b53b4efbf79117bd2da40fd" +[[package]] +name = "chrono" +version = "0.4.19" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "670ad68c9088c2a963aaa298cb369688cf3f9465ce5e2d4ca10e6e0098a1ce73" +dependencies = [ + "libc", + "num-integer", + "num-traits", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "chrono-tz" +version = "0.6.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "58549f1842da3080ce63002102d5bc954c7bc843d4f47818e642abdc36253552" +dependencies = [ + "chrono", + "chrono-tz-build", + "phf", +] + +[[package]] +name = "chrono-tz-build" +version = "0.0.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "db058d493fb2f65f41861bfed7e3fe6335264a9f0f92710cab5bdf01fef09069" +dependencies = [ + "parse-zoneinfo", + "phf", + "phf_codegen", +] + [[package]] name = "clap" version = "3.0.6" @@ -158,6 +249,22 @@ dependencies = [ "version_check", ] +[[package]] +name = "crossbeam-utils" +version = "0.8.6" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "cfcae03edb34f947e64acdb1c33ec169824e20657e9ecb61cef6c8c74dcb8120" +dependencies = [ + "cfg-if 1.0.0", + "lazy_static", +] + +[[package]] +name = "deunicode" +version = "0.4.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "850878694b7933ca4c9569d30a34b55031b9b139ee1fc7b94a527c4ef960d690" + [[package]] name = "devise" version = "0.3.1" @@ -191,6 +298,15 @@ dependencies = [ "syn", ] +[[package]] +name = "digest" +version = "0.8.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "f3d0c8c8752312f9713efd397ff63acb9f85585afbf179282e720e7704954dd5" +dependencies = [ + "generic-array", +] + [[package]] name = "discard" version = "1.0.4" @@ -209,9 +325,15 @@ version = "0.8.30" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "7896dc8abb250ffdda33912550faa54c88ec8b998dec0b2c55ab224921ce11df" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", ] +[[package]] +name = "fake-simd" +version = "0.1.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "e88a8acf291dafb59c2d96e8f59828f3838bb1a70398823ade51a84de6a6deed" + [[package]] name = "fastrand" version = "1.6.0" @@ -235,6 +357,18 @@ dependencies = [ "version_check", ] +[[package]] +name = "filetime" +version = "0.2.15" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "975ccf83d8d9d0d84682850a38c8169027be83368805971cc4f238c2b245bc98" +dependencies = [ + "cfg-if 1.0.0", + "libc", + "redox_syscall", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + [[package]] name = "fixedbitset" version = "0.2.0" @@ -247,6 +381,41 @@ version = "1.0.7" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "3f9eec918d3f24069decb9af1554cad7c880e2da24a9afd88aca000531ab82c1" +[[package]] +name = "fsevent" +version = "0.4.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "5ab7d1bd1bd33cc98b0889831b72da23c0aa4df9cec7e0702f46ecea04b35db6" +dependencies = [ + "bitflags", + "fsevent-sys", +] + +[[package]] +name = "fsevent-sys" +version = "2.0.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "f41b048a94555da0f42f1d632e2e19510084fb8e303b0daa2816e733fb3644a0" +dependencies = [ + "libc", +] + +[[package]] +name = "fuchsia-zircon" +version = "0.3.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "2e9763c69ebaae630ba35f74888db465e49e259ba1bc0eda7d06f4a067615d82" +dependencies = [ + "bitflags", + "fuchsia-zircon-sys", +] + +[[package]] +name = "fuchsia-zircon-sys" +version = "0.3.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "3dcaa9ae7725d12cdb85b3ad99a434db70b468c09ded17e012d86b5c1010f7a7" + [[package]] name = "futures" version = "0.3.19" @@ -346,7 +515,16 @@ dependencies = [ "libc", "log", "rustversion", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "generic-array" +version = "0.12.4" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "ffdf9f34f1447443d37393cc6c2b8313aebddcd96906caf34e54c68d8e57d7bd" +dependencies = [ + "typenum", ] [[package]] @@ -364,7 +542,7 @@ version = "0.1.16" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "8fc3cb4d91f53b50155bdcfd23f6a4c39ae1969c2ae85982b135750cccaf5fce" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "libc", "wasi 0.9.0+wasi-snapshot-preview1", ] @@ -375,7 +553,7 @@ version = "0.2.3" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "7fcd999463524c52659517fe2cea98493cfe485d10565e7b0fb07dbba7ad2753" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "libc", "wasi 0.10.2+wasi-snapshot-preview1", ] @@ -386,6 +564,30 @@ version = "0.3.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "9b919933a397b79c37e33b77bb2aa3dc8eb6e165ad809e58ff75bc7db2e34574" +[[package]] +name = "globset" +version = "0.4.8" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "10463d9ff00a2a068db14231982f5132edebad0d7660cd956a1c30292dbcbfbd" +dependencies = [ + "aho-corasick", + "bstr", + "fnv", + "log", + "regex", +] + +[[package]] +name = "globwalk" +version = "0.8.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "93e3af942408868f6934a7b85134a3230832b9977cf66125df2f9edcfce4ddcc" +dependencies = [ + "bitflags", + "ignore", + "walkdir", +] + [[package]] name = "h2" version = "0.3.10" @@ -460,6 +662,12 @@ version = "1.0.2" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "c4a1e36c821dbe04574f602848a19f742f4fb3c98d40449f11bcad18d6b17421" +[[package]] +name = "humansize" +version = "1.1.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "02296996cb8796d7c6e3bc2d9211b7802812d36999a51bb754123ead7d37d026" + [[package]] name = "hyper" version = "0.14.16" @@ -484,6 +692,24 @@ dependencies = [ "want", ] +[[package]] +name = "ignore" +version = "0.4.18" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "713f1b139373f96a2e0ce3ac931cd01ee973c3c5dd7c40c0c2efe96ad2b6751d" +dependencies = [ + "crossbeam-utils", + "globset", + "lazy_static", + "log", + "memchr", + "regex", + "same-file", + "thread_local", + "walkdir", + "winapi-util", +] + [[package]] name = "indexmap" version = "1.8.0" @@ -501,13 +727,42 @@ version = "0.1.15" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "c8fae54786f62fb2918dcfae3d568594e50eb9b5c25bf04371af6fe7516452fb" +[[package]] +name = "inotify" +version = "0.7.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "4816c66d2c8ae673df83366c18341538f234a26d65a9ecea5c348b453ac1d02f" +dependencies = [ + "bitflags", + "inotify-sys", + "libc", +] + +[[package]] +name = "inotify-sys" +version = "0.1.5" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "e05c02b5e89bff3b946cedeca278abc628fe811e604f027c45a8aa3cf793d0eb" +dependencies = [ + "libc", +] + [[package]] name = "instant" version = "0.1.12" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "7a5bbe824c507c5da5956355e86a746d82e0e1464f65d862cc5e71da70e94b2c" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", +] + +[[package]] +name = "iovec" +version = "0.1.4" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "b2b3ea6ff95e175473f8ffe6a7eb7c00d054240321b84c57051175fe3c1e075e" +dependencies = [ + "libc", ] [[package]] @@ -532,13 +787,13 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "1aab8fc367588b89dcee83ab0fd66b72b50b72fa1904d7095045ace2b0c81c35" [[package]] -name = "kitchen-wisdom" -version = "0.1.0" +name = "kernel32-sys" +version = "0.2.