Dr. Jones kept an antique clock in his office waiting room. One day after lunch he had only four patients. When he had returned from lunch the clock was still in the waiting room, but after the fourth patient left and Dr. Jones passed through the waiting room again, he noticed the clock was missing.

The police questioned the four afternoon patients, but they had gotten together and decided that every statement they would make would be a lie.

Adam said: None of us stole the clock. The clock was still there when I arrived.
Bert said: I arrived second. The clock was missing when I arrived.
Charlie said: I arrived third. The clock was still there when I left.
David said: The clock was missing when I arrived.

In what order did the patients arrive, and who stole Dr. Jones' clock?

Maybe I'm "missing" something, but I don't see how Adam could be lying about the clock being there when he arrived.  The way I see it, Dr. Jones arrived after lunch to find all four patients there waiting for him.  The clock was there.  That means that Adam must be telling the truth about the clock being there when he arrived.

Posted by Robert on 2007-07-11 23:15:54