Aug 2009

Fitzroy

Fitzroy McPherson
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Out of Doors by J. G. Wood

“Here is a book,” I said, taking up the little volume, “which first brought light into what might have been forever dark. It is Out of Doors, by the famous observer, J. G. Wood. Wood himself very nearly perished from contact with this vile creature, so he wrote with a very full knowledge.”
180px-John_George_Wood_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_13103
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

I walked slowly down the path. There was clay or soft marl mixed with the chalk, and every here and there I saw the same footstep, both ascending and descending. No one else had gone down to the beach by this track that morning. At one place I observed the print of an open hand with the fingers towards the incline. This could only mean that poor McPherson had fallen as he ascended. There were rounded depressions, too, which suggested that he had come down upon his knees more than once. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

It occurred after my withdrawal to my little Sussex home, when I had given myself up entirely to that soothing life of Nature for which I had so often yearned during the long years spent amid the gloom of London. Read More...

Cyanea capillata

The strange object at which I pointed did indeed look like a tangled mass torn from the mane of a lion. It lay upon a rocky shelf some three feet under the water, a curious waving, vibrating, hairy creature with streaks of silver among its yellow tresses. It pulsated with a slow, heavy dilation and contraction.
200px-Lion's_mane
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Letters found in McPherson's desk

He had examined the papers in McPherson’s desk and there were several which showed an intimate correspondence with a certain Miss Maud Bellamy, of Fulworth.

Note from Fitzroy McPherson to Maud Bellamy

DEAREST [ran the message]:
The old place on the beach just after sunset on Tuesday. It is the only time I can get away.
F.M

Note from Maud Bellamy to Fitzroy McPherson

I will be there, you may be sure.
MAUDIE.

The Haven

Home of Tom Bellamy, with his son and daughter. Read More...

Lewes

“I’d be glad of your advice, Mr. Holmes. This is a big thing for me to handle, and I’ll hear of it from Lewes if I go wrong.” (Constable Anderson)
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Fulworth

The village of Fulworth lies in a hollow curving in a semicircle round the bay. Behind the old-fashioned hamlet several modern houses have been built upon the rising ground. Read More...

The Gables

Harold Stackhurst’s well-known coaching establishment, The Gables, quite a large place, which contains some score of young fellows preparing for various professions.

Holmes' house

My villa is situated upon the southern slope of the downs, commanding a great view of the Channel.
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Sussex

It occurred after my withdrawal to my little Sussex home.
EnglandSussexTrad
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Inspector Bardle

I had a call from Inspector Bardle of the Sussex Constabulary — a steady, solid, bovine man with thoughtful eyes, which looked at me now with a very troubled expression.

McPherson's dog

I saw the faithful little creature, an Airedale terrier, laid out upon the mat in the hall. The body was stiff and rigid, the eyes projecting, and the limbs contorted. There was agony in every line of it.

Sudbury and Blount

At my request he sent for Sudbury and Blount, the two students who had found the dog.

Old housekeeper

It was my old housekeeper who heard of it first by that strange wireless by which such people collect the news of the countryside.

Uncle of Fitzroy McPherson

“We were engaged to be married, and we only kept it secret because Fitzroy’s uncle, who is very old and said to be dying, might have disinherited him if he had married against his wish.” (Maud Bellamy)

William Bellamy

A powerful young man, with a heavy, sullen face.

Tom Bellamy

Mr. Bellamy proved to be a middle-aged man with a flaming red beard. He seemed to be in a very angry mood, and his face was soon as florid as his hair.

Maud Bellamy

“She is the beauty of the neighbourhood — a real beauty, Holmes, who would draw attention everywhere.” (Harold Stackhurst) Read More...

Anderson

The village constable, a big, ginger-moustached man of the slow, solid Sussex breed — a breed which covers much good sense under a heavy, silent exterior.

Dr John Watson

At this period of my life the good Watson had passed almost beyond my ken. An occasional week-end visit was the most that I ever saw of him. Thus I must act as my own chronicler. Ah! had he but been with me, how much he might have made of so wonderful a happening and of my eventual triumph against every difficulty!

Cyanea capillata

A loose roundish mass of tawny membranes and fibres, something like very large handfuls of lion’s mane and silver paper.

Ian Murdoch

The mathematical coach at the establishment, a tall, dark, thin man, so taciturn and aloof that none can be said to have been his friend. He seemed to live in some high abstract region of surds and conic sections, with little to connect him with ordinary life. He was looked upon as an oddity by the students, and would have been their butt, but there was some strange outlandish blood in the man, which showed itself not only in his coal-black eyes and swarthy face but also in occasional outbreaks of temper, which could only be described as ferocious.

Fitzroy McPherson

The science master, a fine upstanding young fellow whose life had been crippled by heart trouble following rheumatic fever. He was a natural athlete, however, and excelled in every game which did not throw too great a strain upon him.

Harold Stackhurst

A well-known rowing Blue in his day, and an excellent all-round scholar. Read More...

Jack or Trevor

Edith Presbury twice refers to her financée Trevor Bennett as 'Jack'.

Anthropoid

It is possible that the serum of anthropoid would have been better.
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Newfoundland

It (the collar) had been made for a thick-necked Newfoundland.
250px-Newfoundland_dog_Smoky
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Bohemian

He is in secret correspondence with a Bohemian dealer in London.
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Slavonic

“Dorak — a curious name. Slavonic, I imagine."

