The Toll-Gate
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| Author | Georgette Heyer |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Regency, Romance, Detective Novel |
| Publisher | William Heinemann |
| Released | 1954 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 288 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
The Toll-Gate is a Regency novel by Georgette Heyer. Unlike many of Heyer's historical novels which concentrate on a plucky heroine, this one follows the adventures of a male main character, an ex-Captain in the British Army who has returned from the Peninsular War and finds life as a civilian rather dull. The setting for this detective/romance story is in and around a Toll-Gate in the Peak District, vastly different from the elegant backgrounds of London, Bath, Brighton, or some stately home, which characterize most of Heyer's Regency novels.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
After acting as an aide-de-camp at the Battle of Waterloo, Jack Staple is finding civilian life tedious. Following a formal (and somewhat boring) dinner party in honour of his cousin's engagement, Jack sets out by himself on horseback to visit a more congenial friend some 60 miles away. After getting lost in the dark and rain he reaches a toll-gate where a frightened 11-year old lad is acting as toll collector in the absence of his father. A combination of curiosity, compassion, tiredness, and dampness lead him to stay at the toll house overnight with a view to sorting out the situation in the morning.
Over the next few days Jack's circle of acquaintances rapidly expands to include a highwayman, a Bow Street runner, and the local gentry plus their devoted retainers. Other complications include a dead body, stolen treasure, and some masked villains. In the process of preventing a scandal, Jack also manages to identify the murderer, deal with the villains, retrieve the treasure, satisfy the law, provide for his friends, and resolve some romances.
[edit] Plot summary
- The plot outline below probably fails to convey the quality and wit of Heyer's writing. Each paragraph below corresponds to a chapter in the book; some further expansion is planned
After the varied excitements of military action, Jack is bored at a formal dinner party to celebrate his cousin's engagement. A mild flirtation worries Jack's sister, who has other matrimonial plans in mind for him. Jack decides to visit an old friend (Babbacombe), leaving his manservant to escort his mother back to her home.
Lost in the Pennines. The toll-gate keeper is missing.
Making Nell's acquaintance.
Inspected by the faithful retainers.
A shopping trip to Tideswell.
Sir Peter takes Coates measure.
The highwayman makes an appearance.
Nell and Jack approve of each other.
Sir Peter approves of Jack, and writes a letter to his lawyer.
Jack and Stogumber question each other. Jack encounters Henry in a strange place. Chirk rescues Stogumber from some footpads.
Stogumber is tended by Jack. Jack and Chirk find a cavern entrance.
The cavern is found to contain stolen treasure and a body.
Babbacombe arrives to find out what mischief Jack is up to.
Jack attends a wedding.
Jack and Stogumber reach an agreement.
Jack talks to Henry to bait a trap.
Sir Peter dies in the night. The trap is sprung, leading to a fight in the cavern.
Sorting out the loose ends.
[edit] Characters in "The Toll-Gate"
[edit] Major characters
- Jack (John) Staple, ex-Captain of Dragoon Guards, 29 years old, tall and strong.
- Sir Peter Stornaway, local squire, bed-ridden following a stroke.
- Nell Stornaway, grand-daughter to Sir Peter, 26 years old, tall.
- Jerry Chirk, highwayman.
- Gabriel Stogumber, Bow Street Runner.
[edit] Minor characters
- Henry Stornaway, grandson and heir to Sir Peter, cousin to Nell.
- Nathaniel Coate, friend to Henry.
- Gunn, servant to Nathaniel.
- Wilfred Babbacombe, friend to Jack, an ex-Army colleague.
- Edward Bream, toll-gate keeper, missing from his post.
- Ben Bream, son to Edward, 11 years old.
- Mr Willitoft, trustee of the Derbyshire Tolls
[edit] Devoted retainers
- Rose Durward, maid to Nell
- Huby, butler to Sir Peter
- Winkfield, valet to Sir Peter
- Joe Lyd, groom to Sir Peter and to Nell
