MESSAGE 1
As you walk deeper into the forest, the trees crowd around the path which
twists and turns until you are completely confused about which way you are
facing. Finally, pushing your way between two bushes that are encroaching on
the path, you arrive at the middle of the forest.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 2
Eeny, meeny, miney ... mo! Decisively, you take a small path that leads off in
a direction you believe to be northwest. Thorns tug at your clothes as you
follow a winding path which (finally) emerges from the forest in front of a
long, stone building.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 3
You don't see anything special.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 4
I don't think the general populace would be too impressed if you did that!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 5
You take off the $noun$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 6
How can you do that when you're wearing the $noun$?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 7
You walk straight into a closed door!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 8
The door appears to be locked.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 9
You have a quick look at the moat. The water is rather dirty but you can't see
anything moving about in it. Taking a deep breath, you jump from the path,
landing with a faint "splosh" in the moat. Using a gentle dog-paddle, you swim
across to the grille.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 10
You have a quick look at the moat. The water is rather dirty but you can't see
anything moving about in it. Taking a deep breath, you jump from the path,
landing with a faint "splosh" in the moat. Suddenly you feel yourself sinking,
deeper and deeper into the water. You struggle frantically, but to no avail and
gradually sink to the bottom, joining several large blocks of stone, a rusty
coil of metal and several old boots.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 11
You clamber out of the moat onto the path. With a grimace you look down at your
filthy, sodden clothing. It may not have been the height of fashion before but
now ... yuk! Luckily the sun is fairly warm so, muttering various curses
against Oklib, you strip off, wring out your tunic and leggings as best you can
and settle down by the moat (hoping no-one passes) until your clothing has
dried. After a few hours, you don your tunic and leggings again, feeling
presentable enough to continue on your quest.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 12
Alas, Oklib's revenge is complete.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 13
Kicking your feet in the water to keep yourself afloat, you reach out one hand
and grasp one bar of the grille. With your other hand, you reach between the
bars but, though you stretch and strain, you are unable to touch the shield.
After a moment you realise that even if you could manage to grasp the shield,
it would never pass between the bars.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 14
Very cautiously, you step over the sleeping giant and enter the building.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 15
You hold your breath and, trying once more not to wake him, step over the giant
and out into the sunlight.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 16
Whoops! As you climb across the giant's body, your left foot just clips his
ear. You hold your breath as the giant mutters in his sleep, brushes at his ear
and continues to snore sonorously.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 17
As you climb across the giant he slowly opens a large, bleary eye. Rubbing a
huge fist across his face he squints at you, yawns and stretches, then sits up.
Resting a hand on your shoulder, he leads you back into the building where the
Chief Giant decides you will make a tasty addition to their menu - once you've
been fattened up, of course.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 18
Carefully, you untie the rope from around the giant's waist and slowly pull it
towards you ... and pull ... and pull. Eventually you end up with a long,
useful-looking piece of rope which you coil around your arm.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 19
On the bed is a large woollen blanket.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 20
How odd! When you go to put the $noun$ on the bed, the bed gives a strange
creak and a sort of shrug and tips it off onto the floor!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 21
You reach up and take a torch from the wall.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 22
It's closed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 23
It's open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 24
There are several torches fastened to one of the walls.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 25
You reach up to take another torch from the wall but you discover that the rest
of them are too firmly fixed to take.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 26
You drag the blanket off the bed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 27
You drop the torch. Oops! It went out!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 28
As you move towards the wardrobe, the dog slavers and strains at the chain
trying to reach you. Taking one look at those sharp teeth, you think better of
it and back away.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 29
With a deft sweep of your arm, you throw the blanket over the dog's head.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 30
The dog can sense you moving about the room but is powerless to stop you.
Gingerly you pick your way past the creature and open the wardrobe door.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 31
As you reach into the wardrobe and take the $noun$, the dog realises something
is going on and that he ought to stop it! With a tremendous shake of his head,
he throws off the blanket and it lands in a heap on the other side of the room.
The animal swings his head round and you could swear you see his eyes gleam as
they alight on you. Crouching, he prepares to pounce but you're too quick for
him. Leaping back from the wardrobe, and slamming the door shut in the
process, you get out of his way just in time and drop the $noun$ in your panic.
The dog's teeth clash together on the space which was, until a second ago,
occupied by your left leg! Phew - that was close...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 32
The doberman isn't stupid enough to get caught twice by the same trick!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 33
Before your courage deserts you (and thinking of all those sharp teeth waiting
under the blanket...) you pull the blanket off the dog. The creature shakes
itself and glares at you. It's been humiliated by its experience and won't
forget who caused it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 34
Cautiously, you hold out a few of the dog biscuits to the doberman and just as
tentatively he sniffs them. Suddenly his eyes light up and his tail begins to
thump on the floor. With a quick movement of his massive head, he takes the
food from your hand. Slowly you give him the rest of the biscuits.  When he has
finished them, he tries to put his paws on your shoulders to lick your face in
gratitude and with a clunk, the chain breaks. Then he settles by your side,
giving a soft "woof".
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 35
It's already open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 36
One thing at a time, please. It was hard enough to program this as it is!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 37
You can't see the $noun$ in any more detail - the wardrobe is too dark.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 38
The door appears to be jammed. I hope you haven't left anything important in
there.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 39
You reach in and take the $noun$ from the wardrobe.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 40
All you can tell at the moment is that the rope looks quite long and is made of
a coarse material.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 41
The blanket is folded neatly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 42
You drop the biscuits on the floor and the dog moves like lightning! In one
gulp, they vanish. The dog snarls at you and retreats again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 43
You consider putting your hand under the blanket to feed the biscuits to the
dog, but realise it's probably a rather silly move. You probably won't see the
biscuits or your hand again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 44
You drop the biscuits on the floor. The dog may be covered by the blanket and
unable to see but there's nothing wrong with his hearing or sense of smell. He
homes in on them like a guided missile and swallows them before you can do
anything. In his haste, he slams the wardrobe door closed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 45
You go to put the biscuits back in the pocket but miss and drop them on the
floor by mistake.  The dog may be covered by the blanket and unable to see but
there's nothing wrong with his hearing or sense of smell. He homes in on them
like a guided missile and swallows them before you can do anything.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 47
You take the biscuits out of the pocket.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 48
You look closely at the walls and see that one of the walls has very rough
brickwork, the mortar around one brick crumbling badly. The dog paws at the
wall, looks up at you and whines.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 49
You scrape at the mortar around the brick. Seeing what you're doing, the dog
joins in. His strong claws gouge into the mortar and soon the brick comes away.
Putting it on the ground, you admire the hole you have made in the wall.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 50
You scrape at the mortar but though it is crumbling, you are unable to make any
impression on it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 51
You push the west door open and enter the room beyond. It's a study and,
unfortunately for you, it isn't empty. Sitting behind a large desk in the
centre of the room is a burly giant. Looking up and seeing you, he shouts,
"Guards! An intruder!"
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 52
Sitting behind the desk in the middle of this study is a burly giant. He
appears to be working his way through a pile of papers. Funny - you never
thought about giants having to do accounts and that sort of thing.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 53
Within seconds you are surrounded by a bunch of mean-looking giants.
Incarceration for the rest of your life looks the most pleasant option at the
moment.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 54
As you enter the room, the giant looks up and glances quickly at you. Giving
what probably passes as a smile from a giant he says, "Hello, son. Come to see
Dad, have you? I'm afraid you've caught me at a bad time." He waves his huge
hand in the direction of the papers. "I won't be long, son, but remember, don't
touch anything."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 55
You pick up the $noun$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 56
You pull the hood over your head.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 57
You can't wear the hood without wearing the cloak too!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 58
Okay.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 59
You dig at the wall again but all the other bricks are too firmly fixed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 60
The hood is attached to the back of the cloak.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 61
The huge giant sighs at all the papers piled in front of him and mops at his
brow with a huge piece of cloth.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 62
The giant gives a short chuckle and moves a piece of paper from one pile to
another.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 63
Making a few marks on one sheet of paper with a pen, the giant says, "Another
few groats saved, son."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 64
Stretching out his legs, the giant relaxes for a few minutes. Then he returns
to his work.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 65
The giant shuffles the papers about and looks confused.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 66
