An antique pocket watch was stolen from a glass display case during a museum gala. Three suspects were detained: the curator, the janitor, and a guest. The curator claimed he was resetting the museum's grand grandfather clock. The janitor claimed he was mopping the lobby floor. The guest claimed he was admiring the oil paintings in the east wing. Detective Thorne checked their shoes and arrested the thief. Who was it and why?
The janitor
If the janitor was mopping the lobby floor, his shoes would be wet or show moisture-related wear, but let's look at the grandfather clock: grandfather clocks don't need resetting during a gala unless... wait. If the curator was resetting a grandfather clock, he would be standing still or touching the dial. Let's use the janitor: mopping a floor during a crowded gala doesn't fit, or the guest admiring paintings with wet shoes from mopping? Let's make it tighter: The janitor claimed he was mopping, but his shoes and the floor were bone dry.
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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