# The Adventure of the Three Gables explained — The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes > Chapter companion for The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. ## What happens Holmes and Watson are visited by the menacing Steve Dixie, a thug sent to intimidate Holmes away from a case in Harrow Weald. Undeterred, Holmes investigates the strange occurrences at Three Gables, the home of Mrs. Maberley. She reveals that a mysterious buyer has offered an exorbitant price for her house and furniture, and that her son Douglas Maberley recently died in Rome after a broken heart. Holmes uncovers that the buyer is a woman who had a relationship with Douglas and is trying to suppress a manuscript he wrote about their affair. The woman, who hired Barney Stockdale and his gang to burgle the house, ultimately burns the manuscript, but Holmes implies she will face consequences. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Appearance The woman behind the plot presents herself as a refined lady but is revealed to be manipulative and ruthless, hiding her true intentions behind a charming facade. ### Crime and Punishment The story involves intimidation, burglary, and the destruction of evidence, with Holmes representing justice and implying that the woman will face consequences. ### Obsession and Its Consequences Douglas Maberley's obsessive love for the woman leads to his emotional ruin and death, while the woman's obsession with protecting her reputation drives her to criminal acts. ## Character check-ins ### Sherlock Holmes Investigates the case of Three Gables, confronts Steve Dixie and the mysterious woman behind the intimidation and burglary. ### Dr. Watson Accompanies Holmes to Three Gables and witnesses the confrontation with Steve Dixie and the woman. ### Steve Dixie A thug sent to threaten Holmes; he is easily cowed by Holmes's knowledge of his criminal past. ### Mrs. Maberley The client who seeks Holmes's help after strange offers for her house and furniture; mother of the late Douglas Maberley. ### Douglas Maberley Mrs. Maberley's son, a former attaché in Rome who died of a broken heart after a love affair; wrote a manuscript about the affair. ### Barney Stockdale Criminal associate of Steve Dixie, hired by the woman to intimidate and burgle Three Gables. ## Key lines > I don’t think that any of my adventures with Mr. Sherlock Holmes opened quite so abruptly, or so dramatically, as that which I associate with The Three Gables. Watson remarks that the case of The Three Gables began more suddenly and dramatically than any other adventure he shared with Holmes. _Opening line sets the tone for the chapter's immediate action._ > I am glad you were not forced to break his woolly head, Watson. I observed your manoeuvres with the poker. But he is really rather a harmless fellow, a great muscular, foolish, blustering baby, and easily cowed, as you have seen. Holmes tells Watson he is glad Watson didn't have to hit Steve Dixie, noting that Dixie is essentially a harmless bully who is easily intimidated. _Holmes's assessment of Steve Dixie after the confrontation._ > I am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my feeble powers go. Holmes tells the woman that while he is not a police officer, he does his best to uphold justice. _Holmes's statement of his personal mission._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_casebook_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-adventure-of-the-three-gables - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_casebook_of_sherlock_holmes_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_casebook_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters