The Man in the Queue · Chapter
XVI: Miss Dinmont Assists explained
Grant seeks Miss Dinmont's opinion on Mrs.
What happens
Grant seeks Miss Dinmont's opinion on Mrs. Ratcliffe's possible involvement in the murder, then testifies at Lamont's preliminary hearing in Gowbridge Police Court. Miss Dinmont unexpectedly appears at the court, having cut short her holiday. Over lunch, she expresses doubts about Lamont's guilt and a desire for fair treatment. Grant considers taking her to Eastbourne as a companion to lull Mrs. Ratcliffe's suspicions, but she declines.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Miscarriage
Miss Dinmont questions the fairness of the legal system, noting the disparity between prosecution and defense resources, and expresses doubt about Lamont's guilt.
Appearance vs. Reality
Grant considers that Mrs. Ratcliffe's innocent appearance may be deceptive; Miss Dinmont's composed exterior at court belies her deeper concerns.
Gender and Power
Grant seeks a woman's opinion to understand Mrs. Ratcliffe; Miss Dinmont's independent judgment and refusal to be manipulated challenge traditional gender roles.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Seeks Miss Dinmont's opinion on Mrs. Ratcliffe; testifies at Lamont's hearing; proposes a trip to Eastbourne with Miss Dinmont as his cousin.
- Miss Dinmont
Provides candid assessment of Mrs. Ratcliffe as a 'shallow fool' without 'guts' for murder; unexpectedly attends Lamont's court hearing; declines Grant's invitation to Eastbourne.
- Gerald Lamont
Brought into court looking ill but collected; acknowledges Grant with a slight smile; remanded and led out.
- Mrs. Everett
Not present at the court; mentioned as Lamont's only friend.
- Mrs. Ratcliffe
Discussed by Grant and Miss Dinmont; Miss Dinmont considers her a shallow fool unlikely to commit murder but possibly capable of keeping quiet for a selfish reason.
Key passages
“a large percentage of women wrote large and very round hands. Her pause at sight of the brooch might have been merely the pause while she read the twined initial. Her veiled questions as to its origin might have been entirely innocent. On the other hand, they most emphatically might not.”
Grant considers that Mrs. Ratcliffe's reaction to the brooch could be innocent or could indicate her involvement in the murder.
Grant's internal deliberation on Mrs. Ratcliffe's possible guilt.
“I think she might keep quiet about a murder, but there would have to be a reason that mattered to her self overwhelmingly.”
Miss Dinmont believes Mrs. Ratcliffe could conceal knowledge of a murder only if it served her own strong self-interest.
Miss Dinmont's assessment of Mrs. Ratcliffe's character.
“I'd rather be a brute than a fool.”
Miss Dinmont prefers to risk being harsh than to be deceived or naive.
Miss Dinmont's pragmatic philosophy regarding trust and judgment.