- Inspector Richard Queen: The thought of you dictating a book while driving a car boggles the imagination.
- Ellery Queen: I may be wrong, but I think I know how Norris Wentworth was killed-and why, and who did it. Remember, the autopsy definitely established it was a heart attack-but was someone responsible for that heart attack? I think so, and it all has to do with the broken window in Wentworth's car outside the museum, and the key ring in his pocket. Let's see if we come up with the same answer.
- Inspector Richard Queen: Why does it always have to be murder?
- Sgt. Thomas Velie: The Maestro's got that look, Inspector.
- Inspector Richard Queen: Must be something he wrote.
- Inspector Richard Queen: [to Ellery] What about the egg stains on your shirt? If a big butter-and-egg man gets knocked off, I'm supposed to arrest you?
- Ellery Queen: [talking about the coffee he's making] Oh, this smells good and strong, Dad.
- Inspector Richard Queen: You're probably half-right.