69 words to know before reading The Valley of Fear

1. A fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
2. The main character in the "Sherlock Holmes" series.

II Sherlock Holmes Discourses It was one of those dramatic moments for which my friend existed. It would be

1. A surname of English origin, famously associated with Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective.
2. Slang term for a detective or investigator, inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

I The Warning “I am inclined to think—” said I. “I should do so,” Sherlock Holmes remarked impatiently. I believe that I am one of the most long-suffering of mortals; but I’ll

1. Said something in response or comment.
2. Noticed or observed something noteworthy.

of Billy, the page, with the very letter which we were expecting. “The same writing,” remarked Holmes, as he opened the envelope, “and actually signed,” he added in an exultant voice as he

1. A flat paper container for a letter or document.
2. The outer covering of a virus or cell.

of your friends, would surely prevent you from enclosing cipher and message in the same envelope. Should it miscarry, you are undone. As it is, both have to go wrong before any harm comes from

1. To interrupt or disturb someone, especially during a creative process.
2. (Noun) An unwelcome interruption or intrusion.

come.” “May I be there to see!” I exclaimed devoutly. “But you were speaking of this man Porlock.” “Ah, yes—the so-called Porlock is a link in the chain some little way from its great

1. A secret or disguised way of writing; a code.
2. A person or thing of no importance.

Holmes?” “It is obviously an attempt to convey secret information.” “But what is the use of a cipher message without the cipher?” “In this instance, none at all.” “Why do you say ‘in this

1. A yearly publication containing calendars, weather forecasts, and other useful information.
2. A reference book with facts and statistics on various topics.

if you have not touched the spot. An almanac! Let us consider the claims of Whitaker’s Almanac. It is in common use. It has the requisite number of pages. It is in double column. Though

1. A slight trace of color.
2. A small amount of a quality or feeling.

to say that he was shocked or even excited by the amazing announcement. Without having a tinge of cruelty in his singular composition, he was undoubtedly callous from long over-stimulation.

1. Being the only one of its kind; unique.
2. (Grammar) Referring to a form representing one person or thing.

of miles in space, that I may lay before you a singular and terrible narrative—so singular and so terrible that you may find it hard to believe that even as I tell it, even so did it

1. Emotionally insensitive or unfeeling.
2. Having a hardened or thickened area of skin.

Now I met her appealing gaze with an unresponsive eye. “I fear that you think me callous and hard-hearted,” said she. I shrugged my shoulders. “It is no business of mine,” said I.

1. The act of arousing or exciting something to activity or growth.
2. The process of encouraging interest or enthusiasm in someone or something.

Led on by some rudimentary aspirations towards right, and encouraged by the judicious stimulation of an occasional ten-pound note sent to him by devious methods, he has once or twice given me

1. Worthy of attention; striking or unusual.
2. Exceptionally good or impressive.

He brightened and rubbed his thin hands together as he listened to the meager but remarkable details. A long series of sterile weeks lay behind us, and here at last there was a fitting

1. A person or thing that snorts (snorts loudly).
2. A strong alcoholic drink.

up for theatrical effect if there wasn’t a dead man in the middle of it. My word! it is a snorter.” “Your friend seems to be no fool,” remarked Holmes. “No, sir, White Mason is a very live man,

1. A large country house with lands.
2. The main house of an estate.

local fire brigade had given it up as impossible. Thus it came about that John Douglas of the Manor House had within five years won himself quite a reputation in Birlstone. His wife, too, was

1. The number equivalent to four times ten (40).
2. A term used to describe a quantity or age.

wealth, and was reputed to be a bachelor. In age he was rather younger than Douglas—forty-five at the most—a tall, straight, broad-chested fellow with a clean-shaved, prizefighter face,

1. A city in France, known for its Gothic cathedral.
2. A river in northern France, flowing through the city of Amiens.

her from seeing this dreadful sight. Mrs. Allen, the housekeeper, came and took her away. Ames had arrived, and we ran back into the room once more.” “But surely I have heard that the

1. The number following ten (11).
2. A sports team with eleven players (e.g., soccer).

servants in the house bear no relation to the events of the night of January 6th. It was at eleven forty-five that the first alarm reached the small local police station, in charge of Sergeant

1. A piece of fabric hung to cover a window or divide a room.
2. A barrier or screen used in theaters to conceal the stage.

“I have not a doubt of it. I wish to heaven that I had rushed to the window! But the curtain screened it, as you can see, and so it never occurred to me. Then I heard the step of Mrs.

