The Powerhouse · Character

Macgillivray

A Scotland Yard man whose name is used as bait in a Bloomsbury trap, drawing the narrator into a locked room and a face from an old burglary case.

supporting

Also known as himself

First appearance: iii tells of a midsummer night

As a supporting figure in The Powerhouse, Macgillivray is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Scotland Yard official; provides information about the Powerhouse and identifies Routh from old records.

In the storyIV: I Follow the Trail of the Super-ButlerOpen this moment free

See Macgillivray in IV: I Follow the Trail of the Super-Butler Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Unknown Narrator (professional): Macgillivray is likely a subordinate or employee of Docker, interacting with the narrator in a professional capacity. With Unknown Narrator (professional): Macgillivray is likely a subordinate or employee of Docker, interacting with the narrator in a professional capacity. With Unknown Narrator (professional): Macgillivray is likely a subordinate or employee of Docker, interacting with the narrator in a professional capacity.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Macgillivray sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Macgillivray in iii tells of a midsummer night

Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Macgillivray sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Conspiracy Circle
Protagonist

+6 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs when the protagonist’s nervousness and indecision drop away, replaced by pride and o…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Unknown Narrator
professional · ambivalent
Macgillivray is likely a subordinate or employee of Docker, interacting with the narrator… How this plays out →
Unknown Narrator
professional · ambivalent
Macgillivray is likely a subordinate or employee of Docker, interacting with the narrator… How this plays out →
Unknown Narrator
professional · ambivalent
Macgillivray is likely a subordinate or employee of Docker, interacting with the narrator… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Macgillivray in iii tells of a midsummer night

In the story

Macgillivray appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV: I Follow the Trail of the Super-Butler
Scotland Yard official; provides information about the Powerhouse and identifies Routh from old records.
I Take a Partner
Provides intelligence about the 'Powerhouse' being a European anarchist plot.
VI: The Restaurant in Antioch Street
Telephones Leithen to arrange dinner at Rapaccini's, but the invitation is later revealed to be a hoax.
I Find Sanctuary
Scotland Yard contact; Leithen arranges for him to receive the evidence at the Embassy.
The Powerhouse
Implied as part of the police authorities who know Leithen and are acting on his advice.
Return of the Wild Geese
One of the few who knows the full story; trusted to remain silent.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Macgillivray unlock in the free preview.

See Macgillivray in iii tells of a midsummer night

See Macgillivray in IV: I Follow the Trail of the Super-Butler