Jul 2008

Hogshead

  • A hogshead is a large cask of liquid (less often, of a food commodity). More specifically, it refers to a specified volume, measured in Imperial units, primarily applied to alcoholic beverages such as wine, ale, or cider.

Blue Ribbon

Th Blue Ribbon was worn as a sign of a temperance pledge.
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Brown study

Melancholy thoughtfulness.
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Algar of the Liverpool Force

“I therefore sent off a telegram to my friend Algar, of the Liverpool force, and asked him to find out if Mrs. Browner were at home, and if Browner had departed in the May Day.”

Monogram -Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes monograms on the distinction between ears which was published in an Anthropological Journal.

Paganini

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)
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Stradivarius

A type of violin.
Sherlock Holmes said he bought his from a jew peddlar in Tottenham Court Road for 55 shillings but it was worth 500 guineas.

Antimacassar

Cover for the back of a chair.
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Edgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849)
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Henry Ward Beecher

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)
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General Gordon

Major-Geneal Charles George Gordon CB (1833-1885)
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“You are right, Watson,” said he. “It does seem a most preposterous way of settling a dispute.”
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

As to my companion, neither the country nor the sea presented the slightest attraction to him. He loved to lie in the very centre of five millions of people, with his filaments stretching out and running through them, responsive to every little rumour or suspicion of unsolved crime. Appreciation of nature found no place among his many gifts, and his only change was when he turned his mind from the evil-doer of the town to track down his brother of the country.
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“The features are given to man as the means by which he shall express his emotions.” Read More...

Packets and ears

At two o’clock yesterday afternoon a small packet, wrapped in brown paper, was handed in by the postman. A cardboard box was inside, which was filled with coarse salt. On emptying this, Miss Cushing was horrified to find two human ears, apparently quite freshly severed. The box had been sent by parcel post from Belfast upon the morning before. Read More...

Message to Sherlock Holmes from Inspector Lestrade

Message to SH from Lestrade: Read More...

Aldridge who helped in the bogus laundry affair

  • Mentioned by Inspector Lestrade.

Shadwell Police Station, London

Jim Browner’s statement was taken down here.
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New Brighton, Merseyside

New Brighton - Mary Browner and Alec Fairbairn went there, and there Jim Browner followed them, killed them and cut of an ear of each to send to Sarah Cushing.
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Albert Dock, London

Albert Dock where the S.S. May Day berthed (Liverpool, Dublin and London Steam Packet Company)
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New Street, Wallington, London

Home of Miss Sarah Cushing.
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Penge, London

Former home of Miss Susan Cushing where she let apartments to medical students.
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Cross Street, Croydon

Home of Miss Susan Cushing.

Inspector Montgomery

Inspector Montgomery took Jim Browner’s statement at Shadwell Police station.

Alec Fairbairn

“He was a dashing, swaggering chap, smart and curled, who had seen half the world and could talk of what he had seen. He was good company, I won’t deny it, and he had wonderful polite ways with him for a sailor man, so that I think there must have been a time when he knew more of the poop than the forecastle.” (Jim Browner)

Mary Cushing/Browner

Wife of Jim Browner and the youngest of the three Cushing sisters.
Read More...

Sarah Cushing

She was a fine tall woman, black and quick and fierce, with a proud way of carrying her head, and a glint from her eye like a spark from a flint.

Jim Browner

Husband of Mary Cushing.
Read More...

Inspector Lestrade

Lestrade, as wiry, as dapper, and as ferret-like as ever, was waiting for us at the station. Read More...

Susan Cushing

Eldest of the three Cushing sisters. Read More...

Victoria Station, London

Colonel Ross, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson arrived back at this station following their day at the races.
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Winchester

This is where the race for the Wessex Cup was held.
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Madam Lesurier, Bond Street, London

An account from this Milliner’s was found in John Straker’s pocket and on Sherlock Holmes visiting the shop it was confirmed that John Straker and William Derbyshire were the same person.
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Mapleton, Dartmoor, Devon

  • Lord Backwater’s stables and training establishment.

Tavistock, Devon

Colonel Ross and Inspector Gregory met Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson from their train here.
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King's Pyland, Dartmoor, Devon

Home of John Straker and stables of Colonel Ross.
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Duke of Balmoral

Lord Backwater

Wessex

Wessex was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons, in South West England.
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Pullman car

A railway carriage affording special comfort, especially one with sleeping berths.

Runners in the Wessex Cup

Wessex Plate [it ran] 50 sovs. each h ft with 1000 sovs. added, for four and five year olds. Second, 300 pounds. Third, 200 pounds. New course (one mile and five furlongs).

1 . Mr. Heath Newton’s The Negro. Red cap. Cinnamon jacket.

2. Colonel Wardlaw’s Pugilist. Pink cap. Blue and black
jacket.

3. Lord Backwater’s Desborough. Yellow cap and sleeves.

4. Colonel Ross’s Silver Blaze. Black cap. Red jacket.

5. Duke of Balmoral’s Iris. Yellow and black stripes.

6. Lord Singleford’s Rasper. Purple cap. Black sleeves.

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“Now, supposing that he broke away during or after the tragedy, where could he have gone to? The horse is a very gregarious creature. If left to himself his instincts would have been either to return to King’s Pyland or go over to Mapleton. Why should he run wild upon the moor? He would surely have been seen by now. And why should gypsies kidnap him? These people always clear out when they hear of trouble, for they do not wish to be pestered by the police. They could not hope to sell such a horse. They would run a great risk and gain nothing by taking him. Surely that is clear.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

For a whole day my companion had rambled about the room with his chin upon his chest and his brows knitted, charging and recharging his pipe with the strongest black tobacco, and absolutely deaf to any of my questions or remarks. Fresh editions of every paper had been sent up by our news agent, only to be glanced over and tossed down into a corner. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“It is one of those cases where the art of the reasoner should be used rather for the sifting of details than for the acquiring of fresh evidence. The tragedy has been so uncommon, so complete, and of such personal importance to so many people that we are suffering from a plethora of surmise, conjecture, and hypothesis. The difficulty is to detach the framework of fact — of absolute undeniable fact — from the embellishments of theorists and reporters.”
Read More...

William Derbyshire - John Straker

Alias of John Straker. A man with a very dashing wife with a partiality for expensive dresses.

Wax vesta

A wax vesta found covered in mud at the scene of the crime.

Powdered opium

Finally, an analysis has shown that the remains of his supper left by the stable-lad contained an appreciable quantity of powdered opium, while the people at the house partook of the same dish on the same night without any ill effect.
Powdered opium is by no means tasteless. The flavour is not disagreeable, but it is perceptible. Were it mixed with any ordinary dish the eater would undoubtedly detect it and would probably eat no more. A curry was exactly the medium which would disguise this taste.

Walking stick and cravat

Heavy Stick and cravat both belonging to Fitzroy Simpson.
The stick was a Penang lawyer, weighted with lead.
Read More...

Contents of John Straker's pockets

There was a box of vestas, two inches of tallow candle, an A D P brier-root pipe, a pouch of sealskin with half an ounce of long-cut Cavendish, a silver watch with a gold chain, five sovereigns in gold, an aluminum pencil-case, a few papers, and an ivory-handled knife with a very delicate, inflexible blade marked Weiss & Co., London.

William Derbyshire

I called upon the milliner, who had recognized Straker as an excellent customer of the name of Derbyshire, who had a very dashing wife, with a strong partiality for expensive dresses.
Alias of John Straker.

Madam Derbyshire

Wife of William Derbyshire aka John Straker.

Gipsies of Dartmoor

Two other stable lads

The two lads who slept in the chaff-cutting loft above the harness-room.

The dog in the night-time

“To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”

“The dog did nothing in the night-time.”

“That was the curious incident,” remarked Sherlock Holmes.

Ned Hunter

One of the stable lads at King’s Pyland.

Silas Brown

Trainer at the stables of Lord Backwater.

Read More...

Edith Baxter

Maid to Mr and Mrs Straker.

Mrs Straker

Wife of John Straker. Read More...

Fitzroy Simpson

He was a man of excellent birth and education, who had squandered a fortune upon the turf, and who lived now by doing a little quiet and genteel book-making in the sporting clubs of London. Read More...

Inspector Gregory

Inspector Gregory, to whom the case has been committed, is an extremely competent officer. Read More...

John Straker

John Straker, is a retired jockey who rode in Colonel Ross’s colours before he became too heavy for the weighing-chair. He has served the colonel for five years as jockey and for seven as trainer, and has always shown himself to be a zealous and honest servant.

Colonel Ross

Owner of King’s Pyland stables and Silver Blaze. Read More...

Silver Blaze

“Silver Blaze,” said he, “is from the Somomy stock and holds as brilliant a record as his famous ancestor.” Read More...

Yellowbacked novel

A cheap and typically sensational novel, with a yellow board or cloth binding.

Brain fever

Alice Rucastle was said to have suffered from brain fever, inflamation of the brain.

Locus standi

Holmes remarks that, “it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a questionable one.”
  • He obviously felt that they no longer had a justifiable right to be present in the Rucastle household, if indeed they ever had!

Marriage Licence

Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their flight.
  • They were presumably granted a ‘Special Licence’ since they were both over 21 years and were about to leave for Mauritius.

Bradshaw train directory

The Bradshaw train directory was an indispensible book concerning all train travel and times in Victorian England.
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“Well, yes, of course the pay is good — too good. That is what makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some strong reason behind.”
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

Taking up a glowing cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a disputatious rather than a meditative mood. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“To the man who loves art for its own sake,” remarked Sherlock Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Telegraph, “it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived.” Read More...

Electric Blue dress

“The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before.” (Violet Hunter)

Two perfectly matched coils of chestnut hair

“It was of the same peculiar tint, and the same thickness.” (Violet Hunter) Read More...

Telegram from Violet Hunter

Telegram from Violet Hunter.
Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to-morrow [it said]. Do come! I am at my wit’s end.
HUNTER

Letter from Jephro Rucastle

“The Copper Beeches, near Winchester.
“DEAR Miss HUNTER:
“Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train.
“Yours faithfully,
JEPHRO RUCASTLE.

Letter from Violet Hunter

DEAR MR. HOLMES:
I am very anxious to consult you as to whether I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I do not inconvenience you.
Yours faithfully,
VIOLET HUNTER.

Blue Carbuncle

Another of the ‘Adventures”.

Noble Bachelor

Another of the ‘Adventures’.

Walsall, Staffordshire

Miss Violet Hunter became the head of a private school in Walsall where she met with considerable success.
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Mauritius

Mr Fowler and Miss Alice Rucastle lived here after their marriage since he was now the holder of a government appointment on the island.
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Black Swan Hotel, Winchester

Miss Hunter arranged to meet Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson here and had a private sitting room and meal prepared for them. Here she told her story of the Copper Beeches.
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Copper Beeches, Hampshire

The Copper Beeches, Hampshire, five miles on the far side of Winchester. Read More...

West End, London

Miss Stoper managed Westaways agency in the West End.
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Halifax, Nova Scotia

  • Colonel Spence Munro had relocated to this part of Canada.

Montague Place, London

Miss Hunter had lodgings in Montague Place.
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Mrs Toller

Housekeeper to Mr Rucastle and Mr Toller’s wife. She was a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable.

Mr Toller

Mr Toller manservant/groom to Mr Rucastle. He was a rough, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual smell of drink.

Carlo the Mastiff

It was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones belonging to Mr Rucastle.

Mr Fowler

Alice Rucastles fiancée. A small bearded man in a gray suit.

Alice Rucastle

Mr Rucastle’s daughter by his first wife and now supposedly living in Philadelphia.

Mrs Rucastle

“Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in feature.”(Violet Hunter) Read More...

Edward Rucastle

“‘One child (son of Mr Rucastle and his second wife) — one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!” (Jephro Rucastle) Read More...

Miss Stoper

Miss Stoper managed the business of Westaways in the West End for governesses seeking new employment. Read More...

Colonel Spence Munro

Violet Hunter had been governess in his employ for five years until he removed his family to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Jephro Rucastle

A prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat with a pair of glasses on his nose.

Violet Hunter

She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, freckled like a plover’s egg, and with the brisk manner of a woman who has had her own way to make in the world.
“I should not ask it of you if I did not think you a quite exceptional woman.” (Sherlock Holmes)

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“I believe that he is coming here,” said Holmes, rubbing his hands .
“Here?”
“Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I think that I recognize the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?”
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illusctrations

Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ.
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“It is a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a good deal.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Loafer

He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he was a perfect sample of the class.

