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With an arrow-permitted by Zeus.\\
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With an arrow-permitted arrow--permitted by Zeus.\\
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This sly deed of Pandoras\\
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This sly deed of Pandoras\\Pandarus\\
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* EveryoneHasStandards: Henry shoots down the suggestion that the "predicted" fire was set by saying that a group of people trying to fake a psychic prediction would not go so far as to kill a bunch of people, including a child, to carry out the hoax.
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* TitleDrop: The exact phrase doesn't occur, but Henry is referring to the ''most’’ obvious factor to be eliminated. Mr Eldridge could be lying.
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* TitleDrop: The exact phrase doesn't occur, but Henry is referring to the ''most’’ ''most'' obvious factor to be eliminated. Mr Eldridge could be lying.
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* LivingLieDetector: DiscussedTrope, Mr Eldridge wonders if Henry is able to determine when people are lying through some special talent. Henry assures him that it was simply more reasonable to assume he was lying than the existence of PsychicPowwrs.
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* LivingLieDetector: DiscussedTrope, Mr Eldridge wonders if Henry is able to determine when people are lying through some special talent. Henry assures him that it was simply more reasonable to assume he was lying than the existence of PsychicPowwrs.PsychicPowers.
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** Mr Eldridge quotes from ‘’Franchise/SherlockHolmes'': "When the impossible has been eliminated, then whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth."
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** Mr Eldridge quotes from ‘’Franchise/SherlockHolmes'': ''Franchise/SherlockHolmes'': "When the impossible has been eliminated, then whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth."
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* TheSummation: When Mr Eldridge asks if the lightning strike disproves Henry's theory, the waiter informs him that it serves, instead, as confirmation and announces Mr Eldridge as a liar who [[SeamlessSpontaneousLie
invented each part of the story as he was going]].
invented each part of the story as he was going]].
to:
* TheSummation: When Mr Eldridge asks if the lightning strike disproves Henry's theory, the waiter informs him that it serves, instead, as confirmation and announces Mr Eldridge as a liar who [[SeamlessSpontaneousLie
[[SeamlessSpontaneousLie invented each part of the story as he was going]].
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* WrittenInAbsence: Gonzalo is mentioned as absent from the meeting tonight, and [[Literature/ThePointingFinger
the next story]] gives the reason why.
the next story]] gives the reason why.
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* WrittenInAbsence: Gonzalo is mentioned as absent from the meeting tonight, and [[Literature/ThePointingFinger
[[Literature/ThePointingFinger the next story]] gives the reason why.
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The 6th story in the Literature/BlackWidowers case files, Creator/IsaacAsimov wrote it for ''Magazine/ElleryQueensMysteryMagazine'' (May 1973 issue).
Trumbull is host, and his guest is Dr. Voss Eldridge, who investigates [[PsychicPowers paranormal claims]] for a living. As dinner starts, Trumbull uses his position as host to ban Halsted from reciting his new limerick [[LoopholeAbuse so Drake reads it for him]]. The members briefly discuss the meaning before dinner arrives. The discussion during dinner turns to PulpFiction, when Rubin and Drake debate over ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5'' and ''Literature/SecretAgentX''.
After dinner, Rubin grills Mr Eldridge, and he tells the group about an example of paranormal activity [[SkepticNoLonger that he hasn't yet disproven with mundane evidence]]. Henry, naturally, is able to uncover a perfectly reasonable explanation that satisfies him.
This story has been reprinted three times; ''Literature/TalesOfTheBlackWidowers'' (1974), ''Literature/TheBestMysteriesOfIsaacAsimov'' (1986), and ''Literature/TheReturnOfTheBlackWidowers'' (2003).
----
!!These examples are various factors used to create the story:
* {{Ahem}}: When Trumbull points out that Henry is grinning, he uses a cough to help school his face back to a neutral expression.
* AdaptationDistillation: InUniverse, Halsted is adapting ''Literature/TheIliad'' into limericks, one book at a time. The fourth book goes as follows:
--> Next a Lycian attempted a ruse\\
With an arrow-permitted by Zeus.\\
Who will trust Trojan candor, as\\
This sly deed of Pandoras\\
Puts an end to the scarce-proclaimed truce?
* CentralTheme: The idea that deception begins with the person wanting to be fooled is mentioned several times before it is used as the solution to the mystery.
* ClarkKenting: ConversationalTroping, while Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5'' versus ''Literature/SecretAgentX'', Rubin claims that there are too many traits for anyone to effectively hide themselves. Such disguises really only work because [[MasterOfDelusion nobody really tries to break the disguise]].
* DrivingQuestion: What evidence is needed to prove the supernatural?
* FairplayWhodunnit: The clues are all presented during the grilling, and, in conjunction with the CentralTheme, the audience can deduce the solution by the time Henry [[{{Ahem}} coughs]]. The lightning strike is an additional clue, but can be deduced earlier.
* FancyDinner: The BlackWidowers meet every month at the Milano, a fancy restaurant in New York City, tonight's entrée is London broil, and the dessert is an ice-cream parfait.
* FramingDevice: The FancyDinner gives the audience a setting and characters to hear about [[{{Seers}} a precognitive]] who foresaw a fire occur on the other side of the country before it happened.
* TheJeeves: Henry has Trumbull's scotch and soda ready on a tray [[StealthHiBye as soon as Trumbull calls for him]].
* LivingLieDetector: DiscussedTrope, Mr Eldridge wonders if Henry is able to determine when people are lying through some special talent. Henry assures him that it was simply more reasonable to assume he was lying than the existence of PsychicPowwrs.
* LoopholeAbuse: Trumbull uses his position as host to ban Halsted from reciting his new limerick so Drake reads it for him.
* MasterOfDelusion: ConversationalTroping, while Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5'' versus ''Literature/SecretAgentX'', Rubin claims that there are [[ClarkKenting too many traits for anyone to effectively hide themselves]]. Such disguises really only work because nobody really tries to break the disguise.
* MrSmith: Mr Eldridge explains that he will be calling [[{{Seers}} the young woman with precognition]] Alice, but it isn't her real name.
* PhoneInDetective: Henry is able to deduce the mystery of [[{{Seers}} Alice's precognition]] merely from listening to Mr Eldridge's explanation.
* PickyEater: Rubin is suspicious of food with too much sauce, and requires Henry's and Avalon's reassurances before trying tonight's appetizer. He's quite pleased with the London broil, though.
* RealAfterAll: DefiedTrope, while the rest of the Widowers are willing to believe in the existence of paranormal powers, Henry would rather believe Mr Eldridge is lying. He admits that's exactly what he was doing. In [[TheAnnotatedEdition the afterword of the story]] for ''Literature/TalesOfTheBlackWidowers'', Dr Asimov states his dislike for the end-of-mystery reveal that the supernatural does exist.
* ShoutOut:
** Medieval versions of the Troilus tale are referenced for having influenced modern recollection of Pandarus, obscuring his deed in the original Greek.
** The plot of ''Theatre/TroilusAndCressida'', by {{Creator/Shakespeare}}, is confused for the plot of the fourth book in ''Literature/TheIliad''.
** Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5''.
** Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretAgentX''.
** Mr Eldridge quotes from ‘’Franchise/SherlockHolmes'': "When the impossible has been eliminated, then whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth."
** Trumbull interrupts Rubin to stop playing [[ParlorGames Twenty Questions]] and asks Henry to explain clearly.
** Henry quotes from UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson: "I would sooner believe that a Yankee professor would lie than that a stone would fall from heaven."
* SkepticNoLonger: Mr Eldridge tells the group about a situation involving claimed [[PsychicPowers paranormal powers]] that he's been unable to dismiss. As he tells the story, gradually each member of the club is convinced, except for Henry.
* StealthHiBye: Trumbull shouts for Henry, only to find [[TheJeeves the incredible waiter]] at his elbow before he's finished calling.
* TheSummation: When Mr Eldridge asks if the lightning strike disproves Henry's theory, the waiter informs him that it serves, instead, as confirmation and announces Mr Eldridge as a liar who [[SeamlessSpontaneousLie
invented each part of the story as he was going]].
* TitleDrop: The exact phrase doesn't occur, but Henry is referring to the ''most’’ obvious factor to be eliminated. Mr Eldridge could be lying.
* WithFriendsLikeThese: Trumbull introduces the rest of the members to Dr Eldridge by insulting their ability to do their jobs.
* WrittenInAbsence: Gonzalo is mentioned as absent from the meeting tonight, and [[Literature/ThePointingFinger
the next story]] gives the reason why.
----
Trumbull is host, and his guest is Dr. Voss Eldridge, who investigates [[PsychicPowers paranormal claims]] for a living. As dinner starts, Trumbull uses his position as host to ban Halsted from reciting his new limerick [[LoopholeAbuse so Drake reads it for him]]. The members briefly discuss the meaning before dinner arrives. The discussion during dinner turns to PulpFiction, when Rubin and Drake debate over ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5'' and ''Literature/SecretAgentX''.
After dinner, Rubin grills Mr Eldridge, and he tells the group about an example of paranormal activity [[SkepticNoLonger that he hasn't yet disproven with mundane evidence]]. Henry, naturally, is able to uncover a perfectly reasonable explanation that satisfies him.
This story has been reprinted three times; ''Literature/TalesOfTheBlackWidowers'' (1974), ''Literature/TheBestMysteriesOfIsaacAsimov'' (1986), and ''Literature/TheReturnOfTheBlackWidowers'' (2003).
----
!!These examples are various factors used to create the story:
* {{Ahem}}: When Trumbull points out that Henry is grinning, he uses a cough to help school his face back to a neutral expression.
* AdaptationDistillation: InUniverse, Halsted is adapting ''Literature/TheIliad'' into limericks, one book at a time. The fourth book goes as follows:
--> Next a Lycian attempted a ruse\\
With an arrow-permitted by Zeus.\\
Who will trust Trojan candor, as\\
This sly deed of Pandoras\\
Puts an end to the scarce-proclaimed truce?
* CentralTheme: The idea that deception begins with the person wanting to be fooled is mentioned several times before it is used as the solution to the mystery.
* ClarkKenting: ConversationalTroping, while Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5'' versus ''Literature/SecretAgentX'', Rubin claims that there are too many traits for anyone to effectively hide themselves. Such disguises really only work because [[MasterOfDelusion nobody really tries to break the disguise]].
* DrivingQuestion: What evidence is needed to prove the supernatural?
* FairplayWhodunnit: The clues are all presented during the grilling, and, in conjunction with the CentralTheme, the audience can deduce the solution by the time Henry [[{{Ahem}} coughs]]. The lightning strike is an additional clue, but can be deduced earlier.
* FancyDinner: The BlackWidowers meet every month at the Milano, a fancy restaurant in New York City, tonight's entrée is London broil, and the dessert is an ice-cream parfait.
* FramingDevice: The FancyDinner gives the audience a setting and characters to hear about [[{{Seers}} a precognitive]] who foresaw a fire occur on the other side of the country before it happened.
* TheJeeves: Henry has Trumbull's scotch and soda ready on a tray [[StealthHiBye as soon as Trumbull calls for him]].
* LivingLieDetector: DiscussedTrope, Mr Eldridge wonders if Henry is able to determine when people are lying through some special talent. Henry assures him that it was simply more reasonable to assume he was lying than the existence of PsychicPowwrs.
* LoopholeAbuse: Trumbull uses his position as host to ban Halsted from reciting his new limerick so Drake reads it for him.
* MasterOfDelusion: ConversationalTroping, while Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5'' versus ''Literature/SecretAgentX'', Rubin claims that there are [[ClarkKenting too many traits for anyone to effectively hide themselves]]. Such disguises really only work because nobody really tries to break the disguise.
* MrSmith: Mr Eldridge explains that he will be calling [[{{Seers}} the young woman with precognition]] Alice, but it isn't her real name.
* PhoneInDetective: Henry is able to deduce the mystery of [[{{Seers}} Alice's precognition]] merely from listening to Mr Eldridge's explanation.
* PickyEater: Rubin is suspicious of food with too much sauce, and requires Henry's and Avalon's reassurances before trying tonight's appetizer. He's quite pleased with the London broil, though.
* RealAfterAll: DefiedTrope, while the rest of the Widowers are willing to believe in the existence of paranormal powers, Henry would rather believe Mr Eldridge is lying. He admits that's exactly what he was doing. In [[TheAnnotatedEdition the afterword of the story]] for ''Literature/TalesOfTheBlackWidowers'', Dr Asimov states his dislike for the end-of-mystery reveal that the supernatural does exist.
* ShoutOut:
** Medieval versions of the Troilus tale are referenced for having influenced modern recollection of Pandarus, obscuring his deed in the original Greek.
** The plot of ''Theatre/TroilusAndCressida'', by {{Creator/Shakespeare}}, is confused for the plot of the fourth book in ''Literature/TheIliad''.
** Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretServiceOperator5''.
** Drake and Rubin debate the finer points of ''Literature/SecretAgentX''.
** Mr Eldridge quotes from ‘’Franchise/SherlockHolmes'': "When the impossible has been eliminated, then whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth."
** Trumbull interrupts Rubin to stop playing [[ParlorGames Twenty Questions]] and asks Henry to explain clearly.
** Henry quotes from UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson: "I would sooner believe that a Yankee professor would lie than that a stone would fall from heaven."
* SkepticNoLonger: Mr Eldridge tells the group about a situation involving claimed [[PsychicPowers paranormal powers]] that he's been unable to dismiss. As he tells the story, gradually each member of the club is convinced, except for Henry.
* StealthHiBye: Trumbull shouts for Henry, only to find [[TheJeeves the incredible waiter]] at his elbow before he's finished calling.
* TheSummation: When Mr Eldridge asks if the lightning strike disproves Henry's theory, the waiter informs him that it serves, instead, as confirmation and announces Mr Eldridge as a liar who [[SeamlessSpontaneousLie
invented each part of the story as he was going]].
* TitleDrop: The exact phrase doesn't occur, but Henry is referring to the ''most’’ obvious factor to be eliminated. Mr Eldridge could be lying.
* WithFriendsLikeThese: Trumbull introduces the rest of the members to Dr Eldridge by insulting their ability to do their jobs.
* WrittenInAbsence: Gonzalo is mentioned as absent from the meeting tonight, and [[Literature/ThePointingFinger
the next story]] gives the reason why.
----
