Alan (the Lone Librarian) Teder’s Reviews > The Roman Hat Mystery > Status Update

“I’m sort of itching to see what’s what,” said Cronin finally, in a hushed voice.
“I’m rather afraid to look,” retorted the Inspector.
“Mene mene tekel upharsin,” laughed Ellery. “In this case it might be interpreted as ‘the handwriting on the panel.’ Examine on, Macduff!”

[Aramaic the writing on the wall during Belshazzar's Feast in Daniel 5:25-28]

It is the peculiar gift of the truly great detective that he can apply to the inexorable rules of logic three catalyzers: an abnormal observation of events, a knowledge of the human mind and an insight into the human heart.

“Whatever the business deal was,” said the Inspector sententiously, “you may be sure, my son, it was an evil one.”
“An evil one?” inquired Ellery in a serious tone.
“Money’s the root of all evil,” retorted the Inspector with a grin.
Ellery’s tone did not change. “Not only the root, Dad—but the fruit, too.”

Once young Jean C. ----- came to me after a month of diligent investigation on a difficult assignment. He wore a forlorn expression. Without a word he handed me a slip of official paper. I read it in surprise. It was his resignation.
‘Here, Jean’ I cried. ‘What is the meaning of this?’
‘I have failed, M. Brillon,’ he muttered. ‘A month’s work gone to the devil. I have been on the wrong track. It is a disgrace.’

Ellery Queen towered six inches above his father’s head. There was a square cut to his shoulders and an agreeable swing to his body as he walked. He was dressed in oxford gray and carried a light stick. On his nose perched what seemed an incongruous note in so athletic a man—a rimless pince-nez. But the brow above, the long delicate lines of the face, the bright eyes were those of a man of thought rather than action.