- Waitress, Mamie: [about Ellery and his coffee] Well, uh, how does he take it?
- Inspector Richard Queen: Leftover, lukewarm, and lumpy.
- Ellery Queen: I know who killed Eben Wright, and I'll bet you do, too. The fireplace poker is important because it wasn't used. Oh, and don't forget the puncture in the victim's right thumb - and the murder weapon. Got it?
- Henry Palmer: Well, how's it going, Inspector? You catch him?
- Inspector Richard Queen: Not after you scared him away.
- Henry Palmer: The killer?
- Inspector Richard Queen: The fish.
- Warren Wright: I hope I didn't interrupt your train of thought.
- Ellery Queen: Oh, my train isn't going anywhere.
- P.I. Sikes: If you want to find out, ask my client.
- Sgt. Thomas Velie: Your client's dead.
- P.I. Sikes: Well if he won't tell you, neither will I.