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "7507624b29483431c0ba2d82aece8ca6cdba9382bff4ddd0f7490560c056098d" dependencies = [ - "clap", - "lazy_static", - "markov", - "rocket", + "winapi 0.2.8", + "winapi-build", ] [[package]] @@ -547,6 +802,12 @@ version = "1.4.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "e2abad23fbc42b3700f2f279844dc832adb2b2eb069b2df918f455c4e18cc646" +[[package]] +name = "lazycell" +version = "1.3.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "830d08ce1d1d941e6b30645f1a0eb5643013d835ce3779a5fc208261dbe10f55" + [[package]] name = "libc" version = "0.2.112" @@ -574,7 +835,7 @@ version = "0.4.14" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "51b9bbe6c47d51fc3e1a9b945965946b4c44142ab8792c50835a980d362c2710" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", ] [[package]] @@ -583,7 +844,7 @@ version = "0.5.4" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "edc5c7d328e32cc4954e8e01193d7f0ef5ab257b5090b70a964e099a36034309" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "generator", "scoped-tls", "serde", @@ -592,6 +853,12 @@ dependencies = [ "tracing-subscriber", ] +[[package]] +name = "maplit" +version = "1.0.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "3e2e65a1a2e43cfcb47a895c4c8b10d1f4a61097f9f254f183aee60cad9c651d" + [[package]] name = "markov" version = "1.1.0" @@ -628,6 +895,25 @@ version = "0.3.16" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "2a60c7ce501c71e03a9c9c0d35b861413ae925bd979cc7a4e30d060069aaac8d" +[[package]] +name = "mio" +version = "0.6.23" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "4afd66f5b91bf2a3bc13fad0e21caedac168ca4c707504e75585648ae80e4cc4" +dependencies = [ + "cfg-if 0.1.10", + "fuchsia-zircon", + "fuchsia-zircon-sys", + "iovec", + "kernel32-sys", + "libc", + "log", + "miow 0.2.2", + "net2", + "slab", + "winapi 0.2.8", +] + [[package]] name = "mio" version = "0.7.14" @@ -636,9 +922,33 @@ checksum = "8067b404fe97c70829f082dec8bcf4f71225d7eaea1d8645349cb76fa06205cc" dependencies = [ "libc", "log", - "miow", + "miow 0.3.7", "ntapi", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "mio-extras" +version = "2.0.6" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "52403fe290012ce777c4626790c8951324a2b9e3316b3143779c72b029742f19" +dependencies = [ + "lazycell", + "log", + "mio 0.6.23", + "slab", +] + +[[package]] +name = "miow" +version = "0.2.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "ebd808424166322d4a38da87083bfddd3ac4c131334ed55856112eb06d46944d" +dependencies = [ + "kernel32-sys", + "net2", + "winapi 0.2.8", + "ws2_32-sys", ] [[package]] @@ -647,7 +957,7 @@ version = "0.3.7" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "b9f1c5b025cda876f66ef43a113f91ebc9f4ccef34843000e0adf6ebbab84e21" dependencies = [ - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -670,13 +980,70 @@ dependencies = [ "version_check", ] +[[package]] +name = "net2" +version = "0.2.37" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "391630d12b68002ae1e25e8f974306474966550ad82dac6886fb8910c19568ae" +dependencies = [ + "cfg-if 0.1.10", + "libc", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "normpath" +version = "0.3.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "04aaf5e9cb0fbf883cc0423159eacdf96a9878022084b35c462c428cab73bcaf" +dependencies = [ + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "notify" +version = "4.0.17" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "ae03c8c853dba7bfd23e571ff0cff7bc9dceb40a4cd684cd1681824183f45257" +dependencies = [ + "bitflags", + "filetime", + "fsevent", + "fsevent-sys", + "inotify", + "libc", + "mio 0.6.23", + "mio-extras", + "walkdir", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + [[package]] name = "ntapi" version = "0.3.6" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "3f6bb902e437b6d86e03cce10a7e2af662292c5dfef23b65899ea3ac9354ad44" dependencies = [ - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "num-integer" +version = "0.1.44" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "d2cc698a63b549a70bc047073d2949cce27cd1c7b0a4a862d08a8031bc2801db" +dependencies = [ + "autocfg", + "num-traits", +] + +[[package]] +name = "num-traits" +version = "0.2.14" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "9a64b1ec5cda2586e284722486d802acf1f7dbdc623e2bfc57e65ca1cd099290" +dependencies = [ + "autocfg", ] [[package]] @@ -695,6 +1062,12 @@ version = "1.9.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "da32515d9f6e6e489d7bc9d84c71b060db7247dc035bbe44eac88cf87486d8d5" +[[package]] +name = "opaque-debug" +version = "0.2.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "2839e79665f131bdb5782e51f2c6c9599c133c6098982a54c794358bf432529c" + [[package]] name = "os_str_bytes" version = "6.0.0" @@ -721,12 +1094,21 @@ version = "0.8.5" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "d76e8e1493bcac0d2766c42737f34458f1c8c50c0d23bcb24ea953affb273216" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "instant", "libc", "redox_syscall", "smallvec", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "parse-zoneinfo" +version = "0.3.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "c705f256449c60da65e11ff6626e0c16a0a0b96aaa348de61376b249bc340f41" +dependencies = [ + "regex", ] [[package]] @@ -758,6 +1140,49 @@ version = "2.1.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "d4fd5641d01c8f18a23da7b6fe29298ff4b55afcccdf78973b24cf3175fee32e" +[[package]] +name = "pest" +version = "2.1.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "10f4872ae94d7b90ae48754df22fd42ad52ce740b8f370b03da4835417403e53" +dependencies = [ + "ucd-trie", +] + +[[package]] +name = "pest_derive" +version = "2.1.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "833d1ae558dc601e9a60366421196a8d94bc0ac980476d0b67e1d0988d72b2d0" +dependencies = [ + "pest", + "pest_generator", +] + +[[package]] +name = "pest_generator" +version = "2.1.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "99b8db626e31e5b81787b9783425769681b347011cc59471e33ea46d2ea0cf55" +dependencies = [ + "pest", + "pest_meta", + "proc-macro2", + "quote", + "syn", +] + +[[package]] +name = "pest_meta" +version = "2.1.