The Man in the Queue · Chapter
XIII: Marking Time explained
Grant waits for Lamont to recover from his injury, reflecting on his unease despite the case being nearly complete.
What happens
Grant waits for Lamont to recover from his injury, reflecting on his unease despite the case being nearly complete. He interacts with Miss Dinmont, who nurses Lamont with professional detachment. Grant takes Lamont's fingerprints, discusses the investigation, and learns that Lamont believes Bert Sorrell was killed by mistake. The chapter ends with Grant feeling unsettled, though the case is resolved.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Miscarriage
Grant reflects on the completeness of his case, yet feels an unexplained unease, hinting at potential doubts about justice.
Identity and Concealment
Lamont's lies to Miss Dinmont and his attempt to flee highlight themes of hidden identity and deception.
Appearance vs. Reality
Grant's discomfort contrasts with the apparent resolution of the case, and Lamont's calm demeanor belies his guilt.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Grant is uneasy despite the case being nearly complete; he takes Lamont's fingerprints and reflects on the investigation.
- Gerald Lamont
Lamont is recovering from his injury, conscious and cooperative; he believes Sorrell was killed by mistake and expresses regret for running.
- Miss Dinmont
Miss Dinmont nurses Lamont with calm professionalism; she accepts the evidence against him without emotional denial.
- Mr. Drysdale
Drysdale hosts Grant and arranges a day of fishing; he is taciturn but amiable.
- Dr. Anderson
Anderson examines Lamont and advises Grant to wait before questioning him; he confirms Lamont is unfit to travel immediately.
- Pidgeon
Pidgeon is mentioned as the local constable who enjoys his role as head warder.
Key passages
“A police officer who was impressed with a hard-luck story, however well told, would be little use in a force designed for the suppression of that most plausible of creatures, the criminal.”
A good police officer must not be swayed by convincing sob stories, as criminals are skilled at deception.
Grant reflects on the necessity of skepticism in police work.
“I think perhaps someone did it by mistake. Not looking what they were doing with the needle, as it were? No; in mistake for someone else.”
Lamont suggests that Sorrell's murder was a case of mistaken identity, not an accident with the knife.
Lamont offers his theory about the murder to Grant.
“He had at last met a woman whose common sense was greater than her emotions. She had known the man only three days, he had lied to her every hour of these days, and the police wanted him for murder. That was sufficient evidence in her clear eyes to prevent her taking any brief in his favour.”
Grant admires Miss Dinmont for her rational acceptance of Lamont's guilt, based on the evidence, rather than emotional denial.
Grant observes Miss Dinmont's pragmatic response to Lamont's situation.