# Secretary and the Sister explained — The Rasp

> Chapter companion for The Rasp by Philip MacDonald.

## What happens

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 that a maid's alibi for Deacon has collapsed, suggesting Deacon may have had an opportunity to commit the murder. Meanwhile, Sir Arthur Digby-Coates expresses his anguish over his friend's death, and Anthony reflects on the lack of motive and the strange behavior of the woman he saw swimming to Abbotshall.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Detective as Outsider

Anthony Gethryn operates independently, questioning the household and challenging assumptions, embodying the outsider perspective.

### Secrecy and Blackmail

Laura Hoode's secretive exit from the study and Deacon's hidden movements suggest hidden knowledge and potential blackmail.

### The Fallibility of Evidence

The maid's initial alibi for Deacon is revealed to be unreliable, highlighting how evidence can shift and undermine investigations.

## Character check-ins

### Anthony Gethryn

Interviews Deacon, encounters Laura Hoode, and learns from Boyd about the broken alibi.

### Mr. Deacon

Insists the murderer is not from the house; his alibi is later undermined by a maid's revised testimony.

### Miss Laura Hoode

Found leaving the study; speaks briefly with Anthony and expresses her grief.

### Sir Arthur Digby-Coates

Walks with Anthony, buys newspapers, and vents his desire for vengeance.

### Colonel Gethryn

Referred to as Superintendent Boyd; excitedly informs Anthony of the maid's changed story and Deacon's broken alibi.

## Key lines

> But it's absurd," said the secretary. "Quite utterly imposs', my dear feller!"

Deacon dismisses the idea that someone from the house could be the murderer as completely impossible.

_Deacon's insistence contrasts with Anthony's skepticism._

> I can't tell you anything more that I know ," he said at last and slowly. "And as to the other, what exactly are you driving at? D'you mean: do I definitely suspect anyone as being the murderer?"

Deacon admits he has no further factual knowledge and asks if Anthony is probing for suspicions.

_Highlights Deacon's evasiveness and Anthony's investigative technique._

> It's a queer thing, Gethryn," he said, "but I somehow can't keep away from the sordid side of this awful, terrible tragedy.

Sir Arthur confesses his morbid fascination with the crime scene and the case.

_Reveals Sir Arthur's emotional turmoil and obsession._

> The great difficulty so far," he said, "is failure to find any indication of motive.

Anthony explains that without a motive, the murder is nearly impossible to solve.

_Emphasizes the central challenge of the investigation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/vi-secretary-and-the-sister
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters