ROSAT observations of RX J1712.6-2414: A discless intermediate polar?

We present ROSAT observations of the newly discovered polarized intermediate polar, RXJ1712.6 - 2414. Whereas the polarimetry establishes the white dwarf spin period to be 927 s, we show that the X-ray variations occur at the 1003-s synodic (i.e., beat) period. This period is also sometimes seen in both the optical photometry and the radial velocities. New filtered polarimetry of RX J1712.6 - 2414 establishes a strong wavelength dependence in the circular polarization variations. We argue that these new observations support the contention that RX J1712.6 - 2414 is a discless accreting system, and the first clear case amongst the asynchronous intermediate polars.