The Toll-Gate

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 10-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 his own romance.

• 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, granddaughter to Sir Peter, 26 years old, tall.
• Jerry Chirk, highwayman.
• Gabriel Stogumber, Bow Street Runner.

• 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 Brean, toll-gate keeper, missing from his post.
• Ben Brean, son to Edward, 10 years old.
• Mr Willitoft, trustee of the Derbyshire Tolls

• Rose Durward, maid to Nell
• Huby, butler to Sir Peter
• Winkfield, valet to Sir Peter
• Joe Lydd, groom to Sir Peter and to Nell