diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 662095 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/037.jpg | bin | 0 -> 85224 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/038.jpg | bin | 0 -> 103037 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/039.jpg | bin | 0 -> 85595 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/040.jpg | bin | 0 -> 116059 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/041.jpg | bin | 0 -> 118944 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/042.jpg | bin | 0 -> 98937 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/12208-h.htm | 1285 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208-h/title.jpg | bin | 0 -> 43731 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208.txt | 985 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/12208.zip | bin | 0 -> 17353 bytes |
11 files changed, 2270 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/old/12208-h.zip b/old/12208-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5ad72e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h.zip diff --git a/old/12208-h/037.jpg b/old/12208-h/037.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..060338c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/037.jpg diff --git a/old/12208-h/038.jpg b/old/12208-h/038.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3199a71 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/038.jpg diff --git a/old/12208-h/039.jpg b/old/12208-h/039.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3908be2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/039.jpg diff --git a/old/12208-h/040.jpg b/old/12208-h/040.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..74119b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/040.jpg diff --git a/old/12208-h/041.jpg b/old/12208-h/041.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..387e576 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/041.jpg diff --git a/old/12208-h/042.jpg b/old/12208-h/042.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d650b5c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/042.jpg diff --git a/old/12208-h/12208-h.htm b/old/12208-h/12208-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..81e2a09 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/12208-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1285 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Odd Craft + By W. W. Jacobs: Part 8 +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: cursive} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Changing Numbers, by W.W. Jacobs + +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: The Changing Numbers + Odd Craft, Part 8. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 29, 2004 [EBook #12208] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHANGING NUMBERS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (42K)" src="title.jpg" height="658" width="479" /> +</center> +<br><br> +<br /><br /> +<h2> + 1909 +</h2> + +<center> +<h3>PART 8.</h3> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + + + + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-37"> +"Mr. Samuel Gunnill Came Stealthily Down the Winding +Staircase." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-38"> +"The Constable Watched Him With the Air of a Proprietor." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-39"> +"He Saw the Door Just Opening to Admit The Fortunate +Herbert." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-40"> +"Mr. Sims Watched Her Tenderly As She Drew the Beer." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-41"> +"From the Kitchen Came Sounds of Hammering." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-42"> +"Don't Call on Me As a Witness, That's All," Continued Mr. +Drill. +</a></p> + + + + + + + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + + + + + +<a name="2H_4_8"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + THE CHANGING NUMBERS +</h2> +<p> + The tall clock in the corner of the small living-room had just struck + eight as Mr. Samuel Gunnill came stealthily down the winding staircase + and, opening the door at the foot, stepped with an appearance of great + care and humility into the room. He noticed with some anxiety that his + daughter Selina was apparently engrossed in her task of attending to the + plants in the window, and that no preparations whatever had been made for + breakfast. +</p> +<a name="image-37"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="037.jpg" height="412" width="550" +alt="'mr. Samuel Gunnill Came Stealthily Down the Winding +Staircase.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Miss Gunnill's horticultural duties seemed interminable. She snipped off + dead leaves with painstaking precision, and administered water with the + jealous care of a druggist compounding a prescription; then, with her + back still toward him, she gave vent to a sigh far too intense in its + nature to have reference to such trivialities as plants. She repeated it + twice, and at the second time Mr. Gunnill, almost without his knowledge, + uttered a deprecatory cough. +</p> +<p> + His daughter turned with alarming swiftness and, holding herself very + upright, favoured him with a glance in which indignation and surprise + were very fairly mingled. +</p> +<p> + "That white one—that one at the end," said Mr. Gunnill, with an + appearance of concentrated interest, "that's my fav'rite." +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill put her hands together, and a look of infinite + long-suffering came upon her face, but she made no reply. +</p> +<p> + "Always has been," continued Mr. Gunnill, feverishly, "from a—from a + cutting." +</p> +<p> + "Bailed out," said Miss Gunnill, in a deep and thrilling voice; "bailed + out at one o'clock in the morning, brought home singing loud enough for + half-a-dozen, and then talking about flowers!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill coughed again. +</p> +<p> + "I was dreaming," pursued Miss Gunnill, plaintively, "sleeping + peacefully, when I was awoke by a horrible noise." +</p> +<p> + "That couldn't ha' been me," protested her father. "I was only a bit + cheerful. It was Benjamin Ely's birthday yesterday, and after we left + the Lion they started singing, and I just hummed to keep 'em company. I + wasn't singing, mind you, only humming—when up comes that interfering + Cooper and takes me off." +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill shivered, and with her pretty cheek in her hand sat by the + window the very picture of despondency. "Why didn't he take the others?" + she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "Ah!" said Mr. Gunnill, with great emphasis, "that's what a lot more of + us would like to know. P'r'aps if you'd been more polite to Mrs. Cooper, + instead o' putting it about that she looked young enough to be his + mother, it wouldn't have happened." +</p> +<p> + His daughter shook her head impatiently and, on Mr. Gunnill making an + allusion to breakfast, expressed surprise that he had got the heart to + eat any-thing. Mr. Gunnill pressing the point, however, she arose and + began to set the table, the undue care with which she smoothed out the + creases of the table-cloth, and the mathematical exactness with which she + placed the various articles, all being so many extra smarts in his wound. + When she finally placed on the table enough food for a dozen people he + began to show signs of a little spirit. +</p> +<p> + "Ain't you going to have any?" he demanded, as Miss Gunnill resumed her + seat by the window. +</p> +<p> + "Me?" said the girl, with a shudder. "Breakfast? The disgrace is + breakfast enough for me. I couldn't eat a morsel; it would choke me." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill eyed her over the rim of his teacup. "I come down an hour + ago," he said, casually, as he helped himself to some bacon. +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill started despite herself. "Oh!" she said, listlessly. +</p> +<p> + "And I see you making a very good breakfast all by yourself in the + kitchen," continued her father, in a voice not free from the taint of + triumph. +</p> +<p> + The discomfited Selina rose and stood regarding him; Mr. Gunnill, after a + vain attempt to meet her gaze, busied himself with his meal. +</p> +<p> + "The idea of watching every mouthful I eat!" said Miss Gunnill, + tragically; "the idea of complaining because I have some breakfast! I'd + never have believed it of you, never! It's shameful! Fancy grudging + your own daughter the food she eats!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill eyed her in dismay. In his confusion he had overestimated + the capacity of his mouth, and he now strove in vain to reply to this + shameful perversion of his meaning. His daughter stood watching him with + grief in one eye and calculation in the other, and, just as he had put + himself into a position to exercise his rights of free speech, gave a + pathetic sniff and walked out of the room. +</p> +<p> + She stayed indoors all day, but the necessity of establishing his + innocence took Mr. Gunnill out a great deal. His neighbours, in the hope + of further excitement, warmly pressed him to go to prison rather than pay + a fine, and instanced the example of an officer in the Salvation Army, + who, in very different circumstances, had elected to take that course. + Mr. Gunnill assured them that only his known antipathy to the army, and + the fear of being regarded as one of its followers, prevented him from + doing so. He paid instead a fine of ten shillings, and after listening + to a sermon, in which his silver hairs served as the text, was permitted + to depart. His feeling against Police-constable Cooper increased with + the passing of the days. The constable watched him with the air of a + proprietor, and Mrs. Cooper's remark that "her husband had had his eye + upon him for a long time, and that he had better be careful for the + future," was faithfully retailed to him within half an hour of its + utterance. Convivial friends counted his cups for him; teetotal friends + more than hinted that Cooper was in the employ of his good angel. +</p> +<a name="image-38"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="038.jpg" height="612" width="609" +alt="'the Constable Watched Him With the Air of a Proprietor.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Miss Gunnill's two principal admirers had an arduous task to perform. + They had to attribute Mr. Gunnill's disaster to the vindictiveness of + Cooper, and at the same time to agree with his daughter that it served + him right. Between father and daughter they had a difficult time, Mr. + Gunnill's sensitiveness having been much heightened by his troubles. +</p> +<p> + "Cooper ought not to have taken you," said Herbert Sims for the fiftieth + time. +</p> +<p> + "He must ha' seen you like it dozens o' times before," said Ted Drill, + who, in his determination not to be outdone by Mr. Sims, was not + displaying his usual judgment. "Why didn't he take you then? That's + what you ought to have asked the magistrate." +</p> +<p> + "I don't understand you," said Mr. Gunnill, with an air of cold dignity. +</p> +<p> + "Why," said Mr. Drill, "what I mean is—look at that night, for instance, + when——" +</p> +<p> + He broke off suddenly, even his enthusiasm not being proof against the + extraordinary contortions of visage in which Mr. Gunnill was indulging. +</p> +<p> + "When?" prompted Selina and Mr. Sims together. Mr. Gunnill, after first + daring him with his eye, followed suit. +</p> +<p> + "That night at the Crown," said Mr. Drill, awkwardly. "You know; when + you thought that Joe Baggs was the landlord. You tell 'em; you tell it + best. I've roared over it." +</p> +<p> + "I don't know what you're driving at," said the harassed Mr. Gunnill, + bitterly. +</p> +<p> + "H'm!" said Mr. Drill, with a weak laugh. "I've been mixing you up with + somebody else." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill, obviously relieved, said that he ought to be more careful, + and pointed out, with some feeling, that a lot of mischief was caused + that way. +</p> +<p> + "Cooper wants a lesson, that's what he wants," said Mr. Sims, valiantly. + "He'll get his head broke one of these days." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill acquiesced. "I remember when I was on the <i>Peewit,</i>" he + said, musingly, "one time when we were lying at Cardiff, there was a + policeman there run one of our chaps in, and two nights afterward another + of our chaps pushed the policeman down in the mud and ran off with his + staff and his helmet." +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill's eyes glistened. "What happened?" she inquired. +</p> +<p> + "He had to leave the force," replied her father; "he couldn't stand the + disgrace of it. The chap that pushed him over was quite a little chap, + too. About the size of Herbert here." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims started. +</p> +<p> + "Very much like him in face, too," pursued Mr. Gunnill; "daring chap he + was." +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill sighed. "I wish he lived in Little-stow," she said, slowly. + "I'd give anything to take that horrid Mrs. Cooper down a bit. Cooper + would be the laughing-stock of the town." +</p> +<p> + Messrs. Sims and Drill looked unhappy. It was hard to have to affect an + attitude of indifference in the face of Miss Gunnill's lawless yearnings; + to stand before her as respectable and law-abiding cravens. Her eyes, + large and sorrowful; dwelt on them both. +</p> +<p> + "If I—I only get a chance at Cooper!" murmured Mr. Sims, vaguely. +</p> +<p> + To his surprise, Mr. Gunnill started up from his chair and, gripping his + hand, shook it fervently. He looked round, and Selina was regarding him + with a glance so tender that he lost his head completely. Before he had + recovered he had pledged himself to lay the helmet and truncheon of the + redoubtable Mr. Cooper at the feet of Miss Gunnill; exact date not + specified. +</p> +<p> + "Of course, I shall have to wait my opportunity," he said, at last. +</p> +<p> + "You wait as long as you like, my boy," said the thoughtless Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims thanked him. +</p> +<p> + "Wait till Cooper's an old man," urged Mr. Drill. +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill, secretly disappointed at the lack of boldness and devotion + on the part of the latter gentleman, eyed his stalwart frame indignantly + and accused him of trying to make Mr. Sims as timid as himself. She + turned to the valiant Sims and made herself so agreeable to that daring + blade that Mr. Drill, a prey to violent jealousy, bade the company a curt + good-night and withdrew. +</p> +<p> + He stayed away for nearly a week, and then one evening as he approached + the house, carrying a carpet-bag, he saw the door just opening to admit + the fortunate Herbert. He quickened his pace and arrived just in time to + follow him in. Mr. Sims, who bore under his arm a brown-paper parcel, + seemed somewhat embarrassed at seeing him, and after a brief greeting + walked into the room, and with a triumphant glance at Mr. Gunnill and + Selina placed his burden on the table. +</p> +<a name="image-39"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="039.jpg" height="446" width="553" +alt="'he Saw the Door Just Opening to Admit The Fortunate +Herbert.