The Man in the Queue · Chapter
X: The Burst to the North explained
Inspector Grant travels to Carninnish in the Scottish Highlands to pursue the suspect known as the Levantine, who may be Gerald Lamont.
What happens
Inspector Grant travels to Carninnish in the Scottish Highlands to pursue the suspect known as the Levantine, who may be Gerald Lamont. He leaves London after arranging for the ongoing search, and endures a long, uncomfortable journey by train and mail-car through remote, desolate landscapes. Meanwhile, Simpson is dispatched to investigate Mrs. Everett undercover as an ex-serviceman seeking work, engaging with a local clergyman to gather information.
Themes in this chapter
Urban Anonymity and Alienation
Grant contrasts the mechanized, soulless police work in London with the primitive, man-to-man pursuit in the open Highland country.
Identity and Concealment
Simpson adopts a false identity as an ex-serviceman to gather information; Grant pursues a suspect who may be using a false name.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Travels to Carninnish to pursue the suspect, studies maps, and endures the mail-car journey.
- Gerald Lamont
Suspect believed to have fled to Carninnish; Grant follows him.
- Mrs. Everett
Subject of Simpson's undercover investigation; Grant suspects she is shrewd.
- Simpson
Dispatched to investigate Mrs. Everett, posing as an ex-serviceman seeking work.
- Mr. Caldicott
Clergyman who hires Simpson and provides a cover for gossip.
- Simpson
Mentioned as Grant's superior who approves the trip and offers advice.
Key passages
“Grant went in to Barker and said, "I'm going fishing in Scotland for a day or two."”
Grant tells Barker he is going to Scotland under the pretext of fishing.
Grant uses a cover story to pursue the suspect.
“It was your wit against his—perhaps your gun against his. But Grant hoped that it would not come to that.”
Grant reflects on the chase as a contest of wits, hoping to avoid violence.
Highlights the primitive, personal nature of the pursuit.
“Simpson, what were you yesterday when you were gathering information about the Ratcliffes?" "I was an ex-serviceman with writing-pads, sir."”
Grant asks Simpson about his previous undercover role, and Simpson confirms he posed as an ex-serviceman.
Shows Simpson's use of disguise in investigations.