Hello everyone.

Thank you for joining me in today's lesson.

I'm Miss Sutherland, and together we will be solving 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to understand the events and ending of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

So that means we'll be finishing 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

We'll be finding out the truth about what happened to Charles McCarthy and I really hope you enjoy finishing the story with me today.

These are our four key words that are gonna be really important in your learning today.

They are coroner.

A coroner is someone who holds investigations into sudden or suspicious deaths.

Deserts.

If you get your deserts, you get what you deserve.

Filial, a filial duty refers to the respect that a son or daughter is expected to give their parents.

And benefactor.

A benefactor is someone who gives money to another person.

I'll give you a moment to jot down any words that you wish to.

Excellent let's get started.

So today we have two learning cycles.

In the first learning cycle, we'll be reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' together and we'll be getting further into the way in which Sherlock Holmes solves this case and we are finding out more clues of course.

In the second lonely cycle, that's where we'll finish the story.

We'll find out exactly what happened to Charles McCarthy and you'll be able to summarise the events of the story.

So let's get started with reading 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

So here's a quick recap of the part of the story that we are at.

Holmes and Watson are busy discussing 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

While Charles McCarthy died near the Boscombe Pool, they are focused on his son James McCarthy's arrest.

So remember James McCarthy, who's Charles McCarthy's son, was arrested for the murder because there were some very suspicious details surrounding James McCarthy.

Such as he, he seemed to be following his father and he was seen to be arguing with his father.

Furthermore, he had a gun on him when he was seen to be following his father, so that's why he got arrested.

But we're gonna find out now.

James McCarthy's side of the story actually.

So let's read together.

"It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the return to Hatherly Farm.

On the inspector of constabulary informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not surprised to hear it and that it was no more than his deserts.

This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any traces of doubt, which might have remained in the minds of the coroner's jury.

"It was a confession," I ejaculated.

"No for it was followed by a pre protestation of innocence." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at least a most suspicious remark." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "It is the brightest rift which I can at present see in the clouds." Now let's just go through this page a little 'cause we have two key words on this page.

So James McCarthy, essentially when he was arrested, he said he wasn't shocked to be arrested and that he deserved it pretty much.

And Watson thinks that means that he's guilty, but Holmes on the other hand thinks that it means he is in fact innocent.

True or false.

James McCarthy was shocked at his arrest.

Pause the video and have a think.

Well done if you said false, James McCarthy was not shocked at his arrest.

Now why is that? Pause the video and have a think.

Well done if you said, James McCarthy was not shocked at his arrest because he was aware of the significant damning evidence against him, he understood that considering all the evidence it was very likely he'd be arrested.

He did not already plead guilty, in fact, he pleaded innocent after he was arrested.

Let's continue the reading.

"However innocent he might be he could not be such an absolute imbecile as to not see that the circumstances were very black against him.

Had he appeared surprised at his own arrest or famed indignation at it, I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious because such surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man.

His frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent man, or else a man of considerable self-restraint and firmness.

As to his remark about his desserts, it was also not unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of his father and that there is no doubt that he had that very day so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him and even according to the little girl, whose evidence is so important to raise his hand as if to strike him." Now let's break this page down (indistinct) as well.

So Holmes is saying that James McCarthy's comment that he deserved to be arrested, was probably because he was arguing with with his father and raised his hand at his father, which are the opposite of what a son should do.

So James McCarthy is therefore saying, oh, I deserve to be arrested in a way because I didn't treat my father with respect.

Now let's check your understanding.

Holmes' believe James McCarthy's reaction to being arrested proves his.

Pause the video and complete that sentence.

Well done if you few said, Holmes believes James McCarthy's reaction to being arrested proves his innocence.

Holmes thinks that James McCarthy's being very genuine and truthful when he's not shocked about being arrested.

So therefore Holmes believes that this shows Jay McCarthy's innocence.

"The self approach and contrition, which I displayed in his remark, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather of a guilty one." I shook my head.

"Many men have been hanged on far slighter evidence," I remarked.

"So they have and many men have been wrongfully hanged." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "It is, I'm afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive, you'll find it here and may read it for yourself." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire paper and having turned down the sheet, he pointed out the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own statement of what had occurred.

I settled myself down in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully.

It ran in this way.

"Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased was then called and gave evidence as follows: "I'd been away from home for three days at Bristol and had only just returned upon the morning of last Monday the third.

