The Man in the Queue · Chapter
V: Danny Again explained
Inspector Grant travels to Nottingham to trace the dead man's tie, learning from a shop assistant that it was sold on February 2nd, the day of a large musical festival.
What happens
Inspector Grant travels to Nottingham to trace the dead man's tie, learning from a shop assistant that it was sold on February 2nd, the day of a large musical festival. He interviews Mr. Yeudall, a solicitor and festival chairman, who may know the buyer. Meanwhile, Danny Miller suddenly panics and rushes out of his Pimlico flat, leaving his girlfriend bewildered.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Grant reaches his psychological peak here because his conscious mind, which has successfully completed the cas…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Urban Anonymity and Alienation
Grant reflects on the contrast between the hopeful morning journey and the dreary, grey return, feeling disconnected from the voluble strangers in his compartment.
- Appearance vs. Reality
The dead man's tie and his apparent interest in music suggest a refined nature, conflicting with the gang theory Grant had considered.
Characters to notice
- Inspector Grant
Travels to Nottingham to investigate the dead man's tie, interviews a shop assistant and Mr. Yeudall, and feels a hunch that the key to the case awaits him back at the Yard.
- Danny Miller
Suddenly panics while watching his girlfriend try on dresses, grabs his hat, and rushes out of the Pimlico flat, later returning only to demand tuppence before leaving again.
- Yeudall
A solicitor and chairman of the Nottingham musical festival, he warmly welcomes Grant and takes him to lunch to discuss the festival attendees.
- Faith Brothers
The shop where the dead man's tie was purchased; a young assistant there provides a detailed description of the buyer and the date of sale.
Key passages
“The murderer had ceased to be a mythical being. They had a full description of him now, and it could only be a matter of time before they ran him down.”
Grant felt optimistic because the killer was no longer an unknown figure; with a detailed description, capture seemed imminent.
Grant's renewed confidence after obtaining the suspect's description.
“Something told Grant that in matters sartorial this youth would have the memory of an oldest inhabitant, and he was right.”
Grant sensed the shop assistant would recall clothing details accurately, and his instinct proved correct.
Grant's trust in the young assistant's memory regarding the tie sale.
“He was wasted in a hatter's-and-hosier's.”
The young assistant's keen observational skills were underutilized in a hat and clothing shop.
Grant's assessment of the assistant's potential beyond his current job.
“If Scotland Yard has a motto it is You Never Know.”
Scotland Yard's unofficial motto is that one never knows where useful information may come from.
Grant's reflection on the value of making acquaintances during investigations.