Beryl Coronet

Coronet:
A small or relatively simple crown, especially as worn by lesser royalty and peers or peeresses.
Beryl:
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Letter from Mary Holder

“MY DEAREST UNCLE:
“I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in death, I am ever
“Your loving
“MARY.

West End, London

Sir George Burnwell lived on the far side of the West End.
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Streatham, London

Mr Holder’s home was in Streatham.
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Fairbank

Fairbank - house owned by Mr Holder. Read More...

Holder & Stevenson, Treadneedle Street, London

Second largest private banking concern in the City of London.
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Metropolitan Railway

The first underground railway in London which called at Baker Street.
  • Baker Street station was opened by the Metropolitan Railway (MR) on 10 January 1863 as one of the original stations on the world's first underground railway.
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Mr Holder's servants

Mr Holder's servants:
Groom and page slept out of the house.
Three maid servants.

Francis Prosper

Lucy Parr's sweetheart. He was the green-grocer who brought the vegetables round.

Lucy Parr

Second waiting maid who had been with Mr Holder for a few months and came with can excellent character. Read More...

An exalted name

A name which is a household word all over the earth — one of the highest, noblest, most exalted names in England, who used the Beryl Coronet as security for a £50,000 loan from Mr Holder's bank.

Sir George Burnwell

He is one of the most dangerous men in England — a ruined gambler, an absolutely desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. (Sherlock Holmes) Read More...

Mary Holder

Mary Holder, niece of Alexander Holder. Read More...

Arthur Holder

Arthur Holder son of Alexander Holder. Read More...

Alexander Holder

Alexander Holder of the banking firm of Holder & Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street. The senior partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City of London. Read More...

Jezail bullet

Here Dr Watson states:
“The Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence.”
Does this refer to an arm or a leg?
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Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink upon the outer side of his right little finger,” remarked Holmes as he folded up the epistle.
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

“I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his case.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.”
Read More...

Hotel bill

Hotel bill on the reverse of which Francis Hay Moulton had written the note to Hattie Doran.
  • Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.

Pockets and card-cases

“In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the card-case is a note. And here is the very note.”
He slapped it down upon the table in front of him.

Weddding dresses and veils

He (Lestrade) opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin shoes and a bride’s wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked in water.
“There,” said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the top of the pile.

Note to Hattie Doran

Note from Francis Hay Moulton to Hatty Doran.
“You will see me when all is ready. Come at once.
“F. H. M.”

Letter from Lord St. Simon

Letter from Lord St. Simon
MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:
“Lord Backwater tells me that I may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no objection to your cooperation, and that he even thinks that it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o’clock in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of paramount importance.
“Yours faithfully,
“ST. SIMON.

Case in Munich

A similar case in Munich the year after the Franco-Prussian war.

Instance in Aberdeen

“A parallel instance in Aberdeen some years back.”

King of Scandinavia

Holmes acted on the King’s behalf in a case.

“I (Lord St. Simon) presume that they were hardly from the same class of society.”
“No, I am descending.” (Holmes)
“I beg pardon.”
“My last client of the sort was a king.”
“Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?”
“The King of Scandinavia.”

Grosvenor Square furniture Van

Northumberland Avenue, London

Francis Hay Moulton had been staying at one of the select hotels on Northumberland Avenue.
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226 Gordon Square, London

226 Gordon Square where Francis Hay Moulton had taken lodgings
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McQuires Camp near the Rockies

Francis Hay Moulton and Hattie Doran met here where her father was working a claim.

Tralfalgar Square fountain, London

Holmes suggested Lestrade might as well drag this fountain in search of Hattie Doran as to have dragged the Serpentine.
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The Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

The Serpentine where Hattie Doran's wedding clothes were found. The Serpentine is a lake in Hyde Park.
It would seem that Francis Hay Moulton was not very clever in hiding them.
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Allegro Theatre, London

Flora Millar was a danseuse here.

Hyde Park, London

Mr Doran’s house in Lancaster Gate faced the park and Francis Hay Moulton signalled to Hattie Doran to join him there.
Flora Millar also accosted Hatty Doran in the Park.
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Lancaster Gate, London

Mr Aloysius Doran rented a house here.
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St. George's, Hanover Square, London

The marriage of Lord Robert St. Simon and Hattie Doran took place here.
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Birchmoor

Lord Robert St. Simon’s small estate.

Grosvenor Mansions, London

London home of Lord Robert St. Simon.
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Francis Hay Moulton

Francis Hay Moulton. Husband of Hattie Doran.
He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner.

Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard

Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard.

Alice

Confidential Maid of Hattie Doran.

Flora Millar

Flora Millar former mistress of Lord Robert St. Simon Read More...

Wedding Guests

Wedding Guests:
Duchess of Balmoral. Mother of the Bridgegroom;
Lord Backwater - Friend of the Bridegroom;
Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (younger brother and sister of the Bridegroom;
Lady Alicia Whittington;
Mr Aloysuis Doran - Father of the Bride.

Aloysius Doran

Aloysius Doran of San Francisco father of Hatty Doran. Said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope.

Duke of Balmoral

Father of Lord Robert St. Simon. Read More...

Hattie Doran

Hatty Doran only daughter of Aloysius Doran, San Francisco. Read More...

Lord Robert St. Simon

Lord Robert Walsingham de Vere St. Simon second son of the Duke of Balmoral. Read More...

Uncle Ned in Auckland

Mary Sutherland’s uncle in Auckland who had left her the sum of £2500 which gave her a return of 4 1/2% p.a., approximately £100 p.a.

Mary Sutherland's Mother

She married James Windibank shortly after the death of her first husband and sold his plumbing business. She was very enthusiastic concerning the relationship between her daughter and Hosmer Angel.

Westhouse and Marbank

The great claret importers of Fenchurch Street where James Windibank was employed.

Mr Hardy

Mr Hardy had been the foreman of Mr Sutherland’s plumbing business in the Tottenham Court Road which Mary Sutherland’s mother had sold for £4700 following the death of her husband and remarriage to Mr Windibank.

Plugs, dottles, shake-downs and Fuller's earth

Plugs and dottles:
  • A remnant of tobacco left in a pipe after smoking.
Shake-down:
  • A place to sleep for the night.
Fuller’s earth:
  • A type of clay used in fulling cloth and as an absorbant.