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "54be6e404f5317079812fc8f9f5279de376d8856929e21c184ecf6bbd692a11d" +dependencies = [ + "maplit", + "pest", + "sha-1", +] + [[package]] name = "petgraph" version = "0.5.1" @@ -768,6 +1193,45 @@ dependencies = [ "indexmap", ] +[[package]] +name = "phf" +version = "0.10.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "fabbf1ead8a5bcbc20f5f8b939ee3f5b0f6f281b6ad3468b84656b658b455259" +dependencies = [ + "phf_shared", +] + +[[package]] +name = "phf_codegen" +version = "0.10.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "4fb1c3a8bc4dd4e5cfce29b44ffc14bedd2ee294559a294e2a4d4c9e9a6a13cd" +dependencies = [ + "phf_generator", + "phf_shared", +] + +[[package]] +name = "phf_generator" +version = "0.10.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "5d5285893bb5eb82e6aaf5d59ee909a06a16737a8970984dd7746ba9283498d6" +dependencies = [ + "phf_shared", + "rand 0.8.4", +] + +[[package]] +name = "phf_shared" +version = "0.10.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "b6796ad771acdc0123d2a88dc428b5e38ef24456743ddb1744ed628f9815c096" +dependencies = [ + "siphasher", + "uncased", +] + [[package]] name = "pin-project-lite" version = "0.2.8" @@ -963,6 +1427,8 @@ version = "1.5.4" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "d07a8629359eb56f1e2fb1652bb04212c072a87ba68546a04065d525673ac461" dependencies = [ + "aho-corasick", + "memchr", "regex-syntax", ] @@ -987,7 +1453,7 @@ version = "0.5.3" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "3acd125665422973a33ac9d3dd2df85edad0f4ae9b00dafb1a05e43a9f5ef8e7" dependencies = [ - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -1044,6 +1510,21 @@ dependencies = [ "unicode-xid", ] +[[package]] +name = "rocket_dyn_templates" +version = "0.1.0-rc.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "c83f1287ad8fa034410928297a91db37518d5c46d7cc7e1e1b4a77aec0cd8807" +dependencies = [ + "glob", + "normpath", + "notify", + "rocket", + "serde", + "serde_json", + "tera", +] + [[package]] name = "rocket_http" version = "0.5.0-rc.1" @@ -1093,6 +1574,15 @@ version = "1.0.9" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "73b4b750c782965c211b42f022f59af1fbceabdd026623714f104152f1ec149f" +[[package]] +name = "same-file" +version = "1.0.6" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "93fc1dc3aaa9bfed95e02e6eadabb4baf7e3078b0bd1b4d7b6b0b68378900502" +dependencies = [ + "winapi-util", +] + [[package]] name = "scoped-tls" version = "1.0.0" @@ -1163,6 +1653,18 @@ dependencies = [ "yaml-rust", ] +[[package]] +name = "sha-1" +version = "0.8.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "f7d94d0bede923b3cea61f3f1ff57ff8cdfd77b400fb8f9998949e0cf04163df" +dependencies = [ + "block-buffer", + "digest", + "fake-simd", + "opaque-debug", +] + [[package]] name = "sha1" version = "0.6.0" @@ -1187,12 +1689,27 @@ dependencies = [ "libc", ] +[[package]] +name = "siphasher" +version = "0.3.7" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "533494a8f9b724d33625ab53c6c4800f7cc445895924a8ef649222dcb76e938b" + [[package]] name = "slab" version = "0.4.5" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "9def91fd1e018fe007022791f865d0ccc9b3a0d5001e01aabb8b40e46000afb5" +[[package]] +name = "slug" +version = "0.1.4" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "b3bc762e6a4b6c6fcaade73e77f9ebc6991b676f88bb2358bddb56560f073373" +dependencies = [ + "deunicode", +] + [[package]] name = "smallvec" version = "1.7.0" @@ -1206,7 +1723,7 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "5dc90fe6c7be1a323296982db1836d1ea9e47b6839496dde9a541bc496df3516" dependencies = [ "libc", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -1314,12 +1831,34 @@ version = "3.3.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "5cdb1ef4eaeeaddc8fbd371e5017057064af0911902ef36b39801f67cc6d79e4" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "fastrand", "libc", "redox_syscall", "remove_dir_all", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", +] + +[[package]] +name = "tera" +version = "1.15.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "d3cac831b615c25bcef632d1cabf864fa05813baad3d526829db18eb70e8b58d" +dependencies = [ + "chrono", + "chrono-tz", + "globwalk", + "humansize", + "lazy_static", + "percent-encoding", + "pest", + "pest_derive", + "rand 0.8.4", + "regex", + "serde", + "serde_json", + "slug", + "unic-segment", ] [[package]] @@ -1358,7 +1897,7 @@ dependencies = [ "stdweb", "time-macros", "version_check", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -1393,13 +1932,13 @@ dependencies = [ "bytes", "libc", "memchr", - "mio", + "mio 0.7.14", "num_cpus", "once_cell", "pin-project-lite", "signal-hook-registry", "tokio-macros", - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -1459,7 +1998,7 @@ version = "0.1.29" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "375a639232caf30edfc78e8d89b2d4c375515393e7af7e16f01cd96917fb2105" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "pin-project-lite", "tracing-attributes", "tracing-core", @@ -1520,6 +2059,12 @@ version = "0.2.3" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "59547bce71d9c38b83d9c0e92b6066c4253371f15005def0c30d9657f50c7642" +[[package]] +name = "typenum" +version = "1.15.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "dcf81ac59edc17cc8697ff311e8f5ef2d99fcbd9817b34cec66f90b6c3dfd987" + [[package]] name = "ubyte" version = "0.10.1" @@ -1529,6 +2074,12 @@ dependencies = [ "serde", ] +[[package]] +name = "ucd-trie" +version = "0.1.3" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "56dee185309b50d1f11bfedef0fe6d036842e3fb77413abef29f8f8d1c5d4c1c" + [[package]] name = "uncased" version = "0.9.6" @@ -1539,6 +2090,56 @@ dependencies = [ "version_check", ] +[[package]] +name = "unic-char-property" +version = "0.9.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "a8c57a407d9b6fa02b4795eb81c5b6652060a15a7903ea981f3d723e6c0be221" +dependencies = [ + "unic-char-range", +] + +[[package]] +name = "unic-char-range" +version = "0.9.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "0398022d5f700414f6b899e10b8348231abf9173fa93144cbc1a43b9793c1fbc" + +[[package]] +name = "unic-common" +version = "0.9.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "80d7ff825a6a654ee85a63e80f92f054f904f21e7d12da4e22f9834a4aaa35bc" + +[[package]] +name = "unic-segment" +version = "0.9.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "e4ed5d26be57f84f176157270c112ef57b86debac9cd21daaabbe56db0f88f23" +dependencies = [ + "unic-ucd-segment", +] + +[[package]] +name = "unic-ucd-segment" +version = "0.9.