FILE No.190Unsolved
A is running away, chased by B. They reach a fork in the road. B finds a wristwatch lying on the left path. The watch is elegant and expensive, even set with jewels, and its strap is still fastened.
B thought, "He must have gone down the left path," but then thought again: "Wait. He must have gone down the right path."
What is the most natural reason B changed his mind?
If you get stuck, open the hints one at a time, in order.
When a watch is dropped, what state is the strap in?
Why was the strap fastened?
If it was placed on purpose, which road?
What is the most natural reason B changed his mind?
Choose the answer closest to the truth.
Because the watch looks as if it was dropped on purpose (the strap is still fastened)
The answer is "Because the watch looks as if it was dropped on purpose (the strap is still fastened)."
If a watch is accidentally dropped while on the wrist, the strap comes off or opens as it falls. A strap that is still fastened suggests the watch was taken off and put there. In other words, A may have left it on purpose to deceive his pursuer. It is no proof that he went left. B suspected the watch had been planted to mislead him, and so guessed the opposite, the right path (though A did not necessarily go right).
Whether it is expensive or broken is no basis for judgment. It is not stated that the owner is B.
Because you think a dropped item is proof of the path taken.
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