Nosy #10 answer

The case: The missing bell rope tassel

Reggie Teasel at the mill bridge, carrying the brass bell.

It was borrowed as a model for a knitting pattern. The tassel is back, with a woolly twin.

The decorative tassel for the bell rope has gone missing. The bell ringers are puzzling over a bare knot.

A reliable witness saw the person carrying the brass bell take it away.

The complete arrangement

• Vernon Parget: parish porch · pencil case
• Toby Widders: orchard bench · tin whistle
• Reggie Teasel: mill bridge · brass bell

The clues

1. Vernon Parget was earlier on the village trail than Toby Widders.
2. Vernon Parget is either the person carrying the tin whistle or the person carrying the pencil case (one only).
3. The person at the parish porch is the person carrying the pencil case.
4. Toby Widders is either the person at the parish porch or the person at the orchard bench (one only).
5. Toby Widders is not the person carrying the brass bell.

Opening deductions

1. Clue 1: Vernon Parget was earlier on the village trail than Toby Widders. With one of each per person, Vernon Parget / orchard bench is ruled out.
2. Clue 2: Vernon Parget is either the person carrying the tin whistle or the person carrying the pencil case (one only). With one of each per person, Vernon Parget / brass bell is ruled out.
3. Clue 3: The person at the parish porch is the person carrying the pencil case. With one of each per person, Toby Widders / pencil case is ruled out.
4. Clue 4: Toby Widders is either the person at the parish porch or the person at the orchard bench (one only). With one of each per person, Toby Widders / mill bridge is ruled out.
5. Clue 5: Toby Widders is not the person carrying the brass bell. With one of each per person, Vernon Parget / tin whistle is ruled out.
6. Clue 3: The person at the parish porch is the person carrying the pencil case. With one of each per person, Vernon Parget / parish porch is a match.

Every clue is necessary for the unique complete arrangement. The witness statement identifies which person moved the missing object.