- Dr. Doremus - Coroner: [about the dead Archer Coe] There couldn't have been much of a struggle. His hair isn't even mussed.
- Ryan: [Sardonically] Somebody must have blackjacked him and then combed his hair.
- Philo Vance: [Approaching Grassi's table as he is eating] Signor Grassi?
- Eduardo Grassi: [Looking up] Yes.
- Philo Vance: The same Signor Grassi who distinguished himself in the Ethiopian campaign?
- Eduardo Grassi: The same.
- Philo Vance: I hope you'll pardon the intrusion. My name is Philo Vance.
- Eduardo Grassi: Oh, uh, won't you join me? I've heard of you too.
- Philo Vance: Have you also heard that Mr. Archer Coe, whose airplane designs you've tried to buy for your government has been murdered?
- Eduardo Grassi: [Shocked] Murdered?
- Ryan: Yes, stabbed in the back! And the dagger's been a favorite Latin weapon since Nero played with matches!
- Dr. Doremus - Coroner: [after being called for the third time] I'd like to rent a room here until they finish this case.
- Philo Vance: You see, Markham, we have all of the parts of the puzzle, but none of them seems to fit.
- Dr. Doremus - Coroner: [after examining Coe's body] Gentlemen, this man had been dead for some time when the bullet entered his head.
- J.P. Markham: How long has he been dead?
- Dr. Doremus - Coroner: Well, I'd say about eight to ten hours, but give me a chance to do a little carvin'.
- Ryan: Suicide?
- Dr. Doremus - Coroner: All I know is he's dead, and there's still too many people in the world.
- Philo Vance: [Finding no knife hole in the robe Coe was apparently stabbed in] This complicates things a bit.
- Ryan: Hunh?
- Philo Vance: You still think it was suicide?
- Ryan: It's clear he couldn't have slugged, shot, and stabbed himself... particularly in the back.
- Philo Vance: [Sniffing the aroma of the lipstick from the back of his hand] Gardenia, I should say. Definitely common. Do you know anything about lipstick, Ryan?
- Ryan: [Taking offence] What do you think I am?
- Philo Vance: Hmmm... I'll let you know.
- Ryan: [Annoyed, as Vance is leaving] Okay, wise guy, you're not out of the woods yet!
- Philo Vance: You're right, Ryan.
- Avery: [Referring to Vance's secret mission] ... and you understand the American government must not enter into this.
- Philo Vance: I know. If I'm caught, I shall be a man without a country.
- Avery: More than that, Vance. Possibly also a man without a head!
- Philo Vance: Hmmm, not an amusing thought, your excellency.
- Ryan: [as they are entering the front doo] By the way, Philo, how was the weiner schnitzel over there?
- Philo Vance: Hmmm, mostly bread and water!