Scarhaven Keep · Chapter
Scarvell's Cut explained
Zachary Spurge leads Richard Copplestone away from the group to search the docks of Norcaster for the stolen gold.
What happens
Zachary Spurge leads Richard Copplestone away from the group to search the docks of Norcaster for the stolen gold. Despite initial skepticism, Copplestone follows Spurge through the waterfront until they discover Captain Andrius disguised as a deckhand on a North Sea tug in Scarvell's Cut. Spurge sends for help while Copplestone spots Addie Chatfield entering the same sail loft where Andrius disappeared, realizing she is an accomplice.
Themes in this chapter
Mystery and Detection
Spurge and Copplestone's investigative search of the docks, piecing together clues about the gold's movement and discovering Andrius.
Performance and Reality
Andrius's disguise as a rough deckhand contrasts with his previous dandified appearance, and Addie's secretive actions reveal hidden identities.
Characters to notice
- Richard Copplestone
Accompanies Spurge on a search of the Norcaster docks; recognizes Andrius and Addie Chatfield.
- Zachary Spurge
Leads Copplestone through the docks, deduces the gold was moved via river, and spots Andrius on a tug in Scarvell's Cut.
- Captain Andrius
Disguised as a tug deckhand, seen emerging from a hatch on a North Sea tug in Scarvell's Cut.
- Addie Chatfield
Spotted slipping into the same sail loft as Andrius, confirming her role as an accomplice.
Key passages
“The quiet place was a narrow alley, which opening out of the Market Square in which the car had come to a halt, suddenly twisted away into a labyrinth of ancient buildings that lay between the centre of the town and the river.”
The secluded spot was a narrow alley leading from the Market Square into a maze of old buildings between the town center and the river.
Describes the setting where Spurge leads Copplestone away from the group.
“What we want to do is to take a look round these here docks and quays and wharves—keeping our eyes open—and our ears as well.”
We need to inspect the docks and wharves, staying alert to everything we see and hear.
Spurge proposes a search of the waterfront for clues about the stolen gold.
“Look at that North Sea tug—that one, lying out there! Whose face is, now a-peeping out o' that hatch? Come, now?”
Look at that North Sea tug over there! Whose face is peeking out of that hatch?
Spurge points out Andrius on the tug in Scarvell's Cut.
“Here was the explanation of the mystery of the early-morning doings at the old tower. The footprints of a woman who wore fashionable and elegant boots? Addie Chatfield, of course!”
This solved the mystery of the early morning events at the old tower: the fashionable boot prints belonged to Addie Chatfield.
Copplestone realizes Addie is the woman whose footprints were found at the tower.