One of four people - two men (Ben and Carl) and two women (Dorothy and Evelyn) - was murdered.

The following facts relate to the people mentioned:

(a) Ben's sister argued exactly once with Dorothy's legal husband after the murder.

(b) Carl's sister argued twice with the victim's legal spouse after the murder.

Who was the victim?

By (a), Dorothy's husband would have to be Ben, as Ben's sister wouldn't also be married to Ben. Also, both Ben's sister and his wife are alive, so either Ben or Carl is the victim. Since Dorothy's husband is Ben, her brother must be Carl.

By (b), Carl's sister, who must be Dorothy from what we already know, must then have argued with Evelyn, who must be married to Carl, as Ben is Dorothy's husband. And since Evelyn's spouse is the victim, that victim is Carl.

Posted by Charlie on 2012-04-11 12:16:17