A rare manuscript was stolen from a university library. The head librarian stated she locked the cabinet at 5:00 PM and left. The night watchman said he patrolled the hallway every hour and saw nothing unusual. A student researcher claimed he was studying in the back corner until midnight. Detective Holt asked the watchman one question about the hallway lights, and the watchman confessed. What did the watchman miss?
There was a power outage
If there was a power outage in the building that evening (a detail established earlier or within the watchman's false alibi), the watchman couldn't have seen anything in the dark hallway during his patrols.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Hard. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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