My father was absent from home at the time of my arrival and I was informed by the maid that he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom.

Shortly after my return, I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was going.

I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the Boscombe Pool with the intention of visiting the rabbit warren, which is upon the other side.

On my way I saw William Crowder the gamekeeper as he had stated in his evidence.

But he's mistaken in thinking that I was following my father.

I had no idea that he was in front of me.

When about a hundred yards from the pool, I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal between my father and myself.

I then hurried forward and found him standing by the pool.

He appeared to be much surprised at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there.

A conversation ensued, which led to high words and almost to blows for my father was a man of a very violent temper." True or false? James McCarthy admits to following his father, pause the video and have a think.

Well done if you said false.

James McCarthy does not admit to following his father.

How do you know that? Pause the video and justify your answer.

Well done if you said James McCarthy, says he had no idea his father was in front of him, so therefore he says he could not have been following his father.

Well done if you got that right.

Let's continue with James McCarthy's statement.

"Seeing that his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and return towards Hatherley farm.

I had not gone more than 150 yards however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to run back again, I found my father expiring upon the ground with his head terribly injured.

I dropped my gun and held him in my arms, but he almost instantly expired.

I knelt beside him for some minutes and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge keeper, his house being the nearest to ask for assistance.

I saw no one near my father when I returned and I have no idea how he came by his injuries.

He was not a popular man being somewhat cold and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no active enemies.

I know nothing further of the matter." The coroner: "Did your father make any statement to you before he died?" James McCarthy replies, "He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some allusion to a rat." "What did you understand by that?" "It conveyed no meaning to me, I thought he was delirious." "What was the point upon which you and your father had this final quarrel?" "I should prefer not to answer." "I'm afraid that I must press it." "It is really impossible for me to tell you.

I can assure you that it had nothing to do with a sad tragedy which followed." "That is for the court to decide." "I need not point out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case considerably.

In any future proceedings which may arise." "I must still refuse." "I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common signal between you and your father." "It was." "How was it then that he uttered it before he saw you and before he even knew that you'd returned from Bristol?" "I do not know." "Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fatally injured?" Now let's check your understanding.

Charles McCarthy's, call of 'Cooee', a signal used between the father and son arouses no suspicions.

Pause a video and have a go answering that question.

Well done if you said false.

Charles McCarthy's call of 'Cooee', which was a common signal between him and his son does arouse suspicions.

Now why is that? Pause the video and justify your answer.

Well done if you said Charles McCarthy's call of 'Cooee' usually meant for his son arouses suspicions because Charles McCarthy did not know his son was back from Bristol.

And if that's the case, why would he call for his son? What part of James McCarthy's narrative arouses most suspicion in the coroner and reader? Pause the video and have a think.

Well done if you said that the most suspicious piece of evidence in the narrative is that, James McCarthy does not tell the coroner what he and his father were quarrelling about.

That makes the jury and the coroner wonder, if James McCarthy is hiding something.

Let's continue with the reading.

So remember James McCarthy has just been asked whether he saw anything near his father's body.

"Nothing definite." "What do you mean?" "I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the open that I could think of nothing except of my father.

Yet I have a vague impression as I run forward something layup on the ground to the left of me.

It seemed to me to be something grey in colour, a coat of some sort or a plaid perhaps when I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was gone." "Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?" "Yes, it was gone." "You cannot say what it was?" "No, I had a feeling something was there." "How far from the body? "A dozen yards or so." "And how far from the edge of the wood?" "About the same." "Then if it was removed, it was while you were in a dozen yards of it." "Yes, but with my back towards it." This concluded the examination of the witness.

Now it's over to you for the reading I want you to read independently from he had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room to, we all followed the winding track, which led to Boscombe Pool.

I hope you enjoy reading this section of text.

You have six questions to answer whilst you read.

Off you go.

Great reading everyone I hope you enjoyed that section.

I hope you uncovered many more clues.

Let's share our ideas.

Number one, both Holmes and the woman that visits him, think James McCarthy is innocent.

Number two, Charles McCarthy was the only person who wanted Ms. Turner and James McCarthy to marry.

Number three, Turner made his money in the gold mines.

And number four, Watson thinks that perhaps Charles McCarthy was hit from behind.

Number five, Holmes says that James McCarthy was in love with Ms. Turner, but could not marry her as he had married another woman in Bristol.

