# The Rasp — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Rasp by Philip MacDonald.

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph presents the traditional nursery rhyme 'Who Killed Cock Robin?', establishing a thematic parallel to the murder mystery that unfolds in the novel.
- [The Rasp](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/the-rasp.md): Anthony Gethryn arrives at Marling to investigate the murder of John Hoode. He examines the study, discovers a woman's hair and finger marks, and begins to piece together the crime scene. The chapter introduces key chara
- [Tolling the Bell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i-tolling-the-bell.md): On a sweltering Thursday night, Spencer Hastings, editor of The Owl, is working late when his secretary Margaret Warren bursts in with breaking news: Cabinet Minister John Hoode has been murdered at his country home. Has
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): On a sweltering Thursday night in the Fleet Street offices of The Owl, editor Spencer Hastings is working late on press night when his secretary, Margaret Warren, bursts in unexpectedly. She is disheveled and breathless,
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Hastings dictates a sensational news report about John Hoode's murder to his secretary Margaret Warren, who suggests improvements and then persuades Hastings to call Anthony Gethryn for help. After a hesitant phone call,
- [II: Anthony Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii-anthony-gethryn.md): This chapter provides a detailed biography of Anthony Ruthven Gethryn, tracing his lineage, education, diverse talents, war service in intelligence, and post-war restlessness that eventually leads to his partnership with
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn receives a sudden telephone message from Hastings at two o'clock on an August morning, accepts the role of Special Commissioner for The Owl, and drives to Marling in Surrey to investigate the murder of Jo
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn arrives at Marling and begins his investigation into the murder of John Hoode. He encounters Sergeant Higgins bullying a witness, meets Superintendent Boyd, and has a coincidental reunion with Sir Arthur 
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): Anthony Gethryn arrives at Marling and meets Inspector Boyd, who briefs him on the murder case. Boyd explains that the study door was watched by the butler Poole, the only open window shows no traces, and a wood-rasp was
- [IV: Study](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv-study.md): Anthony Gethryn enters the study of the murdered John Hoode and immediately senses a dark, brooding atmosphere. He examines the body and the room, noting the staged appearance of a struggle. With Inspector Boyd, he disco
- [The Lady of the Sandal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/v-the-lady-of-the-sandal.md): Anthony Gethryn discovers a woman's hair and distinctive sandal marks outside the study window, leading him to find a wet canvas bathing-sandal in the river. He crosses to the Lemesurier house, where Sir Arthur Digby-Coa
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn, alone in the garden, discovers evidence near the study window: finger-holes in the flowerbed, a woman's black hair on the sill, and a peculiar footprint resembling a rope-soled sandal. Following a trail 
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates visit Lucia Lemesurier's house. Anthony is struck by Lucia's beauty and composure upon learning of John Hoode's murder. Later, Anthony discovers a sandal near the river and is 
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): Anthony Gethryn takes command of a tense lunch at Lucia Lemesurier's house, using storytelling to ease the discomfort of Sir Arthur Digby-Coates, Dora Masterson, and Lucia. He covertly probes Lucia about her swimming tro
- [Secretary and the Sister](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/vi-secretary-and-the-sister.md): Anthony Gethryn interviews Mr. Deacon, who insists the murderer is not from the household, though Anthony remains skeptical. He then encounters Miss Laura Hoode leaving the study and later learns from Superintendent Boyd
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn discusses the murder case with Superintendent Boyd, who reveals that the secretary Deacon is the prime suspect due to a broken alibi, missing banknotes, and fingerprints on the murder weapon. Anthony rema
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn investigates the murder of John Hoode, encountering the enigmatic Laura Hoode secretly searching the study and discovering a hidden compartment with newspaper cuttings. He also meets the prime suspect, Ar
- [VII: The Prejudiced Detective](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/vii-the-prejudiced-detective.md): Anthony Gethryn visits Lucia Lemesurier at her home, declaring himself a 'prejudiced detective' with a strong bias in her favor. He presses her to reveal what she knows about John Hoode's murder, having deduced she swam 
