Question

Read the excerpt from "Object Lesson, Part 2." "We'll begin with a body search. It's voluntary, by the way. Anybody rather not chance a search? Raise your hand." What inference does Ellery make?

Answer 1

Ellery made the inference that giving the class an opportunity to speak up the truth about the missing dollar was a good idea. He stood to gain from the announcement. If the culprit voluntarily confessed to his act, it would save Ellery a lot of time and effort that would have been spent on tracking the thief. On the contrary if the culprit kept quiet and did not speak up, the idea of being subject to a body search would become a cause of worry. Ellery was convinced that it would rattle him. Ellery would keenly observe the children. The thief’s expressions and body language would certainly give him away. Also, given the pressure on Ellery to find the thief, he inferred that it was the best way to go about solving the problem