  • Branch of Indo-european languages spoken in most eastern european countries that includes Russian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian ( East Slavic), Polish, Czech, Slovak, and Sorbian (West Slavic), and Bulgarian, Serbo-Croat, Macedonian, and Slovene (South Slavic)
  • Of, relating to, or denoting the peoples of central and eastern Europe who speak any of these languages.

Wisteria

A charming house, girt round with lawns and covered with purple wisteria.
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Camford

Combination of Oxford and Cambridge sometimes referred to as Oxbridge.

Port

“If I remember right, an inn called the Chequers where the port used to be above mediocrity and the linen was above reproach.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Lumbago

“Lumbago, possibly. I have known a severe attack make a man walk in just such a way, and nothing would be more trying to the temper.” (Dr John Watson)
  • Pain in the muscles and joints of the lower back.

Canula

“One day, in looking for a canula, I took up the box.” (Trevor Bennett)
  • A thin tube inserted into a vein or body cavity to administer medicine, drain off fluid, or insert a surgical instrument.

Wolfhound

“Why does Professor Presbury’s wolfhound, Roy, endeavour to bite him?” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Langur

‘Langur.’ “ he read. “ ‘the great black-faced monkey of the Himalayan slopes, biggest and most human of climbing monkeys.”
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Alienist

“Speaking as a medical man,” said I, “it appears to be a case for an alienist." (Dr John Watson)
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Small monograph proposed by Sherlock Holmes

A small monograph upon the uses of dogs in the work of the detective. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“Mr. Holmes, this is the young lady I spoke of. This is my fiancee.”
“We were gradually coming to that conclusion, were we not, Watson?” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

He was a man of habits, narrow and concentrated habits, and I had become one of them. As an institution I was like the violin, the shag tobacco, the old black pipe, the index books, and others perhaps less excusable. When it was a case of active work and a comrade was needed upon whose nerve he could place some reliance, my role was obvious. But apart from this I had uses. I was a whetstone for his mind. I stimulated him. He liked to think aloud in my presence. His remarks could hardly be said to be made to me — many of them would have been as appropriately addressed to his bedstead — but none the less, having formed the habit, it had become in some way helpful that I should register and interject. If I irritated him by a certain methodical slowness in my mentality, that irritation served only to make his own flame-like intuitions and impressions flash up the more vividly and swiftly. Such was my humble role in our alliance. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones. And their passing moods may reflect the passing moods of others.” Read More...

Deception practised on Professor Presbury by Sherlock Holmes

“Possibly there is some mistake. I heard through a second person that Professor Presbury of Camford had need of my services.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Cross under the stamp

“There was a letter and there was a small packet, each with the cross under the stamp which warned me not to touch them.” (Trevor Bennett)

Nine day cycle of dates

“This excellent young man’s diary shows that there was trouble upon July 2nd, and from then onward it seems to have been at nine-day intervals, with, so far as I remember, only one exception.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Little wooden box

“The professor brought back a little wooden box from his travels. It was the one thing which suggested a Continental tour, for it was one of those quaint carved things which one associates with Germany.” (Trevor Bennett)

Letter from Lowenstein to Professor Presbury

HONOURED COLLEAGUE [it ran]:
Since your esteemed visit I have thought much of your case, and though in your circumstances there are some special reasons for the treatment, I would none the less enjoin caution, as my results have shown that it is not without danger of a kind.
It is possible that the serum of anthropoid would have been better. I have, as I explained to you, used black-faced langur because a specimen was accessible. Langur is, of course, a crawler and climber, while anthropoid walks erect and is in all ways nearer.
I beg you to take every possible precaution that there be no premature revelation of the process. I have one other client in England, and Dorak is my agent for both.
Weekly reports will oblige.
Yours with high esteem,
H. LOWENSTEIN.

Packet from Dorak to Professor Presbury

“He heard from his London correspondent to-day. There was a letter and there was a small packet, each with the cross under the stamp which warned me not to touch them.” (Trevor Bennett)

Note from Sherlock Holmes to Dr Watson

On the following Monday evening I had a short note asking me to meet him next day at the train.

Telegram from Mercer to Sherlock Holmes

‘Have visited the Commercial Road and seen Dorak. Suave person, Bohemian, elderly. Keeps large general store.
MERCER.’

Telegram from Sherlock Holmes to Mercer

Holmes stopped at a post-office and sent off a telegram on our way.

Letter from Professor Presbury to Dorak

“I have the address of the man in London to whom the professor writes. He seems to have written this morning, and I got it from his blotting-paper.” (Trevor Bennett)

Letters from London E.C. to Professor Presbury

“He told me that certain letters might come to him from London which would be marked by a cross under the stamp. These were to be set aside for his own eyes only.” (Trevor Bennett)

Letter from fellow student to Trevor Bennett

Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a fellow-student in Prague, who said that he was glad to have seen Professor Presbury there, although he had not been able to talk to him.

Messages from Sherlock Holmes to Dr Watson

‘Come at once if convenient — if inconvenient come all the same. S. H.’

Cooper Beeches

“You may recollect that in the case which you, in your sensational way, coupled with the Copper Beeches, I was able, by watching the mind of the child, to form a deduction as to the criminal habits of the very smug and respectable father.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Commercial Road, London

Where Dorak had a shop.
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Home of Professor Presbury

A smart hansom swept us past a row of ancient colleges and, finally turning into a tree-lined drive, pulled up at the door of a charming house, girt round with lawns and covered with purple wistaria.

Chequers Inn

“If I remember right, an inn called the Chequers where the port used to be above mediocrity and the linen was above reproach. I think, Watson, that our lot for the next few days might lie in less pleasant places.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Prague

Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a fellow-student in Prague, who said that he was glad to have seen Professor Presbury there.
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Camford

Monday morning found us on our way to the famous university town.

Lowenstein

Lowenstein! The name brought back to me the memory of some snippet from a newspaper which spoke of an obscure scientist who was striving in some unknown way for the secret of rejuvenescence and the elixir of life. Lowenstein of Prague! Lowenstein with the wondrous strength-giving serum, tabooed by the profession because he refused to reveal its source.

Macphail

Professor Presbury's coachman.

Mercer

“Mercer is since your time,” said Holmes. “He is my general utility man who looks up routine business."

Dorak

“Dorak — a curious name. Slavonic, I imagine.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Fellow student

“Mr. Bennett, received a letter from a fellow-student in Prague, who said that he was glad to have seen Professor Presbury there, although he had not been able to talk to him.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Alice Morphy

A very perfect girl both in mind and body. Read More...

Edith Presbury

A bright, handsome girl of a conventional English type. Read More...

Roy the wolfhound

He was a dear, affectionate animal. Read More...

Trevor Bennett

A tall, handsome youth about thirty, well dressed and elegant, but with something in his bearing which suggested the shyness of the student rather than the self-possession of the man of the world. Read More...

Professor Presbury

“The professor, Watson, is a man of European reputation. His life has been academic. There has never been a breath of scandal. He is a widower with one daughter, Edith. He is, I gather, a man of very virile and positive, one might almost say combative, character.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Grappling hook

“You will, of course, get a grappling-hook and you will easily restore my friend’s revolver.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Barrister

Mr. Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted with the defence.
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Sixpence

The stonework was gray, but at this one point it showed white for a space not larger than a sixpence.
  • A small coin approximately 19.5mm in diameter
S3983__0B
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Amazon

“The heat of the Amazon was always in her blood.” (Neil Gibson)
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Mere

A long, deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere it is called.
200px-Askham_Bridge,_River_Lowther.JPG

compmere2rs

Balustraded bridge

A single broad span of stone with balustraded sides.

  • A railing supported by balusters, esp. an ornamental parapet on a balcony, bridge, or terrace.
ist2_2747334-decorative-balustrading-on-a-bridge

Governess

“A very attractive governess superintended the education of two young children.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Gamekeeper

“ The body was found by a gamekeeper about eleven o’clock.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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American Senator

“He (Neil Gibson) was once Senator for some Western state.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Plane Tree

“The last remaining leaves were being whirled from the solitary plane tree which graces the yard behind our house.” (Dr John Watson)
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Assizes

“It is now referred to the Assizes at Winchester.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Coroner's jury

“That was the view taken by the coroner’s jury.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Family Herald

“The copy of the Family Herald which I observed yesterday upon the hall-table.” (Sherlock Holmes)
Family_herald
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Abraham Lincoln

An Abraham Lincoln keyed to base uses instead of high ones would give some idea of the man.
140px-Lincoln-Warren-1865-03-06
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“For example, there is this revolver. Miss Dunbar disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore, it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there? Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not that person the actual criminal?” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

I descended to breakfast prepared to find my companion in depressed spirits, for, like all great artists, he was easily impressed by his surroundings. On the contrary, I found that he had nearly finished his meal, and that his mood was particularly bright and joyous, with that somewhat sinister cheerfulness which was characteristic of his lighter moments. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“Even so trivial a matter as cooking an egg demands an attention which is conscious of the passage of time.” Read More...

Ten yards of string

Now, officer, can you give me ten yards of string?” (Sherlock Holmes)
The village shop provided a ball of stout twine.

Chip on the parapet of Thor Bridge

“This is curious,” said he.
“Yes, sir, we saw the chip on the ledge. I expect it’s been done by some passer-by.” (Sergeant Coventry) Read More...

Revolver found in Grace Dunbar's wardrobe

“A revolver with one discharged chamber and a calibre which corresponded with the bullet was found on the floor of her wardrobe.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Dr Watson's revolver

“Watson,” said he, “I have some recollection that you go armed upon these excursions of ours.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Note from Grace Dunbar to Mrs Gibson

The note, as I remember, was quite short:
“I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o’clock.”
“G. DUNBAR.

Note from Mrs Gibson to Grace Dunbar

“I received a note from Mrs. Gibson in the morning. It lay on the table of the schoolroom, and it may have been left there by her own hand. It implored me to see her there after dinner, said she had something important to say to me, and asked me to leave an answer on the sundial in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our confidence.” (Grace Dunbar)

Prison passes and permits

“I have no doubt we can get the necessary permits this morning and reach Winchester by the evening train.” (Sherlock Holmes)

There was some delay in the official pass.

We were compelled to spend the night at Winchester, as the formalities had not yet been completed, but next morning, in the company of Mr. Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted with the defence, we were allowed to see the young lady in her cell.