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "2079c122a62205b421f499da10f3ee0f7697f012f55b675e002483c73ea34700" +dependencies = [ + "unic-char-property", + "unic-char-range", + "unic-ucd-version", +] + +[[package]] +name = "unic-ucd-version" +version = "0.9.0" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "96bd2f2237fe450fcd0a1d2f5f4e91711124f7857ba2e964247776ebeeb7b0c4" +dependencies = [ + "unic-common", +] + [[package]] name = "unicode-width" version = "0.1.9" @@ -1557,6 +2158,17 @@ version = "0.9.4" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "49874b5167b65d7193b8aba1567f5c7d93d001cafc34600cee003eda787e483f" +[[package]] +name = "walkdir" +version = "2.3.2" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "808cf2735cd4b6866113f648b791c6adc5714537bc222d9347bb203386ffda56" +dependencies = [ + "same-file", + "winapi 0.3.9", + "winapi-util", +] + [[package]] name = "want" version = "0.3.0" @@ -1585,7 +2197,7 @@ version = "0.2.78" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "632f73e236b219150ea279196e54e610f5dbafa5d61786303d4da54f84e47fce" dependencies = [ - "cfg-if", + "cfg-if 1.0.0", "wasm-bindgen-macro", ] @@ -1633,6 +2245,12 @@ version = "0.2.78" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "0237232789cf037d5480773fe568aac745bfe2afbc11a863e97901780a6b47cc" +[[package]] +name = "winapi" +version = "0.2.8" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "167dc9d6949a9b857f3451275e911c3f44255842c1f7a76f33c55103a909087a" + [[package]] name = "winapi" version = "0.3.9" @@ -1643,6 +2261,12 @@ dependencies = [ "winapi-x86_64-pc-windows-gnu", ] +[[package]] +name = "winapi-build" +version = "0.1.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "2d315eee3b34aca4797b2da6b13ed88266e6d612562a0c46390af8299fc699bc" + [[package]] name = "winapi-i686-pc-windows-gnu" version = "0.4.0" @@ -1655,7 +2279,7 @@ version = "0.1.5" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "70ec6ce85bb158151cae5e5c87f95a8e97d2c0c4b001223f33a334e3ce5de178" dependencies = [ - "winapi", + "winapi 0.3.9", ] [[package]] @@ -1664,6 +2288,27 @@ version = "0.4.0" source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" checksum = "712e227841d057c1ee1cd2fb22fa7e5a5461ae8e48fa2ca79ec42cfc1931183f" +[[package]] +name = "wisdom" +version = "0.1.0" +dependencies = [ + "clap", + "lazy_static", + "markov", + "rocket", + "rocket_dyn_templates", +] + +[[package]] +name = "ws2_32-sys" +version = "0.2.1" +source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index" +checksum = "d59cefebd0c892fa2dd6de581e937301d8552cb44489cdff035c6187cb63fa5e" +dependencies = [ + "winapi 0.2.8", + "winapi-build", +] + [[package]] name = "yaml-rust" version = "0.4.5" diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml index 99b6932..f2b6c15 100644 --- a/Cargo.toml +++ b/Cargo.toml @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ [package] -name = "kitchen-wisdom" +name = "wisdom" version = "0.1.0" edition = "2021" @@ -10,3 +10,4 @@ rocket = "0.5.0-rc.1" markov = "1.1.0" lazy_static = "1.4.0" clap = { version = "3.0.6", features = ["derive"] } +rocket_dyn_templates = {version="0.1.0-rc.1", features= ["tera"] } diff --git a/germancookbook.txt b/germancookbook.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c3c2fe --- /dev/null +++ b/germancookbook.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3780 @@ +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 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a713ad7 --- /dev/null +++ b/holmes.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12304 @@ +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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Thus, we do not +necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper +edition. + +Most people start at our website which has the main PG search +facility: www.gutenberg.org + +This website 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/input b/input index a648271..9d59a21 100644 --- a/input +++ b/input @@ -1,3 +1,382 @@ -hello -hello world -hi hi hello +hi ur cute <3 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 +aa +tess' juciy ahmbruger recicpe: +meaattt in the bun +ketcchup 2 liters +no mustard +eat +cook eat share +Oat pancakes made from a batter consisting of bananas, oats, eggs, milk, and pure vanilla mixed in a blender. +PREPARATION Combine broth, soy sauce, sugar, Sriracha sauce, lime juice, and ginger and boil 5 minutes. +Meanwhile, toss chicken with cornstarch until completely coated. +Add chicken and shiitakes to broth and simmer 15 minutes. +Remove the pan from the heat and stir in tomatoes. +Pour soup over udon noodles cut in 2 pieces. Top with cilantro and Sriracha sauce +Let soup stand 2 to 3 minutes before serving. +love italian , +I am a HUGE fan of PF Changs' Chicken Noodle Soup! But because I am a vegan, I thought I would have to give it up forever. Today, however, I used your copycat recipe and made it vegan. It was FABULOUS! +I found this recipe for PF Changs Chicken Noodel Soup - which I Love! +I made it this week adn it is pretty right on. +I am copying the exact recipe below but here are my suggestions/modifications based on the soup I made: use less soy or low sodium, soup was a little salty for my liking. +I did a pretty long squirt of siracha - (2 TBSp) and it was pretty spicy but we like that added chopped green onions when i added the tomatoes added noodles directly to the soup after the 15 min simmer. +I was unable to find the noodles they use at Chang's and used bahn pho rice sticks instead. +I am a HUGE fan of PF Changs' Chicken Noodle Soup! But because I am a vegan, I thought I would have to give it up forever. Today, however, I used your copycat recipe and made it vegan. It was FABULOUS! +I exchanged the chicken broth for Imagine's Organic No-Chicken broth and I used thinly sliced Beyond Meat's [grilled] Chicken-Free Strips for the chicken breasts. +I am in heaven! +I made this & it turned out spot on. I added bean sprouts & it gaved it a nice crunch. Thank you for the receipe. +Noodle are pin rice noodles +Question on Udon noodles? Do I use the whole pack? Does not look like the noodles that PF Changs uses. +thanks 4 recipe chef keep it up take care +These subs are absolutely mouth watering ! They are good for parties and just for a family sit down around the table for supper. +1 loaf of sub buns +3 bags of cheese ( any type you like) +1lb of sliced turkey breast +tangy Italian dressing +1 tomato +1 head of lettuce +1 onion +cookie sheet +preheat oven to 350 degrees +open the sub buns on to