With a massive grunt, the giant pushes his chair away from the desk and stands
up. "That's it, son, I've had enough. I think I'll go and have a short nap for
a while." With that, he leaves the room and you hear his footsteps crossing the
hall outside and fading into the distance.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 67
You take the pen out of the inkwell.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 68
As you replace the pen in the inkwell, you scrape the tip along the inside and
discover a small recess. The end of the pen just fits into it and as you let go
of the pen, you hear a click from behind you. Turning, you see that the
cupboard door is now open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 69
At the back of the desk is an inkwell.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 70
The cupboard door is open. You can see a flight of steps leading down inside
it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 71
The door hasn't got a handle or keyhole ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 72
It seems to be caught in the mechanism inside the inkwell and won't come loose.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 73
********* Spare message *********
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 74
As you step into the cupboard, you hear a shout from behind you. Turning, you
see the Chief Giant silhouetted in the doorway into the hall. "Intruder!" he
yells and rushes towards you. In your panic you wave your arms wildly and as
you brush your hand along the wall you find a tiny recessed button. Pressing
it, the door swings shut, just as the Chief's full weight slams into it. You
hear the sound of huge fists being banged against the wood and a few curses,
then silence ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 75
In the distance you can hear the Chief Giant shouting to his henchmen to bring
him his mace - quickly!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 76
The sound of splintering wood reaches your ears.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 77
You hear an almighty crash as the small wooden door is destroyed, then the
sound of huge feet pounding down the stone staircase.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 78
"Gotcha!" shouts the giant as he grabs the back of your tunic and pulls you
towards him. Swiftly, two of his attendants tie you from head to toe with rope,
then they drag you back up into the main building where you await your fate.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 79
Silly move - the giant and his henchmen are waiting just the other side of the
door! They grab you and truss you up like a turkey ... then cook you in a
fairly similar way.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 80
"I said, don't touch, boy!" says the giant, without looking up from his work.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 81
A tangled mass of brambles blocks the way.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 82
You chop away at the brambles with the axe. It's hard and hot work but the
fear of capture by the giants makes you work even faster. Soon you clear a hole
big enough to get through.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 83
You push your way through the hole in the brambles. Your skin gets scratched
and you hear a rip as your leggings get caught on one particularly strong thorn
but at last you make your way into the sunlight and tumble down a small, steep
slope to find yourself ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 84
Why? You've already done that.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 85
You don't seem to have anything suitable to do that.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 86
You don't appear to be carrying the $noun$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 87
Pushing your torch into the heart of the brambles, you try to burn a way
through. Either the torch isn't hot enough or the brambles are too thick ...
nothing seems to be happening.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 88
You drop the $noun$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 89
Using your best boy scout knot, you tie the rope to the branch of the tree and
give it a sharp tug to make sure it is tight.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 90
You don't seem to have a $noun$ to $verb$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 91
$Verb$ it to what?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 92
It isn't easy to tie the rope and swim at the same time but after a few false
starts you manage it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 93
Grabbing hold of the free end of the rope, you give it an experimental tug,
then a stronger jerk and finally a hard pull. The rope stays fast.
Unfortunately there's a resounding "crack!" as the branch breaks away from the
tree. As it hits the ground, you roll to one side and narrowly escape a cracked
head.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 94
You untie the rope again and coil it round your arm.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 95
You appear to have broken off the only strong branch.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 96
Right at the bottom of the pile of boulders, you find a really small rock.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 97
Do you mean you want to climb down the rope or jump off the cliff?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 98
Do you mean you want to climb down the rope or jump into the hole?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 99
Taking a firm grip on the rope, you start to slide down it. You're about
half-way down when you hear an ominous creaking. Looking up, you see the branch
is bending quite considerably. You try to speed up and have almost reached the
bottom of the rope when there's an almighty "crack!" and the branch breaks
away. You fall to the bottom of the cliff and the rope and branch land beside
you.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 100
Well, the stalagmite looks a lot stronger than the branch so you assume you'll
be safer this time as you start to climb down the rope. Luckily you're correct.
