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The Roman Hat Mystery · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen.

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  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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  1. Chapter 6In Which One Queen Works and Another Queen Watches
  2. Chapter 7In Which a “Parson” Comes to Grief
  3. Chapter 8IV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are Chosen
  4. Chapter 9In Which Inspector Queen Conducts Some Legal Conversations
  5. Chapter 10In Which the District Attorney Turns Biographer
  6. Chapter 11The Queens Take Stock
  7. Chapter 12In Which the Queens Meet Mr. Field's Very Best Friend
  8. Chapter 13In Which the Mysterious Mr. Michaels Appears
  9. Chapter 14In Which Mr. Field's Tophats Begin to Assume Proportions
  10. Chapter 15In Which the Past Casts a Shadow
  11. Chapter 16In Which the Queens Invade Society
  12. Chapter 17Queen to Queen
  13. Chapter 18In Which the Hat Grows
  14. Chapter 19XV: In Which an Accusation Is Made
  15. Chapter 20In Which the Queens Go to the Theatre
  16. Chapter 21In Which More Hats Grow
  17. Chapter 22XVIII: Stalemate
  18. Chapter 23Interlude
  19. Chapter 24In Which Inspector Queen Conducts More Legal Conversations
  20. Chapter 25XX: In Which Mr. Michaels Writes a Letter
  21. Chapter 26XXI: In Which Inspector Queen Makes a Capture—
  22. Chapter 27XXII: —and Explains
  23. Chapter 28Endnotes
  24. Chapter 29List of Illustrations