# V: Danny Again explained — The Man in the Queue

> Chapter companion for The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey.

## What happens

Inspector Grant travels to Nottingham to trace the dead man's tie, learning from a shop assistant that it was sold on February 2nd, the day of a large musical festival. He interviews Mr. Yeudall, a solicitor and festival chairman, who may know the buyer. Meanwhile, Danny Miller suddenly panics and rushes out of his Pimlico flat, leaving his girlfriend bewildered.

## Themes in this chapter

### Urban Anonymity and Alienation

Grant reflects on the contrast between the hopeful morning journey and the dreary, grey return, feeling disconnected from the voluble strangers in his compartment.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The dead man's tie and his apparent interest in music suggest a refined nature, conflicting with the gang theory Grant had considered.

## Character check-ins

### Inspector Grant

Travels to Nottingham to investigate the dead man's tie, interviews a shop assistant and Mr. Yeudall, and feels a hunch that the key to the case awaits him back at the Yard.

### Danny Miller

Suddenly panics while watching his girlfriend try on dresses, grabs his hat, and rushes out of the Pimlico flat, later returning only to demand tuppence before leaving again.

### Yeudall

A solicitor and chairman of the Nottingham musical festival, he warmly welcomes Grant and takes him to lunch to discuss the festival attendees.

### Faith Brothers

The shop where the dead man's tie was purchased; a young assistant there provides a detailed description of the buyer and the date of sale.

## Key lines

> The murderer had ceased to be a mythical being. They had a full description of him now, and it could only be a matter of time before they ran him down.

Grant felt optimistic because the killer was no longer an unknown figure; with a detailed description, capture seemed imminent.

_Grant's renewed confidence after obtaining the suspect's description._

> Something told Grant that in matters sartorial this youth would have the memory of an oldest inhabitant, and he was right.

Grant sensed the shop assistant would recall clothing details accurately, and his instinct proved correct.

_Grant's trust in the young assistant's memory regarding the tie sale._

> He was wasted in a hatter's-and-hosier's.

The young assistant's keen observational skills were underutilized in a hat and clothing shop.

_Grant's assessment of the assistant's potential beyond his current job._

> If Scotland Yard has a motto it is You Never Know.

Scotland Yard's unofficial motto is that one never knows where useful information may come from.

_Grant's reflection on the value of making acquaintances during investigations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters/v-danny-again
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_man_in_the_queue_se/chapters