The Roman Hat Mystery · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The author expresses gratitude to Professor Alexander Goettler, Chief Toxicologist of the City of New York, for his assistance in the preparation of the story.
Chapter 2
Lexicon of Persons Connected with the Investigation
A reference list of all individuals involved in the Monte Field murder case, provided by Ellery Queen for the reader's convenience to track characters who may become significant in the solution of the crime.
Chapter 3
Explanation for the Map of the Roman Theatre
This chapter presents a detailed map of the Roman Theatre, drawn by Ellery Queen, labeling key locations such as actors' dressing-rooms, seats of various individuals (Frances Ives-Pope, Benjamin Morgan, Monte Field, Parson Johnny Cazzanelli, Madge O'Connell, Dr. Stuttgard, William Pusak), the publicity office, manager's office, ticket-taker's box, stairways, and other areas relevant to the crime scene.
Chapter 4
The Roman Hat Mystery
The chapter opens with a quote from Tamaka Hiero's 'A Thousand Leaves,' comparing the policeman's duty to that of the fool-bird who persists despite danger, emphasizing thoroughness in investigation.
Chapter 5
I: In Which Are Introduced a Theatre-Audience and a Corpse
On a rainy September evening, the Roman Theatre is packed for the crime drama 'Gunplay'. During the second act, a commotion arises at the rear; a policeman discovers a dead man (later identified as Monte Field) and detains a nervous suspect. Sergeant Velie arrives, seals the theatre, and awaits Inspector Queen as the audience and cast are held in place.
Chapter 6
In Which One Queen Works and Another Queen Watches
Inspector Richard Queen arrives at the Roman Theatre to take charge of the murder investigation. He methodically secures the scene, interviews witnesses, and gathers initial evidence, including a mysterious ginger ale bottle. Meanwhile, his son Ellery Queen observes and examines the body with keen curiosity, noting details like the victim's head measurement. The chapter introduces key procedural steps and the dynamic between the two Queens.
Chapter 7
In Which a “Parson” Comes to Grief
Inspector Queen and his team interrogate the audience and search the theatre for evidence. A man known as 'Parson Johnny' is caught trying to sneak out and is brought before the Inspector. Jess Lynch, an orangeade boy, provides crucial testimony about delivering a bottle to the man in seat LL32 Left, noting the man's top hat and the empty seats around him, and revealing he spent time in the alley with his girl Elinor Libby.
Chapter 8
IV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are Chosen
Inspector Queen and Ellery examine audience lists provided by Sergeant Velie, discovering that Benjamin Morgan was Monte Field's former law partner. The Inspector orders a thorough search of the theatre by cleaning women and arranges to interview Morgan. Meanwhile, the Parson (Cazzanelli) is apprehended and interrogated, but he claims ignorance and is detained. A blue ticket stub found near the main door does not match the torn edges of the stub found on the victim, suggesting a discrepancy.
Chapter 9
In Which Inspector Queen Conducts Some Legal Conversations
Inspector Queen conducts interviews in the manager's office, questioning Parson Johnny Cazzanelli and his girlfriend Madge O'Connell about their whereabouts during the murder, and then interrogates Benjamin Morgan, a former partner of Monte Field, about his presence at the theatre and a suspicious complimentary ticket.
Chapter 10
In Which the District Attorney Turns Biographer
District Attorney Henry Sampson, despite being ill, visits Inspector Queen to share his knowledge of Monte Field's criminal past. Sampson reveals Field's early partnership with the shady Cohen, Cohen's murder, Field's subsequent respectable front, and his partnership with Benjamin Morgan. He details the violent quarrel between Field and Morgan at the Webster Club, suggesting Morgan had a motive. Ellery and the Inspector discuss the implications, with Ellery noting the missing hat as a key detail.
Chapter 11
The Queens Take Stock
Ellery and Inspector Queen, along with District Attorney Sampson, review the evidence in the Monte Field murder case. Ellery systematically analyzes the crime scene, the locked doors, the missing top hat, and the suspects, concluding that the murderer likely had no foreknowledge of the hat's significance. The Inspector orders the theatre sealed until the hat is found.
