Hob's Hoard =========== Introduction ------------ As a child, John Creston had been raised in the tiny village of Polnanty in Cornwall and had spent many a happy hour in the company of his brother. Together they had roamed the countryside in search of adventure, armed with little more than a bottle of water and a "make-believe" treasure map. They had swum in the clear, blue waters of the many tiny coves that peppered the nearby coast-line and spent countless hours in search of sunken wrecks and the promise of hidden wealth they contained. But time passes and as John attained manhood, he set aside the toys of children and set off to earn his way in the big city to the east. His brother however stayed true to his roots and remained within the confines of the village. Throughout the years that passed John often wrote to his brother and confessed a longing to return to both Polnanty and the ways of their childhood, but the pressure of business was always too strong to allow this. Suddenly, one dark and dismal morning, a telegram arrived that was to change all that and the dreadful news contained within its buff envelope caused John to return to Polnanty and the brother he loved so dearly. Heavy of heart, he travelled back to settle the affairs of his brother ... his beloved brother ... who had been killed in a "hit and run" accident. To John fell the task of sorting out his brother's affairs and ensuring that all was in order before laying him to rest in the small graveyard on the hill. Whilst sorting through the various papers John chanced upon some evidence that seemed to suggest that his brother had found certain clues to the hiding-place of a hoard of treasure. The tale continues... Notes: In order to solve this adventure it will be necessary to engage certain characters in conversation. To do this simply type in whatever it is you wish to know ... There is *no* need for quotation marks to be used. Simply type TELL ME ABOUT THE VICAR and if that character has any such information to impart they will do so. If you think there is more they can tell you then just type TELL ME MORE and if they can they will. If at any time a character asks if they can help you, then take advantage of the offer. As you go about your business TIME will pass just as in real life, so remember that at lunchtime the shops will close and the villagers will return to their cottages. WAIT - will allow time to advance by about ten minutes approximately. The input TIME will display the present time as shown by the village clock.