The Robert Louis Stevenson Library

In which our narrator, amidst the bustling streets of San Francisco and the tense whispers of clandestine dealings, encounters a wary attorney and his client, unraveling threads of suspicion around a mysterious sale and the hidden cargo of a stranded vessel. The conversation sharpens into a delicate dance of withheld truths and cautious strikes, as plans are laid to press forward with a venture la...

In which a matter-of-fact newspaper report recounts the recent wreck of the British brig Flying Scud on a remote island, setting the stage for a spirited auction in San Francisco where interested parties vie for the salvage rights, revealing the mercantile cunning beneath the surface of maritime misfortune. Among the crowd, a complex dance of high stakes and hidden agendas unfolds, as the narrator...

In which a stranger in San Francisco roams its shadowy quarters and ports, mingling with a motley array of characters—from slum dwellers to South Sea traders—and becomes drawn to the enigmatic island world beyond the Pacific. Amidst these wanderings, he encounters tales of maritime violence and the wretched plight of a ship’s crew, culminating in a vivid meeting with a haunted captain whose restle...

In which the narrator deftly serves as honorary steward at lively and diverse picnics aboard the steamer, weaving merriment and camaraderie among the merry throng, whilst also navigating the curious fortunes of a spark of investment in a struggling silver mine. Amidst the cheerful bustle, personal bonds deepen and plans for a brighter future are tenderly sketched between friends, their hopes danci...

In which the restless and enterprising Pinkerton pursues a multitude of audacious business ventures in the bustling heart of San Francisco, weaving a colourful tapestry of commerce, art, and curious companionships, all while grappling with questions of honesty and ambition. Meanwhile, his companion Dodd finds himself reluctantly cast as manager of a lively and whimsical Sunday excursion, marking a...

In which the narrator returns home to a family both stationary and stern, seeking assistance amid his failing fortunes, only to find himself plunged into the old strife and grudging generosity of kinship and legacy. With a check in hand and the weight of new obligations upon him, he ventures westward, soon ensnared in the boisterous and well-meant machinations of his irrepressible friend, Pinkerto...

In which our narrator, beleaguered by the gaudy life of Paris and the harsh realities of poverty, finds himself stripped of studio, friend, and fortune, persisting with stubborn hope amidst dismissive artists and empty meals. With courage trembling yet unyielding, he contemplates retreat and redemption, resolved to repay friendship and face the future honourably, even as he bids farewell to his ch...

In which the narrator, having tasted both fortune and adversity, endures the collapse of his father's wealth and wrestles with the precariousness of an artist’s life in Paris, all amid the loyalty and crude good humour of his companion Pinkerton. Together they explore the city's art and society, debate the virtues of commerce versus creativity, and confront the harsh realities that compel the narr...

In which the narrator encounters the lively and impulsive Mr. Pinkerton, a young American with grand ambitions and a colourful past, whose zealous attempts at friendship and promotion lead to both camaraderie and unintended embarrassment within the artistic quarters of Paris. Together they explore their crafts, exchange earnest critiques, and navigate the curious blend of sincerity and publicity t...

In which a young American artist visits his austere Scottish relatives before immersing himself in the romantic and bohemian life of Paris, where an evening of wine leads to an uncanny encounter in a peculiar hotel. Amidst the autumn gardens and studios of the Latin Quarter, he meets a mysterious lady and her companion, unaware that these brief crossings of paths will quietly shape his future.

In which a young man recounts the well-meaning but stern commercial education imposed upon him by his father, set against the curious and ruthless amusements of a nineteenth-century trading academy where business is but a mockery. As their fortunes waver, a new prospect arises that blends art and family ambition, offering a stirring if uncertain path away from ledgers to sculpture, and a chance to...

In which the stage is quietly set with a prologue that beckons the reader into a tale of mystery and maritime adventure. There is an air of expectancy, as though the very sea itself whispers secrets awaiting discovery.

In which a meeting by chance leads to the unfolding of delicate matters of the heart and honour, as a steadfast maiden chooses the man she loves over a powerful suitor’s promise, amidst the stirring backdrop of war and allegiance. Meanwhile, quiet moments of joy and sober contentment are found in the company of friends and the gentle peace of a sheltered forest.

