Silverton House

The old Silverton house has fascinated the residents of your small community for years. Many believe the elderly couple who lived there had hidden tremendous amounts of money in the house before they perished in an automobile accident. They did not have an account in any of the local banks, nor did they make any investments. This was common knowledge, so the conclusion was inevitable. The only person who knows for sure is Durango Dan, the slightly crazy old man who was employed as the couple's butler.

Almost as many stories abound about Durango Dan as about where the money might be hidden. It is quite common for passers-by to hear boisterous laughter coming from the old mansion where he still lives. The only people who see him are the folks down at the corner grocery where Durango Dan pays for his monthly supplies with $100 bills. Durango Dan has terrorized curious children who have climbed the walls surrounding the house, threatening to lock them up in the musty old cellar and throw away the key. City officials have even been reluctant to send building inspectors into the house out of concern for their personal safety.

Then one day a small classified ad appears in the town newspaper:

TREASURE HUNT

Calling all Adventurers: Hundreds of thousands of dollars can be yours if you can unlock the secrets of the old Silverton house. The previous owners stated in their will that a competition should be held and that the money will go to the finder. Starts today.

So that's what Durango Dan has been cackling about all these years. He's been creating diversions and "red herrings" throughout the mansion in preparation for the great hunt. You figure that you have as good a chance as anybody of finding the money since visions of it have been floating around in your imagination for years.

But apparently many other persons have shared similar ambitions because everybody in town appears to be on hand when you arrive. Durango Dan sheepishly explains over a public address system that one person at a time will be allowed into the house until the money has been found. "Don't expect it to be easy because I've created some ingenius codes that you'll have to crack," he says, chuckling. "You'll either break them or they'll break you."

Over several days, disappointed fortune-hunters leave the house with bewildered expressions. Some are in there for several hours; others throw up their hands after only a few minutes.

Finally, it's your turn.