But you hadn't bargained for the fact that the rope wasn't quite long enough to
reach the bottom and you have to fall the last ten or twelve feet.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 101
You jump up and down on the spot for a while until you get hot and sticky and
somewhat out of puff.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 102
With a mighty cry, you leap off into space. It's a long drop onto jagged rocks
so the true extent of your fate won't be described. Dead is dead, after all.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 103
Hesitating only for a moment, you step into the hole. Alice went down the
rabbit hole and landed on a pile of leaves. You hit hard rock - it isn't
pretty.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 104
You decide to concentrate harder this time. Making a double-reversed,
half-hitched, overhand slip knot, you fasten the rope round the stalagmite and
lower the free end down the hole in the floor.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 105
You realise it would be easier to untie the rope from the branch before trying
to pick up either of them.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 106
The dog whines as he sees that you are leaving him behind. You give him a final
pat and say, "See you soon, boy." Then, taking a firm grip on the rope, you
start to slide down it. You're about half-way down when you hear an ominous
creaking. Looking up, you see the branch is bending quite considerably. You try
to speed up and have almost reached the bottom of the rope when there's an
almighty "crack!" and the branch breaks away. You fall to the bottom of the
cliff and the rope and branch land beside you.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 107
It's very wet underfoot here ... I wonder when high tide is?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 108
You $verb$ the $noun$ but nothing happens - what a relief.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 109
If you want to jump into the hole, just say so.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 110
Do you mean jump off the cliff? If so, just say so.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 111
Part-way up the wall, you find a narrow ledge.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 112
Are you psychic or have you played this adventure before? No cheating and
trying to cut out moves!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 113
With a lot of huffing and puffing, you manage to scramble up to the ledge. You
don't feel very secure but you're up there!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 114
It looks just wide enough to stand on.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 115
Each book has a name written on it, presumably that of a pupil. You can see
quite a few different names including Henshaw, Hall, Ritsik, Grober, Paperelli,
Zimmerman and Rocco.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 116
You're kidding ... it's dark in here! You can't see enough to do anything.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 117
The sail of the boat is lowered and the small craft lies still in the water.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 118
The sail of the boat is raised and the boat bobs gently on the lake.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 119
As you raise the sail, a small breeze springs up from nowhere, then builds into
a sizeable wind. The boat rocks in the water in response.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 120
You lower the sail again and the wind dies to a soft breeze, then fades
completely. The movement of the boat is stilled.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 121
It's already up.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 122
It's already down.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 123
How are you going to do that? The boat is lying still in the water.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 124
 *** spare message ***
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 125
You drop the $noun$ and it slides over the side of the boat, sinking from sight
within seconds.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 126
You step out of the boat and back onto dry land.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 127
You step out of the boat and back onto dry land. Looking back over your
shoulder, you see the craft drift away from the shore and out into the lake,
where it soon disappears from sight. You're marooned - with no food - no water
- and no hope of rescue.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 128
It's already shut.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 129
You can hear a strange rumbling noise in the distance to the southeast.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 130
You can hear a strange rumbling noise in the distance to the east.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 131
You can hear a strange rumbling noise in the distance to the northeast.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 132
You can hear a strange rumbling noise to the northeast.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 133
You can hear a strange rumbling noise to the east.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 134
You can hear a strange rumbling noise to the southeast.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 135
Hanging on one arm of the armour is an umbrella.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 136
It's black and at the moment it's hanging on the suit of armour.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 137
You try to open the umbrella but it's very stiff and you find you can only
partially open it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 138
I think you've opened it as far as you can.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 139
The little boat plummets to the bottom of the waterfall where it is smashed
against the rocks. With nothing to stop or slow your fall, you meet the same
fate.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 140
Grasping the umbrella firmly in your sticky hand, you pull it open as far as
you can. The speed of your descent pulls it completely open and you float
gently to the ground. So miracles CAN happen! Sadly, nothing can save your
boat and it is smashed to smithereens on the rocks.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 141
Bravely, you sail off the top of the waterfall. The boat (and you) fall down
... and down ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 142
You'd better think of something, and quickly, because there are jagged rocks
below you.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 143
There's nothing in it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 144
Gosh, what a view ... H-E-L-P!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 145
You clamber into the boat.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 146
You unlock the door and open it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 147
You don't seem to have the right key for the door.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 148
It's already open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 149
You try to $verb$ the door but you don't have the correct key to lock it and
it swings back open again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 150
You close and lock it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 151
It is already closed and locked.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 152
You bump into a door. Ouch!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 153
You untie the neck of the sack and open it. There's some movement from inside
and a rustling noise. A head pokes out of the end of the sack and looks round.
