# Dr. Stillbury — The Mystery of 31, New Inn character guide

> Dr. Stillbury in The Mystery of 31, New Inn by R. Austin Freeman.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Stillbury

**First appearance:** 0003-i-the-mysterious-patient

## Snapshot

The absent Kennington physician whose practice Jervis is minding when a cabman delivers a note that begins the whole affair.

## Who they are

Stillbury never appears, but his name on the envelope is the hinge on which the plot turns: because he is away, Jervis answers the call that was meant for him. The messenger's casual assurance that Jervis will 'do as well' signals how little the summoners care who attends, so long as a doctor comes. His convenient absence makes the trap possible and launches Jervis into Thorndyke's orbit.

## In the story

### [The Mysterious Patient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/i-the-mysterious-patient)

The regular doctor whose practice Jervis is covering while he is away.

### [IV: The Official View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/chapters/iv-the-official-view)

Stillbury accompanies Jervis to the police station, expresses relief that the police take no action, and later returns to manage the epidemic workload.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters/dr_stillbury
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_31_new_inn_se/characters