1. A small lump of gold or other precious metal.
2. A small, solid piece of food, like chicken nuggets.

“Always!” “Then the murderer, or whoever it was, first took off this ring you call the nugget ring, then the wedding ring, and afterwards put the nugget ring back again.” “That is so!” The

1. A horizontal piece at the base of a window or door frame.
2. A ledge of rock, especially one formed by erosion.

the lamp down and illuminated a smudge of blood like the mark of a boot-sole upon the wooden sill. “Someone has stood there in getting out.” “You mean that someone waded across the moat?”

1. A deep, wide ditch filled with water, typically surrounding a castle or fort for defense.
2. A protective barrier or advantage that prevents competition in business or finance.

each side of it. As we approached it, there was the wooden drawbridge and the beautiful broad moat as still and luminous as quicksilver in the cold, winter sunshine. Three centuries had flowed

1. Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.
2. Charmingly odd or peculiar.

should have cast its shadow upon the venerable walls! And yet those strange, peaked roofs and quaint, overhung gables were a fitting covering to grim and terrible intrigue. As I looked at the

1. A cylinder of wax with a central wick that is lit to produce light.
2. A unit of luminous intensity.

now, we can reconstruct things on those lines. Mr. Douglas enters the room. He puts down the candle. A man appears from behind the curtain. He is armed with this gun. He demands the wedding

1. A small room or cupboard where food, dishes, and kitchen supplies are stored.
2. A place in a household or restaurant for keeping dry goods and non-perishable items.

and irritable, which was unusual with him. He had not gone to bed that night; but was in the pantry at the back of the house, putting away the silver, when he heard the bell ring violently. He

1. A formal dress, typically worn for special occasions.
2. A loose robe worn by professionals like doctors or judges.

with outstretched limbs in the centre of the room. He was clad only in a pink dressing gown, which covered his night clothes. There were carpet slippers on his bare feet. The doctor knelt

1. Comfortable, lightweight footwear worn indoors.
2. Soft shoes with open backs for easy wearing.

may be Mr. Barker’s and which from outside.” “Yes, sir. I may say that I noticed that the slippers were stained with blood—so indeed were my own.” “That is natural enough, considering the

1. A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
2. A means of protection or defense against financial loss.

saying I raised my hat and went upon my way, leaving them still seated behind that concealing hedge. I looked back as I rounded the far end of it, and saw that they were still talking very

1. Hidden or kept out of sight.
2. Not easily noticed or detected.

excuse if he met anyone. He met no one. He slipped into the first room that he saw, and concealed himself behind the curtain. Thence he could see the drawbridge go up, and he knew that his only

1. To hide or keep something secret.
2. To prevent something from being seen or known.

five years ago. He has never seen a gun of this sort in the house.” “The gun was made to conceal. That’s why the barrels were sawed. It would fit into any box. How could he swear there was no

1. A short, sharp sound made to express disapproval or attract attention.
2. A private lesson or instruction, often one-on-one.

examples of the moated Jacobean residence—’ ” “You are making fools of us, Mr. Holmes!” “Tut, tut, Mr. Mac!—the first sign of temper I have detected in you. Well, I won’t read it verbatim,

1. People who scowl or frown frequently.
2. Those who express anger or displeasure through facial expressions.

only one set of affairs that you’ll hear of in these parts, and that’s the affairs of the Scowrers.” “Why, I seem to have read of the Scowrers in Chicago. A gang of murderers, are they not?”

1. (adjective) Empty, barren, or devoid of life.
2. (adjective) Feeling or showing loneliness or despair.

and a bustling life to this most desolate corner of the United States of America. For desolate it was! Little could the first pioneer who had traversed it have ever imagined that the fairest

1. Dark or poorly lit; dim.
2. Feeling sad or depressed.

that the fairest prairies and the most lush water pastures were valueless compared to this gloomy land of black crag and tangled forest. Above the dark and often scarcely penetrable woods upon

1. Used as a reflexive pronoun to refer to a group previously mentioned.
2. Used for emphasis to refer to a group previously mentioned.

ever separated myself from the official force, it is because they have first separated themselves from me. I have no wish ever to score at their expense. At the same time, Mr. White Mason, I

1. Officers responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining public order.
2. Members of a police force who patrol and investigate crimes.

plenty of work to do,” said McMurdo. “Then why did you leave?” McMurdo nodded towards the policemen and smiled. “I guess those chaps would be glad to know,” he said. Scanlan groaned

