Sir Robert Norberton
From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia
Fictional character.
In the Sherlock Holmes stories
- Sir Robert Norberton lived at Shoscombe Old Place, in the middle of Shoscombe Park, where the Shoscombe stud and training quarters were (SHOS 29).
- He was a notorious, dangerous man, known for violence (he horsewhipped Sam Brewer and nearly killed the man (SHOS 32).
- He was a daredevil rider (second in the Grand National a few years back) and a heavy gambler on racing (SHOS 37, 89).
- He was Lady Beatrice Falder's brother (SHOS 56). She was widowed and the estate belonged to her late husband, Sir James Falder. Sir Robert had no claim on it at all, and she drew the rents, which he effectively spends (SHOS 59).
- When his sister died, he hid her death and moved the body to the old well-house and then to the crypt (SHOS 493).
- He engaged an actor, Mr. Norlett, to impersonate his wife until the Derby to avoid absolute ruin (SHOS 481).
- Eventually, Shoscombe Prince won the Derby, and Sir Robert made eighty thousand pounds in bets (SHOS 520). His creditors waited until after the race, then were paid in full, and Sir Robert had enough left to re-establish himself (SHOS 521).
- The police and coroner were lenient; apart from a mild censure for delaying the registration of Lady Beatrice Falder's death, he got away scatheless (SHOS 522).
