# Lateral Thinking Puzzles - third time is best! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 18, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214 "2023-07-18T13:39:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 107
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2121 "2024-06-30T15:10:23Z")
I don’t know who actually started the fire, but we wouldn’t have heard about this if Henry had kept his lips sealed, which he obviously did not since we know about it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2122 "2024-06-30T18:11:57Z")
We didn’t start the fire! ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2123 "2024-06-30T18:34:25Z")
Was Henry in the kitchen when the fire started? In the lantern room? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2124 "2024-06-30T18:51:33Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Was Henry in the kitchen when the fire started? > In the lantern room?. He was on duty and when he examined the lantern room, found it to be on fire. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2125 "2024-06-30T18:56:10Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Fall on him? > > **YES** , I think that is fair to say. Part of the lighthouse that was made molten by the fire? Glass? Metal? A melted giraffe? I’m thinking the light apparatus/area melted and fell/dripped on him. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2126 "2024-06-30T19:14:37Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Part of the lighthouse that was made molten by the fire? > > **YES** > > Glass? > > **NO** > > Metal? > > **YES** > > A melted giraffe? > > Alas, no. > > I’m thinking the light apparatus/area melted and fell/dripped on him. > > **Not a drop fell _on_ him.** yeppers ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2127 "2024-06-30T19:17:35Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I’m thinking the light apparatus/area melted and fell/dripped on him. > > **Not a drop fell _on_ him.** Did he step/fall into a puddle of molten metal? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2128 "2024-06-30T19:38:21Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Did he step/fall into a puddle of molten metal?. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2129 "2024-07-01T13:08:29Z")
Did the molten metal exude some sort of gas or other pollutant that he breathed in, and subsequently died 12 days later from his lungs being damaged? Like from pneumonia or similar? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2130 "2024-07-01T13:09:36Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > Did the molten metal exude some sort of gas or other pollutant that he breathed in, and subsequently died 12 days later from his lungs being damaged? Like from pneumonia or similar?. **Nope**. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2131 "2024-07-01T13:44:31Z")
Did he eat this metal thing? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2132 "2024-07-01T14:56:42Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Did he eat this metal thing?. Yes. Someone want to put the whole thing together? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2133 "2024-07-01T15:02:37Z")
So was the cause of death: - Internal burns? - Internal laceration? - Some kind of blockage? Did he eat the metal because it was encased in something else? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2134 "2024-07-01T15:06:24Z")
Was it mercury? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2135 "2024-07-01T15:06:46Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > So was the cause of death: > > - Internal burns? > - Internal laceration? > - Some kind of blockage? > > Did he eat the metal because it was encased in something else?. A drop of molten lead fell into his mouth down to his stomach. A combination of severe burns to his esophagus and the liquid metal being in his stomach. In a bit, I can share the whole story. Consider this for the most part solved. I’ll post the story. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2136 "2024-07-01T15:10:23Z")
Ahh… I forgot that the injury was something noticed immediately by the witnesses. I was thinking of something that gradually became apparent over the 12 days ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2137 "2024-07-01T15:10:39Z")
A fire broke out and the lead coverings of the lanterns dripped. By terrible luck, Henry got a drip of molten lead in his mouth, straight down his throat. He screamed, “God help me, I’m on fire inside!” > [@](#): > > Henry Hall, who was still complaining about the metal he had swallowed, was taken to Stonehouse, near Plymouth, and was placed under the supervision of Dr. Henry Spry. The doctor was understandably skeptical of Hall’s story about swallowing molten lead. Dr. Spry could scarcely believe it possible for any human being to survive after ingesting molten lead, much less endure towing through rough seas. Additionally, Hall was not exhibiting other symptoms typically associated with such an injury, leading Dr. Spry to reason that the trauma of the accident and Hall’s advanced age were causing him to make wild claims. > > On the 6th day after the accident, Hall made a slight recovery. He regularly took his medicines, and had no difficulty swallowing food, both solid and liquid, until the 10th day when he suddenly grew worse. On the 12th day, Henry Hall died being “seized with cold sweats and spasms.” Here is a picture of the metal they pulled out of him during his autopsy, which confirmed his story. [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1C41NzTA7PBbEvCYqiEGciGvkdsUwXjFRL3dKYb-5ieVSsDc4TtJEJI-zCA9EMI7TZdm1EPQhyfIMgJVrClMtAgg_Ko8ng0o6c3yjEWoUC5IAeZtlr1PKVP5nsFPQhElAXuonsUUa-l4SjdD8nMmZBylM693vX68KzmO6mJ9itzT8sKLPLkCwr7dGQQ/s1600/henry-hall-lead.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1C41NzTA7PBbEvCYqiEGciGvkdsUwXjFRL3dKYb-5ieVSsDc4TtJEJI-zCA9EMI7TZdm1EPQhyfIMgJVrClMtAgg_Ko8ng0o6c3yjEWoUC5IAeZtlr1PKVP5nsFPQhElAXuonsUUa-l4SjdD8nMmZBylM693vX68KzmO6mJ9itzT8sKLPLkCwr7dGQQ/s1600/henry-hall-lead.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2138 "2024-07-01T15:11:39Z")
And his plaque: [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-cdf7Nwfpf9-po2F7QXPDHeOr31kb4072-pQH1jEJlHP7jSxrsC0UO6JcuZmDXWmEm8QHVUrMUxqvbVV381t6hJV9zP8xRqii9WCNhg9NhMNabXbOlKAku7YiRwrC8Ebgm0JQg9ECRDxOLcwnxs5Tg1PodFzJ1WvZxCziscPiG_6I61AfJP-HisxKIY/s1600/henry-hall-lead3.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-cdf7Nwfpf9-po2F7QXPDHeOr31kb4072-pQH1jEJlHP7jSxrsC0UO6JcuZmDXWmEm8QHVUrMUxqvbVV381t6hJV9zP8xRqii9WCNhg9NhMNabXbOlKAku7YiRwrC8Ebgm0JQg9ECRDxOLcwnxs5Tg1PodFzJ1WvZxCziscPiG_6I61AfJP-HisxKIY/s1600/henry-hall-lead3.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2139 "2024-07-01T15:12:37Z")
Note: I did not consider this poisoning despite the plaque saying lead poisoning. I think he died from the damage done to his body inside, not from poison. I didn’t mean to throw anyone off with the poison answer that I gave being “no”. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/2140 "2024-07-01T16:23:28Z")
Ah very interesting (and grim) story 👍 I have to say though, it reminds me of something which happened just last year. Men broke into a house in Pheonix, and shot and killed a woman there, and shot a man twice in the head. Police showed up and…arrested the shot man. They didn’t believe him when he said he had been shot in the eye, and it wasn’t until after 6 hours of questioning that he finally got to see a medic. > **[Murder suspect interrogated for 6 hours before police realize he's been shot...](https://www.unilad.com/news/crime/ryan-waller-shot-interrogated-police-497340-20231103)** > > Ryan Waller was interrogated for six hours in need of medical attention after being shot twice in the face. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=106) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=108)