Sir Levikus, one evening, rather unwisely, announced at dinner that he was cutting someone out of his will. Sure enough, the next morning, Sir Levikus was found slumped over the desk in his study, having been fatally stabbed with a paper-knife.

Herlock Sholmes, renowned private investigator, immediately began questioning all the suspects to discover who had seen the victim last.

Here are their statements, all of which are true:

a) His long-time friend, Martin, said : "I went to the study to show Sir Levikus a first edition I bought yesterday. He kept it to examine more closely."

b) Lady Jane (my sweet Lady Jane...), Sir Levikusīs wife (now widow), said : "I borrowed the evening newspaper from my husband. There was no paper-knife present at that time; I would have remembered it."

c) Nathan, the son of the deceased, said: "I did not have coffee with my father. When I went to the study he was reading the newspaper and smoking a cigar. He showed me Martinīs first edition."

d) Lisa, Sir Levikusīs daughter, said : "I went to return the newspaper mother had borrowed."

e) Tom, the butler, said: "As was usual after dinner, I brought the coffee service to the study. Sir Levikus was at his desk reading the evening newspaper."

f) Reny, the maid, said: "I only went in to clear the coffee service. I did see that four cups had been used."

g) Cristian, the brother of the murdered man, said: "Since there was no coffee when I went to the study, we had brandy together. I wanted to look at the newspaper, but it was not in the room."

h) Simone, Sir Levikusīs niece, said: "Certainly I recognize the paper-knife. My uncle brought it out when we were having coffee together. I noticed that one other cup had been used."

Herlock Sholmesīs incisive brain immediately determined who was the last person to visit Sir Levikus and thus, was his murderer.

Who was the killer? Can you list Sir Levikusīs eight visitors in order? Show your reasoning!

Arrrrghhhhhh... I know you are enjoying this more than me, pcbouhid, because you aren't having the frustration factor I am having! LOL Anyway, about those pesky assumptions...

WHAT IF we say that Levikus and his bro, Cristian, in the absence of servants and the ladies, chillin' out with brandy, just use those coffee cups to drink out of? That way, no assumption about Reny and hypothetical brandy snifters need be made. Hmmmm....

TOM   + coffee 
         * newspaper
(assign LEVIKUS Cup 1, first for coffee, the reused for brandy -- after all, if one can drink brandy in coffee, what's a little coffee in your brandy?)

JANE  -newspaper
         {no knife present}

SIMONE   + knife
(Cup 3)   *coffee service, now empty (Simone, you coffee glutton! I like you!)

CRISTIAN   {no newspaper present}  
(CUP 4) for brandy  (no coffee available)

RENY   - coffee
  -Cup 1: (LEVIKUS)
  -Cup 2: (Jane or Martin, doesn't appear to matter)
  -Cup 3 :(SIMONE)
  -Cup 4: (CRISTIAN)

At this point, Martin followed by Nathan, and Lisa (who follows Cristian) still need to be placed.

In this scenario, Martin and Nathan could both visit before Tom brings coffee (before Jane takes the newspaper), but then why would Nathan even mention the coffee? As for Martin, as long as he shows up before Nathan, I can't see that his placement matters now.

Suspects are Reny, Lisa, and Nathan. And I'm stalled... (but I don't want a hint!)

Gail *combing the words in the clues for obscure hints*

Posted by gail on 2005-07-19 22:56:29