The King and the Poison
Braingle.com
on
Published in Brain Teasers
The treasurer planned to drink a weak poison immediately before the trial, after which he would drink the pharmacist's stronger potion and neutralize his own. As his own poison, the treasurer brought water -- this would have no affect on him, and would ensure that the pharmacist died from his own strong poison.
The pharmacist, being clever enough to figure out the treasurer's plan, brought water as well. In the end, both drank water in the presence of the king, leaving the treasurer as the only one who had drunk any poison. The pharmacist survived, the treasurer accidentally poisoned himself ... and the king was left with two bottles of ordinary water.
Today's brain teaser courtesy of Braingle.com.