# Mr. Rathbury — The Middle Temple Murder character guide

> Mr. Rathbury in The Middle Temple Murder by J. S. Fletcher.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Rathbury

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-his-first-brief

## Snapshot

The Scotland Yard detective assigned to the Marbury case, methodical and dryly amused by the press attention his investigation attracts.

## Who they are

Rathbury works the case by the book, taking statements from city men like Myerst and tolerating Spargo's parallel inquiries with a mixture of professional courtesy and skepticism. He is competent but conventional, more comfortable with procedure than with the tangle of old secrets the case keeps unearthing. His steady police presence grounds the early investigation, and his willingness to share information with Spargo keeps the two men in productive tension.

## In the story

### [His First Brief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ii-his-first-brief)

Detective-Sergeant from Scotland Yard assigned to the case; questions Breton and leads the identification attempt.

### [III: The Clue of the Cap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/iii-the-clue-of-the-cap)

Rathbury, the detective, informs Spargo and Breton that the victim's cap was bought at Fiskie's and sent to the Anglo-Orient Hotel, and leads them to investigate.

### [IV: The Anglo-Orient Hotel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/iv-the-anglo-orient-hotel)

Leads the investigation at the hotel, questions the Walters, and searches Marbury's room.

### [Mr. Aylmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/vii-mr-aylmore)

Mentioned as the detective working with Spargo; Spargo plans to share news with him.

### [The Man from the Safe Deposit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/viii-the-man-from-the-safe-deposit)

Detective in charge of the case; discusses theories with Spargo and receives Mr. Myerst's information.

### [IX: The Dealer in Rare Stamps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/ix-the-dealer-in-rare-stamps)

Present during the interview with Myerst; agrees to work with Spargo and arranges to have Marbury's leather box opened.

### [X: The Leather Box](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/x-the-leather-box)

Accompanies Spargo to the Safe Deposit and takes charge of the empty box afterward.

### [Mr. Aylmore Is Questioned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xi-mr-aylmore-is-questioned)

Gives evidence tracing Marbury's cap to the Anglo-Orient Hotel.

### [XIV: The Silver Ticket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xiv-the-silver-ticket)

Takes Spargo to Scotland Yard to examine the leather box; discovers the hidden compartment and the silver ticket.

### [XVI: The “Yellow Dragon”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xvi-the-yellow-dragon)

Mentioned as having discovered the silver ticket with Spargo in the leather box deposited by John Marbury.

### [Arrested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxi-arrested)

Sends telegram about Aylmore's arrest; informs Spargo about the bludgeon found in the sewer trap and its link to Aylmore.

### [XXVIII: Of Proved Identity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/chapters/xxviii-of-proved-identity)

Informs Spargo that Aylmore has been identified as an ex-convict who served time at Dartmoor; believes this provides a clear motive for murder.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters/rathbury
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_middle_temple_murder_se/characters