Newspaper cutting regarding Jeremiah Hayling

“Here is an advertisement which will interest you,” said he. “It appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Mr. Hatherley.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

I (Watson) even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and visit us. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“Experience,” said Holmes, laughing. “Indirectly it may be of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your existence.”

Colonel Warburton's madness

Another case which Dr Watson claimed he introduced to Sherlock Holmes.

Eyford, Berkshire

The fictional place Victor Hatherley was instructed to go to, and the home of Colonel Lysander Stark. Read More...

Venner & Matheson, Greenwich

Mr Hatherley was apprenticed to this company.
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16A Victoria Street, London

Mr Hatherley set up his office at this address.
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Paddington Station

Dr Watson had bought a practice near here after his marriage and it was from there that the Station Guard brought Mr Hatherley to see him.
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Plain Clothes man from the Yard

He accompanied Inspector Bradstreet, Mr Hatherley, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson on their trip to Eyford.

Inspector Bradstreet

Inspector Bradstreet of Scotland Yard.

Jeremiah Hayling

Mr Jeremiah Hayling “Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten o’clock at night, and has not been heard of since.
Previous engineer employed by Colonel Lysander Stark.

Mr Ferguson aka Dr Beecher

Mr Ferguson who was introduced as secretary and manager to Colonel Lysander Stark. He was a short thick man with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double chin.

Guard from Paddington Station

The Guard from Paddington Station who brought Mr Hatherley to see Dr Watson early one morning.

Elise

Elise who tried to warn Mr Hatherley and eventually aided him in his escape from the house.

Colonel Lysander Stark aka Fritz

A man rather over the middle size, but of an exceeding thinness. Read More...

Victor Hatherley

Hydraulic Engineer. His visit to Eyford, Berkshire late one night led to some dire consequences for him. Read More...

Disjecta membra and the pink 'un'

Mr Henry Baker declined to take the ‘Disjecta membra’ of his former goose with him.
  • Disjecta membra translates as ‘scattered fragments’.
  • The pink ‘un’ refers to The Sporting Times.
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Assizes, Penal Servitude

Assize Court now known as the Crown Court
See also:
Penal Servitude. Sherlock Holmes fears John Horner will get seven years Penal Servitude if he is not cleared of the robbery.
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Scotch bonnets, billycocks and ulsters

Mr Henry Baker wore a scotch bonnet after loosing his hat. A scotch bonnet was a flat brimless cap.
  • Sherlock Holmes refers to Mr Baker’s hat as a billycock. This usually described any round crowned brimmed hats of felt, such as the bowler.
See also:
  • Ulster coat and cravats. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson wrapped up against the December weather wearing these clothes.
  • Ulster:
  • A Heavy double-breated overcoat with a belt or half-belt at the back.
Cravat:
  • A scarf of silk or fine wool worn round the neck.

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been,” he remarked. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

“I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“The matter is a perfectly trivial one” — he jerked his thumb in the direction of the old hat — “but there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction.” Read More...

Hard felt hat

The hard felt hat belonging to Mr Henry Baker from which Sherlock Holmes was able to deduce so much about its’ owner.

Blue Carbuncle

The carbuncle is a beautiful gem of a rich red color found in the East Indies. Read More...

Man with the Twisted Lip

Another Adventure concerning the disappearance of Mr Neville St. Clair.

Kilburn, London

Maudesley lived in this part of London.
See also:

Pentonville Prison

Maudesley, James Ryder’s friend had served a prison sentence here.
See also:

Brixton Road

Mrs Maggie Oakshott, sister of James Ryder lived at No. 117 Brixton Road.
See also:

Holborn, London

In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into Holborn.
See also:

Covent Garden, London

We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market.
Covent Garden market where Mr Breckinridge sold fowl. He sent two dozen geese to the landlord of the Alpha Inn who gave one to Mr Henry Baker.
See also:

Bloomsbury, London

The area of London which houses the British Museum and the Alpha Inn frequented by Mr Henry Baker.
See also:

Wigmore Street, Oxford Street

After walking through the Doctors’ quarter from Baker Street, Holmes and Watson walked down Wigmore Street and through into Oxford Street.
Wigmore Street
See also:
Oxford Street
See also:

Doctors quarter. Wimpole Street and Harley Street

An area of London renowned for the number of private consulting rooms and specialist doctors.
See also:

British Museum, London

The Museum where Mr Henry Baker spent his days.
See also:

Alpha Inn

The Alpha Inn near the British Museum where the Landlord ran a ‘Goose Club’ and through which Mr Henry Baker received his Christmas goose. This appears to be a fictious Inn.

Amoy River, China

The Amoy River is a fictional name but there is a city known as Amoy on the mouth of a river in China and this would seem to be worth noting.
See also:

Cosmopolitan Hotel

The Countess of Morcar was staying here when the Blue Carbuncle was stolen from her room.

Tottenham Court Road

It was here on the corner with Goodge Street that Mr Henry Baker lost his hat and goose.
See also:

Goodge Street

Mr Henry Baker lost his hat and his goose on the corner of Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street.
See also (interesting if nothing else):

Maudesley

A friend of Ryder who had ‘gone to the bad’ and to whom he took the goose and where it was cut open to reveal an empty crop.

Maggie Oakshott

James Ryder's sister who fattened fowl for the market.

Breckinridge

One of the largest stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor a horsy-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was helping a boy to put up the shutters.

Mr Windigate

Mr Windigate, Landlord of the Alpha Inn near the Museum frequented by Mr Henry Baker.

Inspector Bradstreet

Inspector Bradstreet was on duty at Bow Street police station when Sherlock Holmes called to reveal the answer to the mystery.

Catherine Cusack

Maid of the Countess of Morcar and co-conspirator with James Ryder.
Read More...

John Horner

Plumber called to fix a small problem in the Countess of Morcar’s room and then accused of stealing the Blue Carbuncle.
Read More...

Countess of Morcar

From whom the Blue Carbuncle was stolen. It had great sentimental value for her and she offered the reward of £1000 for its return.
For a possible family history(interesting if nothing else) see also:

Peterson the Commissionaire

The Commissionaire who brought the goose and the hat to Sherlock Holmes.

Mr Henry Baker

The owner of the goose and the black felt hat. Read More...

James Ryder

Upper Attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan(referred to as ‘Jem’ by his sister) who stole the Blue Carbuncle from the Countess of Morcar.

