you’re the detective

Press, 26 December 1979, Page 8

you’re the detective

By

E.K.

CAN YOU SOLVE IT?

The Ackroyd mansion ! was built almost a hundred years ago and seem- : ed proud of its age, for not one attempt had been made to modernise it. Inspector Smith opens the ; heavy, oaken front door, I and you gaze up at 14 foot ceilings and an im- ; mense staircase to the second floor. In the parlour to the right, a small footstool is overturned on the rug. Hanging from the ceiling is a rope, cut off at the I end. "This is where he did it,” the Inspector says. You examine the rope, I four feet of which hangs I from a heavy bolt meant to hold a chandelier.

“Why isn’t the chandelier up there?” “It was being fixed.” "I suppose the servants cut him down?” “Yes,” the Inspector replies. “It was a simple slip-knot and they cut him down right next to the knot, but it was too late.” "I suppose, too, that you considered the possibility of murder?” The Inspector grunts. “Of course, but there was no evidence it was murder.” “What about that rope?” you ask. “Ackroyd was a small man; how did he tie it up there? There’s no ladder in here.”

“The workmen left a ladder outside. He could have brought it in. tied the rope, and put it back.” “A man about to commit suicide brings a ladder to tie the rope and then replaces it so he can jump off a stool. That doesn’t sound likely.” "Suicides do crazy things. I remember . . .” You interrupt, “However, there’s proof here that it was murder.” “What’s that?” gasps the Inspector. •qasiuiq 3urq i.upip A[Ui«?)jaa oh T! paqaaar a.veq aaxau pjnoa |oojs -looj a uo uatu iieius y •jt iuo.it jaaj jnoj pa|Sunp adoj aqi 'qgiq jaaj-fi saw Suipaa aqi :M3MSNV