# The Old Playbill explained — Scarhaven Keep

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

## What happens

Gilling and Copplestone struggle to trace Chatfield and the sick man in Bristol. After a day of fruitless inquiries, Gilling suggests checking death registrations. That evening at a theatre, Gilling spots an old playbill revealing that Addie Chatfield performed in Bristol during the same period. A chance meeting with theatre manager Mr. Montmorency confirms he saw Addie with a heavy-faced man, likely her father. Montmorency helps them learn from the stage doorkeeper that Addie lodged at Mrs. Salmon's, 5 Montargis Crescent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mystery and Detection

Gilling and Copplestone employ detective methods—checking registrations, using theatrical connections—to trace Chatfield and Greyle.

### Performance and Reality

The old playbill and the theatre setting blur the line between stage performance and real-life deception, as Addie Chatfield's theatrical career intersects with the conspiracy.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Copplestone

Accompanies Gilling in the search; expresses doubt about their efforts in Bristol.

### Mr. Gilling

Leads the investigation; discovers the old playbill linking Addie Chatfield to Bristol.

### Addie Chatfield

Identified as having performed in Bristol from October 3rd to 17th, 1912; key to tracing Chatfield.

### Peter Chatfield

Suspected of bringing Marston Greyle to Bristol; seen by Montmorency meeting Addie at the theatre.

### Marston Greyle

Believed to be dead; possibly died in Bristol under Chatfield's care.

### Mr. Montmorency

Theatre manager who recognizes Gilling and provides information about Addie Chatfield's visit.

### Prickett

Stage doorkeeper who keeps a ledger of lodgings and identifies Mrs. Salmon's address.

## Key lines

> Gilling’s cheerful optimism was the sort of desirable quality that is a good thing to have, but all the optimism in the world is valueless in face of impregnable difficulty.

Gilling's optimism is admirable but useless against the seemingly impossible challenge of finding Chatfield in a large city.

_Sets the tone for the chapter's central struggle._

> Didn’t I tell you that one’s often close to a thing when one seems furthest off it!

Gilling exclaims that discoveries often happen when hope seems lost.

_Highlights the turning point of the chapter._

> I accidentally witnessed a curious little scene between Miss Addie and a gentleman whom Nature appeared to have specially manufactured for the part of heavy parent

Montmorency recalls seeing Addie Chatfield with a man who looked like a stern father figure.

_Confirms Chatfield's presence in Bristol and his meeting with his daughter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xvii-the-old-playbill
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scarhaven_keep_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters