# XXI: In Which Inspector Queen Makes a Capture— explained — The Roman Hat Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and False Appearances

Inspector Queen's elaborate disguise and Barry's false mustache and makeup highlight the theme of hidden identities and deceptive appearances.

### Crime, Motive, and Consequence

The sting operation and Barry's attempted use of a poisoned needle underscore the criminal act and its immediate consequences.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Queen

Disguises himself as a black-clad man to set a trap in Central Park; orchestrates the capture and reveals the suspect's identity.

### Stephen Barry

The wounded suspect; disguised with a hat, coat, mustache, and makeup; caught with a hypodermic needle containing tetraethyl lead.

### Thomas Velie

Sergeant Velie assists in subduing Barry and extracting his hand from the pocket under Inspector Queen's direction.

## Key lines

> The black-coated man seemed to come to a decision. He leaned forward, tapped the other man sharply on the knee and said in a low, husky voice the one word: 'Papers!'

The disguised Inspector Queen, after a moment of hesitation, leaned toward his companion and demanded the documents in a hushed tone.

_This moment initiates the confrontation and reveals the purpose of the meeting._

> Inspector Queen grinned as he knelt by the wounded man's side. He jerked off the black felt hat. 'Disguised and everything,' he murmured. He snatched at the grey mustache, passed his hand rapidly over the man's lined face. A smudge immediately appeared on the skin. 'Well, well!' said the Inspector softly, as the man's feverish eyes glared up at him. 'Happy to meet you again, Mr. Stephen Barry, and your good friend, Mr. Tetra Ethyl Lead!'

Inspector Queen, kneeling beside the injured man, removed his hat and fake mustache, revealing the disguise and identifying him as Stephen Barry, armed with a poisoned needle.

_This is the climax of the chapter, exposing Barry's true identity and the nature of his weapon._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters/part-four-xxi-in-which-inspector-queen-makes-a-capture
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roman_hat_mystery_se/chapters