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "You—you ain't got it?" said Mr. Gunnill, leaning forward. +</p> +<p> + "How foolish of you to run such a risk!" said Selina. +</p> +<p> + "I brought it for Miss Gunnill," said the young man, simply. He + unfastened the parcel, and to the astonishment of all present revealed a + policeman's helmet and a short boxwood truncheon. +</p> +<p> + "You—you're a wonder," said the gloating Mr. Gunnill. "Look at it, + Ted!" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Drill was looking at it; it may be doubted whether the head of Mr. + Cooper itself could have caused him more astonishment. Then his eyes + sought those of Mr. Sims, but that gentleman was gazing tenderly at the + gratified but shocked Selina. +</p> +<p> + "How ever did you do it?" inquired Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + "Came behind him and threw him down," said Mr. Sims, nonchalantly. "He + was that scared I believe I could have taken his boots as well if I'd + wanted them." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill patted him on the back. "I fancy I can see him running + bare-headed through the town calling for help," he said, smiling. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims shook his head. "Like as not it'll be kept quiet for the credit + of the force," he said, slowly, "unless, of course, they discover who did + it." +</p> +<p> + A slight shade fell on the good-humoured countenance of Mr. Gunnill, but + it was chased away almost immediately by Sims reminding him of the chaff + of Cooper's brother-constables. +</p> +<p> + "And you might take the others away," said Mr. Gunnill, brightening; "you + might keep on doing it." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims said doubtfully that he might, but pointed out that Cooper would + probably be on his guard for the future. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, you've done your share," said Miss Gunnill, with a half-glance at + Mr. Drill, who was still gazing in a bewildered fashion at the trophies. + "You can come into the kitchen and help me draw some beer if you like." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims followed her joyfully, and reaching down a jug for her watched + her tenderly as she drew the beer. All women love valour, but Miss + Gunnill, gazing sadly at the slight figure of Mr. Sims, could not help + wishing that Mr. Drill possessed a little of his spirit. +</p> +<a name="image-40"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="040.jpg" height="492" width="561" +alt="'mr. Sims Watched Her Tenderly As She Drew the Beer.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + She had just finished her task when a tremendous bumping noise was heard + in the living-room, and the plates on the dresser were nearly shaken off + their shelves. +</p> +<p> + "What's that?" she cried. +</p> +<p> + They ran to the room and stood aghast in the doorway at the spectacle of + Mr. Gunnill, with his clenched fists held tightly by his side, bounding + into the air with all the grace of a trained acrobat, while Mr. Drill + encouraged him from an easy-chair. Mr. Gunnill smiled broadly as he met + their astonished gaze, and with a final bound kicked something along the + floor and subsided into his seat panting. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims, suddenly enlightened, uttered a cry of dismay and, darting + under the table, picked up what had once been a policeman's helmet. Then + he snatched a partially consumed truncheon from the fire, and stood white + and trembling before the astonished Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + "What's the matter?" inquired the latter. "You—you've spoilt 'em," + gasped Mr. Sims. "What of it?" said Mr. Gunnill, staring. +</p> +<p> + "I was—going to take 'em away," stammered Mr. Sims. +</p> +<p> + "Well, they'll be easier to carry now," said Mr. Drill, simply. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Sims glanced at him sharply, and then, to the extreme astonishment of + Mr. Gunnill, snatched up the relics and, wrapping them up in the paper, + dashed out of the house. Mr. Gunnill turned a look of blank inquiry upon + Mr. Drill. +</p> +<p> + "It wasn't Cooper's number on the helmet," said that gentleman. +</p> +<p> + "Eh?" shouted Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + "How do you know?" inquired Selina. +</p> +<p> + "I just happened to notice," replied Mr. Drill. He reached down as + though to take up the carpet-bag which he had placed by the side of his + chair, and then, apparently thinking better of it, leaned back in his + seat and eyed Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean to tell me," said the latter, "that he's been and upset the + wrong man?" +</p> +<p> + Mr. Drill shook his head. "That's the puzzle," he said, softly. +</p> +<p> + He smiled over at Miss Gunnill, but that young lady, who found him + somewhat mysterious, looked away and frowned. Her father sat and + exhausted conjecture, his final conclusion being that Mr. Sims had + attacked the first policeman that had come in his way and was now + suffering the agonies of remorse. +</p> +<p> + He raised his head sharply at the sound of hurried footsteps outside. + There was a smart rap at the street door, then the handle was turned, and + the next moment, to the dismay of all present, the red and angry face of + one of Mr. Cooper's brother-constables was thrust into the room. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Gunnill gazed at it in helpless fascination. The body of the + constable garbed in plain clothes followed the face and, standing before + him in a menacing fashion, held out a broken helmet and staff. +</p> +<p> + "Have you seen these afore?" he inquired, in a terrible voice. +</p> +<p> + "No," said Mr. Gunnill, with an attempt at surprise. "What are they?" +</p> +<p> + "I'll tell you what they are," said Police-constable Jenkins, + ferociously; "they're my helmet and truncheon. You've been spoiling His + Majesty's property, and you'll be locked up." +</p> +<p> + "Yours?" said the astonished Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + "I lent 'em to young Sims, just for a joke," said the constable. "I felt + all along I was doing a silly thing." +</p> +<p> + "It's no joke," said Mr. Gunnill, severely. "I'll tell young Herbert + what I think of him trying to deceive me like that." +</p> +<p> + "Never mind about deceiving," interrupted the constable. "What are you + going to do about it?" +</p> +<p> + "What are you?" inquired Mr. Gunnill, hardily. "It seems to me it's + between you and him; you'll very likely be dismissed from the force, and + all through trying to deceive. I wash my hands of it." +</p> +<p> + "You'd no business to lend it," said Drill, interrupting the constable's + indignant retort; "especially for Sims to pretend that he had stolen it + from Cooper. It's a roundabout sort of thing, but you can't tell of Mr. + Gunnill without getting into trouble yourself." +</p> +<p> + "I shall have to put up with that," said the constable, desperately; + "it's got to be explained. It's my day-helmet, too, and the night one's + as shabby as can be. Twenty years in the force and never a mark against + my name till now." +</p> +<p> + "If you'd only keep quiet a bit instead of talking so much," said Mr. + Drill, who had been doing some hard thinking, "I might be able to help + you, p'r'aps." +</p> +<p> + "How?" inquired the constable. +</p> +<p> + "Help him if you can, Ted," said Mr. Gunnill, eagerly; "we ought all to + help others when we get a chance." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Drill sat bolt upright and looked very wise. +</p> +<p> + He took the smashed helmet from the table and examined it carefully. It + was broken in at least half-a-dozen places, and he laboured in vain to + push it into shape. He might as well have tried to make a silk hat out + of a concertina. The only thing that had escaped injury was the metal + plate with the number. +</p> +<p> + "Why don't you mend it?" he inquired, at last. +</p> +<p> + "Mend it?" shouted the incensed Mr. Jenkins. "Why don't you?" +</p> +<p> + "I think I could," said Mr. Drill, slowly; "give me half an hour in the + kitchen and I'll try." +</p> +<p> + "Have as long as you like," said Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<p> + "And I shall want some glue, and Miss Gunnill, and some tin-tacks," said + Drill. +</p> +<p> + "What do you want me for?" inquired Selina. +</p> +<p> + "To hold the things for me," replied Mr. Drill. +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill tossed her head, but after a little demur consented; and + Drill, ignoring the impatience of the constable, picked up his bag and + led the way into the kitchen. Messrs. Gunnill and Jenkins, left behind + in the living-room, sought for some neutral topic of discourse, but in + vain; conversation would revolve round hard labour and lost pensions. + From the kitchen came sounds of hammering, then a loud "Ooh!" from Miss + Gunnill, followed by a burst of laughter and a clapping of hands. Mr. + Jenkins shifted in his seat and exchanged glances with Mr. Gunnill. +</p> +<a name="image-41"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="041.jpg" height="691" width="565" +alt="'from the Kitchen Came Sounds of Hammering.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "He's a clever fellow," said that gentleman, hopefully. "You should hear + him imitate a canary; life-like it is." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins was about to make a hasty and obvious rejoinder, when the + kitchen door opened and Selina emerged, followed by Drill. The snarl + which the constable had prepared died away in a murmur of astonishment as + he took the helmet. It looked as good as ever. +</p> +<p> + He turned it over and over in amaze, and looked in vain for any signs of + the disastrous cracks. It was stiff and upright. He looked at the + number: it was his own. His eyes round with astonishment he tried it on, + and then his face relaxed. +</p> +<p> + "It don't fit as well as it did," he said. +</p> +<p> + "Well, upon my word, some people are never satisfied," said the indignant + Drill. "There isn't another man in England could have done it better." +</p> +<p> + "I'm not grumbling," said the constable, hastily; "it's a wonderful piece + o' work. Wonderful! I can't even see where it was broke. How on earth + did you do it?" +</p> +<p> + Drill shook his head. "It's a secret process," he said, slowly. "I + might want to go into the hat trade some day, and I'm not going to give + things away." +</p> +<p> + "Quite right," said Mr. Jenkins. "Still—well, it's a marvel, that's + what it is; a fair marvel. If you take my advice you'll go in the hat + trade to-morrow, my lad." +</p> +<p> + "I'm not surprised," said Mr. Gunnill, whose face as he spoke was a map + of astonishment. "Not a bit. I've seen him do more surprising things + than that. Have a go at the staff now, Teddy." +</p> +<p> + "I'll see about it," said Mr. Drill, modestly. "I can't do + impossibilities. You leave it here, Mr. Jenkins, and we'll talk about it + later on." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins, still marvelling over his helmet, assented, and, after + another reference to the possibilities in the hat trade to a man with a + born gift for repairs, wrapped his property in a piece of newspaper and + departed, whistling. +</p> +<p> + "Ted," said Mr. Gunnill, impressively, as he sank into his chair with a + sigh of relief. "How you done it I don't know. It's a surprise even to + me." +</p> +<p> + "He is very clever," said Selina, with a kind smile +</p> +<p> + Mr. Drill turned pale, and then, somewhat emboldened by praise from such + a quarter, dropped into a chair by her side and began to talk in low + tones. The grateful Mr. Gunnill, more relieved than he cared to confess, + thoughtfully closed his eyes. +</p> +<p> + "I didn't think all along that you'd let Herbert outdo you," said Selina. +</p> +<p> + "I want to outdo him," said Mr. Drill, in a voice of much meaning. +</p> +<p> + Miss Gunnill cast down her eyes and Mr. Drill had just plucked up + sufficient courage to take her hand when footsteps stopped at the house, + the handle of the door was turned, and, for the second time that evening, + the inflamed visage of Mr. Jenkins confronted the company. +</p> +<p> + "Don't tell me it's a failure," said Mr. Gunnill, starting from his + chair. "You must have been handling it roughly. It was as good as new + when you took it away." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins waved him away and fixed his eyes upon Drill. +</p> +<p> + "You think you're mighty clever, I dare say," he said, grimly; "but I can + put two and two together. I've just heard of it." +</p> +<p> + "Heard of two and two?" said Drill, looking puzzled. +</p> +<p> + "I don't want any of your nonsense," said Mr. Jenkins. "I'm not on duty + now, but I warn you not to say anything that may be used against you." +</p> +<p> + "I never do," said Mr. Drill, piously. +</p> +<p> + "Somebody threw a handful o' flour in poor Cooper's face a couple of + hours ago," said Mr. Jenkins, watching him closely, "and while he was + getting it out of his eyes they upset him and made off with his helmet + and truncheon. I just met Brown and he says Cooper's been going on like + a madman." +</p> +<p> + "By Jove! it's a good job I mended your helmet for you," said Mr. Drill, + "or else they might have suspected you." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins stared at him. "I know who did do it," he said, + significantly. +</p> +<p> + "Herbert Sims?" guessed Mr. Drill, in a stage whisper. +</p> +<p> + "You'll be one o' the first to know," said Mr. Jenkins, darkly; "he'll be + arrested to-morrow. Fancy the impudence of it! It's shocking." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Drill whistled. "Nell, don't let that little affair o' yours with + Sims be known," he said, quietly. "Have that kept quiet—if you can." +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins started as though he had been stung. In the joy of a case he + had overlooked one or two things. He turned and regarded the young man + wistfully. +</p> +<p> + "Don't call on me as a witness, that's all," continued Mr. Drill. "I + never was a mischief-maker, and I shouldn't like to have to tell how you + lent your helmet to Sims so that he could pretend he had knocked Cooper + down and taken it from him." +</p> +<a name="image-42"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="042.jpg" height="515" width="550" +alt="'don't Call on Me As a Witness, That's All,' Continued Mr. +Drill. +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Wouldn't look at all well," said Mr. Gunnill, nodding his head sagely. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins breathed hard and looked from one to the other. It was plain + that it was no good reminding them that he had not had a case for five + years. +</p> +<p> + "When I say that I know who did it," he said, slowly, "I mean that I have + my suspicions." +</p> +<p> + "Don't call on me as a witness, that's all,' continued Mr. Drill." +</p> +<p> + "Ah," said Mr. Drill, "that's a very different thing." +</p> +<p> + "Nothing like the same," said Mr. Gunnill, pouring the constable a glass + of ale. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins drank it and smacked his lips feebly. +</p> +<p> + "Sims needn't know anything about that helmet being repaired," he said at + last. +</p> +<p> + "Certainly not," said everybody. +</p> +<p> + Mr. Jenkins sighed and turned to Drill. +</p> +<p> + "It's no good spoiling the ship for a ha'porth o' tar," he said, with a + faint suspicion of a wink. "No," said Drill, looking puzzled. +</p> +<p> + "Anything that's worth doing at all is worth doing well," continued the + constable, "and while I'm drinking another glass with Mr. Gunnill here, + suppose you go into the kitchen with that useful bag o' yours and finish + repairing my truncheon?" +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Changing Numbers, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHANGING NUMBERS *** + +***** This file should be named 12208-h.htm or 12208-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/2/0/12208/ + +Produced by David Widger + +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. 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. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://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. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/12208-h/title.jpg b/old/12208-h/title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c4b3bd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208-h/title.jpg diff --git a/old/12208.txt b/old/12208.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b1d0b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208.txt @@ -0,0 +1,985 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Changing Numbers, by W.W. Jacobs + +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: The Changing Numbers + Odd Craft, Part 8. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 29, 2004 [EBook #12208] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHANGING NUMBERS *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + +ODD CRAFT + +By W.W. Jacobs + + + +THE CHANGING NUMBERS + +The tall clock in the corner of the small living-room had just struck +eight as Mr. Samuel Gunnill came stealthily down the winding staircase +and, opening the door at the foot, stepped with an appearance of great +care and humility into the room. He noticed with some anxiety that his +daughter Selina was apparently engrossed in her task of attending to the +plants in the window, and that no preparations whatever had been made for +breakfast. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Samuel Gunnill came stealthily down the winding +staircase."] + +Miss Gunnill's horticultural duties seemed interminable. She snipped off +dead leaves with painstaking precision, and administered water with the +jealous care of a druggist compounding a prescription; then, with her +back still toward him, she gave vent to a sigh far too intense in its +nature to have reference to such trivialities as plants. She repeated it +twice, and at the second time Mr. Gunnill, almost without his knowledge, +uttered a deprecatory cough. + +His daughter turned with alarming swiftness and, holding herself very +upright, favoured him with a glance in which indignation and surprise +were very fairly mingled. + +"That white one--that one at the end," said Mr. Gunnill, with an +appearance of concentrated interest, "that's my fav'rite." + +Miss Gunnill put her hands together, and a look of infinite +long-suffering came upon her face, but she made no reply. + +"Always has been," continued Mr. Gunnill, feverishly, "from a--from a +cutting." + +"Bailed out," said Miss Gunnill, in a deep and thrilling voice; "bailed +out at one o'clock in the morning, brought home singing loud enough for +half-a-dozen, and then talking about flowers!" + +Mr. Gunnill coughed again. + +"I was dreaming," pursued Miss Gunnill, plaintively, "sleeping +peacefully, when I was awoke by a horrible noise." + +"That couldn't ha' been me," protested her father. "I was only a bit +cheerful. It was Benjamin Ely's birthday yesterday, and after we left +the Lion they started singing, and I just hummed to keep 'em company. I +wasn't singing, mind you, only humming--when up comes that interfering +Cooper and takes me off." + +Miss Gunnill shivered, and with her pretty cheek in her hand sat by the +window the very picture of despondency. "Why didn't he take the others?" +she inquired. + +"Ah!" said Mr. Gunnill, with great emphasis, "that's what a lot more of +us would like to know. P'r'aps if you'd been more polite to Mrs. Cooper, +instead o' putting it about that she looked young enough to be his +mother, it wouldn't have happened." + +His daughter shook her head impatiently and, on Mr. Gunnill making an +allusion to breakfast, expressed surprise that he had got the heart to +eat any-thing. Mr. Gunnill pressing the point, however, she arose and +began to set the table, the undue care with which she smoothed out the +creases of the table-cloth, and the mathematical exactness with which she +placed the various articles, all being so many extra smarts in his wound. +When she finally placed on the table enough food for a dozen people he +began to show signs of a little spirit. + +"Ain't you going to