James, Frogged jackets and DeQuincey

This is the notorious story where Mrs Watson refers to her husband Dr John Watson as ‘James’. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

“I should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to say that you have thrown in your lot with me.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner.” Read More...

Hugh Boone - Neville St. Clair

I painted my face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a beggar. (Neville St. Clair)

Sherlock Holmes - Old man in opium den

They (the words) could only have come from the old man at my side. Read More...

Bricks, bags and coats

Deal box of child’s bricks on the table in the room of Hugh Boone.

Deal: box fir or pine wood, esp. when sawn into planks of a standard size. A plank of such wood. Read More...

Letter from Neville St. Clair

Message sent to Mrs St. Clair by her husband and posted at
Gravesend. Read More...

Threadneedle Street

Some little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wall. Here it is that this creature (Hugh Boone) takes his daily seat.
See also:

Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Neville St. Clair’s father was a schoolmaster here and he himself was educated there.
See also:

Road to Bow Street

Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the river, and dashing up Wellington Street (which is basically an extension of the bridge) wheeled sharply to the right and found ourselves in Bow Street.
See also:

Gravesend

The postmark on the letter from Neville St. Clair to his wife.
See also:

Middlesex, Surrey and Kent

“We have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent.” (Sherlock Holmes)
See also:

Aberdeen Shipping Office, Fresno Street

Mrs St. Clair collected her package from here and then walked into Upper Swandam Lane looking for a cab.
Fresco Street appears to be fictitious.
Aberdeen is a large scottish port.
See also:

Capitial and Counties Bank

Neville St. Clair had £220 standing to his credit at this Bank.

Cannon Street Station

Neville St. Clair caught a train from here to his home in Lee each night.
See also:

The Cedars, Lee, Kent

Home of Mr and Mrs Neville St. Clair and their children. Lee is in North West Kent, U.K.

Paul's Wharf

Paul's Wharf:
  • recently excavated to reveal its Roman Foundations — was close on the riverside, and over the centuries was the main landing stage for this part of the City.
See also:

Bar of Gold

Upper Swandam Lane, east of the City. This appears to be a fictitious address. Read More...

Theological College of St. George

There does not seem to be a Theological College of this name in the UK but there are a couple overseas, but it is unlikely that either of these are the one referred to. It is very probably therefore a fictitious name.

Inspector Bradstreet

Inspector on duty at Bow Street Police Station where Hugh Boone was kept on remand.

Stable boy

The stable boy at the ‘Cedars’, home of Mr and Mrs St. Clair, whom Holmes woke at four in the moring to get the horse and trap out.

Inspector Barton

Inspector Barton visited the ‘Bar of Gold’ and had charge of the case and the enquiries into the disappearance of Neville St. Clair.

Mrs St. Clair

Daughter of a local Brewer in Lee and wife of Neville St. Clair.

Lascar

Manager of the ‘Bar of Gold’ and a man of the vilest antecedents.
  • Lascar: A sailor from India or Southeast Asia.

Malay attendant

A member of a people inhabiting Malaysia and Indonesia.

Kate Witney

Wife of Isa Witney and old friend of Dr and Mrs Watson.

Isa Witney

Brother of late Elias Witney D.D., Principal of the Theological College of St. George's.

Hugh Boone - Neville St. Clair

Now for the sinister cripple who lives upon the second floor of the opium den.... Read More...

Neville St. Clair

“Some years ago — to be definite, in May, 1884 — there came to Lee a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name who appeared to have plenty of money.” Read More...

Hosmer Angel - James Windibank

With the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice into an insinuating whisper.

221b Baker Street, London

Home of Sherlock Holmes and at times Dr John Watson.
They (the rooms) consisted of a couple of comfortable bedrooms and a single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully furnished, and illuminated by two broad windows.
See also:

Gales, Generals, Boats and Societies etc.

Equinoctial gales - September
See also:
Clark Russell's sea stories.
See also:
Invention of Bicycling
See also:
American civil war:
See also:
K.K.K
“Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic but generally recognised shape — a sprig of oak-leaves in some parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of the efforts of the United States government and of the better classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.”
See also:
He had always laughed at what he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel (A ridiculous and implausible story)
As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole animal by the contemplation of a single bone.
See also:
“I have spent the whole day,” said he, “over Lloyd’s registers and files of the old papers, following the future career of every vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in ‘83.”
See also:
....found that she had been taken down the river by the early tide this morning,
See also:
Lone Star - Name of the Bark on which Captain James Calhoun sailed.
See also:
‘Bark Lone Star’
Also Barque - a sailing ship with three masts typically with three masts, in which the foremast and mainmast are square-rigged and the mizzenmast is rigged fore-and-aft.
• archaic or poetic/literary a ship or boat.

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man’s watch, to prove that it had been wound up two hours before..... Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime.... Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“None of those (Cases) which come to me are. I am the last court of appeal.” Read More...

Goodwins

The Bark Lone Star passed here on its return voyage to the USA
See also:

Gravesend

The Bark Lone Star had to pass here on its return voyage to Savannah.
See also:

Albert Dock, London

The Bark Lone Star left London from here.
See also:

Savannah, Georgia

The home port of the Bark Lone Star and intended destination of Captain James Calhoun.
See also:

Waterloo Bridge and Embankment

It is conjectured that John Openshaw may have been hurrying down to catch the last train from Waterloo Station. Read More...

Fareham, Hampshire

Mr Joseph Openshaw ‘fell’ over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the neighbourhood. Read More...

Portsdown Hill

Mr Joseph Openshaw visited his friend Major Freebody who had a command here.
See also:

Dundee

Postmark of the letter addressed to Mr Joseph Openshaw containing the five orange pips, the initials K.K.K and the instruction ‘Leave the papers on the sundial.’
See also:

Pondicherry

Postmark on the letter to Colonel Elias Openshaw containing the five orange pips and the initials K.K.K
See also:

Horsham, Sussex

The Sussex home of Colonel Elias Openshaw.
See also:

Garden Pond

The green-scummed garden pond at the bottom of the garden where Colonel Elias Openshaw was found drowned.

Florida USA

See also:

Dr John Watson

Sherlock Holmes related this story to Dr Watson as one of his earlier adventures before he and Watson shared rooms in Baker Street.

Coventry

Mr Joseph Openshaw, father of John Openshaw had a small factory at Coventry Read More...

Five Orange Pips

The warning which K.K.K. sent to those who did not follow their dictates.

Brass Box

A small brass box, like a cashbox. Read More...

Letter from Holmes

He (Holmes) took five orange pips and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote “S. H. for J. 0.” Then he sealed it and addressed it to “Captain James Calhoun, Bark Lone Star, Savannah, Georgia.”

Newspaper Report of the death of John Openshaw

Newspaper report of the death of John Openshaw on the morning following his visit to Sherlock Holmes. Read More...

Tankerville Club Scandal

Sherlock Holmes acted for Major Prendergast in the Tankerville Club scandal when he was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards.

Camberwell Poisoning case

Camberwell poisoning case where Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man’s watch, to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time — a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the case.

Grice Patersons

The singular adventures of the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa.

British Bark Sophie Anderson

Amateur Mendicant Society

They held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a furniture warehouse.

Adventure of the Paradol Chamber

Captain James Calhoun

Captain James Calhoun who with the two Mates of the Bark Lone Star, murdered John Openshaw.

Police Constable Cook

Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and a splash in the water. Read More...

Major Freebody

Mr Joseph Openshaw was staying with Major Freebody when he was murdered.

Mary

A servant girl of Colonel Openshaw.

Mr Fordham

Mr Fordham was Colonel Openshaw’s lawyer from Horsham.

Joseph Openshaw

My father had a small factory at Coventry, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire upon a handsome competence. (John Openshaw)

Colonel Elias Openshaw

He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring disposition. Read More...

John Openshaw

The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. I could see that his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is weighed down with some great anxiety.

Baxter, Petrarch and Meredith

‘There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.’ Holmes said these were Baxter’s words, but actually they were the words of John Bradford.
See also:
Petrarch
See also:
George Meredith
See also:

Translations

‘Nous verrons’.

‘We shall see’.

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“To take the first example to hand, I very clearly perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand side, Read More...

Gray something

“Yet I (James McCarthy) have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon the ground to the left of me.” Read More...

Stone used to murder Charles McCarthy

The stone under which no grass was growing and which had been used to murder Charles McCarthy.

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

“It is really very good of you to come, Watson,” said he. “It makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless or else biased.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those simple cases which are so extremely difficult.” Read More...

Rat-Black Jack of Ballarat

Allusion to ‘a rat’ by the dying Charles McCarthy. He was actually referring to ‘Black Jack of Ballarat’.

Telegram Holmes sent to Watson

Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Leave Paddington by the 11:15.

West Country

Where the Boscombe Valley Mystery takes place and an area of England extending from Cornwall to Gloucestershire and along part of the border with Wales.
See also:

Regent Street

Mr Turner met Mr McCarthy here by accident when he had gone to town to see about an investment and from that moment Mr McCarthy blackmailed him continuously.
See also:

Rotterdam

The Indian cigars which Mr Turner smoked were rolled here.
See also:

Bermuda Dockyard

The barmaid who married James McCarthy bigamously had a husband who worked here.
See also:

Hereford

Sherlock Holmes went to visit James McCarthy in the prison at Hereford.
See also:

Ballarat Mines

The Ballarat Mines in Victoria, Australia where John Turner had an unsuccessful claim. Here he eventually became a highway robber and was known as ‘Black Jack of Ballarat’.
See also:

Hereford Arms

The fictional country hotel where Holmes and Watson stayed during the investigation.

Severn River

Another beautiful area which the train passed along during Holmes and Watsons journey.
See also:

Stroud Valley

A beautiful area of Gloucestershire, England through which Holmes and Watson passed on their train journey to Boscombe Valley.
See also:

Swindon Station

Holmes and Watson stopped for lunch at Swindon station, Wiltshire. At one time all trains stopped here for at least ten minutes to change locomotives.
See also:

Boscombe Valley Estate

This estate belonged to Mr John Turner.

Boscombe Pool

This is where the murder of Charles McCarthy took place. The pool was midway between the homes of Charles McCarthy and John Turner.

Hatherley Farmhouse

Home of Charles McCarthy and his son James which was let to them rent free by Mr Turner.

Bristol

A well known city and port on the south west coast of England. Sherlock Holmes sent to Bristol for a map of Australia. One wonders whether he could not have found one just as easily in Hereford, or perhaps even Ross.
See also:

Boscombe Valley

This is a fictitious place where the murder of Charles McCarthy took place. It is described as being not far from Ross, Herefordshire. This could, in fact, be the Wye Valley.

Afghanistan

Dr Watson served there was an Army surgeon.

Paddington Station

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson left by train from Paddington for the West Country.
See also:

Dr Willows

Physician to Mr John Turner.

Coroner

Coroner at the Inquest held into the death of Mr Charles McCarthy.

Lodge Keeper

Mr Turner’s Lodge Keeper who presumably was called ‘Moran’.

John Cobb

Mr Charles McCarthy’s groom.

Patience Moran

Fourteen year old girl who was the daughter of Mr Turner’s Lodge Keeper.

William Crowder

Mr John Turner’s Gamekeeper.

Anstruther

A Doctor acquaintance of Dr Watson who was prepared to act as locum for him and do his rounds.

Inspector Lestrade

A lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking.... Read More...

Miss Alice Turner

Daughter of Mr John Turner. Read More...

Mr James McCarthy

Accused of the murder of his father, Charles McCarthy. Read More...

Mr Charles McCarthy

Neighbour of John Turner and father of James McCarthy. Read More...

Mr John Turner

Mr John Turner aka Black Jack of Ballarat of the Ballarat Gang. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

Sherlock Holmes welcomed her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable.
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.” Read More...

Hague case

A similar case to that of Mary Sutherland in the Hague the previous year.

Andover case

A similar case to Mary Sutherland’s in Andover in ’77.

Mrs Etherege

Mrs Etherege whose husband Sherlock Holmes found.

Matter from Marseilles

An intricate matter referred to Sherlock Holmes from Marseilles.

Dundas Separation Case

Dundas separation case in which Sherlock Holmes had been engaged in clearing up some small points.

Four letters

Four typed letters from Hosmer Angel, one of which quoted Balzac.
See also:

Advertisement

An advertisement in the Chronicle on Saturday: Read More...

Scandal in Bohemia

The case in which Sherlock Holmes tried to recover a photograph of the King of Bohemia and Irene Adler, in appreciation of which the King sent Sherlock Holmes a snuffbox of old gold with a great amethyst in the centre of the lid.