Letter from Neil Gibson to Sherlock Holmes

The letter which he handed to me, written in a bold, masterful hand, ran as follows:
CLARIDGE’S HOTEL, October 3rd.
DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:
I can’t see the best woman God ever made go to her death without doing all that is possible to save her. I can’t explain things — I can’t even try to explain them, but I know beyond all doubt that Miss Dunbar is innocent. You know the facts — who doesn’t? It has been the gossip of the country. And never a voice raised for her! It’s the damned injustice of it all that makes me crazy. That woman has a heart that wouldn’t let her kill a fly. Well, I‘ll come at eleven to-morrow and see if you can get some ray of light in the dark. Maybe I have a clue and don’t know it. Anyhow, all I know and all I have and all I am are for your use if only you can save her. If ever in your life you showed your powers, put them now into this case.
Yours faithfully,
J. NEIL GIBSON.

Residue of cases

A considerable residue of cases of greater or less interest which I might have edited before had I not feared to give the public a surfeit which might react upon the reputation of the man whom above all others I revere.

Secrets of private families

Apart from these unfathomed cases, there are some which involve the secrets of private families to an extent which would mean consternation in many exalted quarters if it were thought possible that they might find their way into print.

Isadora Persano

Isadora Persano, the well-known journalist and duellist, who was found stark staring mad with a match box in front of him which contained a remarkable worm said to be unknown to science.

The cutter Alicia

The cutter Alicia, which sailed one spring morning into a small patch of mist from where she never again emerged, nor was anything further ever heard of herself and her crew.

James Phillimore

Mr. James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world.

Grace Dunbar's wardrobe

“A similar one (gun) she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar’s wardrobe after discharging one barrel.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Village Inn

Late that evening, as we sat together smoking our pipes in the village inn, Holmes gave me a brief review of what had passed.

Village shop

The village shop provided a ball of stout twine.

Sundial

“It implored me to see her there after dinner, said she had something important to say to me, and asked me to leave an answer on the sundial in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our confidence.” (Grace Dunbar)
43110
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Schoolroom

“I received a note from Mrs. Gibson in the morning. It lay on the table of the schoolroom, and it may have been left there by her own hand.”
“She asked me to destroy her note and I burned it in the schoolroom grate.” (Grace Dunbar)

Sergeant Coventry's cottage

This conversation had taken place in the little front room of Sergeant Coventry’s humble cottage which served as the local police-station.

Scotland Yard

“I’d rather have you than Scotland Yard, Mr. Holmes.” (Sergeant Coventry)
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Manaos, Brazil

“I met my wife when I was gold-hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was the daughter of a government official at Manaos, and she was very beautiful.” (Neil Gibson)
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Thor Mere

A long, deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere it is called.
  • A lake, pond, or arm of the sea.
  • ORIGIN Old English , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch meer ‘lake’ and German Meer ‘sea,’ from an Indo-European root shared by Russian more and Latin mare.

Thor Bridge

Where Mrs Gibson was found dead. Read More...

Claridge's Hotel, London

Neil Gibson stayed there while in London.
180px-Claridges_C._W._Stephens,_architect,_1897_edited
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Winchester

“It (Grace Dunbar’s case) is now referred to the Assizes at Winchester.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Thor Place, Hampshire

Thor Place, the Hampshire estate of Mr. Neil Gibson. Read More...

Charing Cross, London

Dr Watson’s Bank. Read More...

Doctor and policeman

“It (the body of Maria Gibson) was examined by the police and by a doctor before being carried up to the house.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Villager

Who saw Grace Dunbar by Thor Bridge at about the hour Mrs Gibson died. Read More...

Gamekeeper

The body was found by a gamekeeper about eleven o’clock.

Joyce Cummings

The rising barrister who was entrusted with the defence of Grace Dunbar. Read More...

Gibson children

“She (Grace Dunbar) answered our advertisement and became governess to our two children.” (Neil Gibson)

Mr Ferguson

“His secretary, Mr. Ferguson, only told me this morning of his appointment with you.” (Marlow Bates)

Billy the page

Billy had opened the door, but the name which he announced was an unexpected one.
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New cook

“We may discuss it when you have consumed the two hard-boiled eggs with which our new cook has favoured us. Their condition may not be unconnected with the copy of the Family Herald which I observed yesterday upon the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter as cooking an egg demands an attention which is conscious of the passage of time and incompatible with the love romance in that excellent periodical.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Cox & Co. Bankers

Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatchbox with my name, John H. Watson, M. D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid.

Sergeant Coventry

Sergeant Coventry, of the local police, who had first examined into the affair. Read More...

Marlow Bates

Manager of Neil Gibson's estate. Read More...

Maria Gibson née Pinto

“She was a creature of the tropics, a Brazilian by birth, as no doubt you know.”
“Tropical by birth and tropical by nature. A child of the sun and of passion. She had loved him as such women can love, but when her own physical charms had faded — I am told that they once were great — there was nothing to hold him.” (Marlow Bates)
Read More...

Grace Dunbar

Governess to the Gibson children.
“The whole world has proclaimed that she also is a very beautiful woman.” (Neil Gibson)
Read More...

Neil Gibson

The Gold King.
“You mean the American Senator?”
“Well, he was once Senator for some Western state, but is better known as the greatest gold-mining magnate in the world.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Fort Dodge or Fort Smith

Fort Dodge is actually on the De Moines River in Iowa.
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Fort Smith is on the Arkansas River in Arkansas.
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Bench

....but an unappreciative bench took a less favourable view, and the Killer returned to those shades from which he had just emerged.
  • (the bench) the office of judge or magistrate : his appointment to the civil bench.
  • a judge's seat in a court.
  • judges or magistrates collectively : rulings from the bench.
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C.I.D.