have any?" he demanded, as Miss Gunnill resumed her +seat by the window. + +"Me?" said the girl, with a shudder. "Breakfast? The disgrace is +breakfast enough for me. I couldn't eat a morsel; it would choke me." + +Mr. Gunnill eyed her over the rim of his teacup. "I come down an hour +ago," he said, casually, as he helped himself to some bacon. + +Miss Gunnill started despite herself. "Oh!" she said, listlessly. + +"And I see you making a very good breakfast all by yourself in the +kitchen," continued her father, in a voice not free from the taint of +triumph. + +The discomfited Selina rose and stood regarding him; Mr. Gunnill, after a +vain attempt to meet her gaze, busied himself with his meal. + +"The idea of watching every mouthful I eat!" said Miss Gunnill, +tragically; "the idea of complaining because I have some breakfast! I'd +never have believed it of you, never! It's shameful! Fancy grudging +your own daughter the food she eats!" + +Mr. Gunnill eyed her in dismay. In his confusion he had overestimated +the capacity of his mouth, and he now strove in vain to reply to this +shameful perversion of his meaning. His daughter stood watching him with +grief in one eye and calculation in the other, and, just as he had put +himself into a position to exercise his rights of free speech, gave a +pathetic sniff and walked out of the room. + +She stayed indoors all day, but the necessity of establishing his +innocence took Mr. Gunnill out a great deal. His neighbours, in the hope +of further excitement, warmly pressed him to go to prison rather than pay +a fine, and instanced the example of an officer in the Salvation Army, +who, in very different circumstances, had elected to take that course. +Mr. Gunnill assured them that only his known antipathy to the army, and +the fear of being regarded as one of its followers, prevented him from +doing so. He paid instead a fine of ten shillings, and after listening +to a sermon, in which his silver hairs served as the text, was permitted +to depart. His feeling against Police-constable Cooper increased with +the passing of the days. The constable watched him with the air of a +proprietor, and Mrs. Cooper's remark that "her husband had had his eye +upon him for a long time, and that he had better be careful for the +future," was faithfully retailed to him within half an hour of its +utterance. Convivial friends counted his cups for him; teetotal friends +more than hinted that Cooper was in the employ of his good angel. + +[Illustration: "The constable watched him with the air of a proprietor."] + +Miss Gunnill's two principal admirers had an arduous task to perform. +They had to attribute Mr. Gunnill's disaster to the vindictiveness of +Cooper, and at the same time to agree with his daughter that it served +him right. Between father and daughter they had a difficult time, Mr. +Gunnill's sensitiveness having been much heightened by his troubles. + +"Cooper ought not to have taken you," said Herbert Sims for the fiftieth +time. + +"He must ha' seen you like it dozens o' times before," said Ted Drill, +who, in his determination not to be outdone by Mr. Sims, was not +displaying his usual judgment. "Why didn't he take you then? That's +what you ought to have asked the magistrate." + +"I don't understand you," said Mr. Gunnill, with an air of cold dignity. + +"Why," said Mr. Drill, "what I mean is--look at that night, for instance, +when----" + +He broke off suddenly, even his enthusiasm not being proof against the +extraordinary contortions of visage in which Mr. Gunnill was indulging. + +"When?" prompted Selina and Mr. Sims together. Mr. Gunnill, after first +daring him with his eye, followed suit. + +"That night at the Crown," said Mr. Drill, awkwardly. "You know; when +you thought that Joe Baggs was the landlord. You tell 'em; you tell it +best. I've roared over it." + +"I don't know what you're driving at," said the harassed Mr. Gunnill, +bitterly. + +"H'm!" said Mr. Drill, with a weak laugh. "I've been mixing you up with +somebody else." + +Mr. Gunnill, obviously relieved, said that he ought to be more careful, +and pointed out, with some feeling, that a lot of mischief was caused +that way. + +"Cooper wants a lesson, that's what he wants," said Mr. Sims, valiantly. +"He'll get his head broke one of these days." + +Mr. Gunnill acquiesced. "I remember when I was on the _Peewit,_" he +said, musingly, "one time when we were lying at Cardiff, there was a +policeman there run one of our chaps in, and two nights afterward another +of our chaps pushed the policeman down in the mud and ran off with his +staff and his helmet." + +Miss Gunnill's eyes glistened. "What happened?" she inquired. + +"He had to leave the force," replied her father; "he couldn't stand the +disgrace of it. The chap that pushed him over was quite a little chap, +too. About the size of Herbert here." + +Mr. Sims started. + +"Very much like him in face, too," pursued Mr. Gunnill; "daring chap he +was." + +Miss Gunnill sighed. "I wish he lived in Little-stow," she said, slowly. +"I'd give anything to take that horrid Mrs. Cooper down a bit. Cooper +would be the laughing-stock of the town." + +Messrs. Sims and Drill looked unhappy. It was hard to have to affect an +attitude of indifference in the face of Miss Gunnill's lawless yearnings; +to stand before her as respectable and law-abiding cravens. Her eyes, +large and sorrowful; dwelt on them both. + +"If I--I only get a chance at Cooper!" murmured Mr. Sims, vaguely. + +To his surprise, Mr. Gunnill started up from his chair and, gripping his +hand, shook it fervently. He looked round, and Selina was regarding him +with a glance so tender that he lost his head completely. Before he had +recovered he had pledged himself to lay the helmet and truncheon of the +redoubtable Mr. Cooper at the feet of Miss Gunnill; exact date not +specified. + +"Of course, I shall have to wait my opportunity," he said, at last. + +"You wait as long as you like, my boy," said the thoughtless Mr. Gunnill. + +Mr. Sims thanked him. + +"Wait till Cooper's an old man," urged Mr. Drill. + +Miss Gunnill, secretly disappointed at the lack of boldness and devotion +on the part of the latter gentleman, eyed his stalwart frame indignantly +and accused him of trying to make Mr. Sims as timid as himself. She +turned to the valiant Sims and made herself so agreeable to that daring +blade that Mr. Drill, a prey to violent jealousy, bade the company a curt +good-night and withdrew. + +He stayed away for nearly a week, and then one evening as he approached +the house, carrying a carpet-bag, he saw the door just opening to admit +the fortunate Herbert. He quickened his pace and arrived just in time to +follow him in. Mr. Sims, who bore under his arm a brown-paper parcel, +seemed somewhat embarrassed at seeing him, and after a brief greeting +walked into the room, and with a triumphant glance at Mr. Gunnill and +Selina placed his burden on the table. + +[Illustration: "He saw the door just opening to admit the fortunate +Herbert."] + +"You--you ain't got it?" said Mr. Gunnill, leaning forward. + +"How foolish of you to run such a risk!" said Selina. + +"I brought it for Miss Gunnill," said the young man, simply. He +unfastened the parcel, and to the astonishment of all present revealed a +policeman's helmet and a short boxwood truncheon. + +"You--you're a wonder," said the gloating Mr. Gunnill. "Look at it, +Ted!" + +Mr. Drill was looking at it; it may be doubted whether the head of Mr. +Cooper itself could have caused him more astonishment. Then his eyes +sought those of Mr. Sims, but that gentleman was gazing tenderly at the +gratified but shocked Selina. + +"How ever did you do it?" inquired Mr. Gunnill. + +"Came behind him and threw him down," said Mr. Sims, nonchalantly. "He +was that scared I believe I could have taken his boots as well if I'd +wanted them." + +Mr. Gunnill patted him on the back. "I fancy I can see him running +bare-headed through the town calling for help," he said, smiling. + +Mr. Sims shook his head. "Like as not it'll be kept quiet for the credit +of the force," he said, slowly, "unless, of course, they discover who did +it." + +A slight shade fell on the good-humoured countenance of Mr. Gunnill, but +it was chased away almost immediately by Sims reminding him of the chaff +of Cooper's brother-constables. + +"And you might take the others away," said Mr. Gunnill, brightening; "you +might keep on doing it." + +Mr. Sims said doubtfully that he might, but pointed out that Cooper would +probably be on his guard for the future. + +"Yes, you've done your share," said Miss Gunnill, with a half-glance at +Mr. Drill, who was still gazing in a bewildered fashion at the trophies. +"You can come into the kitchen and help me draw some beer if you like." + +Mr. Sims followed her joyfully, and reaching down a jug for her watched +her tenderly as she drew the beer. All women love valour, but Miss +Gunnill, gazing sadly at the slight figure of Mr. Sims, could not help +wishing that Mr. Drill possessed a little of his spirit. + +[Illustration: "Mr. Sims watched her tenderly as she drew the beer."] + +She had just finished her task when a tremendous bumping noise was heard +in the living-room, and the plates on the dresser were nearly shaken off +their shelves. + +"What's that?" she cried. + +They ran to the room and stood aghast in the doorway at the spectacle of +Mr. Gunnill, with his clenched fists held tightly by his side, bounding +into the air with all the grace of a trained acrobat, while Mr. Drill +encouraged him from an easy-chair. Mr. Gunnill smiled broadly as he met +their astonished gaze, and with a final bound kicked something along the +floor and subsided into his seat panting. + +Mr. Sims, suddenly enlightened, uttered a cry of dismay and, darting +under the table, picked up what had once been a policeman's helmet. Then +he snatched a partially consumed truncheon from the fire, and stood white +and trembling before the astonished Mr. Gunnill. + +"What's the matter?" inquired the latter. "You--you've spoilt 'em," +gasped Mr. Sims. "What of it?" said Mr. Gunnill, staring. + +"I was--going to take 'em away," stammered Mr. Sims. + +"Well, they'll be easier to carry now," said Mr. Drill, simply. + +Mr. Sims glanced at him sharply, and then, to the extreme astonishment of +Mr. Gunnill, snatched up the relics and, wrapping them up in the paper, +dashed out of the house. Mr. Gunnill turned a look of blank inquiry upon +Mr. Drill. + +"It wasn't Cooper's number on the helmet," said that gentleman. + +"Eh?" shouted Mr. Gunnill. + +"How do you know?" inquired Selina. + +"I just happened to notice," replied Mr. Drill. He reached down as +though to take up the carpet-bag which he had placed by the side of his +chair, and then, apparently thinking better of it, leaned back in his +seat and eyed Mr. Gunnill. + +"Do you mean to tell me," said the latter, "that he's been and upset the +wrong man?" + +Mr. Drill shook his head. "That's the puzzle," he said, softly. + +He smiled over at Miss Gunnill, but that young lady, who found him +somewhat mysterious, looked away and frowned. Her father sat and +exhausted conjecture, his final conclusion being that Mr. Sims had +attacked the first policeman that had come in his way and was now +suffering the agonies of remorse. + +He raised his head sharply at the sound of hurried footsteps outside. +There was a smart rap at the street door, then the handle was turned, and +the next moment, to the dismay of all present, the red and angry face of +one of Mr. Cooper's brother-constables was thrust into the room. + +Mr. Gunnill gazed at it in helpless fascination. The body of the +constable garbed in plain clothes followed the face and, standing before +him in a menacing fashion, held out a broken helmet and staff. + +"Have you seen these afore?" he inquired, in a terrible voice. + +"No," said Mr. Gunnill, with an attempt at surprise. "What are they?" + +"I'll tell you what they are," said Police-constable Jenkins, +ferociously; "they're my helmet and truncheon. You've been spoiling His +Majesty's property, and you'll be locked up." + +"Yours?" said the astonished Mr. Gunnill. + +"I lent 'em to young Sims, just for a joke," said the constable. "I felt +all along I was doing a silly thing." + +"It's no joke," said Mr. Gunnill, severely. "I'll tell young Herbert +what I think of him trying to deceive me like that." + +"Never mind about deceiving," interrupted the constable. "What are you +going to do about it?" + +"What are you?" inquired Mr. Gunnill, hardily. "It seems to me it's +between you and him; you'll very likely be dismissed from the force, and +all through trying to deceive. I wash my hands of it." + +"You'd no business to lend it," said Drill, interrupting the constable's +indignant retort; "especially for Sims to pretend that he had stolen it +from Cooper. It's a roundabout sort of thing, but you can't tell of Mr. +Gunnill without getting into trouble yourself." + +"I shall have to put up with that," said the constable, desperately; +"it's got to be explained. It's my day-helmet, too, and the night one's +as shabby as can be. Twenty years in the force and never a mark against +my name till now." + +"If you'd only keep quiet a bit instead of talking so much," said Mr. +Drill, who had been doing some hard thinking, "I might be able to help +you, p'r'aps." + +"How?" inquired the constable. + +"Help him if you can, Ted," said Mr. Gunnill, eagerly; "we ought all to +help others when we get a chance." + +Mr. Drill sat bolt upright and looked very wise. + +He took the smashed helmet from the table and examined it carefully. It +was broken in at least half-a-dozen places, and he laboured in vain to +push it into shape. He might as well have tried to make a silk hat out +of a concertina. The only thing that had escaped injury was the metal +plate with the number. + +"Why don't you mend it?" he inquired, at last. + +"Mend it?" shouted the incensed Mr. Jenkins. "Why don't you?" + +"I think I could," said Mr. Drill, slowly; "give me half an hour in the +kitchen and I'll try." + +"Have as long as you like," said Mr. Gunnill. + +"And I shall want some glue, and Miss Gunnill, and some tin-tacks," said +Drill. + +"What do you want me for?" inquired Selina. + +"To hold the things for me," replied Mr. Drill. + +Miss Gunnill tossed her head, but after a little demur consented; and +Drill, ignoring the impatience of the constable, picked