BOSC

Afghanistan

The second Afghan war.
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Inspector Lestrade

There was one little sallow, rat-faced, dark-eyed fellow.

"A well-known detective. He got himself into a fog recently over a forgery case, and that was what brought him here.” (
Sherlock Holmes)

(
Lestrade) lean and ferret-like as ever, was standing by the doorway, and greeted my companion and myself.

Gamekeeper

“ The body was found by a gamekeeper about eleven o’clock.” (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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Gamekeeper

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

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)

Inspector Lestrade

Thin and austere.

Inspector Lestrade

It was no very unusual thing for Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, to look in upon us of an evening, and his visits were welcome to Sherlock Holmes, for they enabled him to keep in touch with all that was going on at the police headquarters.

Inspector Martin of the Norfolk Constabulary

A dapper little man, with a quick, alert manner and a waxed moustache.

Inspector Lestrade

“The conduct of the criminal investigation has been left in the experienced hands of Inspector Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, who is following up the clues with his accustomed energy and sagacity.”

Inspector Lestrade

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

Yellowbacked novel

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

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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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.
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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.
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Petrarch
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George Meredith
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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.
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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.
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Rotterdam

The Indian cigars which Mr Turner smoked were rolled here.
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Bermuda Dockyard

The barmaid who married James McCarthy bigamously had a husband who worked here.
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Hereford

Sherlock Holmes went to visit James McCarthy in the prison at Hereford.
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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’.
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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.
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Stroud Valley

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

Mrs Watson

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

Dr John Watson

Companion and chronicler of Sherlock Holmes.

Study in Scarlet

The first Novel in the Canon.

Janet Tregellis

Daughter of head gamekeeper and Brunton's current girlfriend.

Sherlock Holmes

“Well, I have a trade of my own. I suppose I am the only one in the world. I’m a consulting detective, if you can understand what that is. Here in London we have lots of government detectives and lots of private ones. When these fellows are at fault, they come to me, and I manage to put them on the right scent." (Sherlock Holmes) (Study in Scarlet)
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