Auckland, New Zealand

Home of Mary Sutherland’s Uncle Ned.

Bordeaux, France

Westhouse and Marbank had offices here and Mr Windibank used fictitious visits to them in order to masquerade as Hosmer Angel.

Lyon Place, Camberwell

31 Lyon Place, Camberwell is a fictious address where Mary Sutherland lived with her mother and step-father.

St. Pancras Hotel

Mary Sutherland and Hosmer Angel were to have their wedding breakfast here.
  • The present St. Pancras Hotel is new but there was another hotel, the Midland Grand Hotel which might have been the site.

St. Saviour's Church

St. Saviour’s Church nr Kings Cross (station) where Mary Sutherland should have married Hosmer Angel.

Leadenhall Street

Hosmer Angel’s place of work and residence and site of the Post Office where Mary Sutherland sent her letters for his collection.
See also:

Tottenham Court Road

Site of Mary Sutherland’s father’s plumbing business.
See also:

Hosmer Angel

He was about five feet seven inches in height; strongly built.... Read More...

James Windibank

James Windibank was the second husband of Mary Sutherland’s mother and fifteen years younger than her. Read More...

Mary Sutherland

A large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her ear.

Translations and Pea Jackets

“‘L’homme c’est rien — l’oeuvre c’est tout,’ as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand.”
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Characters Illustrations

Relapsing into his armchair and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“For strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination.” Read More...

Derbies/Darbies

Another word for handcuffs of a particular type used at the time.
See also:

Encyclopaedia Britannica

To copy out the Encyclopaedia Britannica was the task set for Jabez Wilson by the Redheaded League.

Notice card

THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE
IS
DISSOLVED.
October 9, 1890.
The card which Jabez Wilson found pinned to the door of the offices in Pope’s Court.

Morning Chronicle

The advertisement which first drew the attention of Jabez Wilson to the Redheaded League. Read More...

Sign of Four

The Sign of Four. Regarding the Sholto murder and the Agra Treasure and another novel in the Canon.

Case of Identity

A Case of Mary Sutherland. Another case in the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Strand

The Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length has been longer than this.
See also:

Scotland Yard, London

Scotland Yard, is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service, responsible for policing Greater London. Founded on 29th September 1829, on a street off Whitehall, near to the Houses of Parliament, London.
See also:

Bank of France

The Banque de France is the central bank of France. The City and Surburban Bank borrowed gold Napoleons from this Bank to bolster their reserves.
See also:

Farrington Street

Farrington Street, London.
See also:

Oxford

The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University", or simply "Oxford"), located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. John Clay is supposed to have attended this University.
See also:

Eton

The King's College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor, Read More...

House in Kensington

Dr Watson lived in Kensington at this time and walked through Hyde Park, to Oxford Street and then on to Baker Street to meet Sherlock Holmes.

City and Surburban Bank

Coburg Branch of the City and Surburban Bank Read More...

St. James' Hall

This is where Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson went to hear Sarasate play.
See also:

Saxe-Coburg Square

Fictional address of Mr Jabez Wilson and his pawn shop. Read More...

St. Paul's

St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, and the seat of the Bishop of London.
See also:

King Edward Street

17 King Edward Street, near St. Paul’s. Address Mr William Morris (aka Duncan Ross) supposedly moved to, but which was actually a manufactory of artificial knee-caps. There is an actual King Edward Strreet, near St. Paul’s Cathedral.
See also:

Pope's Court

7 Pope’s Court, Fleet Street, London where the offices of the ‘League’ were situated. It would seem there is a ‘Pope’s Court in London, but not in the Fleet Street area. Fleet Street is a street in London, named after the River Fleet.
See also:

Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Home of Ezekiah Hopkins.

Girl of fourteen

A girl of fourteen who did a bit of simple cooking and kept Mr Jabez Wilson’s premises clean. The only other occupant of his property apart from John Clay and himself.

Landlord

Landland of the building where the ‘League’ had its offices. He was an accountant living on the ground floor.

Ezekiah Hopkins

Ezekiah Hopkins a fictional character and benefactor of redheaded men. Read More...

Sarasate

Pablo Martín Melitón de Sarasate y Navascués (March 10, 1844 – September 20, 1908, was a Spanish violinist and composer of the Romantic period.
See also:

Mr Merryweather

A bank director of the City and Surburban Bank. A long, thin, sad-faced man, with a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat.

Peter Jones

Official Police Agent of Scotland Yard.

Duncan Ross

Accomplice of John Clay (aka William Morris and Archie) who professed himself to be a pensioner upon the fund of the Redheaded League.

Vincent Spaulding

Vincent Spaulding (aka John Clay) employee of Mr Jabez Wilson who was prepared to work for half wages. He pointed out the advertisement from the ‘Redhaded League’ to Mr Wilson.

John Clay

John Clay, (aka Vincent Spaulding)the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. Read More...

Jabez Wilson

Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.” Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

“Wedlock suits you,” he remarked. “I think, Watson, that you have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you.”
Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Nonconformist Clergyman

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.

Sherlock Holmes - Groom out of work

A drunkenlooking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Accustomed as I was to my friend’s amazing powers in the use of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was indeed he.

Arnsworth Castle

The Arnsworth Castle business.
  • (The Adventure of Arnsworth Castle by Adrian Conan Doyle (1954))

Darlington substitution

The Darlington substitution scandal.

Delicate matter

A delicate matter for the reigning family of Holland.

Atkinson Brothers

The Case of the Atkinson Brothers at Trincomalee.

Trepoff murder

The Case of the Trepoff murder in Odessa.

Walking Clothes

These were the clothes which Irene Adler had named her ‘walking clothes’ which she used when she wished to dress as a man and go about ‘incognito’.

Photograph of Irene Adler

A Cabinet sized photograph of Irene Adler in evening dress which she left in exchange for the one of her and the King of Bohemia when she departed for the Continent.
Cabinet sized photographs were larger and could not be easily concealed in a pocket or purse.

Edgeware Road, London

Edgware Road is a major street which passes through the west of central London, in the City of Westminster.
See also:

Charing Cross Station, London

Main London station opened on 11th January 1864.
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Church of St. Monica

Fictional place of the marriage of Irene Adler and Godfrey Norton. Read More...

Gross & Hankey

Gross & Hankey, Regent Street. Presumably a jewellers. Godfrey Norton ordered his cab to go there and then to the church of St. Monica’s immediately before his wedding to Irene Adler.

