An antique dealer claimed a burglar broke through his shop's skylight, lowered himself by a rope, and stole a golden statue. Detective Ross inspected the scene: the skylight was bolted shut from the inside with thick dust caked over the latches, and the floor directly beneath it was covered in an undisturbed layer of fine soot. Ross arrested the dealer for insurance fraud. What proved the dealer lied?
The skylight and soot
If someone had broken through the skylight and used a rope, the dust on the latches would be disturbed and the soot on the floor directly underneath would have footprints or a disturbance. Both were completely untouched.
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: Medium. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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