Evans had indeed done great service and caused several worthy C. I. D. men to sleep the sounder.
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Counterfeiter's outfit

Our eyes fell upon a mass of rusted machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of bottles, and, neatly arranged upon a small table, a number of neat little bundles.
“A printing press — a counterfeiter’s outfit,” said Holmes.

Pocket-knife

He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife.
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Jemmy

Drawing a jemmy from his inside pocket, he knelt down and worked vigorously upon the floor.
  • Jemmy - a short crowbar used by a burglar to force open a window or door.

Spring lock

The door shut with a spring lock.
  • A type of lock with a spring-loaded bolt that requires a key to open it, as distinct from a deadbolt.

Forger and Coiner

The dead man was identified as Rodger Prescott, famous as forger and coiner in Chicago.
  • Historically a person who coins money, in particular a maker of counterfeit coins.

Penitentiary

Killer Evans escaped from penitentiary through political influence.
  • A prison for people convicted of serious crimes.

Newgate calendar

“Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry about a portable Newgate Calendar in your memory.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Queen Anne or Georgian

“I was wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgian.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Binders, reapers and plows

Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harrows, farmer’s carts, buckboards, and all other appliances.
HOWARD GARRIDEB
CONSTRUCTOR OF ACRICULTURAL MACHINERY
Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harrows, farmer’s carts, buckboards, and all other appliances.
Estimates for Artesian Wells
Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston

“Yes, it was bad English but good American. The printer had set it up as received. Then the buckboards. That is American also. And artesian wells are commoner with them than with us. It was a typical American advertisement, but purporting to be from an English firm.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Hans Sloane

“Why, I have the nucleus of a national collection. I shall be the Hans Sloane of my age.”(Nathan Garrideb)
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Sotheby's or Christie's

“Now and again I drive down to Sotheby’s or Christie‘s. Otherwise I very seldom leave my room.” (Nathan Garrideb)
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Alexandrian school

“At their best I hold them supreme, though some prefer the Alexandrian school.” (Nathan Garrideb)
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Syracusan

As he stood in front of us now, he held a piece of chamois leather in his right hand with which he was polishing a coin.
“Syracusan — of the best period,” he explained, holding it up. (Nathan Garrideb)
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Neanderthal, Heidelberg, Cro-Magnon

Above was a line of plaster skulls with such names as “Neanderthal,” “ Heidelberg,” “Cro-Magnon” printed beneath them.
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Early Georgian architecture

The particular house to which we were directed was a large, old-fashioned, Early Georgian edifice, with a flat brick face broken only by two deep bay windows on the ground floor.
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Tyburn tree

Within a stone-cast of old Tyburn Tree of evil memory.
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Covert for putting up a bird

“They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked such a cock pheasant as that.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Wheat pit

“He made his money in real estate, and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago.” (Killer Evans)
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Real estate

“He made his money in real estate.” (Killer Evans)
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Foolscap

He emerged that morning with a long foolscap document in his hand.
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South African War

Shortly after the conclusion of the South African War.
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Knighthood

The same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described.
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“You are, of course, the Mr. John Garrideb mentioned in this document. But surely you have been in England some time?”
“Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?” I seemed to read sudden suspicion in those expressive eyes.
“Your whole outfit is English.”

“I was wondering, Watson, what on earth could be the object of this man in telling us such a rigmarole of lies. I nearly asked him so — for there are times when a brutal frontal attack is the best policy — but I judged it better to let him think he had fooled us. Here is a man with an English coat frayed at the elbow and trousers bagged at the knee with a year’s wear, and yet by this document and by his own account he is a provincial American lately landed in London. There have been no advertisements in the agony columns. You know that I miss nothing there. They are my favourite covert for putting up a bird, and I would never have overlooked such a cock pheasant as that. I never knew a Dr. Lysander Starr, of Topeka. Touch him where you would he was false. I think the fellow is really an American, but he has worn his accent smooth with years of London.”

Holmes pointed as we passed to the small brass plate which bore the curious name.
“Up some years, Watson,” he remarked, indicating its discoloured surface. “It’s his real name, anyhow, and that is something to note.”

“Yes, it was bad English but good American. The printer had set it up as received. Then the buckboards. That is American also. And artesian wells are commoner with them than with us. It was a typical American advertisement, but purporting to be from an English firm.”

“Anyhow, he wanted to get this good old fossil up to Birmingham. That is very clear. I might have told him that he was clearly going on a wild-goose chase, but, on second thoughts, it seemed better to clear the stage by letting him go.”

“I think we may take it that Prescott, the American criminal, used to live in the very room which our innocent friend now devotes to his museum.”

“He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his room — that is very clear, and, as the collector never went out, it took some planning to do it. The whole of this Garrideb invention was apparently for no other end. I must say, Watson, that there is a certain devilish ingenuity about it, even if the queer name of the tenant did give him an opening which he could hardly have expected. He wove his plot with remarkable cunning.’’

“It has nothing whatever to do with our client, so far as I can read the situation. It is something connected with the man he murdered — the man who may have been his confederate in crime. There is some guilty secret in the room. That is how I read it.”

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

Holmes had spent several days in bed, as was his habit from time to time, but he emerged that morning with a long foolscap document in his hand and a twinkle of amusement in his austere gray eyes.

“Patience! Patience, Mr. Garrideb!” said my friend in a soothing voice. “Dr. Watson would tell you that these little digressions of mine sometimes prove in the end to have some bearing on the matter."

Holmes had lit his pipe, and he sat for some time with a curious smile upon his face.

“I merely called to make your acquaintance, and there is no reason why I should interrupt your studies,” said Holmes. “I prefer to establish personal touch with those with whom I do business."

I noticed that my friend’s face cleared when the American left the room, and the look of thoughtful perplexity had vanished.

“I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. Garrideb,” said he. “In my profession all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of yours is a storehouse of it.”

“This is a more serious matter than I had expected, Watson,” said he. “It is fair to tell you so, though I know it will only be an additional reason to you for running your head into danger. I should know my Watson by now. But there is danger, and you should know it.”

Then my friend’s wiry arms were round me, and he was leading me to a chair.
“You’re not hurt, Watson? For God‘s sake, say that you are not hurt!”
It was worth a wound — it was worth many wounds — to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain.

His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. “By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive."

"Help yourselves, gentlemen. Call it a deal and let me beat it.”
Holmes laughed.
“We don’t do things like that, Mr. Evans. There is no bolthole for you in this country."

Rodger Prescott aka Waldron

“The previous tenant was a gentleman at large named Waldron. Waldron’s appearance was well remembered at the office. He had suddenly vanished and nothing more been heard of him. He was a tall, bearded man with very dark features. Now, Prescott, the man whom Killer Evans had shot, was, according to Scotland Yard, a tall, dark man with a beard. As a working hypothesis, I think we may take it that Prescott, the American criminal, used to live in the very room which our innocent friend now devotes to his museum.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Deception practised by Killer Evans on Nathan Garrideb

“He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his room — that is very clear, and, as the collector never went out, it took some planning to do it. The whole of this Garrideb invention was apparently for no other end. I must say, Watson, that there is a certain devilish ingenuity about it, even if the queer name of the tenant did give him an opening which he could hardly have expected. He wove his plot with remarkable cunning.’’ (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Deception practised by Sherlock Holmes on Killer Evans

“I used to have a correspondent — he is dead now — old Dr. Lysander Starr, who was mayor in 1890.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Killer Evans aka John Garrideb

aka John Garrideb. James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer Evans.

Telephone call from Dr Watson to Scotland Yard

"Please give the Yard a call, Watson. It won’t be entirely unexpected.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Advertisement placed by Killer Evans

HOWARD GARRIDEB
CONSTRUCTOR OF ACRICULTURAL MACHINERY
Binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harrows, farmer’s carts, buckboards, and all other appliances.
Estimates for Artesian Wells
Apply Grosvenor Buildings, Aston.

Telephone call from Sherlock Holmes to Nathan Garrideb

My friend took the instrument and I heard the usual syncopated dialogue.

Letter from Nathan Garrideb to Sherlock Holmes

Holmes had spent several days in bed, as was his habit from time to time, but he emerged that morning with a long foolscap document in his hand and a twinkle of amusement in his austere gray eyes.

Untold Services

I remember the date very well, for it was in the same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described.

Brixton, London

Nathan Garrideb was last heard of at a nursing-home in Brixton.
See also:

Waterloo Road, London

Killer Evans shot a man over cards in a night-club in the Waterloo Road in January, 1895.
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Chicago, U.S.A.

John Garrideb aka ‘James Winter, alias Morecroft, alias Killer Evans,’ - Native of Chicago.
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Scotland Yard, London

“I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the Yard.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Edgeware Road, London

Address of the Nathan Garrideb's house agent, Holloway and Steele.
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Grosvenor Buildings, Aston, Birmingham

Fictional address of Howard Garrideb.
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Topeka, Kansas, U.S.A.

“I was in the law at Topeka, and one day I had a visit from the old man, and he was tickled to death to meet another man with his own name.” (Killer Evans)
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Arkansas River, west of Fort Dodge

“Alexander Hamilton Garrideb made his money in real estate, and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago, but he spent it in buying up as much land as would make one of your counties, lying along the Arkansas River, west of Fort Dodge.” (Killer Evans)
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Moorville, Kansas, U.S.A.

Address on the card sent up to Sherlock Holmes by John Garrideb.
‘John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law, Moorville, Kansas, U. S. A.’
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136 Little Ryder Street, London

Address of Nathan Garrideb. Read More...

Rodger Prescott

Famous as forger and coiner in Chicago. Killed by Killer Evans in 1895.
aka Waldron

Inspector Lestrade

“I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the Yard. There may be an occasional want of imaginative intuition down there, but they lead the world for thoroughness and method.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Holloway and Steele

House agents for 136 Little Ryder Street, London.

Howard Garrideb

Fictious Birmingham character invented by Killer Evans.

Mrs Saunders

Mrs. Saunders, the caretaker, was about to leave, but she had no hesitation in admitting us, for the door shut with a spring lock, and Holmes promised to see that all was safe before we left. Shortly afterwards the outer door closed, her bonnet passed the bow window.

Dr Lysander Starr

“I used to have a correspondent — he is dead now — old Dr. Lysander Starr, who was mayor in 1890.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Alexander Hamilton Garrideb

“If you came from Kansas I would not need to explain to you who Alexander Hamilton Garrideb was. He made his money in real estate, and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago, but he spent it in buying up as much land as would make one of your counties, lying along the Arkansas River, west of Fort Dodge.” (Killer Evans) Read More...

