The Rasp · Character

Colonel Gethryn

A stolid Scotland Yard man who lays out the case against Deacon with grim satisfaction, and can't quite decide whether his old friend Gethryn is mad or onto something.

supporting

Also known as Superintendent Boyd, Boyd, Old Bloodhound Boyd

First appearance: II

As a supporting figure in The Rasp, Colonel Gethryn is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Anthony's father; a hunting country gentleman and brilliant mathematician.

In the storyII: Anthony GethrynOpen this moment free

See Colonel Gethryn in II: Anthony Gethryn Book page

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Boyd is the official investigator, methodical and a little proud of a case he considers 'easy,' and he walks Gethryn through the locked-room problem, the open window, and the wood-rasp with the air of a man who has already closed the file. He is loyal enough to share the fingerprint enlargements and to ask Gethryn to keep quiet about them, and honest enough to admit the case has a nasty, puzzling feel. His friction with Gethryn — the sane law versus the mad amateur — gives the early investigation its productive tension.

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See Colonel Gethryn in II

Character Web

28 connections

A slice of how Colonel Gethryn sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Social
Other

Character groups

Suspects and witnesses
Secondary and background characters
Protagonist

+23 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Dora Masterson’s confession—that she believes her own “senseless, vicious”…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Anthony Gethryn
family · positive
Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with… How this plays out →
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
social · positive
Mr. Deacon
social · positive
Anthony Gethryn
family · positive
Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with… How this plays out →
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
social · positive
Anthony Gethryn
family · positive
Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with… How this plays out →
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
social · positive
Mr. Deacon
social · positive
Mr. Deacon
social · positive

Anthony Gethryn
Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with frequent interactions.
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Colonel Gethryn and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates are acquaintances or friends, with interactions suggesting a social connection.
Mr. Deacon
Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework.
Anthony Gethryn
Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with frequent interactions.
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Colonel Gethryn and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates are acquaintances or friends, with interactions suggesting a social connection.
Anthony Gethryn
Colonel Gethryn is Anthony Gethryn's father, and they have a close familial bond with frequent interactions.
Sir Arthur Digby-Coates
Colonel Gethryn and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates are acquaintances or friends, with interactions suggesting a social connection.
Mr. Deacon
Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework.
Mr. Deacon
Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Colonel Gethryn in II

In the story

Colonel Gethryn appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: Anthony Gethryn
Anthony's father; a hunting country gentleman and brilliant mathematician.
II
Recognized by Superintendent Boyd; Anthony is referred to as Colonel Gethryn.
III
Referred to as 'Colonel' by Boyd; Anthony is the same person, acting as the amateur detective.
IV: Study
Referred to as 'Boyd', the inspector who accompanies Anthony, assists in the investigation, and discusses the evidence.
The Lady of the Sandal
Mentioned as Boyd, the detective who continues questioning at Abbotshall.
I
Mentioned as Boyd, who has gone into the house for further questioning.
Secretary and the Sister
Referred to as Superintendent Boyd; excitedly informs Anthony of the maid's changed story and Deacon's broken alibi.
I
Superintendent Boyd, who presents the case against Deacon and is confident in the evidence.
II
Mentioned as 'Boyd' who suspects Deacon based on fingerprints and other clues.
III
Mentioned by Margaret as the one who will be pleased they caught the murderer.
II
Present at the inquest as Superintendent Boyd; attempts to address Anthony but finds him gone.
The Bow and Arrow
Referred to as 'Boyd' in the chapter; he accompanies Anthony to the police station, provides fingerprint photographs, and agrees to help Anthony.
Endnotes
Referenced in the endnote as being too modest.

Chapter companion notes

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See Colonel Gethryn in II

See Colonel Gethryn in II: Anthony Gethryn