この英文でサリーが仕掛けた謎解きでなぜギブソンが遺産を手にすることになるのか教えていただきたいです。

この英文でサリーが仕掛けた謎解きでなぜギブソンが遺産を手にすることになるのか教えていただきたいです。

Sally began to tell the story .
"The Great Merko was the best trapeze artist the world had ever seen. People in every city were thrilled by the wonderful performer swinging fifty feet above the ground!
"In the year 1922, Meiko died at the very height of fame. In Merko's desk was found a letter. It was a will, written by the circus star. The will directed that the star's money be put in a bank for forty years.
"After forty years, the money was to be taken out and given to Merck's oldest grandson. If no grandson was alive, all the money was to go to Merko's nearest relative, man or woman.
"Forty years passed. A search was begun. At last a man was found in Kansas City who said he was Merko's grandson. HIs name was Fred Gibson. He went to court to claim his inheritance.
"While the judge was listening to him, a tall woman in the back of the courtroom jumped up. She was very excited.
"The woman said she was the trapeze artist's grandniece. She kept shouting that the Great Merko was not Fred Gibson's grandfather. Therefore, the money was rightfully hers.
"The judge questioned the woman. Hw had to agree with what she said. She was Merko's grandniece, and the the Great Merko was not Fred Gibson's grandfather.
"Now," concluded Sally. "Who got Merko's money---the tall woman or Fred Gibson?"
Sally wore a smile of triumph as she looked at Encyclopedia.
The tool shed was still. The boys looked at their shoes. Had Sally beaten them again? Had Encyclopedia met his master?
Encyclopedia had five short minutes to solve the brain-twister.
Slowly the minutes ticked away. One....two...Three...four...
Encyclopedia stirred on his orange crate. He opened his eyes. He smiled at Sally.
"You told it very cleverly," he said. "I nearly said the wrong person. But the answer is really quite simple"
Encyclopedia rose to leave. "The Great Merko's money went to Fred Gibson."

No.1 ベストアンサー 回答者： mirage1mac 回答日時： 2020/06/10 02:47

Sally は The Great Merko の性別をハッキリとは述べませんでしたね。

The Great Merko は実は女性 (Fred Gibson’s grandmother) だったというオチなのでしょう。だから、“The Great Merko was NOT Fred Gibson’s grandfather.” (正しい叙述ではある) と言った女性は The Great Merko の性別さえ知らなかったのだから、すでに The Great Merko の性別を知っている judge は彼女が遺産目当てに来ていることを判断することができたのです。

もし The Great Merko が男性だったり、女性が “Fred Gibson is not The Great Merko’s grandson.” と言ったとしたら判断のしようが無くなるのではないでしょうか。(まだ DNA 鑑定もできない時代だし)