The Curious Village

Chapter 9: The Tower's Secret

"Hmm... Well, it looks like you've solved a lot of puzzles. All right then, go on in the tower." A voice was ringing from behind the doors.

Opening the doors, Jenny announced: "This place gives me goosebumps."

"Hmm..." They felt the ground under them move. "Oh, my!"

The ground broke under them and they began to fall. The fall wasn't long as they dropped onto the rubbles.

"Ughh... My head..." said Jenny.

"Jenny! Are you all right? No injuries, I hope!"

"Don't worry, professor. I'm fine. And yourself?"

"Nothing a good long bath later won't solve. But more importantly... Where are we?"

"This room is full of curious machines. I've never seen anything like them. What do you suppose they do? ...What in the world? Look over there on the wall, Professor!"

"My word!" cried out Layton.

"There are pictures of the villagers displayed here..." said the professor.

"And what's this? There's a key for almost every villager... Professor, what if somebody is using this place to keep an eye on what's going on in St Mystere? Look, there are stairs over there. Let's get out of here! This place gives me the shivers!"

"Yes, you're quite right, Jenny. Let's head out."

"Oh, what's this notebook?"

"Did you find something interesting?" asked the professor.

"I think so. This notebook looks like someone's been using it as a diary."

Just a little longer now. Soon this village will achieve the purpose it was designed for. I've waited so long for this day, but as it comes closer I feel a little lonely. I hope that, at the very least, the young mistress finally finds happiness at the end of all this.

"This poor diary looks like it's been through a lot. All the pages are terribly frayed. I bet all the scraps of paper we found in the village came from here."

"What's this?!" shouted a person behind them.

"You!" said Layton.

"You two again! What are you doing here?! What are you up to?!"

"Just a moment, sir. What are you talking about?"

"I knew it! You came here to steal my secrets, didn't you? Didn't you?! Don't play dumb with me! I see right through you! Don't think I haven't been watching. I've seen you two sniffing around every nook and cranny in the village, obstructing my work! Now I've had it, so unless you want trouble, give me back Number 38!"

"Please calm yourself, sir. Just listen to what we have to say for a moment. We haven't intended to get in the way of your work. We are merely searching for the Golden Apple. Neither of us know anything about this "Number 38" busine-"
"Oh! Did you just say the Golden Apple? You're really here looking for the Golden Apple then?"
"Precisely. Do you know anything that could be of help to us?"
"Hmm... So that's how it is, eh? What you're looking for is on the top floor of the tower."

"But watch out, because the puzzles in this tower are harder than a diamond-tipped drill? I know they call you a puzzle master, but are you sure you have what it takes to solve them?"

"Now why would you go and tell us something like that? I bet you just want to set us up to walk right into some sort of trap!"

"Hrmph. What would I possibly gain from doing something like that? Not to mention, it's my duty to guide those who seek the Golden Apple towards their goal. Some mischief maker sneaked into the village and had me all confused, but I think I've worked things out now."