Uh-oh ... it's a snake, and it's a big one. You try to close the sack again but
the snake is too quick and slithers out. It opens its mouth to show long fangs
and strikes at you. Its poison enters your system swiftly and, thankfully,
fairly painlessly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 154
You drag the sack into the middle of the room to reveal a small ring lying on
the ground. It looks quite valuable. You move the ring towards you and push the
sack back to where you found it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 155
You $verb$ the $noun$ again but don't find anything special.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 156
As you put the ring onto your finger you feel a small jolt of electricity. It
subsides and then a strange feeling washes over you. Your skin tingles and your
hair stands on end with static electricity. Then the feeling passes and your
hair goes back to normal - though you fancy that if you looked in a mirror it
might be slightly curlier than before.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 157
It's closed and locked.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 158
You try to pick it up but it's too heavy.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 159
Before you can do anything, your attention is caught by movement from high up
in one of the castle's turrets. A slender hand is waving from one of the
windows. Suddenly it disappears, only to re-emerge holding what looks like a
small box, which it throws towards you. The box (yes, you were right) lands by
your feet and gives a small bounce, catapulting it into the moat where it
floats, just out of your reach.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 160
The dragon puts out a long, scaly arm and taps a claw on the ground in front of
you.
   "Not that way, sonny. That's my treasure room ... no entry ... get the
    message?"
He grins affably at you as you step back.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 161
You push your way through the hole in the brambles. Your skin gets scratched
and you hear a rip as your leggings get caught on one particularly strong thorn
but at last you make your way into the sunlight and tumble down a small, steep
slope to find yourself ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 162
Suddenly a voice from above bellows forth.
   "Haw, haw, haw. What have we here?"
A chorus of chuckles joins in and you look up to see a particularly
obnoxious-looking knight and a few other unsavoury characters leaning over the
battlements. He picks at his teeth with the point of his lance, grins at
you and adds,
   "Looking for something? Not in here, sonny." He runs his hand over the
breastplate of his rusting suit of armour. "Only knights can come in here."
Then as an afterthought he adds, somewhat sarcastically you feel,
   "Sorry!"
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 163
You almost jump out of your skin when a mellow voice speaks and you realise
it's the dragon!
   "Excuse me, I don't suppose you've got a moment, have you?"
You splutter a few times, then manage to nod your head frantically.
   "Oh good. You see, I've got a bit of a problem. Silly of me, I know, but a
few hours ago, I was flying around when I saw this dwarf walking along the
path through the forest up near the giants' place ... you know where I mean?"
You nod again, inanely.
   "Well, disgusting I know, but I was a mite peckish so - well, I ate him,
let's be frank about it." He smiles again. "Small, but quite tasty apart from
one thing, his shield. I've got the darn thing caught between my back teeth.
You haven't got anything I could use to pick it out with, have you?"
He holds out a huge clawed foot, and cocks his head on one side, expectantly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 164
You swing the sledgehammer a few times experimentally, then lunge at the wall.
It takes quite a time, making you hot and sweaty, but eventually you manage to
bash a hole through into the room next door. A cloud of steam and hot air leaks
through the gap, causing you to cough and choke.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 165
You don't seem to have anything suitable to $verb$ the wall with.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 166
You hold out the branch to the dragon and he grasps it between two talons.
   "Oh, I say, this looks ideal. Thank you SO much. Excuse me a second."
He turns his back on you and you hear muffled scraping noises and a few grunts.
Then there's a popping sound and a small shield flies across the room and out
through the west exit. The dragon turns back with a huge grin and hands the
branch back to you.
   "You've really saved my life. I can't thank you enough, that shield was
driving me crazy. Perhaps I can do you a favour in return ..."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 167
You hold out the $noun$ to the dragon and he takes it between his talons, looks
at it and then looks back at you with a sniff.
   "My dear chap, this really won't do. How am I supposed to get the perishing
thing out with THIS?"
He turns it over and adds,
   "Mind you, it's quite cute. If you don't object, I'll keep it anyway."
He flicks the $noun$ into the air, bats it with his tail and it cannons off the
wall and out through the west exit. You hear a muffled crash in the distance.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 168
You run your hand over the wall. It definitely feels warm and you notice that
when you rap your knuckles against it, there's a hollow, echoing sound from
behind it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 169
Sadly the writing on the signpost is too faded to read.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 170
The wall has a large hole in it. Smoke, steam and ... yes ... a few odd jets of
flame emerge through it at regular intervals.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 171
You climb the stairs, taking care because in places they are so worn as to be
quite dangerous. They twist and turn and finally you see a gleam of light above
you. You push apart some branches and find yourself in thick undergrowth.
