The Club-Footed Grocer

Name: The Club-Footed Grocer
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The story follows John Maple, who receives a mysterious letter from his estranged uncle, Stephen Maple, a wealthy but disreputable grocer. After a violent incident in his past, Stephen has retreated to a remote house in the North of England. John is urged to visit, but his mother is wary of Stephen's character. Despite her concerns, John is intrigued by the adventure and sets off to meet his uncle. Upon arrival, John is met with suspicion and hostility from the locals, hinting at Stephen's unpopularity. He is taken to Garth Farm, where he waits for nightfall before proceeding to Greta House, Stephen's residence. During the journey, John senses an atmosphere of danger, especially when he encounters a sailor who seems to be watching him. At Greta House, John meets Stephen, who reveals that he is in fear for his life from a convict named Elias, who has recently been released from prison and is seeking revenge for a past wrong. Stephen explains that he had wronged Elias by refusing to return stolen diamonds that he had acquired through dubious means. The tension escalates as Stephen expresses his belief that Elias and his crew are watching the house, and he plans to flee to Leeds. As night falls, a knock at the door signals the arrival of Elias and his men. In a chaotic confrontation, Stephen is killed when he attempts to escape through the window. John, bound and helpless, witnesses the sailors' greed as they discover the diamonds hidden in Stephen's boot. Amid the confusion, John manages to escape into the night. Wandering the moors, John eventually encounters Enoch, Stephen's loyal servant, who reveals the full story of Stephen's past dealings and the origins of the diamonds. Enoch mourns Stephen's death but acknowledges the complexity of his character. The story concludes with the implication that Elias and his crew have vanished, leaving behind a legacy of shame and scandal for the Maple family, who choose to bury the memory of their disreputable relative.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1924 · Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adventure · 10,359 words

First lines

My uncle, Mr. Stephen Maple, had been at the same time the most successful and the least respectable of our family, so that we hardly knew whether to take credit for his wealth or to feel ashamed of his position. He had, as a matter of fact, established a large grocery in Stepney which did a curious mixed business, not always, as we had heard, of a very savoury character, with the riverside and seafaring people. He was ship's chandler, provision merchant, and, if rumour spoke truly, some other things as well. Such a trade, however lucrative, had its drawbacks, as was evident when, after twenty years of prosperity, he was savagely assaulted by one of his customers and left for dead, with three smashed ribs and a broken leg, which mended so badly that it remained for ever three inches shorter than the other. This incident seemed, not unnaturally, to disgust him with his surroundings, for, after the trial, in which his assailant was condemned to fifteen years' penal servitude, he retired from his business and settled in a lonely part of the North of England, whence, until that morning, we had never once heard of him-not even at the death of my father, who was his only brother.

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The Club-Footed Grocer is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1924 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Date: 1924 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Adventure, Crime, Drama
Length: 10,359 words
Structure: 1 section, 165 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a mysterious call for help from the protagonist's uncle, leading to suspenseful events involving danger and intrigue.
Thriller — The story contains elements of tension and peril, particularly with the threat posed by the uncle's past and the sailors pursuing him.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey to assist his uncle, encountering various challenges and a sense of exploration in a remote setting.
Crime — The narrative involves criminal elements, including theft and violence, stemming from the uncle's past dealings with stolen diamonds.