The Man in the Queue · Chapter
XI: Carninnish explained
Grant, under the guise of fishing, arrives in Carninnish to investigate Lamont.
What happens
Grant, under the guise of fishing, arrives in Carninnish to investigate Lamont. After a day of surveillance and failed attempts to gain entry to the manse, he is invited to tea by the minister, Mr. Logan, bringing him face to face with his suspect.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Concealment
Grant conceals his true identity as a detective, posing as a fisherman to investigate Lamont without arousing suspicion.
Appearance vs. Reality
The peaceful fishing scene masks Grant's intense surveillance and the impending confrontation with a murder suspect.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Disguised as a fisherman, Grant surveils the manse and secures an invitation to tea from Mr. Logan.
- Gerald Lamont
The suspect, believed to be staying at the manse; Grant hopes to verify a scar on his left hand.
- Mr. Drysdale
Owner of Carninnish House and the fishing rights; Grant uses his permission to fish as cover.
- Logan
The minister of the U.F. church, who unknowingly invites Grant into the manse.
- Andy
The mail-car driver who drove Lamont over the hills; Grant found him unhelpful.
- Roddy
The hirsute driver of the hotel Ford who drives Grant to Carninnish and provides local information.
Key passages
“Ten days ago Barker had handed over this case to him, and he had been presented with a handkerchief, a revolver, and a bloodstained knife. Now, at the other end of the kingdom, he was about to come face to face with the man he wanted.”
Grant reflects that ten days after receiving the case from Barker, he is finally about to confront the suspect in a remote location.
Highlights the progression of the investigation from London to the Highlands.
“He must get himself invited to the manse. It should not be difficult. If all else failed, he could fall into the river and appeal to them to dry him.”
Grant is determined to enter the manse by any means, even pretending to fall into the river if necessary.
Shows Grant's resourcefulness and determination to verify the scar on Lamont's hand.