# Mr. Deacon — The Rasp character guide > Mr. Deacon in The Rasp by Philip MacDonald. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Archie, Archibald Deacon, A. B. T. Deacon **First appearance:** 0007-iii-cock-robin-s-house ## Snapshot A cheerful, well-read young man in a cell for a murder he may not have committed, whose fingerprints on the weapon make him the case's most inconvenient suspect. ## Who they are Deacon is the man Scotland Yard has all but convicted: his alibi is broken, a hundred pounds from the dead man's bank sits in his collar-box, and his prints are on the wood-rasp. Yet he faces it with a composure that moves Gethryn — books, cigars, and a good counsel arranged, and a steady insistence that it will all come right. His courage and the suspicious neatness of the evidence against him make him the emotional center of the early mystery. ## Relationships ### [Anthony Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/anthony_gethryn) _professional_ Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters. ### [Sir Arthur Digby-Coates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/sir_arthur_digby_coates) _professional_ Mr. Deacon and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates. ### [Colonel Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/colonel_gethryn) _social_ Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework. ### [Anthony Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/anthony_gethryn) _professional_ Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters. ### [Sir Arthur Digby-Coates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/sir_arthur_digby_coates) _professional_ Mr. Deacon and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates. ### [Anthony Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/anthony_gethryn) _professional_ Mr. Deacon is a colleague or associate of Anthony Gethryn, likely involved in the investigation or related professional matters. ### [Colonel Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/colonel_gethryn) _social_ Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework. ### [Sir Arthur Digby-Coates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/sir_arthur_digby_coates) _professional_ Mr. Deacon and Sir Arthur Digby-Coates have a professional relationship, likely as colleagues or business associates. ### [Colonel Gethryn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/colonel_gethryn) _social_ Colonel Gethryn and Mr. Deacon are social acquaintances, interacting within the story's social framework. ## In the story ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) The secretary who was in his room with witnesses during the time of the murder. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as John Hoode's secretary; declines the lunch invitation due to being busy. ### [Secretary and the Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/vi-secretary-and-the-sister) Insists the murderer is not from the house; his alibi is later undermined by a maid's revised testimony. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) The secretary accused of murder; his fingerprints are found on the weapon and stolen money is discovered in his room. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Prime suspect who explains his alibi and the birthday money from Hoode; maintains his innocence. ### [IX: The Inquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ix-the-inquest) The prime suspect; Anthony insists he is innocent despite the evidence against him. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the likely subject of a murder verdict, but Gethryn asserts his innocence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Anthony shakes hands with him at the inquest. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/iii) Primary suspect due to fingerprints and circumstantial evidence, but Anthony doubts his guilt. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Arrested after the coroner's jury verdict; Anthony believes he is innocent. ### [The Bow and Arrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xi-the-bow-and-arrow) Mentioned as the arrested suspect; Anthony notes that only his fingerprints are on the rasp handle, suggesting a deliberate setup. ### [Exhibits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xii-exhibits) In his cell, discusses the fingerprints and silk cord with Anthony, maintaining his innocence. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Archie Deacon, the accused, whose alibi fails because Dora did not meet him as planned. ### [XV: Anthony’s Busy Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xv-anthony-s-busy-day) Prisoner awaiting transfer; discusses legal arrangements with Anthony. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Prisoner awaiting trial, discusses his financial situation and legal arrangements with Anthony. ### [Revelation and the Sparrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xvi-revelation-and-the-sparrow) Visited by Anthony in Greyne jail; delighted by the visit and awaiting Sir Edward Marshall. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Visited by Anthony in Greyne jail; delighted by the visit despite his flippancy. ### [XVII: By The Owl’s Commissioner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/xvii-by-the-owl-s-commissioner) Discussed as the scapegoat whose fingerprints were planted on the murder weapon. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the freed man; Dora and Lucia's anxiety centers on his fate. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/chapters/ii) Returns to the house and announces his engagement to Dora. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters/mr_deacon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rasp_se/characters