1. Enclosed structures for intense heating, often used in metalworking or heating buildings.
2. Household appliances for heating air or water.

was left once again to his thoughts. Night had now fallen, and the flames of the frequent furnaces were roaring and leaping in the darkness. Against their lurid background dark figures were

1. A large, disordered pile of things.
2. A great amount or number (informal).

the growing gloom there pulsed the red glow of the furnaces on the sides of the hills. Great heaps of slag and dumps of cinders loomed up on each side, with the high shafts of the collieries

1. The waste material left after metal has been smelted from its ore.
2. A byproduct of industrial processes, often used in construction.

with the sordid and gloomy surroundings. A lovely violet growing upon one of those black slag heaps of the mines would not have seemed more surprising. So entranced was he that he stood

1. A small house or cabin, often in a rural or natural setting.
2. A local branch of a society or organization.

am one of the Eminent Order of Freemen. There’s no town without a lodge, and where there is a lodge I’ll find my friends.” The remark had a singular effect upon his companion. He glanced round

1. The quality of being amusing or funny.
2. A person's state of mind or mood.

and his song the best. He was a born boon companion, with a magnetism which drew good humour from all around him. And yet he showed again and again, as he had shown in the railway carriage,

1. A title used before a man's name, equivalent to "Mr."
2. A device that sprays a fine mist, often used for watering plants.

this part, young man?” “Well, what if I am?” McMurdo answered in a surly voice. “Just this, mister, that I should advise you to be careful in choosing your friends. I don’t think I’d begin with

1. A large container for holding liquids, often used in brewing or storage.
2. Value Added Tax, a consumption tax on goods and services.

“How can you prove that?” he asked. “Prove it! Are there not fifty murders to prove it? Vat about Milman and Van Shorst, and the Nicholson family, and old Mr. Hyam, and little Billy James,

1. A public room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served.
2. A large, elegant room for social gatherings or events.

hard-earned but generous wages. “That’s the Union House,” said the guide, pointing to one saloon which rose almost to the dignity of being a hotel. “Jack McGinty is the boss there.” “What sort

1. A person one knows slightly but not as a close friend.
2. Knowledge or experience of something.

Scanlan of Lodge 341, Vermissa. I drink your health Councillor, and to our better acquaintance.” He raised a glass with which he had been served to his lips and elevated his little finger as

1. Used to emphasize a statement or response.
2. Truly or certainly (often expressing agreement).

Holmes, as he stood in the light of the window and examined them minutely. “Very strange indeed!” Stooping with one of his quick feline pounces, he placed the slipper upon the blood mark on the

1. A soft, indistinct sound made by a person or group, often speaking quietly or indistinctly.
2. A low, continuous background noise, like rustling leaves or flowing water.

of the Herald. You’ve seen how he’s been opening his mouth against us again?” There was a murmur of assent, with many a muttered oath. McGinty took a slip of paper from his waistcoat pocket.

1. A person responsible for managing the finances of an organization.
2. An officer who oversees funds, budgets, and financial records.

“I have one or two more points to bring before the meeting. First of all, I will ask the treasurer as to our bank balance. There is the pension to Jim Carnaway’s widow. He was struck down doing

1. A traditional English folk dance performed with handkerchiefs or sticks.
2. A type of decorative embroidery or needlework.

and of Lee that came into the market in the same way last year?” “The same company, Brother Morris.” “And who bought the ironworks of Manson and of Shuman and of Van Deher and of Atwood, which

1. A messenger or announcer of important news.
2. A sign or indication of something to come.

trimming up, and it’s for you to see that he gets it. I’m speaking of James Stanger of the Herald. You’ve seen how he’s been opening his mouth against us again?” There was a murmur of assent,

1. A city in southern England, known for its cathedral and historic significance.
2. A type of repeating rifle or shotgun, named after Oliver Winchester.

is no immediate danger to his life. Below it stated that a guard of police, armed with Winchester rifles, had been requisitioned for the defense of the office. McMurdo had laid down the paper,

1. The reflexive form of "you," referring to the person being addressed.
2. Used to emphasize the subject "you."

is important, not for himself, but for the great man with whom he is in touch. Picture to yourself the pilot fish with the shark, the jackal with the lion—anything that is insignificant in

1. A type of fish found in North America, also known as garfish or garpike.
2. A term used in heraldry for a spear or lance.

to the light in his enormous hand, which was hairy as a gorilla’s. “I can see no difference. Gar! you’ll be a mighty useful brother, I’m thinking! We can do with a bad man or two among us,

1. A period of practical training for law students, typically in a law firm or court.
2. A temporary position for medical students in a hospital or clinic for hands-on experience.

his idea that I was at a loose end, and that he would do me a good turn by offering me a clerkship in a dry goods store.” “Oh, that was it?” “Yes, that was it.” “And you refused it?” “Sure.