- [The Inefficiency of Margaret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/viii-the-inefficiency-of-margaret.md): Miss Margaret Warren, acting on Anthony Gethryn's urgent message, ventures alone to the flat of James Masterson to investigate his whereabouts on the night of the murder. She finds Masterson ill and delusional; he confes
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Miss Margaret Warren, Hastings's secretary, grows increasingly anxious after Hastings fails to return. She takes it upon herself to track down James Masterson, a key figure in the murder investigation of John Hoode. Trav
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Spencer Hastings returns late to his office after a dinner with an artist, only to find that Margaret Warren has left. He is tormented by his unspoken love for her and his fear of her efficiency. He discovers two notes f
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): Margaret Warren, trapped in a flat with a delirious man who confesses to murdering John Hoode, is rescued by Spencer Hastings. In the aftermath, Hastings confesses his love for Margaret, and they share a kiss. They then 
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv.md): Anthony Gethryn spends the evening with Lucia Lemesurier, calming her fears about her brother Jimmy. A telephone call from Hastings reveals that Jimmy Masterson is innocent of involvement in John Hoode's murder, having b
- [IX: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ix-the-inquest.md): Anthony Gethryn sends a note to Lucia Lemesurier advising her and her sister to avoid the inquest, predicting a verdict against Archibald Deacon. He attends the inquest briefly but leaves to explore the house while every
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Lucia receives a note from Anthony Gethryn instructing her and her sister to avoid the inquest, assuring her that Deacon is innocent and that he will resolve the situation. Lucia obeys and comforts Dora, feeling a newfou
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn arrives at the inquest held in the study at Marling, observes the jury with dismay, and then slips away unnoticed to explore the upper floors of the house while the household is occupied downstairs.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): After the inquest adjourns, Anthony Gethryn discusses the case with Hastings and Margaret Warren over lunch. He outlines the circumstantial evidence against Deacon but expresses doubt, focusing instead on the behavior of
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv.md): Anthony Gethryn drives Lucia Lemesurier to London, navigating their growing romantic tension and discussing the inquest's outcome. He reveals he searched the house during the inquest, finding unexpected clues. After drop
- [X: Birds of the Air](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/x-birds-of-the-air.md): Anthony Gethryn returns to Marling after a fast drive from London, where he learns from Sir Arthur Digby-Coates that Deacon has been arrested following the coroner's inquest verdict. Anthony remains convinced of Deacon's
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn returns to Marling after a trip to London and is met by an agitated Sir Arthur Digby-Coates, who informs him that Deacon has been arrested based on the coroner's jury verdict. Sir Arthur is distraught tha
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn confronts Laura Hoode about a packet of mauve letters he found hidden in her room, which she had taken from her brother John's desk. Under pressure, she confesses that the letters are from John's mistress
- [The Bow and Arrow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xi-the-bow-and-arrow.md): Anthony Gethryn returns to the study to examine the scar on the rosewood table, which he realizes is a perfect impression of the wood-rasp. He deduces that the mark's central position and the newness of the rasp's handle
- [Exhibits](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xii-exhibits.md): Anthony Gethryn visits Deacon in his cell to discuss the evidence against him, including the fingerprints on the wood-rasp and a mysterious silk cord found in Deacon's room. Deacon maintains his innocence and expresses b
- [XIII: Irons in the Fire](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xiii-irons-in-the-fire.md): Anthony Gethryn comforts Dora Masterson, who confesses she failed to meet Archie Deacon for a walk, inadvertently undermining his alibi. He then visits Spencer Hastings' flat to see Jimmy Masterson, learning that the new
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn meets with Dora Masterson, who is distraught over the inquest verdict against Archie Deacon. She reveals she was supposed to meet Deacon at the time of the murder but stayed home out of spite, leaving him
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn visits Spencer Hastings's flat to see Jimmy Masterson, a sick man who may have information about John Hoode's press enemies. Lucia Lemesurier initially blocks him, but Anthony forces his way in. Masterson