Killer Evans

“I have identified Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law. He is none other than ‘Killer’ Evans, of sinister and murderous reputation.” (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Nathan Garrideb

Mr. Nathan Garrideb proved to be a very tall, loosejointed, round-backed person, gaunt and bald, some sixty-odd years of age. He had a cadaverous face, with the dull dead skin of a man to whom exercise was unknown. Large round spectacles and a small projecting goat’s beard combined with his stooping attitude to give him an expression of peering curiosity. The general effect, however, was amiable, though eccentric.

Curare

“If the child were pricked with one of those arrows dipped in curare or some other devilish drug, it would mean death if the venom were not sucked out.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Eleanor of Castile

“Was there not a queen in English history who sucked such a wound to draw poison from it?” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Spinal menningitis

“That’s what puzzled the vet. A sort of paralysis. Spinal meningitis, he thought.” (Robert Ferguson)
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Spaniel

A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner.
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Yeoman farmer

The half-panelled walls may well have belonged to the original yeoman farmer of the seventeenth century.
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Rebus

The rebus of a cheese and a man after the original builder.
  • A puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters; for instance, apex might be represented by a picture of an ape followed by a letter X.
  • Historically an ornamental device associated with a person to whose name it punningly alludes.

Tudor chimneys and Horsham slabs

It was a large, straggling building, very old in the centre, very new at the wings with towering Tudor chimneys and a lichen-spotted, high-pitched roof of Horsham slabs.
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Blackheath and Richmond

“I believe your friend Watson played Rugby for Blackheath when I was three-quarter for Richmond.” (Robert Ferguson)
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Old Deer Park

“You don’t look quite the man you did when I threw you over the ropes into the crowd at the Old Deer Park." (Robert Ferguson)
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Rugby/rugby three-quarter

“I believe your friend Watson played Rugby for Blackheath when I was three-quarter for Richmond.” (Robert Ferguson)
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Nitrates

This gentleman married some five years ago a Peruvian lady the daughter of a Peruvian merchant, whom he had met in connection with the importation of nitrates.
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Elizabeth Báthory

“A living person might have the habit. I have read, for example, of the old sucking the blood of the young in order to retain their youth.” (Dr Watson)

“You are right, Watson. It mentions the legend in one of these references.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Vampirism

“Vampirism in Hungary. And again, Vampires in Transylvania.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Other listings in the Index

Vittoria, the circus belle. Vanderbilt and the Yeggman. Vipers. Vigor, the Hammersmith wonder.

Grimm's Fairy Tale

“We seem to have been switched on to a Grimms’ fairy tale.” (Sherlock Holmes)
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

‘Will examine your case with pleasure.’ ”
“Your case!”
“We must not let him think that this agency is a home for the weak-minded. Of course it is his case.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

Holmes had read carefully a note which the last post had brought him. Then, with the dry chuckle which was his nearest approach to a laugh, he tossed it over to me. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“It is simpler to deal direct,” said Holmes. Read More...

Angry red pucker

“Fancy anyone having the heart to hurt him,” he muttered as he glanced down at the small, angry red pucker upon the cherub throat.” (Robert Ferguson)

The dog

“And the dog! If one were to use such a poison, would one not try it first in order to see that it had not lost its power? I did not foresee the dog, but at least I understand him and he fitted into my reconstruction.” (Sherlock Holmes)

South American utensils and weapons

A fine collection of South American utensils and weapons, which had been brought, no doubt, by the Peruvian lady upstairs.

“A South American household. My instinct felt the presence of those weapons upon the wall before my eyes ever saw them.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Index Volume 'V'

I leaned back and took down the great index volume to which he referred. Holmes balanced it on his knee, and his eyes moved slowly and lovingly over the record of old cases, mixed with the accumulated information of a lifetime.

Letter from Sherlock Holmes to Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd

BAKER STREET, Nov. 21st.
Re Vampires
SIR:
Referring to your letter of the 19th, I beg to state that I have looked into the inquiry of your client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, of Mincing Lane, and that the matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. With thanks for your recommendation, I am, sir,
Faithfully yours,
SHERLOCK HOLMES.

Note from Sherlock Holmes to Ferguson's wife

He scribbled a few lines upon a sheet of paper.“You at least have the entrée, Watson. Will you have the goodness to give the lady this note?” (Sherlock Holmes)

Telegram from Sherlock Holmes to Robert Ferguson

“Take a wire down, like a good fellow. ‘Will examine your case with pleasure.’ ” (Sherlock Holmes)