And finally, Lestrade tells Holmes that Turner was McCarthy's good friend and benefactor.

So that means Turner gave money and perhaps more to Charles McCarthy.

Now it's time for our second learning cycle where we will solve 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery' alongside Holmes.

I'm going to summarise a little bit of the text where Holmes and Watson and Lestrade go to the crime scene.

Holmes, Watson and Lestrade go to investigate the Boscombe Pool where Charles McCarthy was murdered and Holmes finds the following at the crime scene.

Lestrade's footprints concluding that Lestrade went into the pool.

Jay McCarthy's footprints concluding that he walked and ran, as he stated in his narrative.

Charles McCarthy's footprints, the print of the end of the gun, a tip and tiptoe footprints of square boots.

As well as a jagged stone that had only been there a few days, which Holmes concludes is the murder weapon.

So Holmes discovers many, many more clues upon visiting the Boscombe Pool.

He also paints a picture of Charles McCarthy's murderer.

Let's take a look at what he concludes about the murderer.

He concludes that it's a tall man who wears a grey cloak, smokes Indian cigars, carries a blunt pen knife, uses a cigar holder, is left-handed, and wears thick, soled shooting boots.

Also, someone who limps with a left leg.

Holmes is such a brilliant detective, isn't he? He's able to gather all this information and create a detailed picture of the murderer just upon visiting the crime scene.

What object does Holmes believe was the murder weapon? Pause the video and answer that question.

Well done if you said, Holmes believes that the murder weapon was a rock.

Holmes does not believe that James McCarthy's gun was the murder weapon.

He believes that the rock, a jagged rock that had been on the crime scene only a couple of days, was in fact the murder weapon.

What is not part of the murderer's description according to Holmes? Pause the video and have a go answering that well done if you said, Holmes does not think that the murderer wears a black cloak.

In fact, Holmes says that the murderer wears a grey cloak.

The Holmes does say that the murderer is likely left-handed and that the murderer smokes Indian cigars.

Now it's time for you to finish the story.

Read from, look here Watson to the end of 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

As you read, prepare to collect evidence to support you with this discussion.

Conan Doyle blurs the line between perpetrator and victim in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery', to what extent do you agree? So you will be finding out who the perpetrator of Charles McCarthy's murder was, and you'll be finding out exactly how that person committed that crime.

I really hope you enjoy reading to the end of the story.

Pause video and begin your reading.

Brilliant reading everyone.

Isn't the ending so shocking with Holmes' letting John Turner off for the crime? I wasn't expecting that.

Now let's see what ideas you may have come up with for this discussion question, that Conan Doyle blurs the line between perpetrator and victim in 'The Boscombe Valley Mystery'.

The first thing I thought of was that Turner is the murderer, but is met with sympathy from Holmes who agrees to keep his secret.

Now that's the opposite of what I'd expect Holmes to do considering he's very much concerned with justice.

But maybe that becomes a bit clear when we learn about the man that McCarthy was.

James McCarthy says his murdered father was aggressive.

Therefore, that makes us think that whilst James McCarthy was the murder victim, he's also somewhat hostile, in the man he was making us lose a bit of sympathy for him.

Also, Charles McCarthy was threatening to turn Turner's daughter against him.

Again Conan Doyle gives the victim of this murder an unsympathetic presentation.

Another fact that blurs the line between perpetrator and victim, is that according to Turner, Charles McCarthy manipulated Turner his whole life.

That begins to make us think if McCarthy was the true perpetrator after all.

We also see Turner who is the murder perpetrator, we see his protectiveness of his daughter, which presents him in a sympathetic light.

And lastly, Turner supposedly tried to make up for his criminal background.

He tried to make up for the way that he earned his money.

So here we have several pieces of evidence that might suggest that, Turner is actually presented in a more sympathetic light than McCarthy.

Let's go through what we've learned today.

Sherlock Holmes reveals James McCarthy's innocence.

John Turner is the perpetrator in the death of Charles McCarthy.

Charles McCarthy is revealed to have manipulated and threatened John Turner his whole life.

And John Turner kills Charles McCarthy because he did not want Charles McCarthy to force a marriage between Jay McCarthy and Turner's daughter.

Thank you for joining me in today's lesson.

I really enjoyed the lesson and I hope you have too.

I hope to see you joining me again soon.