The Rasp · Chapter
X: Birds of the Air explained
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.
What happens
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 innocence and discusses the evidence, including the fingerprints on the wood-rasp. He then interviews Laura Hoode, who is defensive and hostile, but Anthony presses her for information about a clue he has discovered. Later, he encounters the flirtatious Mrs. Roland Mainwaring, who seeks notoriety, and observes the furtive manservant Belford, whom Sir Arthur suspects knows more than he has told.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
The arrest of Deacon based on circumstantial evidence and public opinion highlights the theme of potential miscarriage of justice.
The Fallibility of Evidence
Fingerprints on the wood-rasp and the clock alibi are discussed as potentially misleading evidence.
Secrecy and Blackmail
Belford's furtive behavior and Laura Hoode's defensiveness suggest hidden knowledge.
Characters to notice
- Anthony Gethryn
Returns from London, learns of Deacon's arrest, interviews Laura Hoode and encounters Mrs. Mainwaring.
- Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Agitatedly informs Anthony of Deacon's arrest and expresses guilt over his own testimony.
- Miss Laura Hoode
Interviewed by Anthony; she is defensive and lifeless, but Anthony presses her about a clue.
- Mrs. Roland Mainwaring
Flirtatiously accosts Anthony in the hall; he rebuffs her.
- Mr. Belford
Seen furtively disappearing around a corner; Sir Arthur suspects he knows more.
Key passages
“You are an unusual person, Mr. Gethryn. You spy upon me and torture me—and yet I feel that I like you.”
Laura Hoode tells Anthony that despite his intrusive questioning, she finds herself liking him.
Laura expresses a conflicted admiration for Anthony's persistence.
“I know, because you both told me. I know that neither of you did it as you would know, after talking to him, that the bishop hadn’t really stolen the little girl’s sixpence, even though all the newspapers had said he did.”
Anthony explains that his certainty of Laura and Deacon's innocence comes from his intuitive judgment of their character.
Anthony relies on personal conviction over public opinion.
“Oh, colonel, do tell me you don’t think that sweet boy—oh! the beastly police—it’s all too , too horrible and awful !”
Mrs. Mainwaring gushingly asks Anthony if he believes Deacon is innocent, criticizing the police.
Mrs. Mainwaring's dramatic plea is met with Anthony's sarcastic formality.
“My evidence helped to make things look worse for the boy. Because they took mine first; and in describing that awful night I mentioned, like the idiot I am, that Deacon had come into my room at a quarter to eleven.”
Sir Arthur regrets that his testimony about Deacon asking the time inadvertently strengthened the case against him.
Sir Arthur's guilt over his unwitting role in the evidence.
“Why she’s staying here is, I’m sorry to say, for the notoriety. Any decent person would have left the house at once.”
Sir Arthur explains that Mrs. Mainwaring remains at Marling to bask in the attention from the murder case.
Sir Arthur criticizes Mrs. Mainwaring's motives.
