FILE No.59Unsolved
After Morikawa died, two wills addressed to his son were found in the safe in his study. Both were in Morikawa’s own hand, with the same date.
The lawyer who kept them had heard from Morikawa: “When I correct what I have said, I write it again on a new sheet. Please read the last one I wrote.”
Both sheets had been torn from the same pad that remained in the study. The housekeeper says Morikawa always wrote on the top sheet of the pad and tore the sheet off when he had finished.
When the first will’s sheet was lit from an angle, a faint mark, separate from the ink, showed up on the paper. (Photo)
Which will did Morikawa write last?
If you get stuck, open the hints one at a time, in order.
Remember which sheet of the pad he used first.
What was the faint mark on the first will’s sheet made by?
How is that mark related to the sheet written earlier?
Which will did Morikawa write last?
Choose the answer closest to the truth.
The will asking that the drawer be opened
The answer is the will asking that the drawer be opened (the first will).
The faint “ない” (“not”) on the first will’s sheet is an impression of pen pressure from writing the second will. While the second will was being written, the first will’s sheet lay underneath it.
So Morikawa first wrote “do not open” on the top sheet and tore it off. Then he wrote “please open” on the next sheet, the one that carries the impression.
Therefore the will written last is the first will.
Because the dates are the same, you conclude the order cannot be known, and overlook the physical evidence of the mark.
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