# Mr. Gilling — Scarhaven Keep character guide > Mr. Gilling in Scarhaven Keep by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Gilling, The Old Playbill Gilling **First appearance:** 0016-xvii-the-old-playbill ## Snapshot An antiquarian and collector of old playbills whose quiet obsession with the past makes him an unexpectedly useful pair of eyes in the hunt. ## Who they are Gilling works alongside Copplestone and Swallow, trading the glamour of the chase for patient tracking and careful reporting. He brings the investigator's temperament—methodical, wry, undeterred by dead ends—to a case that keeps slipping through everyone's fingers. His updates on the Squire's movements turn scattered sightings into a trail, keeping the mystery moving when others stall. ## Relationships ### [Richard Copplestone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/richard_copplestone) _professional_ Mr. Gilling is a local solicitor who assists Richard with legal matters and the investigation into the Greyle family secrets. ### [Marston Greyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/marston_greyle) _professional_ Marston Greyle and Mr. Gilling work together as client and solicitor, managing the Greyle family's legal affairs. ### [Marston Greyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/marston_greyle) _professional_ Marston Greyle and Mr. Gilling work together as client and solicitor, managing the Greyle family's legal affairs. ### [Richard Copplestone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/richard_copplestone) _professional_ Mr. Gilling is a local solicitor who assists Richard with legal matters and the investigation into the Greyle family secrets. ### [Richard Copplestone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/richard_copplestone) _professional_ Mr. Gilling is a local solicitor who assists Richard with legal matters and the investigation into the Greyle family secrets. ### [Marston Greyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/marston_greyle) _professional_ Marston Greyle and Mr. Gilling work together as client and solicitor, managing the Greyle family's legal affairs. ## In the story ### [The Invalid Curate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/x-the-invalid-curate) Arrives disguised as a curate; reveals he is a private detective sent by Sir Cresswell Oliver to watch Greyle. ### [Beneath the Brambles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xi-beneath-the-brambles) Accompanies Copplestone as a pseudocurate; examines the parapet and finds loose masonry, suggesting Oliver may have been pushed. ### [By Private Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xiv-by-private-treaty) Takes charge of the documents, plans to communicate with the St. Louis address, and questions Mrs. Greyle about the Squire's arrival. ### [The Cablegram from New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xv-the-cablegram-from-new-york) Leads the trip to London; learns from Swallow that Greyle has evaded surveillance and visited the Fragonard Club. ### [In Touch with the Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xvi-in-touch-with-the-missing) Leads the investigation in Falmouth, now out of clerical disguise; interviews the hotel landlord and Dr. Tretheway. ### [The Old Playbill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xvii-the-old-playbill) Leads the investigation; discovers the old playbill linking Addie Chatfield to Bristol. ### [The Lie on the Tombstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xviii-the-lie-on-the-tombstone) Leads the investigation, interviews Mrs. Salmon, deduces the conspiracy, and confirms the grave of the real Marston Greyle. ### [The Torpedo-Boat Destroyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xxiv-the-torpedo-boat-destroyer) Sends a telegram to Copplestone urging him to come to Norcaster for important news involving Spurge. ### [The Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xxv-the-squire) Relates Swallow's tracking of the Squire to the Fragonard Club and Scarhaven, and mentions warrants for Chatfield and the Squire for murder. ### [The Reaver's Glen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xxvi-the-reaver-s-glen) Ushers Spurge into the room and closes the door; part of the listening group. ### [The Peel Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xxvii-the-peel-tower) Takes the message from Sir Cresswell, helps plan the expedition, and accompanies the party to Reaver's Glen. ### [The Footprints](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xxviii-the-footprints) Assists in reviving Jim Spurge, examines the footprints and car tracks, and concludes the chests were taken to Norcaster by motor. ### [The Greengrocer's Cart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/chapters/xxx-the-greengrocer-s-cart) Accompanies Sir Cresswell and Vickers to the quay and is briefed by Copplestone on Addie Chatfield's involvement. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters/mr_gilling - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scarhaven_keep_se/characters