The Man in the Queue · Chapter
Solution explained
Grant is deeply troubled by the unresolved case, obsessively fixating on the pearl brooch found in Sorrell's pocket as the key to the mystery.
What happens
Grant is deeply troubled by the unresolved case, obsessively fixating on the pearl brooch found in Sorrell's pocket as the key to the mystery. Despite the strong case against Lamont, Grant's intuition insists something is wrong. Mrs. Wallis unexpectedly confesses to the murder, claiming she killed Sorrell to protect her daughter Rosie. However, her story lacks proof, and Barker dismisses it. Grant suspects a connection between Mrs. Wallis and Ray Marcable, and the brooch continues to haunt him as he considers the possibility of an unknown assailant escaping the queue.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Madness
Grant's fixation on the brooch borders on obsession, as he repeatedly returns to it despite its apparent irrelevance, questioning his own sanity and competence.
Appearance vs. Reality
The strong police case against Lamont appears conclusive, but Grant senses a hidden truth, and Mrs. Wallis's confession seems plausible yet lacks proof, blurring the line between guilt and innocence.
Justice and Miscarriage
Grant fears an innocent man may be convicted, as the legal process moves forward despite his doubts, highlighting the risk of a miscarriage of justice.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Disconsolate and obsessed, Grant fixates on the pearl brooch as the key to the case, doubting the official theory and considering resignation.
- Mrs. Wallis
Confesses to killing Sorrell with a knife her husband brought from Spain, claiming she did it to protect her daughter Rosie, but her story lacks corroborating evidence.
- Gerald Lamont
Brought up again at Gowbridge Police Court; his counsel protests the statement taken from him, arguing he was unfit due to concussion.
- Miss Dinmont
Present in court, softened and gracious toward Grant, her hope in Lamont's innocence giving her a radiant charm.
- Superintendent Barker
Dismisses Mrs. Wallis's confession as insufficient, pressing for proof and a motive, and suggests Grant has 'nerves' and needs a holiday.
- Raoul Legarde
Mentioned as one who escaped the queue unnoticed, his critical observation of the crowd noted as exceptional.
Key passages
“The feeling that there was something wrong somewhere always flowed back the minute he stopped bullying himself.”
Whenever Grant stopped forcing himself to accept the case's conclusion, the persistent sense that something was amiss returned.
Highlights Grant's internal conflict and intuition against the official narrative.
“It was utterly ridiculous. Grant hated the sight of the thing, and yet he went back again and again to it as a man does to a mocking mistress.”
Grant found his obsession with the brooch absurd, but he couldn't stop returning to it, like a man drawn to a teasing lover.
Illustrates the theme of obsession and the brooch's symbolic power over Grant.
“I killed 'im with the little knife my 'usband brought home from Spain.”
Mrs. Wallis claimed she used a small knife from Spain, brought by her husband, to kill Sorrell.
Key confession detail that aligns with the murder weapon but lacks corroboration.
“If you must 'ave it, I killed 'im because 'e was going to shoot my Rosie.”
Mrs. Wallis reluctantly explained that she killed Sorrell to prevent him from shooting her daughter Rosie.
Reveals her motive, though its veracity is questioned by the police.