Chapter 12
In Which the Queens Meet Mr. Field's Very Best Friend
The chapter opens with a description of the Queens' apartment on West 87th Street, a comfortable and intellectual home run by their devoted factotum Djuna. The next morning after Monte Field's murder, Inspector Queen receives a call from Sergeant Velie. The Queens return to Field's apartment, where they interrogate Angela Russo, Field's fiancée, who was found there the previous night. She claims she was in the apartment at the time of the murder but cannot prove it. After she leaves, the Queens and Piggott search the apartment, discovering a case of liquor. They are interrupted by a mysterious figure using a key to enter the apartment, leading to a struggle.
Chapter 13
In Which the Mysterious Mr. Michaels Appears
The chapter introduces Charles Michaels, Monte Field's valet, who is caught entering the apartment early in the morning with a suitcase. Under questioning by Inspector Queen and Ellery, Michaels claims he came to collect his salary check before leaving on vacation, but his story is contradicted by his knowledge of Field's murder, which is front-page news. Ellery tricks him into revealing a past stint at Elmira Reformatory. The Inspector searches his bag but finds only clothing. After Michaels leaves, Queen muses that he came to retrieve something overlooked, and receives a call from Sergeant Velie about new information from Browne Bros. Queen then heads to Field's office on Chambers Street, dragging Ellery along.
Chapter 14
In Which Mr. Field's Tophats Begin to Assume Proportions
Inspector Queen and Ellery visit Monte Field's law office, where they interview office manager Oscar Lewin and learn about Field's business and personal habits. They examine evidence from the theatre, including a program with scribbles that appears to be Field's, showing the number '50,000' and other marks. The Inspector deduces that Field likely went to the theatre for business rather than pleasure, and they confirm that the missing ticket stubs for seats near Field's have not been found.
Chapter 15
In Which the Past Casts a Shadow
Inspector Queen and Ellery meet with financier Stanford Ives-Pope, who requests a private interview at his home to allow his daughter Frances to explain her connection to Monte Field. Later, they interview Benjamin Morgan, Field's former partner, who reveals details about Field's shady dealings, including his association with Parson Johnny and his valet Charles Michaels, and confirms a history of blackmail.
Chapter 16
In Which the Queens Invade Society
The Queens visit the Ives-Pope mansion on Riverside Drive to interview Frances Ives-Pope about her evening bag found in Monte Field's pocket. Inspector Queen apologizes for his harsh treatment of Frances on Monday night and explains his methods. Frances prepares to tell her story. Meanwhile, earlier that morning, Inspector Queen receives a call from Tim Cronin reporting that a search of Field's office files has yielded no direct incriminating evidence, though suspicious material exists. The chapter introduces the Ives-Pope family, including the formidable Mrs. Ives-Pope, the financier Franklin Ives-Pope, son Stanford, and family physician Dr. Vincent Cornish, along with Frances's fiancé Stephen Barry and actress Eve Ellis.
Chapter 17
Queen to Queen
Dr. Prouty and Dr. Thaddeus Jones visit the Queens to report their startling toxicological findings on Monte Field's remains, revealing a unique poison. Later, Inspector Queen and Ellery discuss the case, focusing on the missing top hat as the central mystery, and plan to re-search the Roman Theatre.
Chapter 18
In Which the Hat Grows
On the third morning after the murder, Inspector Queen and Ellery rise early and, after a hasty breakfast, arrange to meet Louis Panzer and Mrs. Phillips at the Roman Theatre. They conduct a thorough search of the premises, with Ellery and Mrs. Phillips conversing on stage before disappearing. The Inspector searches the orchestra, lounge, and restrooms without finding the missing object. Panzer delivers a parcel from Cronin, and the Inspector hints that finding a certain object is crucial to the case. Meanwhile, Detective Hagstrom reports that Angela Russo has entered Benjamin Morgan's office, prompting the Inspector to order her detained.