Letter from Robert Ferguson to Sherlock Holmes

DEAR MR HOLMES [it said]:
I have been recommended to you by my lawyers, but indeed the matter is so extraordinarily delicate that it is most difficult to discuss. It concerns a friend for whom I am acting. This gentleman married some five years ago a Peruvian lady the daughter of a Peruvian merchant, whom he had met in connection with the importation of nitrates. The lady was very beautiful, but the fact of her foreign birth and of her alien religion always caused a separation of interests and of feelings between husband and wife, so that after a time his love may have cooled towards her and he may have come to regard their union as a mistake. He felt there were sides of her character which he could never explore or understand. This was the more painful as she was as loving a wife as a man could have — to all appearance absolutely devoted.
Now for the point which I will make more plain when we meet. Indeed, this note is merely to give you a general idea of the situation and to ascertain whether you would care to interest yourself in the matter. The lady began to show some curious traits quite alien to her ordinarily sweet and gentle disposition. The gentleman had been married twice and he had one son by the first wife. This boy was now fifteen, a very charming and affectionate youth, though unhappily injured through an accident in childhood. Twice the wife was caught in the act of assaulting this poor lad in the most unprovoked way. Once she struck him with a stick and left a great weal on his arm.
This was a small matter, however, compared with her conduct to her own child, a dear boy just under one year of age. On one occasion about a month ago this child had been left by its nurse for a few minutes. A loud cry from the baby, as of pain, called the nurse back. As she ran into the room she saw her employer, the lady, leaning over the baby and apparently biting his neck. There was a small wound in the neck from which a stream of blood had escaped. The nurse was so horrified that she wished to call the husband, but the lady implored her not to do so and actually gave her five pounds as a price for her silence. No explanation was ever given, and for the moment the matter was passed over.
It left, however, a terrible impression upon the nurse’s mind, and from that time she began to watch her mistress closely and to keep a closer guard upon the baby, whom she tenderly loved. It seemed to her that even as she watched the mother, so the mother watched her, and that every time she was compelled to leave the baby alone the mother was waiting to get at it. Day and night the nurse covered the child, and day and night the silent, watchful mother seemed to be lying in wait as a wolf waits for a lamb. It must read most incredible to you, and yet I beg you to take it seriously, for a child’s life and a man‘s sanity may depend upon it.
At last there came one dreadful day when the facts could no longer be concealed from the husband. The nurse’s nerve had given way; she could stand the strain no longer, and she made a clean breast of it all to the man. To him it seemed as wild a tale as it may now seem to you. He knew his wife to be a loving wife, and, save for the assaults upon her stepson, a loving mother. Why, then, should she wound her own dear little baby? He told the nurse that she was dreaming, that her suspicions were those of a lunatic, and that such libels upon her mistress were not to be tolerated. While they were talking a sudden cry of pain was heard. Nurse and master rushed together to the nursery.
Imagine his feelings, Mr. Holmes, as he saw his wife rise from a kneeling position beside the cot and saw blood upon the child’s exposed neck and upon the sheet. With a cry of horror, he turned his wife’s face to the light and saw blood all round her lips. It was she — she beyond all question — who had drunk the poor baby’s blood.
So the matter stands. She is now confined to her room. There has been no explanation. The husband is half demented. He knows, and I know, little of vampirism beyond the name. We had thought it was some wild tale of foreign parts. And yet here in the very heart of the English Sussex — well, all this can be discussed with you in the morning. Will you see me? Will you use your great powers in aiding a distracted man? If so, kindly wire to Ferguson, Cheeseman’s, Lamberley, and I will be at your rooms by ten o’clock.
Yours faithfully,
ROBERT FERGUSON.
P. S. I believe your friend Watson played Rugby for Blackheath when I was three-quarter for Richmond. It is the only personal introduction which I can give.

Letter from Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd to Sherlock Holmes

46, OLD JEWRY, Nov. 19th.
Re Vampires
SIR:
Our client, Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, of Mincing Lane, has made some inquiry from us in a communication of even date concerning vampires. As our firm specializes entirely upon the assessment of machinery the matter hardly comes within our purview, and we have therefore recommended Mr. Ferguson to call upon you and lay the matter before you. We have not forgotten your successful action in the case of Matilda Briggs.
We are, sir,
Faithfully yours,
MORRISON, MORRISON, AND DODD.
per E. J. C.

Venomous lizard or gila

Remarkable case, that!
  • A venomous lizard native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

The Case of Victor Lynch

Victor Lynch, the forger.

The Case of Matilda Briggs

“Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson,” said Holmes in a reminiscent voice. “It was a ship which is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared." (Sherlock Holmes)

The Adventure of the 'Gloria Scott'

“Voyage of the Gloria Scott,” he read. “That was a bad business. I have some recollection that you made a record of it, Watson, though I was unable to congratulate you upon the result.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Chequers, Lamberley, Sussex

“Of course, we would stay at the inn.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Having left our bags at the Chequers, Lamberley.

Victoria Station, London

"There is an excellent train at two from Victoria if you could come.” (Robert Ferguson)
See also:

Peru

This gentleman married some five years ago a Peruvian lady the daughter of a Peruvian merchant.
See also:

Cheeseman's, Lamberley, Sussex

Home of Robert Ferguson. Read More...

46 Old Jewry, London

  • Address of Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd.
See also:

Maidservant

A smart maid, the only modern thing which we had seen in the house, had brought in some tea.

Carlo the Spaniel

A spaniel had lain in a basket in the corner. It came slowly forward towards its master, walking with difficulty. Its hind legs moved irregularly and its tail was on the ground. It licked Ferguson’s hand.

Michael the stablehand

One stablehand, Michael, who sleeps in the house.

Ferguson baby

A very beautiful child, dark-eyed, golden-haired, a wonderful mixture of the Saxon and the Latin.

Mrs Mason

Nurse to the Ferguson baby. Read More...

Dolores

Maid to Mrs Ferguson.
Read More...

Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd

Lawyers to Robert Ferguson.

Jacky Ferguson

15 year old son of Robert Ferguson. Read More...

Wife of Robert Ferguson

Peruvian wife of Robert Ferguson. Read More...

Robert Ferguson

Mr. Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, of Mincing Lane. Read More...