plotting and scheming: must be in secret parlays?

[Doug Ruff]

let's look at Steerpike in Gormenghast.

<snip>

so how do we emulate this at the gaming table? how can steerpike's machinations remain secret, as they do here?

Well, all the characters in this example (with the exception of Steerpike) look like NPCs to me - especially as they get removed from the playing field in quick order...

Now, what if the players are all competing against each other, but most of their machinations are all played out against NPCs? It may not matter that the PCs all know each other's machinations; what if the game involves trying not to get caught out by the NPCs, and trying to get the other PCs caught?