Chapter 19
XV: In Which an Accusation Is Made
Detective Hagstrom arrests Mrs. Angela Russo at Benjamin Morgan's office and brings her to Inspector Queen's headquarters. Under interrogation, she admits to lying earlier and reveals that she overheard Benjamin Morgan threaten Monte Field the night before his murder, accusing Morgan of the killing. The Inspector and Ellery react with cautious interest, while Sergeant Velie urges immediate arrest, but Queen decides to wait.
Chapter 20
In Which the Queens Go to the Theatre
Ellery and Inspector Queen dine with Benjamin Morgan, who finally explains his presence at the theatre on the night of the murder and his threat to Monte Field. Later, the Queens attend a performance of 'Gunplay' at the Roman Theatre, sitting in the seats where Field was murdered.
Chapter 21
In Which More Hats Grow
Inspector Queen, Ellery Queen, and Assistant District Attorney Cronin search Monte Field's apartment for hidden blackmail documents. Despite an exhaustive search of the foyer, living-room, bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom, they find nothing. Ellery then realizes they overlooked the ceilings, specifically the canopy over the bed, and they rush to investigate.
Chapter 22
XVIII: Stalemate
Inspector Queen is frustrated by the lack of physical evidence in the Monte Field case, despite being confident in his deductions. Ellery prepares for a vacation to Maine, but a final search by a housebreaker yields nothing. Sergeant Velie delivers surveillance reports on Parson Johnny, William Pusak, Madge O'Connell, and Frances Ives-Pope, revealing no new leads.
Chapter 23
Interlude
The author directly addresses the reader, challenging them to solve the murder of Monte Field using the clues presented so far. Inspector Richard Queen's reflections on the perfect criminal are quoted, emphasizing the rarity of such a figure and the importance of logical deduction.
Chapter 24
In Which Inspector Queen Conducts More Legal Conversations
Inspector Queen, irritable and depressed due to Ellery's departure, conducts further interviews at the Roman Theatre. He questions Parson Johnny, Madge O'Connell, William Pusak, and Jess Lynch, gathering small clues. Afterward, he returns home to find a telegram from Ellery, which lifts his spirits.
Chapter 25
XX: In Which Mr. Michaels Writes a Letter
Inspector Queen returns to work refreshed after a weekend outing with Djuna. He summons Sergeant Velie and brings in Michaels, Field's valet, for a private interview. After half an hour, Michaels emerges pale and trembling, and Queen instructs Velie to keep him company and prevent him from communicating with anyone. Queen then reads a blackmail letter written by Michaels, addressed to the murderer of Monte Field, offering to sell the original papers from Field's hat for $25,000. Queen seals the letter, stamps it, and sends Detective Ritter to mail it at a specific location, appearing satisfied with his plan.
Chapter 26
XXI: In Which Inspector Queen Makes a Capture—
Inspector Queen orchestrates a sting operation in Central Park, disguising himself as a black-clad man to meet a contact. After a tense exchange, the contact draws a gun and fires, wounding the disguised Inspector. Queen's men swarm in, and the Inspector reveals the wounded man is Stephen Barry, armed with a hypodermic needle containing tetraethyl lead.
Chapter 27
XXII: —and Explains
Inspector Queen, in a reflective mood, explains the reasoning behind the Field case to District Attorney Sampson and Timothy Cronin. He details the significance of the missing top hat, the blackmail motive, and the eventual capture of Stephen Barry, while lamenting Ellery's absence.
Chapter 28
Endnotes
The endnotes provide editorial commentary and clarifications on the narrative, including references to the fictional crime, Ellery Queen's role, a Shakespearean allusion, the source of the frontispiece map, and a correction regarding Inspector Queen's statement about Benjamin Morgan.
Chapter 29
List of Illustrations
This chapter presents a list of illustrations including a map of the Roman Theatre drawn by Ellery Queen, a play program with handwritten notes referencing Monte Field and numbers 930, 815, and 50,000, and a line drawing of a bedroom with labeled areas of interest.
