Transcribed from the 1921 Eveleigh Nash & Grayson edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org RODNEY STONE * * * * * By A. CONAN DOYLE * * * * * London EVELEIGH NASH & GRAYSON LTD. 148, Strand 1921 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 CHAPTER I. FRIAR’S OAK.