Roylott tried to improve his finances by establishing a medical practice in Calcutta, but he murdered his Indian butler in a fit of rage and was thrown in prison. However, the Roylotts’ riches have deteriorated under the mismanagement of generations of wasteful and immoral heirs. Roylott is the last living member of what was once a wealthy and respectable aristocratic family. Grimesby Roylott when Helen and her twin sister, Julia, were only two years old. Her father died when she was very young, and her mother, Mrs. The reasons for Helen’s fear begin to come to light as she explains her family history to Holmes and Watson. Although Helen is unable to pay Holmes for his services, he assures her that “ profession is its own award” (143) and encourages her to share her tale. Holmes tries to soothe the woman’s fears and then demonstrates his famous mental faculties by deducing that she has traveled in a “dog-cart,” a type of horse-drawn carriage, based on the mud stains on her clothes. She solicits Holmes, a private consulting detective, for his help.
Despite being in her early thirties, Helen’s hair is “prematurely grey,” and she is so afraid that she is shivering.
However, the unnamed woman he has promised is now deceased.Įarly one morning in April 1883, Helen Stoner, a young woman dressed in black mourning clothes, comes to 221B Baker Street in London, the home of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. He prefaces the narrative by clarifying that he has not previously spoken of this case because he was sworn to secrecy. John Watson reviews his notes and shares the details of a case that occurred back in 1883. This study guide refers to the February 1892 edition of The Strand Magazine.Ĭontent Warning: The story contains incidents of domestic violence and abuse.ĭr.
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