- [XIV: Hay-Fever](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xiv-hay-fever.md): Anthony Gethryn rushes to Fleet Street to enlist Hastings's help in investigating the ownership of several newspapers, then attempts to see the performer Vanda but fails. He returns to his flat, reviews the inquest repor
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn bursts into the office of Hastings, editor of The Owl, interrupting a private moment with his secretary Margaret Warren. He gives Hastings urgent instructions to hire a private detective named Pellet to i
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn attempts to visit the Vanda at the Regency theatre but is told she is absent and not expected. He returns to his flat, eats, reads the inquest report, and works late into the night on his notes, frustrate
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): Anthony Gethryn arrives at Abbotshall and investigates further. He confronts the butler Poole about his hay-fever and catches the manservant Belford eavesdropping. Belford confesses that he went into the study on the nig
- [XV: Anthony’s Busy Day](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xv-anthony-s-busy-day.md): Anthony Gethryn visits Deacon in prison, encounters Lucia Lemesurier and Dora Masterson, conducts interviews with Belford, Mabel Smith, Elsie Syme, and Mr. Pellett, meets Madam Vander at the Regency Theatre, and spends t
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn visits Deacon in prison to ask two critical questions: about his financial situation and whether he recently handled a specific wooden implement. He encounters Lucia Lemesurier and Dora Masterson at the p
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn receives a cryptic telegram from Hastings about 'astounding revelations' and responds, then visits Sir Arthur Digby-Coates at Abbotshall. He uses the study's reference library to work on the case, and a m
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): Anthony Gethryn arrives at The Owl's office and meets with Hastings and the private investigator Mr. Pellett, who provides information about the three newspapers in exchange for payment.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iv.md): Anthony Gethryn visits the Regency theatre to meet Madam Vander, a performer who knew John Hoode. He uses a five-pound note and a pound-note to gain access, and they have a private conversation in her dressing room about
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/v.md): Anthony Gethryn spends the evening and night writing and typing his report on the Marling case, polishing and correcting it until dawn. He prepares the document for dispatch by special messenger, then takes a bath and br
- [Revelation and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xvi-revelation-and-the-sparrow.md): Anthony Gethryn reveals to Sir Arthur Digby-Coates that John Hoode was not murdered; instead, the body to be buried is that of Hoode's illegitimate half-brother, also named John. He explains the blackmail and threats tha
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): Anthony Gethryn, exhausted and preoccupied with thoughts of Lucia Lemesurier, drives to her house only to find she and her sister have gone to London. He visits Deacon in Greyne jail, then returns to his inn where he dis
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn reveals to Sir Arthur Digby-Coates that John Hoode is not dead and that the body to be buried is not his, but that of his illegitimate half-brother. He explains the blackmail and threats that led to the d
- [XVII: By The Owl’s Commissioner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xvii-by-the-owl-s-commissioner.md): Anthony Gethryn sends a detailed letter and report to Mr. Egbert Lucas of Scotland Yard, outlining his investigation into the murder of John Hoode. He requests assistance to arrange a confession from the guilty party, wh
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i.md): After a melancholy dinner, Lucia and Dora struggle with anxiety over Archie Deacon's situation. Lucia is distracted by her own feelings for Anthony Gethryn. Anthony arrives dramatically through the window, announcing tha
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii.md): Anthony Gethryn and Lucia Lemesurier discuss their plans to leave England on Saturday, but Lucia reminds him they must first get married, which delays their departure until Monday. Their intimate moment is interrupted by
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii.md): Spencer Hastings and his betrothed, Margaret Warren, discuss wedding details, including the possibility of Anthony Gethryn serving as best man.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes section provides a brief citation referencing Colonel Gethryn's modesty and a mention of 'The Red Thumb Mark' by R. Austin Freeman.

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