up his bag and +led the way into the kitchen. Messrs. Gunnill and Jenkins, left behind +in the living-room, sought for some neutral topic of discourse, but in +vain; conversation would revolve round hard labour and lost pensions. +From the kitchen came sounds of hammering, then a loud "Ooh!" from Miss +Gunnill, followed by a burst of laughter and a clapping of hands. Mr. +Jenkins shifted in his seat and exchanged glances with Mr. Gunnill. + +[Illustration: "From the kitchen came sounds of hammering."] + +"He's a clever fellow," said that gentleman, hopefully. "You should hear +him imitate a canary; life-like it is." + +Mr. Jenkins was about to make a hasty and obvious rejoinder, when the +kitchen door opened and Selina emerged, followed by Drill. The snarl +which the constable had prepared died away in a murmur of astonishment as +he took the helmet. It looked as good as ever. + +He turned it over and over in amaze, and looked in vain for any signs of +the disastrous cracks. It was stiff and upright. He looked at the +number: it was his own. His eyes round with astonishment he tried it on, +and then his face relaxed. + +"It don't fit as well as it did," he said. + +"Well, upon my word, some people are never satisfied," said the indignant +Drill. "There isn't another man in England could have done it better." + +"I'm not grumbling," said the constable, hastily; "it's a wonderful piece +o' work. Wonderful! I can't even see where it was broke. How on earth +did you do it?" + +Drill shook his head. "It's a secret process," he said, slowly. "I +might want to go into the hat trade some day, and I'm not going to give +things away." + +"Quite right," said Mr. Jenkins. "Still--well, it's a marvel, that's +what it is; a fair marvel. If you take my advice you'll go in the hat +trade to-morrow, my lad." + +"I'm not surprised," said Mr. Gunnill, whose face as he spoke was a map +of astonishment. "Not a bit. I've seen him do more surprising things +than that. Have a go at the staff now, Teddy." + +"I'll see about it," said Mr. Drill, modestly. "I can't do +impossibilities. You leave it here, Mr. Jenkins, and we'll talk about it +later on." + +Mr. Jenkins, still marvelling over his helmet, assented, and, after +another reference to the possibilities in the hat trade to a man with a +born gift for repairs, wrapped his property in a piece of newspaper and +departed, whistling. + +"Ted," said Mr. Gunnill, impressively, as he sank into his chair with a +sigh of relief. "How you done it I don't know. It's a surprise even to +me." + +"He is very clever," said Selina, with a kind smile + +Mr. Drill turned pale, and then, somewhat emboldened by praise from such +a quarter, dropped into a chair by her side and began to talk in low +tones. The grateful Mr. Gunnill, more relieved than he cared to confess, +thoughtfully closed his eyes. + +"I didn't think all along that you'd let Herbert outdo you," said Selina. + +"I want to outdo him," said Mr. Drill, in a voice of much meaning. + +Miss Gunnill cast down her eyes and Mr. Drill had just plucked up +sufficient courage to take her hand when footsteps stopped at the house, +the handle of the door was turned, and, for the second time that evening, +the inflamed visage of Mr. Jenkins confronted the company. + +"Don't tell me it's a failure," said Mr. Gunnill, starting from his +chair. "You must have been handling it roughly. It was as good as new +when you took it away." + +Mr. Jenkins waved him away and fixed his eyes upon Drill. + +"You think you're mighty clever, I dare say," he said, grimly; "but I can +put two and two together. I've just heard of it." + +"Heard of two and two?" said Drill, looking puzzled. + +"I don't want any of your nonsense," said Mr. Jenkins. "I'm not on duty +now, but I warn you not to say anything that may be used against you." + +"I never do," said Mr. Drill, piously. + +"Somebody threw a handful o' flour in poor Cooper's face a couple of +hours ago," said Mr. Jenkins, watching him closely, "and while he was +getting it out of his eyes they upset him and made off with his helmet +and truncheon. I just met Brown and he says Cooper's been going on like +a madman." + +"By Jove! it's a good job I mended your helmet for you," said Mr. Drill, +"or else they might have suspected you." + +Mr. Jenkins stared at him. "I know who did do it," he said, +significantly. + +"Herbert Sims?" guessed Mr. Drill, in a stage whisper. + +"You'll be one o' the first to know," said Mr. Jenkins, darkly; "he'll be +arrested to-morrow. Fancy the impudence of it! It's shocking." + +Mr. Drill whistled. "Nell, don't let that little affair o' yours with +Sims be known," he said, quietly. "Have that kept quiet--if you can." + +Mr. Jenkins started as though he had been stung. In the joy of a case he +had overlooked one or two things. He turned and regarded the young man +wistfully. + +"Don't call on me as a witness, that's all," continued Mr. Drill. "I +never was a mischief-maker, and I shouldn't like to have to tell how you +lent your helmet to Sims so that he could pretend he had knocked Cooper +down and taken it from him." + +[Illustration: "Don't call on me as a witness, that's all," continued Mr. +Drill.] + +"Wouldn't look at all well," said Mr. Gunnill, nodding his head sagely. + +Mr. Jenkins breathed hard and looked from one to the other. It was plain +that it was no good reminding them that he had not had a case for five +years. + +"When I say that I know who did it," he said, slowly, "I mean that I have +my suspicions." + +"Don't call on me as a witness, that's all,' continued Mr. Drill." + +"Ah," said Mr. Drill, "that's a very different thing." + +"Nothing like the same," said Mr. Gunnill, pouring the constable a glass +of ale. + +Mr. Jenkins drank it and smacked his lips feebly. + +"Sims needn't know anything about that helmet being repaired," he said at +last. + +"Certainly not," said everybody. + +Mr. Jenkins sighed and turned to Drill. + +"It's no good spoiling the ship for a ha'porth o' tar," he said, with a +faint suspicion of a wink. "No," said Drill, looking puzzled. + +"Anything that's worth doing at all is worth doing well," continued the +constable, "and while I'm drinking another glass with Mr. Gunnill here, +suppose you go into the kitchen with that useful bag o' yours and finish +repairing my truncheon?" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Changing Numbers, by W.W. Jacobs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHANGING NUMBERS *** + +***** This file should be named 12208.txt or 12208.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/2/0/12208/ + +Produced by David Widger + +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. 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. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://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. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + + https://www.gutenberg.org/etext06 + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: + https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL + + diff --git a/old/12208.zip b/old/12208.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c73562a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12208.zip |