Inner Temple

Godfrey Norton had rooms here. Read More...

Imperial Opera of Warsaw

This is the name of the fictional Opera House where Irene Adler had been Prima Donna.

La Scala

Irene Adler sang here. Read More...

Briony Lodge

Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John’s Wood, London. Home of Miss Irene Adler. Read More...

Langham Hotel, London

Here the King of Bohemia stayed during his visit to London to consult with Sherlock Holmes. Read More...

Warsaw, Poland

Here the King of Bohemia stayed for a lengthy visit when he was around 25 and met Miss Irene Adler.

Egria, Bohemia

Not far from Carlsbad. Read More...

Groom

Sherlock Holmes disguised as an out of work groom.

Nonconformist Clergyman

Disguise of Sherlock Holmes.

Clergyman

Clergyman who married Irene Adler and Godfrey Norton and who needed a witness because of some informality regarding their marriage licence.

Mr John Hare

Well known actor of the day.
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Mrs Watson

Dr Watson’s wife. Formerly Miss Mary Morstan (Sign of Four).

Mary Jane

Dr and Mrs Watson’s clumsy servant girl. Mrs Watson had given her notice.

Mrs Turner

Sherlock Holmes’ Landlady at this time. An oversight on ACD’s part or was Mrs Husdon on holiday?

John the Coachman

Irene Adler’s coachman whom she left to watch over Holmes while she changed into her ‘walking clothes’.

Mr Godfrey Norton

Solicitor of the Inner Temple and to become Irene Adler’s husband.

Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen

Engaged to the King of Bohemia and second daughter of the King of Scandanavia.

Irene Adler

Irene Adler. Born in New Jersey in the year 1858. Read More...

Count von Kramm

Count von Kramm alias Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel Felstein, hereditary King of Bohemia. Read More...

Dr John Watson

Companion and chronicler of Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

“It’s very annoying, though, Watson.... Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

Hullo! that’s not your pipe on the table.... Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

It was when he was at his wit’s end that his energy and his versatility were most admirable. Read More...

Yellow Mask

The yellow mask worn by Lucy Hebron so that her face should not be seen by neighbours.

Musgrave Ritual

Another story in the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

Pinner, Middlesex

The maiden aunt of Mrs Effie Munro lived here.

Crystal Palace

Mr Grant Munro walked to Crystal Palace to think things over. Read More...

Norbury, London

The home of Mr and Mrs Grant Munro.

Atlanta, U.S.A

The former home of Mrs Effie Munro/Hebron, John Hebron and their daughter Lucy.

Scottish Maidservant

The maidservant who had been with John Hebron and Effie Munro in Atlanta .... Read More...

John Hebron

Former husband of Effie Munro. He was a lawyer who left her well provided for when he died of yellow fever in Atlanta.

Lucy Hebron

Lucy Hebron, dauther of Mrs Effie Hebron (now Munro) and John Hebron.

Mrs Effie Munro

Formerly married to John Hebron of Atlanta and now the wife of Mr Grant Munro.

Mr Grant Munro

A tall young man entered the room. He was well but quietly dressed in a dark gray suit and carried a brown wide-awake in his hand. I should have put him at about thirty, though he was really some years older.
Referred to as ‘Jack’ by his wife Effie. He was a hop merchant with a good income.
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Palmer and Pritchard

Dr. William Palmer convicted of murder by poison and executed on 6th August 1824 at Stafford, Staffordshire.
See also:
Dr. Edward Pritchard convicted of murder by poison and executed on 28th July 1865 at Glasgow, Scotland.
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Sherlock Holmes - Sayings

My profession is its own reward.... Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Character Illustrations

He was a late riser, as a rule.... Read More...

Sherlock Holmes - Deductions

Now, when young ladies wander about the metropolis at this hour of the morning.... Read More...

Mrs Hudson

Long sufferring Landlady of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Waterloo Station, London

One of the main railway stations in London opened on 11th June 1848.
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Doctors' Commons

Sherlock Holmes visited Doctors’ Commons to view the Will of Mrs Stoner/Roylott. Read More...

Crown Inn

Crown Inn opposite the Manor House at Stoke Moran.

Crane Water

Crane Water, Nr. Reading, Berkshire. Home of Mr Percy Armitage who was engaged to Miss Helen Stoner.
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Harrow

Harrow, Middlesex. Home of Miss Honoria Westphall.

Crewe

Crewe, Cheshire (place of the death of Mrs Stoner, in a railway accident.) One of the main junction stations in England at the time.
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Calcutta, India

Calcutta. (Dr. Roylott pracised medicine there and married Mrs. Stoner. In a fit of temper he also beat his native butler to death and served a long prison sentence.)

Leatherhead, Surrey

Leatherhead, Surrey. Presumably nearest train station to Stoke Moran.
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Stoke Moran Manor House

Stoke Moran Manor House, West Surrey.
See also:

Indian Animals and other things

Cheetah.... Read More...

Gipsies

Wandering gypsies on the estate at Stoke Moran. Read More...

Miss Honoria Westphall

The aunt of Miss Helen Stoner. Her late mother’s maiden sister, who lived near Harrow.

Percy Armitage

Percy Armitage — the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. Engaged to Miss Helen Stoner.

Mrs Stoner/Mrs Roylott

Mrs. Stoner, the young widow of Major-General Stoner of the Bengal Artillery. Read More...

Julia Stoner

Twin sister of Helen Stoner. Murdered by Dr Grimesby Roylott two weeks before her wedding.

Dr Grimesby Roylott

Last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in England.... Read More...

Helen Stoner

Helen Stoner was the step daughter of Dr. Grimesby Roylett of Stoke Moran, West Surrey and the twin sister of Julia Stoner.

Mrs Farintosh

Mrs Farintosh and the case of the Opal tiara. Mrs Farintosh was a friend of Miss Helen Stoner.

Gloria Scott-facts and figures

The Gloria Scott Left Falmouth on 8th October 1855. Bound for Australia. Destroyed N.Lat 15 degrees 20'.W.Long 25 degrees 14' on November 6th 1855. Height of the Crimean War. Read More...

Beddoes

The name which JP Trevor’s fellow convict, Evans, used after their escape and return to England.

James Armitage

The name of JP Trevor upon his conviction and transportation.

Gloria Scott

The “Gloria Scott” - another story from the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.