In which young Richard Shelton, on the very morning of his marriage, encounters Sir Daniel Brackley and, with magnanimity, spares his life yet forbids him passage through York's lines, only to witness the knight struck down by a deadly arrow in the nearby thicket. As solemn prayers are offered beside the fallen, Ellis Duckworth reveals himself as the reluctant archer, sharing a moment of bitter re...

In which the young knight, leading a band of men through a moonlit and snow-covered forest, attempts a daring assault upon an enemy encampment but finds his forces scattered in the face of overwhelming odds, leaving him and his companions to press onwards on foot through wintry woods. Amidst the lingering sounds of pursuit and the glow of a distant abbey, he contemplates the lessons of war and the...

In which Sir Richard and his men pursue a secretive party through a snow-laden forest, only to be confounded by a myriad of divergent tracks as night falls and the cold deepens, compelling them to seek shelter and rest. There, amid the flickering firelight, a tender and surprising exchange unfolds between Sir Richard and a young lady, whose sharp rebukes give way to unexpected warmth and playful a...

In which the young knight Sir Richard Shelton, amidst the grim aftermath of a fierce skirmish, braves the turmoil of a sacked town to seek out a lady named Joanna, all the while wrestling with the heavy cost of victory and the merciless nature of war. His pursuit leads him through scenes of ruin and despair, compelling him to gather a small loyal band and confront the harsh realities that attend t...

In which young Sir Richard Shelton stands valiantly amidst the muddy and bloodied market-place, repelling repeated assaults from Lancastrian archers who emerge treacherously from hidden houses, while the weight of command presses heavily upon him. The tide of battle ebbs and flows fiercely until the timely arrival of reinforcements turns the tide, throwing the enemy into disarray and granting Shel...

In which the young Duke of Gloucester seizes a poorly defended quarter of Shoreby and fortifies his position amidst the clatter and clamour of an unexpected assault, whilst young Richard Shelton is entrusted with a vital and perilous post. The desperate contest of archery and hand-to-hand combat rages fiercely, revealing the fierce courage and grim resolve of those engaged, with the duke’s ardent...

In which a young gentleman named Dick Shelton rises early to retrieve important papers and stumbles upon a lone warrior fiercely battling a group of assailants near the Cross of St. Bride, only to be drawn into a sudden and resolute skirmish under the command of a singularly deformed but determined young duke. The dawn finds these unlikely comrades preparing with bold purpose for a swift and darin...

In which young Dick Shelton and his companion Lawless make a perilous escape from a guarded garrison, only to be captured by drunken sailors who believe Dick to be a common pirate. Through cunning speech and a well-timed ruse, Dick manages a daring escape amidst the uproar of a chaotic night in the snow-covered town.

In which the young Master Richard finds himself imprisoned alongside the resolute Lawless, both awaiting their fate amid the turbulent intrigues of Shoreby town, and contemplates the uncertain loyalties and dangers that surround them. He is granted a measure of clemency by Earl Risingham, who, moved by a letter and the honor of Richard’s father, weighs justice against party loyalty before cautioni...

In which a sombre morning at Shoreby Abbey unfolds with prayers and a fatal disruption of a noble wedding by deadly arrows, placing young Richard Shelton under grave suspicion amidst a vexed crowd. Within the sacred walls, voices rise in defence and accusation, and as justice takes a measured course under a discerning lord’s hand, the tension of the hour gently subsides into cautious hope.

In which the young Richard Shelton, disguised as a monk, ventures boldly into the ample and bustling household of Sir Daniel in Shoreby, seeking the fair Joan amidst the guise of mingling guests and hidden dangers. Within the shadowed chambers, he encounters unexpected allies and deadly foes, as the bonds of love and peril intertwine beneath the flickering hearth fire.

In which a young man, having slain a spy in a secret encounter, cleverly leaves a warning upon the corpse that sets the wheels of suspicion turning within a grand household. Concealed by the guise of a friar, he ventures forth beneath watchful eyes to the abbey church, where he finds himself a reluctant guest through the silent hours of the night, his thoughts haunted by the events yet to come.