"Berne is difficult. Smart as a whip. From all I've heard about him he combines three major characteristics: an uncanny nose for arty best-sellers, an inhuman facility at contract bridge, and a weakness for beautiful women. Dangerous combination."
(from The Chinese Orange Mystery, by Ellery Queen)
"Don't make a row, father," said Kirk wearily. "These gentlemen are the police."
Dr. Kirk's white mustache lifted in a snarl. "Police! As if any one with two eyes and ears couldn't tell. Ears particularly. You can always tell a policeman by his indefatigable mangling of the simplest participles."
(from The Chinese Orange Mystery, by Ellery Queen)
"Everything is backwards! Everything. Not just one movable object, mind you, or two or three, but everything. There's your rhyme. But how," he muttered, beginning to stride about again, "how about the reason? Why should everything have been turned backwards? What is it intended to convey, if it's intended to convey anything at all? Why, Brummer; eh?"
"I don't know," said the detective in a hushed voice. "I don't know, Mr. Queen."
Ellery paused in his stride to stare at him. Nye slumped against the door in attitude of complete befuddlement. "Nor do I, Brummer," said Ellery from behind clenched teeth, "yet."
(from The Chinese Orange Mystery, by Ellery Queen)
To him there was something infinitely more substantial, if less delectable, in Miss Diversey. This woman was as unreal as a Garbo seen upon the silver screen. One might look, but not touch.
(from The Chinese Orange Mystery, by Ellery Queen)
And then there was Marcella. Marcella! Snippy little fluff she was; in fifty years she'd be the feminine counterpart of her father. Oh, she had her good points, reflected Miss Diversey grudgingly; but then so have criminals. Adding her up, good and bad, you wouldn't have much.
(from The Chinese Orange Mystery, by Ellery Queen)
