| Phillip Langdon was vacationing in a remote
area of Many Forks County, Vermont. He had heard that a rare
variety of moonstone could be found along the banks of a lake
there called Granite Pond. |
 |
|
An avid rock collector, Phillip sought directions
to the lake (which was only accessible on foot) from the kindly
innkeeper Mr. Dabney.
|
|
| In order to reach Granite Pond, Phillip was
told he had to hike along a large expanse of land owned by retired
news commentator Wallace Konkrite. He was also told that Konkrite,
an eccentric recluse, took delight in misdirecting hikers who
sought passage to the lake. |
|
| So much so that Konkrite created four trails
that intersected the one which led to Granite Pond. All four
of these trails took hikers through a maze of twists and turns,
eventually dead-ending at a huge pile of rusty typewriters.
|
|
| At the point where the five trails
converge each path is identified by a signpost. To further confuse
hikers Mr. Konkrite placed a notice on each of the signposts.
|
|
| Mr. Dabney warned Phillip that at
least three of the notices contained false information and then
apologized to Phillip for not knowing which trail actually led
to the lake. |
|
| "No need for apologies, Mr.
Dabney," said Phillip as he was leaving the inn, "You've
been very helpful. Thank you." |
|
| When Phillip finally reached the
crossroads later that morning, each trail was marked as Mr.
Dabney had said. |
|
| Ridge, Frontage Road, Lazy Hollow,
Pepper Tree Pass and Pine Cone Crest; and the notices on the
signposts read as follows: |
|
Acorn Ridge
"If you want to get to Granite Pond, stay away from Lazy
Hollow!" |
|
Frontage Road
"If you want the truth, read the notice posted at Pine
Cone Crest." |
|
Lazy Hollow:
"Whatever you do, don't believe the notice posted at Acorn
Ridge!" |
|
Pepper Tree Pass:
"To reach Granite Pond, follow the trail of Lazy Hollow." |
|
Pine Cone Crest
"The notice posted at Lazy Hollow is totally bogus!" |
|
| While a lot of folks would have
just forsaken their quest, or ended up at the pile of rusty
old typewriters, Phillip took out his pad and pencil and quickly
figured out which trail led to Granite Pond - and to the beautiful
moonstones he would add to his collection. |
|
| What would you have done? |
|
| (As it turns out, Mr. Dabney was
right. At least three of the notices were erroneous). |
|
| Need help? Use this chart
to solve the puzzle. |