cookie sheet +place sliced turkey breast one sub buns +add desired amount of cheese +pour Italian dressing evenly on to subs +place the subs in the oven until cheese is melted and bread is crisp +enjoy!! +Just made this and it came out PERFECT! So good for a freezing cold day! Thanks for posting this recipe!!!! +Could you suggest an alternative for Sriracha sauce. We don't have this in my area. Thanks for your reply. +This sauce is great with chicken and pork dishes. Serve it as a condiment for egg rolls, spring rolls, hamburgers and sandwiches. +1/2 Cup Orange Marmalade +1 Cup Plum Sauce or Plum Preserves (Attached) +1 Tbsp. Cornstarch +1 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar +1 Tbsp. Rice Wine Vinegar or Fresh Lemon Juice +1/8 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper or To Taste +In microwave-safe bowl, combine orange marmalade, plum sauce, cornstarch, sugar, vinegar and cayenne pepper. +Microwave on High power 1 minute until sauce bubbles and thickens; cool. +Let stand 15 - 20 minutes, serve warm. Extra dip can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 month. +peproni sauce Recipe +blend a serving of pepperoni blender +blender with mushroom ad your special seasoning then cook when done you can pour sauce over macaroni and cheese +cook macaroni set aside blend in blender tomatoes pepperoni +cheese put in boiler and cook till done pour over macaroni just one serving put remainder container and freeze +LOVE OF FOOD AND LOTS OF PASSION ARE THE BEST INGREDIENTS ,WITH THOSE TWO SPICES YOU CAN CREATE WHATEVER YOUR HEART DESIRES +love of food and lots of passion are the best ingredients, with those two spices create whateber your heart desires +thank you Charlene for joining Hodgepodge and welcome~ +Amos!!!! You're a man after my own heart! I would love to have the cookbooks. If you'll lend me a bill I'll even pay for them and shipping. Here is my address +macroni wit cheese and cabbage Recipe +I though I was getting onions from freezer and when thawed it was cabbage so I just put it in my +pan and added onions added the cheese mix from the box +I don't add salt or sugar in my cooking what salt and sugar is in the items I cook I try and get foods with less tan 300 mg .of salt so I mainly eat fresh frozen foods and do my cooking I live alone and I freeze every thing is cooked so I freeze it in single serving and warm it over in the microwave +cook macaroni, when cooked add sauce mixture and cabbage +and onions stir and serve +his is a new recipe for me I cooked it as I was wanting some the different it was very +spanish okra Recipe +this is a new recipe for me I cooked it as I was wanting some the different it was very +1` cup of rice +12 oz. of okra +1/4cupof chopped onions +2tbsp of butter +1can14.5 oz. of tomatoes undrained +2tsp chili powder +hot sauce to taste +prepare rice and set aside +mix frozen okra and onions in pan +and cover with water put on stove top and bring to boil +for 3 min. Drain. in large skillet ,combine okra,onions +butter,tomatoes chili powder and hot sauce +cover and cook\over medium heat 15 vegetables heat until +vegetables are thoroughly heated stirring occasional +hen done +this is a big steew for hwole family to eat together +stfew +hi +you need to eat stew by +making it +This no cook dessert is a favourite of mine. +The biscuits used are 'Morning coffee' or 'Marie biscuits'. +You can also use the LU Cookies or Rich Tea Biscuits that can be bought from Amazon. +Sinfully Rich,it will make all your senses come alive..Warning..Addictive.. +CAKE +2cups self rising flour +2cups sugar +1cup coca-cola +3tbscocoa +1cup butte2eggs beaten +1/2 cup buttermilk +1tsp baking powder +1tspvanilla extract +1/1/2 cup mini marshmallows +FROSTING +1/2 cup butter +1tbs cocoa +6tbscoca-cola +1lb box confectioners sugar +1/2cup chopped pecans +Grease and flour a 9 X13 Inch pan set aside +In a large bowl combine flour ,sugar +In a saucepan combine cocoa,coca-cola ,butter and mini marshmallows +bring to a boil +Combine the boiled mixture with the flour sugar mixture +In a separate bowl mix eggs ,buttermilk ,baking soda and vanilla +add to first mixture pour into prepared pan -bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes +FROSTING +In a saucepan bring butter coca-cola and cocoa to a boil +slowly stir in sugar +mix well add nuts +Spread on Cake while both cake and frosting are still hot... +I have not seen the Marie or Morning Coffee type in the US except at the PBX on an armed forces base! +They have all sorts of European food! +This was really popular when we were young as it was one thing we were allowed to make as it did not involve anything electric or hot! +I believe the British were the first to make it - came to that assumption because of the British Biscuits used but if anyone knows the origin...please let me know! +Melt the chocolate ( I use the microwave, checking it and stirring it until it melts. You can also use a double boiler ) +Beat the butter with the caster sugar until light and creamy. +Beat the butter with the caster sugar until light and creamy. +Beat in the melted chocolate and then the eggs, one at a time. +Dip the biscuits into the coffee +Use a largish dish that isn't too shallow make layers of coffee-moistened biscuits alternating with layers of the chocolate cream. +Refrigerate for at least 24 hours. +If you really want to be decadent, top with some fresh whipped cream! +Grate some chocolate curls on top. +Scouse Recipe +Scouse was brought to Liverpool by Northern European sailors, it was originally called Labskause or lobskause. +This was finally shortened to Skause and over time the spelling changed to the more Anglicised version we know and love today, Scouse. +Interesting Note: The Danish name is "skipper labskovs". In Swedish, it's "kallops". +The people who ate Scouse were all generally sailors and their families and eventually all sailors within Liverpool were referred to as Scousers. Time has now taken its toll and everyone from the region of Liverpool and its surroundings are known as a Scousers. +Scouse holds a special place in the hearts of us Liverpudlian's it's the defining taste of my hometown and is still regulary eaten today by a great number of families, including my own. +I've seen some extremely odd recipes online - adding tomatoes for example (this is a HUGE NO-NO) or garlic or other unneeded ingredients. A lot of recipes add beef as well as lamb OR JUST beef, some recipes say you serve it soupy, or like a hot-pot done on the stove, but I personally think it should be mushy and filling. I