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The death of Sir Levikus (Posted on 2005-07-12) Difficulty: 2 of 5
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!

See The Solution Submitted by pcbouhid    
Rating: 3.8125 (16 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
to Penny re(2): Problems with semantics | Comment 70 of 102 |
(In reply to re: Problems with semantics by Penny)

*jumping back in to the fray*

Although I agree with you that in doing the puzzle it is a reach to assume Tom had coffee, it is reachable:

Although Tom is a respectable butler, trained at the best British butler school, he's been in service to Sir Levikus for over 30 years now. A fondness and trust has built up between the two. Occasionally when Levikus has "Issues" he has taken to telling Tom all about it, trusting that Tom, in his butler-ish but concerned mind, will provide a sounding board and, on demand, an objective opinion. This night, Levikus is still bothered by his decision to cut someone out of his will and needs to talk. He "instructs" Tom to join him in some coffee, sit and listen. Levikus probably sees this "instruction" as an invitation; Tom, butler to the core, sees it as an order and therefore complies. It could be true, but really doesn't affect the 3 best choices for the culprit.


  Posted by gail on 2005-07-22 20:04:10
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