# The Bow and Arrow explained — The Rasp

> Chapter companion for The Rasp by Philip MacDonald.

## What happens

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 are inconsistent with the murder. Later, at the police station, he examines the wood-rasp and discovers that the blade is loose, and he finds two threads of white linen and two small wedges of wood inside the handle, which he preserves as evidence. He also reviews fingerprint photographs and notes that only Deacon's prints are present, hinting at a setup.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Fallibility of Evidence

Anthony questions the apparent evidence, such as the perfect table scar and the clean fingerprints, suggesting that what seems conclusive may be misleading.

### The Detective as Outsider

Anthony works independently, puzzling Boyd and Sir Arthur with his unconventional methods and insights, positioning himself as an outsider to the official investigation.

## Character check-ins

### Anthony Gethryn

Examines the study's table scar, deduces inconsistencies with the wood-rasp, and later discovers hidden evidence in the rasp's handle.

### Sir Arthur Digby-Coates

Interacts with Anthony in the study, expresses distress about the murder, and later realizes he was sitting by the window above the study during the crime.

### Colonel Gethryn

Referred to as 'Boyd' in the chapter; he accompanies Anthony to the police station, provides fingerprint photographs, and agrees to help Anthony.

### Mr. Deacon

Mentioned as the arrested suspect; Anthony notes that only his fingerprints are on the rasp handle, suggesting a deliberate setup.

## Key lines

> I’ve got it! ... 'O frabjous day, Calloo callay!' Rappings from Doyle!

Anthony exclaims in triumph, quoting Lewis Carroll and alluding to Sherlock Holmes, as he realizes the significance of the table scar.

_Shows Anthony's moment of insight and his playful, literary manner._

> What lovely little marks! How kind of Archibald! ... He couldn’t bear to think of you wasting your time detecting all the wrong people, so he left his card for you.

Anthony sarcastically remarks that Deacon's fingerprints are too conveniently placed, implying they were left deliberately to mislead.

_Highlights Anthony's suspicion that the evidence is staged._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xi-the-bow-and-arrow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters