- Ellery Queen: Dad, I've had your home remedies before, and I'd really rather have the cold.
- Inspector Richard Queen: It's just tea! Look!
- [he takes a sip]
- Inspector Richard Queen: Needs more gin.
- Ellery Queen: Well, you've seen all the clues-have you got it? I think I do. Now, the important things to remember-besides what happened to the door-are the brandy snifter on the carpet and the bruise on Manning's knee. Have you got it now? I hope so.
- Magda Szomony: Edgar, if there's anything worse than a sore loser, it's a sore winner.
- Edgar Manning: Magda, my love, God has been generous to you. Don't spoil it by trying to be clever.
- George Tisdale: Camellia, if it's a fight you want, you can have it! Heaven knows we had enough practice while we were married!
- Fingerprint Man: [after Ellery sneezes] You oughta try a poultice for that cold, Ellery!
- Ellery Queen: A what?
- Fingerprint Man: A plaster for your chest. It's made with menthol, mustard, wintergreen, and chicken fat.
- Ellery Queen: Then what?
- Fingerprint Man: Stay home.
- Ellery Queen: Why?
- Fingerprint Man: Who's gonna want you around smelling like that?
- Nick McVey: You ever read any of my stuff?
- Ellery Queen: Yeah, a little.
- Nick McVey: Then you know how the hero gets information from the guy that won't talk, don't you?
- Ellery Queen: Yeah, he... punches it out of him. Nick, did you just threaten me?