Lesson 87. A perfect alibi.

First listen and then answer the question.

What was wrong with the man's story?

'At the time the murder was committed, I was travelling on the 8 o'clock train to London,' said the man.

'Do you always catch such an early train?'

asked the inspector.

'Of course I do,' answered the man.

'I must be at work at 10 o'clock.

My employer will confirm that I was there on time.'

'Would a later train get you to work on time?'

asked the inspector.

'I suppose it would, but I never catch a later train.'

'At what time did you arrive at the station?'

'At ten to eight.

I bought a paper and waited for the train.'

'And you didn't notice anything unusual?'

'Of course not.'

'I suggest,' said the inspector, 'that you are not telling the truth.

I suggest that you did not catch the 8 o'clock train, but that you caught the 8.25 which would still get you to work on time.

You see, on the morning of the murder, the 8 o'clock train did not run at all.

It broke down at Fern Green Station and was taken off the line.