Rodney Stone by Arthur Conan Doyle
Preface
Amongst the books to which I am indebted for my material in my endeavour to draw various phases of life and character in England at the beginning of the century, I would particularly mention Ashton’s “Dawn of the Nineteenth Century;” Gronow’s “Reminiscences;” Fitzgerald’s “Life and Times of George IV.;” Jesse’s “Life of Brummell;” “Boxiana;” “Pugilistica;” Harper’s “Brighton Road;” Robinson’s “Last Earl of Barrymore” and “Old Q.;” Rice’s “History of the Turf;” Tristram’s “Coaching Days;” James’s “Naval History;” Clark Russell’s “Collingwood” and “Nelson.”
I am also much indebted to my friends Mr. J. C. Parkinson and Robert Barr for information upon the subject of the ring.
A. CONAN DOYLE.
Haslemere, September 1, 1896.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
PAGE
I.
Friar’s Oak
1
II.
The Walker of Cliffe Royal
18
III.
The Play-actress of Anstey Cross
33
IV.
The Peace of Amiens
50
V.
Buck Tregellis
65
VI.
On the Threshold
86
VII.
The Hope of England
98
VIII.
The Brighton Road
121
IX.
Watier’s
136
X.
The Men of the Ring
153
XI.
The Fight in the Coach-house
179
XII.
The Coffee-room of Fladong’s
201
XIII.
Lord Nelson
221
XIV.
On the Road
234
XV.
Foul Play
253
XVI.
Crawley Downs
261
XVII.
The Ring-side
277
XVIII.
The Smith’s Last Battle
294
XIX.
Cliffe Royal
314
XX.
Lord Avon
326
XXI.
The Valet’s Story
340
XXII.
The End
355