- Steve Colt: When Ward destroyed the fingerprints and got away with Dr. Currie's handbag, he left us with no further clue to the Black Widow Gang. All we know is that the leader is definitely a foreigner, probably an Asiatic, certainly a woman.
- Prof. Henry Weston: And an ingenuous woman - as deadly as the name implies.
- Sombra, The Black Widow: [looking into a crystal ball] As I gaze into the future, I see that you will live a life of ease and affluence... if you comply with our wishes.
- Michael Burns [Ch. 1]: In other words, you want me to sell my country's military secrets to a foreign espionage ring. Like most criminals, you're clumsy and stupid.
- Sombra, The Black Widow: You use harsh terms, Mr. Burns. Nothing has been said of bribery. Your former connection with Henry Weston, the inventor, makes it possible for you to render us a slight service... for which we're willing to pay.
- Michael Burns [Ch. 1]: I have no information to sell... but I have plenty to give to the police.
- Sombra, The Black Widow: That is a fine, patriotic plan, Mr. Burns... It is unfortunate that you will not live to carry it out.
- [a black widow spider strikes the back of Burns's neck, killing him instantly]
- Joyce Winters: The police just aren't getting anywhere. What's The Clarion doing about it?
- John M. Walker - Newspaper Editor: I've engaged Steven Colt. If anybody can solve a mystery, he can.
- Joyce Winters: Steve Colt? The mystery writer?
- John M. Walker - Newspaper Editor: Exactly! Steve Colt is not only a well-known writer of mystery stories, but is also a student of criminology. His fiction detective, Rodman Crane, is one of the most able...
- Joyce Winters: Phooey! Steve Colt and Rodman Crane know 'whodunit' before the story even starts.