The Alchemist concerns a wily servant, Face, who developes a scheme to make money while his master is away in the countryside.  He gives access to his master’s house to a charlatan named Subtle and a prostitute named Doll. Subtle disguises himself as an alchemist, with Face as his servant; Doll disguises herself as a zealous Puritan. Together, the three of them gull and cheat an assortment of foolish clients.