will show you how to make a classic version here. +Scouse rivals even the chicken soup and hot lemon & honey cures of my, now distant, childhood when it comes to cold hands and feet and runny winter noses. +Enjoy this good hearty winter warming stew, guaranteed to get you glowing when it is cold and damp! +Scouse is a simple stew which is cheap, cheerful and very very TASTY. +2 Tblsp vegetable oil +2lb of Lamb breast +2 large onions +4 large carrots +3lb potatoes +2 or 3 stock cubes (Oxo cubes) or 3 to 4 cups of beef stock +Worcester sauce to taste +Salt and pepper to season +Water to cover +This takes 4 hours of slow cooking but is worth it! Or you can cook in the oven for 4 hours at 160ºC/325ºF/gas or moderate heat. Alternatively use a slow cooker and cook for 10 hours. +Cut the meat into large cubes and fry in the vegatable oil until browned all over. You can add some Worcester Sauce at this point for added flavour if you wish. +Transfer the meat into a large saucepan and add the onion that should be chopped into large chunks. Follow this by chopping the carrot into medallions and place this on the meat. Peel and then cube into 1 inch squares 1lb of the potatoes and place on top of the carrots. +Fill the pan with cold water until it is half full. Crush up the Oxo cubes into powder and sprinkle into the water. Add salt and pepper for seasoning. +Let the pan simmer very gently, stirring occasionally. The large pieces of onion will start to break up and the potato will become soft, this will make the final sauce thick. +Simmer gently for a total of two hours, then add the remaining potatoes that should have been peeled and roughly chopped and left chunky, add a few more splashes of Worcester Sauce to taste. Then simmer, again gently, for another two hours. +Check for seasoning to taste (Worcester sauce,salt, pepper) +Serve the Scouse piping hot lightly sprinkled with fresh parsley or coriander, with pickled red cabbage, pickled onions and fresh baked crusty bread. +You can eat this with Tomato sauce or HP sauce if so desired but it is so good on its own it doesn't need anything else. +3 lb Round steak +2 Tbsp. Minced onion +  Butter +2 tsp Minced onions +  Prepared mustard +2 can Coca Cola +  Warm cooked rice +Cut round steak in serving size pcs & saute/fry in butter. Add in about 2 Tsp minced onions. When meat is white, remove from pan & coat both sides with prepared mustard. Replace in pan. Add in 2 cans Coca Cola & simmer till meat is tender. Serve with rice! +1 pkt Lemon Jello +1 pkt Black cherry Jello +2 c. Warm water or possibly pineapple juice from pineapple chunks +2 c. Coca Cola, your choice on variety +1 c. Minced nuts +1 c. Black cherries +1 c. Pineapple chunks +Dissolve jello in water or possibly pineapple juice. Let cold; add in Coca Cola. Add in nuts, cherries and pineapple to semi-thickened mix. Chill till set. +Yield: 8 servings +4 to 6 pork chops (I used bone-in, center cut chops but any pork chops will do) +1 cup coca cola (can use diet coke, pepsi, or any cola drink) +2 tablespoons brown sugar +1/4 teaspoon black pepper +1/2 teaspoon salt +1 cup ketchup +1 cup chopped onion +2 tablespoons grape jelly (Optional) +1 teaspoon minced garlic +Directions +This Crock Pot Coca Cola Pork Chop recipe is real easy and real good! This makes a great main dish and if your family likes pork chops they will love this recipe. +Brown chops in skillet on top of the stove. Place in crock pot. Whisk together the coke, brown sugar, black pepper, salt, ketchup, chopped onion, jelly and minced garlic with a wire whisk. Pour over chops. Cook 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high. Serve chops with the gravy poured over them. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Enjoy! +Note: These chops are so tender they just fall apart. You could double or triple this recipe and pour over just about any pork roast or ribs. I like to serve them over my fried cornbread recipe or mashed potatoes. +Meijer 10 for $10 Get 11th Item Free Sale! +Love this recipe Colin and being English I knew straight away what it was. +I want to delete my profile but no one is answering me, please can you delete my profile?! +Egg roll is simply prepared with flour,sugar, butter, baking powder, water, boiled egg, raw egg,salt and vegetable oil for deep frying. +Flour 250g +Sugar 3 table spoon +Boild egg 6pcs +Water 100ml +Salt pinch +Butter 50g +Baking powder 1/2 tsp +Egg 1 (raw) +Oil 2L ( deep frying ) +Boil the eggs and deshell. Mix water with flour in a clean bowl with other dry items including the butter coarsely. It should not be soft and too strong. Allow to rest for about 30mins. +Divide into six portionsthen mould each with a piece of egg using flour to dust so it does'nt stick to your palm but to the egg and deep fry in hot oil untill golden brown. +Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl put together flour and sugar. Heat in small saucepan butter, marshmallows, baking chocolate and pepsi. Pour over flour mix hand mix well. Add in the buttermilk, large eggs, baking soda and lowfat milk. Continue to hand mix till well blended. Pour into square or possibly oblong cake pan which has been greased. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 or possibly till done. Pour icing over hot cake while its still in the pan. +Heat together butter, Pepsi and cocoa. Add in 1 box pwdr sugar and walnuts mix well and set aside. When cake is done baking pour icing over top while still hot. +2 c. flour +2 c. sugar +2 c. butter +1 1/2 c. marshmallows +2 sq. baking chocolate +1 c. Pepsi +1/2 buttermilk +2 large eggs, unbeaten +1 teaspoon baking soda +1 teaspoon vanilla +1/2 c. butter +6 T Pepsi +3 T cocoa +1 box powdered sugar +1 c. minced walnuts +PAN YEAST ROLLS Recipe +These rolls are easy to make and family and friends will love them. +cup instant grits uncooked +1/3 cup sugar +1 tablespoon salt +3 cups hot water +1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use canola oil) +6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour +2 packages dry yeast +Combine instant grits, sugar, and salt in large bowl. +Add water, oil and 2 cups of the flour. +Beat 2 minutes on low speed with mixer. +Add 1 cup additional flour and yeast. +Beat 1 minute on low speed. +Stir in additional flour to make soft dough. +Turn out on floured board and knead until smooth and elastic. Add additional flour if needed. +Spray two round cake pans and divide dough in half. +Shape each half into 18 balls and place in pans. +Cover and let rise 1 to 2 hours until doubled in size. +Bake in preheated 400 degree oven 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. +Brush with butter. +Makes about 36 rolls. +Serve warm. +Note: I have also made the dough balls larger and placed in a 9 x 13 inch greased cake pan. They will be more like sandwich rolls if made this way. +THE Bacardi Rum Cake.....adjusted for today's box cake mixes Recipe +Several years ago Bacardi’s Rum Cake recipe used an 18 ½ ounce cake mix and box of instant vanilla pudding mix. Not long after that box cake mixes were developed with “pudding in the mix” which now are known as “super moist” or “deliciously moist.” They also down-sized weights from 18 ½ ounces to today’s Betty Crocker 15 1/4 ounces and Duncan Hine’s 16.5 ounces (don’t you just hate when they do that?) Bacardi has adapted its recipe for rum cake so that instant pudding is no longer required but if you use a “moist” cake mix today other ingredient adjustments are needed. Here is the recipe with these adaptations. Make this divine cake for your special holiday occasions! +CAKE: +1 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts) +1 yellow cake mix "moist-type" (15.25 oz to 16 oz.) +3 eggs +1/2 cup cold water +1/3 cup Wesson oil (I used canola) +1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum (80 proof) +GLAZE: +1/4 pound butter (1 stick) +1/4 cup water +1 cup granulated sugar +1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum (80 proof) +Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10" tube or 12" Bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan. +In large mixing bowl combine cake mix, eggs, 1/2 cup cold water, oil, and 1/2 cup rum. Mix well. +Pour into prepared pan over nuts. Bake about 55 minutes until golden brown and the middle tests done with wooden toothpick. +Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes and prepare glaze while it's cooling (recipe below.) After cake has cooled slightly invert it onto dinner plate or serving dish (it needs to be slightly larger than cake and with a rim to hold in syrup glaze as it's poured.) Then prick caketop all over with toothpick. Spoon or drizzle glaze evenly over top and sides (I use a turkey baster afterwards to reach all surfaces and return pooled glaze to coat cake all over - see Photo 2.) At first the hot syrup will pool in middle and at bottom edges but as it cools the syrup gets thicker and if you keep spooning or basting it back up to top, eventually all the syrup will absorb into cake. +GLAZE: +Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat; add 1/4 cup water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat as needed to boil gently for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in rum. +Optionally decorate border with sugar frosting or whipped cream +I was going to look for a recipe, and here it is. +Sex in a Pan Recipe +This rich, sweet, sinful, delicious dessert is not called "Sex in a pan" for nothing. You decide. LOL Great for any occasion. One of my favourite desserts. Yummy! +BASE: +1 cup all-purpose flour (250 ml) +1/2 cup (125 ml) butter +2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar +1/4 cup (60 ml) chopped nuts +CREAM CHEESE FILLING: +8 ozs (250 ml) cream cheese +2/3 cup (150 ml) icing sugar +1 cup (250 ml) Cool Whip +PUDDING MIX TOPPING: +2 1/2 cups (625 ml) milk +2 - 3 1/2 ozs instant pudding mix (vanilla or chocolate or flavour of your choice) +1 cup (250 ml) Cool Whip +Garnish (coconut, nuts, marashino cherries, chocolate curls, etc...) +To prepare the base, combine flour, butter, sugar and nuts. +Mix until crumbly. Press into greased 10" spring form pan or square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Let cool. +In the meantime, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese with the icing sugar. Fold in 1 cup of cool whip until well blended. Spread over the cooled crust. Refrigerate while making the topping. +To prepare the pudding mix topping, add the milk to the instant pudding mix following the directions on the package. Let cool. Top with remaining cool whip. Garnish with coconut, chopped nuts, shaved chocolate or marashino cherries, strawberries. Refrigerate before serving. Yields about 12 to 16 servings. +Ugh! Too many unnatural chemicals! +wwas great +Sex In A Bowl Recipe +1 x Chocolate cake (any boxed) +2 pkt Chocolate Mousse (by Jello) +6 x Bars SKOR Bars +3 ounce Kahlua +1 lrg container Cold Whip +Bake chocolate cake and cold. Mix up chocolate mouuse according to directions on package. Let set to harden. Crush SKOR bars bars and set aside. +Let the cake set to cold. Then pour Kahlua over the top and allow to seep into cake and then crumble cake. Split all items into thirds and then layer cake, mousse, whip cream, SKOR bars. +cherries and orange slices compliments of me- cause what is sex on the beach without a cherry and the orange just helps decorate ;) +3 ounces orange juice (I buy Simply Orange pulp free) +3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail +1 ounce vodka (we use Sky Vodka) +1 ounce peach schnapps +**disclaimer: No, I am not a lush. I just enjoy a good boozy drink once in a while. Ok, well, more than once in a while....but it doesn't make me a lush. Does it? ;) +No, not the real thing.....do you really think I would tell you about that? +lol But I really have to say that I do enjoy a good glass (or 2, maybe 3) of Sex on the Beach whenever I can! +I also have to agree with one of my fans (Erin - you are so funny) that the drink is way better than the act. +Really, who wants all that gritty sand covering them? (is Donna jumping up and down somewhere in bloggy land raising her hand high? lol) If you ask me, that is way too distracting. ;o) +It's no wonder I love this drink. +To say I love peaches is an understatement. +Getting a good peach however, now that is not an easy thing to always do. +However, with this drink, the only "peach" you need here is the peach schnapps and that stuff my friends is never bad. Trust me! +Grumpy wasn't so sure he wanted this drink. +He had his heart set on a Peach Mojito, but alas, the only grocery store we have in town did not have any mint. So, Grumpy had to settle for some Sex on the Beach. Once he had one, he was ready for another! +The drink is slightly sweet, not sickly sweet. They also go down pretty darn easy, so be careful consuming these! +So, grab your significant other and make yourselves a few of these babies. Maybe by the time your done, you won't care if your covered in sand! +Mix, stir, pour, enjoy! +Let me say right up front - fruitcake gets a bad rap. +My theory is that many object to the darker types, with lots of spice and molasses. +Or the sheer size or amount of this rich cake is enough to last folks til next Christmas +You will be pleasantly surprised though with Mrs. Harvey’s White Fruitcake. +In the ’50s, Lucile Harvey submitted a recipe to The Tampa Tribune for a fruitcake – she won $5 and second place! +But for the next several years, the newspaper got so many requests that they finally reprinted it – and the popularity of that recipe continues to grow ~ so much that the recipe is now reprinted in the Trib each year right after Thanksgiving, and HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST 60 YEARS. +Mrs Harvey died in the mid ’80s, but her fruitcake recipe lives on as her memorial. Compare this to other fruitcake recipes and you’ll see why it’s so special. +Pecans, candied cherries and candied pineapple - but no mixed candied citron. +That’s for starters. Then there’s no spice at all; instead are the refreshing flavors of vanilla extract and lemon extract. +To be correct, with the butter and eggs, this is actually a blonde not white fruitcake. +Regardless of color, most everyone I’ve shared it with loves it. +To be on the safe side I usually gift fruitcakes in petite or small sizes. +That way, no one can say “too much fruitcake!” +With Mrs. Harvey’s, in my opinion, there’s no such thing as too much! +4 cups shelled pecans (approx. 1 lb.) +8 ounces candied cherries (original recipe had 1 lb. but I took the liberty to reduce the ratio to half that of candied pineapple; I just liked it better - sorry, Mrs. Harvey!) +1 pound candied pineapple +1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided +1/2 teaspoon baking powder +1/2 pound butter +1 cup sugar +5 large eggs +1/2 to 2 ounces vanilla extract (1 to 4 tablespoons is quite a range for flavorings, but it is all personal preference. I used 2 tablespoons each of vanilla and lemon and it was just fine.) +1/2 to 2 ounces lemon extract (see note above) +There are endless possibilities for pans or tins to bake fruitcake. You can use one 10-inch tube pan or large fruitcake tin for the whole recipe; 2 or 3 medium loaf pans; 6 or 7 mini loaf pans 5 1/2 x 3 1/2, or 18 to 24 petite loaf pans 4" x 2 1/2, depending on desired fill amount. +Whichever you choose, it is best to line them with parchment paper, clean brown paper bag paper cut to size, foil, or for smaller loaf sizes, commercial paper liners. I don't find the need to grease them or spray. The liner helps them release from pan without tearing, and protects fruits and nuts. +Chop nuts and fruit into medium-size pieces (see photo for approximate size). Dredge with 1/4 cup of the flour (see photo); set aside. +Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and lemon extracts. +Stir together remaining 1 1/2 cups flour and baking powder in medium bowl; fold into butter-egg mixture. Using strong wooden spoon, blend in fruit and nuts (batter will be stiff.) +Push batter into prepared pan(s). +Place in cold oven and turn the oven to 250 degrees. +When done, the fruit cake will be golden and firm on top with no wetness, and golden brown on sides and bottom (see photos). +Remove from oven; cool in pans on cake rack. Remove wrappers or liners if desired and re-wrap in plastic wrap or foil. (Batter has a lot of butter so liners might be greasy.) +Approximate baking time: +FOR 10-INCH TUBE PANS OR LARGE FRUIT CAKE TIN: Bake 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Check cake 1 hour before earliest done time and again 30 minutes before to make sure it doesn’t over bake. +FOR MEDIUM LOAF PAN SIZES: 1 3/4 to 2 hours; check one half hour before earliest time to make sure it doesn’t over bake. +MINI LOAF PANS: About 1 to 1 1/4 hours total; check after 50 minutes. +PETITE LOAF PANS: About 45 - 50 minutes total; check after 35 minutes. +Yield: 4 1/2 pounds of fruitcake, or 24 servings (3-ounce generous slice size.) +hi john thanks fo thre follow and welcome i have made a new RECIPE for a LARGE STEW please check it out on my page tthank you xoxo +hi john i have a problem can you please help me +this website is big and scary and i do not want to be ere anymore but i dont know hot wo leave johbn please hlep who di i leave website delete account pleaseee help HELP johN!!!! +john are you too busy for me what is wrong??? i thought you cared about your users but i guess not :o( +A Spanish style stew made with dried chickpeas, fresh baby spinach, and toasted almonds. +8 ounces dried garbanzo beans (chickpeas) +1 TBSP plus 2 TBSP olive oil +6 ounces fresh baby spinach +2 ounces whole wheat bread, cut into cubes +1/4 cup raw almonds +1 roma tomato, roughly chopped +2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped +2 TBSP red wine vinegar +2 tsp smoked paprika +1 tsp ground cumin +1/8 tsp cayenne pepper +salt & pepper +I made your dressing for this thanksgiving and it was awesome. Thanks for sharing your family recipe. diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs index 3737db7..90aecfc 100644 --- a/src/main.rs +++ b/src/main.rs @@ -1,12 +1,13 @@ #[macro_use] extern crate rocket; +use rocket_dyn_templates::Template; #[macro_use] extern crate lazy_static; use clap::Parser; use markov::Chain; use std::{ fs::File, - io::{BufRead, BufReader}, + io::{BufRead, BufReader}, collections::HashMap, }; lazy_static! { @@ -15,16 +16,16 @@ lazy_static! { } #[get("/")] -fn index() -> String { - CHAIN.generate_str() +fn index() -> Template { + let context: HashMap<&str, String> = [("wisdom", CHAIN.generate_str())].iter().cloned().collect(); + Template::render("index", context) } #[launch] fn rocket() -> _ { let mut config = rocket::Config::default(); config.port = ARGS.port; - rocket::custom(config).mount("/", routes![index]) - //rocket::build().mount("/", routes![index]) + rocket::custom(config).attach(Template::fairing()).mount("/", routes![index]) } fn build_chain() -> Chain { diff --git a/templates/index.html.tera b/templates/index.html.tera new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6747635 --- /dev/null +++ b/templates/index.html.tera @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ + + + + + Wisdom + + + + +
+

{{wisdom}}

+
+ + diff --git a/warcookbook.txt b/warcookbook.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..25a9f9c --- /dev/null +++ b/warcookbook.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6505 @@ +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 + +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: 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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