# Mr. Quarterpage Harks Back explained — The Middle Temple Murder

> Chapter companion for The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher.

## What happens

Spargo shows the silver ticket to a group of old gentlemen in Market Milcaster, causing great astonishment. Mr. Quarterpage explains that the ticket is one of fifty original burgess tickets from the town's defunct race-meeting, treasured as heirlooms. He invites Spargo to breakfast, where he reveals that the ticket likely belonged to John Maitland, a once well-known local figure, and provides an old newspaper for Spargo to read.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Secrecy

The silver ticket's origin is shrouded in mystery, leading Spargo to uncover the identity of John Maitland and the secrets of the past.

### The Past Haunting the Present

The discovery of the silver ticket brings the history of Market Milcaster and the forgotten figure of John Maitland into the present investigation.

### Journalism and Investigation

Spargo uses his journalistic skills to trace the ticket's origin, interviewing locals and examining old records.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Spargo

Shows the silver ticket to the old gentlemen and learns its significance from Mr. Quarterpage.

### Benjamin Quarterpage

Identifies the silver ticket as a Market Milcaster burgess ticket, invites Spargo to breakfast, and reveals the ticket likely belonged to John Maitland.

### John Maitland

Identified by Mr. Quarterpage as the probable original owner of the silver ticket; a once well-known man in Market Milcaster.

### Mr. Lummis

One of the old gentlemen present; agrees with Mr. Quarterpage's remarks about the ticket.

### Mr. Kaye

Listed among the holders of silver tickets in Mr. Quarterpage's book.

## Key lines

> It is one of the original fifty burgess tickets of Market Milcaster, young sir, which gave its holder special and greatly valued privileges in respect to attendance at our once famous race-meeting, now unfortunately a thing of the past.

Mr. Quarterpage explains that the silver ticket is one of fifty original burgess tickets from Market Milcaster, granting special privileges at the now-defunct race-meeting.

_Clarifies the historical significance of the silver ticket._

> There is the list of holders of the silver tickets at the time the race-meetings came to an end. ... There it is! John Maitland.

Mr. Quarterpage shows Spargo a list of ticket holders and points out John Maitland as the likely original owner.

_Reveals the key connection between the ticket and John Maitland._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvii-mr-quarterpage-harks-back
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters