- Hamilton Drew: Curiosity leads to discovery, they say.
- Buck Nolan: Don't they also say something about it killing the cat?
- Ellery Queen: It was five years ago.
- The Broadcaster, Marvin: I've got an alibi! I know exactly what I was doing five years ago.
- Ellery Queen: What?
- The Broadcaster, Marvin: Seven years.
- Ellery Queen: Dad, why does the coffee always taste better in your office than at home?
- Inspector Richard Queen: Because my secretary doesn't make coffee at home. You do.
- Grace: [entering] Excuse me, Inspector, but...
- Inspector Richard Queen: Oh, Grace, if you have a chance, Ellery would like to jot down your recipe for coffee.
- Grace: [puzzled] Uh... it's only coffee and water.
- Inspector Richard Queen: [to Ellery] Which one of these ingredients is it that you leave out at home?
- Ellery Queen: You have all the clues-but do you know which ones point to the killer? That melted wax helped me put it together. Remember the white powder on the floor of the airplane, and don't forget the ransom note that was put back the wrong way, and don't forget the sinker, and-well, that's it. You got it? Let's find out.
- Inspector Richard Queen: [talking about his fishing trip] All I did was find trout smarter than I am.
- Mrs. Alyssa Hendricks Childs: [sculpting] Have you ever worked in clay?
- Ellery Queen: No, no, my medium is paper and typewriter ribbon.
- Ellery Queen: Apparently, Hendricks paid the price.
- Inspector Richard Queen: If it led to his murder, he paid extra.