Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 69 – Ripley · Verses Across
Literature · Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 69Chapter 68
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Literature · Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Minute Mysteries [Detectograms] 69
Chapter 68
RipleyEnglish
The Professor Stops a Blunder
At four o’clock Thursday afternoon, Louis Mundy unexpectedly received a telegram requesting him to return home immediately, as his brother was ill.
At eight that evening, he alighted from the plane in Washington. He had not been in the city during the past two months. Hurrying to his suburban home, he found his brother greatly improved. At ten o’clock he set out on a hike through the country, returning at midnight.
These facts were all verified.
Between eleven and twelve o’clock that night, John Skidder was murdered, and the only thing missing from his house was a note for ten thousand dollars signed by Mundy.
Skidder’s secretary said the note was habitually kept at the office and that she was very surprised when he took it home that evening.
Mundy declared he saw or passed no one on his hike, but under severe questioning admitted having been near Skidder’s house shortly after eleven o’clock.
A thorough investigation revealed that Skidder had no known enemies and no one, other than Mundy, had the slightest reason for wishing him dead.
Mundy was consequently arrested. As he knew Skidder lived with only an old man servant (who was out until after twelve that night), the police believed he had gone unobserved to the house, demanded the note, and, when refused, had murdered Skidder. No one but Mundy could possibly profit by the disappearance of the note. As it was due in ten days and he was in no position to meet it, they anticipated little difficulty in obtaining a conviction due to the strong motive and weak alibi.
Asked his opinion, Professor Fordney surprisingly said he DIDN’T believe any American jury would convict Mundy.
He was right— Now, don’t argue! There’s only one answer. Don’t peek! Figure it out.
