Sherlogic Mystery
An autumn maze, impeccable manners, and one dishonest guide.
Case File · Read Carefully
The Hedge Maze’s Polite Scarecrows
Welcome to Bramblewick
Bramblewick’s head gardener had one firm rule: visitors could get lost in the hedge maze, but they must never feel unwelcome. For the Autumn Lantern Festival, five gardeners installed five scarecrows at separate maze junctions. Each wore a different hat and held a different directional sign. A little clockwork magic gave them voices, and soon the hedges rang with cheerful greetings. Each gardener, junction, hat, and sign belongs to exactly one scarecrow.
A Courteous Problem
Unfortunately, something had gone wrong. Four scarecrows spoke truthfully, but the fifth told lies with exquisite politeness. You arrived before the gates opened, walking past pumpkins, crimson leaves, and lanterns shaped like grinning apples. The head gardener handed you a notebook. “Please identify our dishonest guide before the guests arrive. We can trust the gardeners’ accounts and everything you observe. The scarecrows’ remarks require more caution.”
The Gardeners’ Rounds
Clara was gathering fallen leaves beside Pumpkin Corner. “This is where I installed mine,” she said, straightening its cuffs. Beyond the hedge, Daniel called from Oak Crossing that his scarecrow was already secured at its assigned junction. Ben arrived carrying an empty wheelbarrow. “Mine is neither at Apple Bend nor at Fountain Fork,” he explained. Alice brushed a cobweb from her sleeve. “And mine is nowhere near Pumpkin Corner, Apple Bend, or Oak Crossing.” Elsie, meanwhile, assured you that she had not installed hers at Lantern Gate.
Hats Among the Hedges
As you inspected the decorations, you found a straw hat on the scarecrow at Oak Crossing and a top hat on the one at Pumpkin Corner. Ben was particularly proud of the bonnet he had chosen for his scarecrow. Elsie admitted that she had considered the bowler hat, but had chosen a different hat instead. The fifth kind of hat was a pointed wizard hat.
Directions, If You Please
The signs were fastened firmly enough to withstand an autumn breeze. The scarecrow wearing the straw hat held “Right, If You Please,” while the bonnet wearer held “Left, Kindly.” At Pumpkin Corner, the sign read “Through the Arch, Dear Guest.” The scarecrow in the bowler hat offered the apologetic instruction “Do Turn Around.” The remaining sign read “Straight Ahead, Welcome.”
Two Polite Voices
Before the scarecrows spoke, the head gardener offered a warning. “Compare whatever they tell you with the facts supplied by the gardeners and your own observations. One scarecrow lies, so do not mark its words as facts without checking them first.” Then the scarecrows began to speak. The straw-hatted scarecrow bowed. “Clara’s sign says ‘Through the Arch, Dear Guest.’ A most gracious invitation.” The scarecrow in the bowler hat tipped its brim. “Elsie’s sign says ‘Straight Ahead, Welcome.’ Do enjoy your visit.”
Three More Remarks
The wizard-hatted scarecrow gave a little creak. “Ben’s sign says ‘Left, Kindly.’ Kindly remember that.” The bonnet-wearing scarecrow clasped its straw hands. “Alice’s scarecrow wears the top hat. Such excellent taste, if I may say so.” Finally, the scarecrow in the top hat announced, “Daniel’s scarecrow wears the straw hat. Admirably suited to the season.”
Close the Case
You closed your notebook. Somewhere among those courteous voices was a lie. Reconstruct the five scarecrows using the reliable accounts and observations, then compare each scarecrow’s spoken claim with the facts. Which hat is worn by the scarecrow that tells lies?
Detective’s note: There is no separate clue list. Circle the useful facts in your mind and transfer them to the grid.
Detective’s Deduction Grid
Record the relationships you uncover in the case file.
Eliminate is selected.
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