Social skills, like wit and personality — a flow of passionate and entertaining talk — can help you rise out of nerdhood.

The final four stories in New Adventures were conceived and written as a series. In each of them Ellery [Queen] solves a crime—homicide, attempted equicide, jewel theft—that is connected with a major sporting event.

My little plot has been rather successful, after all, hasn't it? Quite a perfect success, said Drake.

Do you observe that stout fellow yonder, with a stick in his hand? He has been a Daisy-kicker, and, by his arts and contrivances having saved a little money, is now a regular dealer, and may generally be seen here on selling days.