Two minute mysteries. See if you know the answers!
By: Donald J. Sobol
Driving through a dilapidated neighborhood at midnight, Dr. Haledjian abruptly stomped on his brakes. His headlights had
illuminated a man lying on the sidewalk.
The man still breathed, though strangulation marks on his neck indicated the sleuth's sudden arrival had scared off the assailant
in the nick of time.
The street was deserted till an elderly man stepped from the door of a decaying building nearby.
"Why, its old Keyes! I knew this would happen. I warned him!"
"Warned him about what?" demanded Haledjian.
"About going around jingling his Confederate half-dollar. I'm Stevens.
Keyes and I have lived across the hall from each other for twenty years. Ten minutes ago I heard him go out --- he jingles
that half-dollar all the time, as if inviting somebody to rob him."
"Is the half-dollar valuable?"
"It is one
of four made in 1861, and it's worth about $5,000," said Stevens. "Keyes kept it as a good luck charm. I've told him to be
careful. Is it stolen?
Haledjian refused to permit a search on the sidewalk. At the hospital, however, the coin was
found in Keyes' right trouser pocket.
Haledjian telephoned Inspector Winters.
"The only other items Keyes carried
were two handkerchiefs and a leather waller containing a dollar bill," said the sleuth. "I suggest you arrest Stevens at once!"
