The Man in the Queue · Chapter
IX: Grant Gets More Information Than He Expected explained
Grant reviews the morning papers with satisfaction, believing he will soon capture the murderer.
What happens
Grant reviews the morning papers with satisfaction, believing he will soon capture the murderer. He reflects on the case, dismissing Mrs. Everett as a suspect after her fingerprints do not match those on the revolver and envelope. However, later analysis reveals that prints on Lamont's door belong to Mrs. Everett, forcing Grant to reconsider. He devises a plan to investigate her through church connections. Meanwhile, undercover officers (a pedlar and a freckled man) gather information from a talkative woman in Eastbourne about Margaret Ratcliffe's erratic behavior, and later report on the Ratcliffes' strained marriage.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Grant initially trusts Mrs. Everett based on her demeanor and fingerprints, but later evidence reveals her deception, underscoring the gap between surface and truth.
Luck and Chance
Grant acknowledges luck's role in police work, and the discovery of Mrs. Everett's prints is a chance breakthrough that shifts the investigation.
Urban Anonymity and Alienation
Mrs. Everett's lack of interest in her boarder's address exemplifies the indifference bred by London life, complicating police inquiries.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Feels complacent about the case but is humiliated when he discovers Mrs. Everett's fingerprints on Lamont's door, realizing he trusted her too easily.
- Mrs. Everett
Initially cleared by fingerprint analysis, but later found to have left prints on Lamont's door, making her a prime suspect in aiding Lamont's flight.
- Gerald Lamont
The wanted man; Grant believes Mrs. Everett provided him with a new hiding place after warning him of the investigation.
- Bert Sorrell
Deceased; his books and belongings were found in Lamont's flat, indicating a prior friendship.
- Margaret Ratcliffe
Mentioned in gossip as having sudden, intense attachments and a strained marriage; she is currently in Eastbourne with her sister.
- Ray Marcable
Her photograph appears in the paper; Grant feels an uneasy reaction upon seeing it.
Key passages
“Grant was studying the morning papers with his habitual half-careless thoroughness. That is not a paradox; Grant apparently skimmed the paper, but if you asked him about any particular happening afterwards, you would find that he had acquired a very efficient working knowledge of it.”
Grant read the papers in a way that seemed casual but was actually thorough, allowing him to recall details accurately when needed.
Describes Grant's methodical yet seemingly relaxed approach to information gathering.
“It was only a matter of hours before he got his man. It was a week today that the murder had been committed, and to locate the murderer from among a mass of conflicting clues in such a short time was good work.”
Grant felt confident he would arrest the killer soon, proud of solving the case within a week despite many contradictory leads.
Highlights Grant's initial self-satisfaction before the plot twist.
“Good Heaven! talk of snakes in the grass! And he, Grant, should really retire. He had got to the stage of trusting people.”
Grant was shocked to realize Mrs. Everett had deceived him, feeling he had become too trusting and should quit police work.
Grant's moment of humiliation and self-doubt upon discovering the fingerprints.
