Free The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen

name to name as his thin finger moved down each sheet. Near the bottom of the last one he smiled, looked at Ellery triumphantly, and finished the page. He turned and whispered into his son ’ s ear. A light came over Ellery ’ s face as he nodded.
    The Inspector turned back to the waiting detective. “ Come here, Johnson, ” he said. Queen spread out the page he had been studying for the man ’ s scrutiny. “ I want you to find Velie and have him report to me at once. After you ’ ve done that, get hold of this woman ”― his finger pointed to a name and a row and seat number next to it ―” ask her to step into the manager ’ s office with you. You ’ ll find a man by the name of Morgan there. Stay with both of them until you hear from me. Incidentally, if there ’ s any conversation between them keep your ears open ― I want to know what is said. Treat the woman courteously. ”
    “ Yes, sir. Velie also asked me to tell you, ” continued Johnson, “ that he has a group of people separated from the rest of the audience ― they ’ re the ones who have no ticket stubs. He ’ d like to know what you want done with them. ”
    “ Do their names appear on both lists, Johnson? ” asked Queen, handing him the second sheaf for return to Velie.
    “ Yes, sir. ”
    “ Then tell Velie to let them leave with the others, but not before he makes a special list of their names. It won ’ t be necessary for me to see or speak to them. ”
    Johnson saluted and disappeared.
    Queen turned to converse in low tones with Ellery, who seemed to have something on his mind. They were interrupted by the reappearance of Panzer.
    “ Inspector? ” The manager coughed politely.
    “ Oh, yes, Panzer! ” said the Inspector, whirling about. “ Everything straight with regard to the cleaning women? ”
    “ Yes, sir. Is there anything else you would like me to do . . . ? And, Inspector, I hope you will pardon me for asking, but how much longer will the audience have to wait? I have been receiving most disturbing inquiries from many people. I am hoping no trouble comes of this affair. ” His dark face was glistening with perspiration.
    “ Oh, don ’ t worry about that, Panzer, ” said the Inspector casually. “ Their wait is almost over. In fact I am ordering my men to get them out of here in a few minutes. Before they leave, however, they ’ ll have one thing more to complain about, ” he added with a grim smile.
    “ Yes, Inspector? ”
    “ Oh, yes, ” said Queen. “ They ’ re going to submit to a search. No doubt they ’ ll protest, and you ’ ll hear threats of lawsuits and personal violence, but don ’ t worry about it. I ’ m responsible for everything done here tonight, and I ’ ll see that you ’ re kept out of trouble . . . . Now, we ’ ll need a woman searcher to help our men. We have a police matron here, but she ’ s busy downstairs. Do you think you could get me a dependable woman ― middle-aged preferably ― who won ’ t object to a thankless job and will know how to keep her mouth shut? ”
    The manager pondered for a moment. “ I think I can get you the woman you want. She ’ s a Mrs. Phillips, our wardrobe mistress. She ’ s well on in years and as pleasant as anyone you could get for such a task. ”
    “ Just the person, ” said Queen briskly. “ Get her at once and station her at the main exit. Detective-Sergeant Velie will give her the necessary instructions. ”
    Velie had come up in time to hear the last remark. Panzer bustled down the aisle toward the boxes.
    “ Morgan set? ” asked Queen.
    “ Yes, Inspector. ”
    “ Well, then, you have one more job and you ’ ll be through for the night, Thomas. I want you to superintend the departure of the people seated in the orchestra and boxes. Have them leave one by one, and overhaul them as they go out. No one is to leave by any exit except the main door, and just to make sure tell the men at the side exits to keep ‘ em moving toward