Christmas Time: One-minute mystery

“Did you call for help?” Professor said with a smile. “No - I was too frightened,” warned Mrs Ellison Clark.

“It was a terrifying experience,” said Mrs Ellison Clark to Professor Fordney. “The most horrible gunman I’ve ever seen.. I’ve been completely unnerved ever since.” 

Fordney interjected. “Naturally, you have been greatly upset. It’s not to be wondered at.” 

“A hold-up is an alarming matter, especially for a woman. I’ll ask as few questions as possible.

Will you bear with me?” 

While he smiled at her nod of assent, he did not fail to notice the broken nail of the first finger of otherwise beautifully manicured hands.  
 

Top: Professor Fordney butted in … “Did you take them,” he asked. 
 

She drew a handkerchief from her elaborate negligee and covered them. 

“Well?” Mrs Clark inquired. 

“I understand you were standing outside your dressmaker’s at 3pm, waiting for your chauffeur, when a man slipped up to you, inquired the time, and demanded your money and the jewellery you were wearing. Correct?” 

“Yes. That’s what happened.” 

“Did you call for help?” 

“No. I was too frightened.” 

“Did you hand over the valuables or did the robber take them?” 

“Why, I gave them to him, I was …” 
 

The gunmen was smart enough and could have pocketed them.
 

Fordney interjected. “… Is this list correct?” He pulled from his pocket a piece of paper. “Two diamond bracelets, one emerald pendant, a diamond tiara, two emerald earring, $45 cash, and three diamond rings?” 

“That is correct. Did they take them?” 

“Were you wearing a wrap?” 

“No. It was extremely warm.” 

“And your wristwatch?” the Professor asked, looking closely at the woman. 

“I’m sorry, Mrs Clark, to take action in this case. But, of course, I know the alleged robbery was a frame-up.” 

How did he know? 

That the “robbery” was a frame-up was obvious to Professor Fordney. No woman wears that type of jewellery at three o’ clock in the afternoon.  

After confessing that the hold-up was a fake, Mrs Clark, and the man who conspired with her to obtain money from the insurance company for the alleged theft of her jewels, served a prison sentence. 

<< Adapted from Frank Morris from Australian Printer 1904. 

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