# Hobkin's Hole explained — Scarhaven Keep

> Chapter companion for Scarhaven Keep by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

Copplestone receives an anonymous letter summoning him to Hobkin's Hole. He follows the instructions and meets Zachary Spurge, a mysterious man living in a cave. Spurge reveals that he witnessed Bassett Oliver enter the ruins of the old keep at Scarhaven, followed shortly after by Squire Greyle looking dazed and in a hurry. Oliver never emerged, and Spurge implies that Greyle may be involved in his disappearance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Detection

Copplestone's decision to follow the anonymous letter and his interview with Spurge advance the central mystery of Oliver's disappearance.

### Isolation and Landscape

The description of Hobkin's Hole as a dark, secluded ravine emphasizes the isolation and foreboding atmosphere surrounding the secret meeting.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Copplestone

Receives the anonymous letter and ventures to Hobkin's Hole to meet the writer.

### Zachary Spurge

The mysterious sender of the letter; lives in a cave and claims to have witnessed Bassett Oliver's last known movements.

### Bassett Oliver

Mentioned as having entered the ruins and never seen again.

### Marston Greyle

Identified by Spurge as the man who left the ruins shortly after Oliver entered, looking dazed and in a hurry.

### Audrey Greyle

Copplestone considers showing her the letter but decides against it.

### Peter Chatfield

His oaken staff is carried by Copplestone for defense.

## Key lines

> Sir, if so be as you'd like to have a bit of news from one as has it, take a walk through Hobkin's Hole tomorrow morning and look out for Yours truly—Him as writes this.

The anonymous letter invites Copplestone to Hobkin's Hole for information.

_Sets the chapter's central action in motion._

> I kept where I was—I'd reasons of my own. May be eight minutes or so—certainly not ten—after Bassett Oliver walked in there, Squire Greyle walked out. In a hurry, guv'nor. He come out quick. He looked a bit queer. Dazed, like.

Spurge claims that Squire Greyle left the ruins shortly after Oliver entered, appearing disturbed.

_Key testimony linking Greyle to Oliver's disappearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/ix-hobkin-s-hole
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scarhaven_keep_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters