THE MERRY MONKS OF RIDDLEWELL
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18,
and afterwards 325 men would make 13 squares of 25
Crusaders each. But which of you can tell me how many men
there would have been if, instead of 13, they had been able to form
113 squares under exactly the like conditions ? "
The monks gave up this riddle, but the Abbot showed them the
answer next morning.
47.—
The Riddle of St. Edmondsbury.
"
It used to be told at St. Edmondsbury," said Father Peter on
one occasion, " that many years ago they were so overrun with mice
that the good abbot gave orders that all the cats from the country
round should be obtained to exterminate the vermin. A record was
kept, and at the end of the year it was found that every cat had
killed an equal number of mice, and the total was exactly
1,111,111
mice. How many cats do you suppose there were ? "
" Methinks one cat killed the lot," said Brother Benjamin.
"Out upon thee, brother ! I said ' cats/ "
" Well, then," persisted Benjamin, " perchance
1,111,111
cats
each killed one mouse."
"No," replied Father Peter, after the monks' jovial laughter had
ended, "I said 'mice,' and all I need add is this—that each cat
killed more mice than there were cats. They told me it was merely
a question of the division of numbers, but I know not the answer to
the riddle."
The correct answer is recorded, but it is not shown how they
arrived at it.
48.—
The Riddle of the Frogs' Ring.
One Christmas the Abbot offered a prize of a large black jack
mounted in silver, to be engraved with the name of the monk who
should put forth the best new riddle. This tournament of wit was
won by Brother Benedict, who, curiously enough, never before or
after gave out anything that did not excite the ridicule of his brethren.
It was called the " Frogs' Ring."
A ring was made with chalk on the floor of the hall, and divided
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