1. A distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash, such as barley, corn, rye, or wheat.
2. Typically aged in wooden casks, giving it a distinct flavor and color.

showed no surprise when the policeman enrolled himself among his customers. “A straight whisky, for the night is bitter,” said the police officer. “I don’t think we have met before,

1. Stared angrily or fiercely.
2. Shone with a harsh, bright light.

said McMurdo boldly. “If you are a judge of men, you’ll know that.” The swarthy giant glared at him, and his hairy paw closed for an instant round the glass as though he would hurl it at the

1. Close companions or friends, especially in a shared struggle or activity.
2. Fellow members of a socialist or communist party.

an insult even from the all-powerful Boss himself. But in addition to this he impressed his comrades with the idea that among them all there was not one whose brain was so ready to devise a

1. A person authorized to represent others, especially at a conference or meeting.
2. To assign responsibility or authority to another person.

Boss McGinty was ignorant as to many things; for there was an official named the County Delegate, living at Hobson’s Patch farther down the line, who had power over several different lodges

1. Actions or things done, especially brave or noble ones.
2. Legal documents that transfer ownership of property.

Councillor.” He left the barroom; but not before he had created a local hero. McMurdo’s deeds in far Chicago had been whispered before. He had put off all questions with a smile, as one who

1. A long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding from the sea or a river.
2. A ditch or watercourse.

his life over it. Now it’s for you to take it over. That’s the house—all alone at the Iron Dike crossroad, same as you see here on the map—without another within earshot. It’s no good by day.

1. A private detective or security guard employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
2. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, founded in 1850, known for its role in labor disputes.

They mean it, and you can bet they’ll get there! They are right deep down into it. Pinkerton has taken hold under their orders, and his best man, Birdy Edwards, is operating. The thing has

1. Serious and sincere in intention or effort.
2. A token or payment given as a pledge or promise.

cages to be lowered. At the same instant a tall, loose-framed young man with a clean-shaved, earnest face advanced eagerly towards the pit head. As he came forward his eyes fell upon the group,

1. Shining brightly; reflecting light (e.g., a gleaming surface).
2. Appearing clean, polished, or radiant.

revolver met him there with the stern blue eyes of Captain Marvin of the Mine Police gleaming behind the sights. The Boss recoiled and fell back into his chair. “You’re safer there,

1. Fabric panels hung to cover windows for privacy or decoration.
2. Theatrical drapes that open or close a stage.

of glass, a bristle of glistening rifle barrels broke through each window, while the curtains were torn from their hangings. At the sight Boss McGinty gave the roar of a wounded bear and

1. A concluding section at the end of a literary work.
2. A speech or event that serves as a final comment or conclusion.

Epilogue The police trial had passed, in which the case of John Douglas was referred to a higher court. So

1. Declared not guilty in a legal trial.
2. Freed from a charge or obligation.

John Douglas was referred to a higher court. So had the Quarter Sessions, at which he was acquitted as having acted in self-defense. “Get him out of England at any cost,” wrote Holmes to the wife.

1. Mysterious or difficult to understand.
2. Puzzling, obscure, or ambiguous.

amazement at a paper upon the table. It was the sheet upon which I had scrawled the enigmatic message. “Douglas!” he stammered. “Birlstone! What’s this, Mr. Holmes? Man, it’s witchcraft!

1. A formal or elegant letter, often written for instruction or moral guidance.
2. A literary composition in the form of a letter, especially in the New Testament.

note slipped into our letter box. “Dear me, Mr. Holmes. Dear me!” said this singular epistle. There was neither superscription nor signature. I laughed at the quaint message; but Holmes

1. Not customary or usual; out of the ordinary.
2. Unaccustomed or unfamiliar with something.

neither superscription nor signature. I laughed at the quaint message; but Holmes showed unwonted seriousness. “Deviltry, Watson!” he remarked, and sat long with a clouded brow. Late last night

1. The forehead or the ridge of hair above the eye.
2. The edge of a steep place, like a cliff.

There were angry cries as the speaker resumed his seat. McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow. “Brother Morris,” said he, “you were always a croaker. So long as the members of this lodge