The Rasp · Chapter
XIV: Hay-Fever explained
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.
What happens
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 report, and later drives to Marling. There, he confronts the eavesdropping servant Belford, who confesses that he entered the study on the night of the murder intending to steal money, discovered John Hoode's body, and fled without reporting it out of fear. Belford also reveals the time he was in the study—five past eleven—and admits his desperation due to his wife's illness.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Blackmail
Belford's secret entry into the study, his concealment of being at the crime scene, and his fear of being wrongly accused highlight the theme of secrecy and the pressure to hide compromising actions.
The Fallibility of Evidence
Belford's confession reveals that his earlier testimony at the inquest was false, underscoring how eyewitness accounts and alibis can be unreliable.
The Detective as Outsider
Anthony operates outside official channels, using personal connections (Hastings) and unorthodox methods (bribing a stage-door keeper) to gather information.
Characters to notice
- Anthony Gethryn
Rushes to Fleet Street, visits the Regency theatre, reviews the inquest report, drives to Marling, and confronts Belford.
- Mr. Hastings
Editor of The Owl; Anthony tasks him with investigating the ownership of newspapers via a private detective.
- Miss Margaret Warren
Hastings's secretary; she delivers the typed inquest report to Anthony and comments on his agitated state.
- Bob Belford
Manservant at Marling; Anthony catches him eavesdropping, and he confesses to entering the study on the night of the murder intending to steal, discovering the body, and fleeing.
- Old Mr. Poole
Butler at Marling; mentioned as having a sneezing fit (hay-fever) on the night of the murder, which Belford used as cover.
Key passages
““Get hold of private ’tec called Pellet; 4, Grogan’s Court. Find out what he knows about the ownership of The Searchlight, The St. Stephen’s Gazette, and Vox Populi. He was commissioned for same thing some time ago by J. Masterson.””
Anthony instructs Hastings to hire a private detective named Pellet to investigate the ownership of three newspapers, noting that Pellet was previously hired by Jimmy Masterson for the same task.
Anthony's urgent request to Hastings reveals his suspicion that newspaper ownership is connected to the case.
““I wasn’t upstairs all the time that night, like I said I was at the inquest!””
Belford admits that his alibi at the inquest was false; he was not upstairs the entire night.
Belford's confession undermines the official inquest testimony and introduces new evidence about the timeline.
““I come downstairs, sir, after I’d finished in the master’s room. And when I got to the ’all I heard old Poole starting on one of them sneezin’ fits. And—and, sir, I went into the study and I saw the master lyin’ there on the rug—just like they found ’im!””
Belford describes how he came downstairs, heard Poole's sneezing fit, entered the study, and discovered John Hoode's body on the rug.
This key testimony places Belford at the crime scene and explains his earlier fear of being implicated.