The scene
Miniature fair · Packing tableA case of miniatures disappears from the prize table. Soon afterwards it is found hidden by the exit, tied with freshly cut cord to keep it closed.
Three attendants used different cord dispensers. Each machine supplies one piece of a fixed length. The cord around the case is complete, with both original ends, so it identifies the station it came from.
What we know for certain
One of the attendants removed the case and tied it with a single piece from their own dispenser. Nobody joined, trimmed, stretched or exchanged cords. The stated lengths are exact, and no extra cords were available.
The three accounts
Alba Cano
Small-parcel packing«I worked with the dispenser at the first station.»
Bruno Peña
Medium-parcel packing«I did not take the case, although I prepared several parcels.»
Celia Muro
Large-parcel packing«My dispenser always supplies the same length.»
Examine the evidence
0 of 5 openedOpening these five clues does not cost points.
01The recovered cord
When untied, the complete piece measures sixty centimetres. It has no joins or ends trimmed after leaving the machine.
02The first dispenser
Alba’s machine supplies forty-centimetre pieces. It cannot be adjusted.
03The second dispenser
Bruno’s dispenser supplies exactly sixty centimetres each time it is operated.
04The third dispenser
Celia’s always produces eighty-centimetre pieces. Its selector was locked.
05The station checks
All three machines retain their original lengths. Each attendant used only their own during the disappearance.