Striking out in a random direction, you push through tangled vines and
shrubbery and walk round a tree to find yourself back on the path in the middle
of the forest.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 172
   "My dear chap, I've lead a very sheltered life and I know nothing of that,"
replies the creature.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 173
   "I don't think I have one, and if I did I'm sure I couldn't spare it," says
the dragon with a puff of smoke.

MESSAGE 174
   "So what?" asks the dragon.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 175
   "Oh, a $noun$, how sweet of you. And it isn't even my birthday! I'll
just put it with my other treasures." He turns to the west exit and pushes the
$noun$ through into the next room where it lands with a clatter.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 176
You fit the ring into the depression in the front of the box. It fits and you
give it a slight push and a twist. The lid of the box flies open!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 177
You try to open the box but can see no way to do so.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 178
   "You see, I know a bit about how you came here," he continues, tapping his
muzzle with a claw, knowledgeably, "and I'd like to help." Then he adds,
   "My first covers floors, my next flies in the breeze,
    My third keeps you dry, my fourth covers your knees,
    My fifth gives you knowledge, my last covets wealth,
    An excellent riddle, I made it myself."
He grins at you again and says, "Not bad for spur-of-the-moment, what? Oh, and
take this. It will give you another clue and be invaluable in your travels."
Something drops from his foot with a muffled 'plunk' onto the floor. Looking
down, you see a small, brown marble.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 179
You sift through the gravel with your hands and turn up a little, green marble.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 180
You drop the marble into the hole in the panel and it disappears from sight.
From behind the panel you hear a muffled click.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 181
As you drop the final marble into the hole there's an extra-loud click and a
faint whirring sound. Slowly the door slides back and you see you can now walk
into the eastern room.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 182
Small ... round ... in a panel ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 183
The $noun$ is too big to go into the box.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 184
The dog whirls round at the sound of your footsteps and you'd swear you see him
give a sloppy grin. He bounds over to you and jumps up and down, licking your
face and giving barks of delight. Finally, exhausted, he sinks down by your
side, wagging his tail.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 185
You drop the last marble into the hole. There's a whirring sound, then a
disconcerting grinding which builds to a crescendo, then dies away to nothing.
Faint wisps of smoke emerge from the hole.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 186
Before you can do anything, there's a whirring sound from behind the panel,
then a disconcerting grinding which builds to a crescendo, but dies away to
nothing.  Faint wisps of smoke emerge from the hole. Oops ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 187
Who do you want to give it to?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 188
The $noun$ doesn't fit into the hole.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 189
You look closer but don't see anything special.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 190
From here, it looks like a glorified garden shed, only built from brick.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 191
You take a few steps down the corridor, then hesitate as you hear voices coming
towards you. Opening a door at random, you hide in a small room. Opening the
door slightly, you peek through the crack to see two giants walking past,
talking in low, guttural tones. When they've gone you creep back out of the
room and return to where you were.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 192
Despite stretching as much as you can from the bank, the box bobs out of your
reach and drifts further across the moat.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 193
As you turn the boat, a strong current catches it and spins it in the water
until you feel quite queasy. Slowly the boat stops turning (and so does your
stomach).
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 194
Remembering the close shave you had with the giants last time you ventured
down the corridor, you decide not to go down there again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 195
Opening the blue bottle, you sniff cautiously at the oily blue potion inside.
It smells slightly minty. You sip it; it tastes alright, so you keep drinking
until you have drained the bottle. You feel fine for a moment, then a chill
starts to spread through your body until your teeth are chattering and you're
shivering uncontrollably. The bottle drops from your numb fingers and shatters.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 196
Do you want to drink the blue potion? If so, just say so.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 197
Thankfully that unbearable chill has worn off and your body temperature feels
back to normal.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 198
Ah-ha, someone who's into AGT programming, eh?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 199
The gravel consists of tiny bits of rock of all different shapes and colours.
You can see small fragments of shells mixed in with it too.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 200
The tapestry looks old but is in good condition. It shows various scenes in
giant history ... a kind of 'giants through the ages'. You see a famous
one-eyed giant laughing at a group of men trying (unsuccessfully) to sneak past
him by hiding underneath some sheep by clinging to their fleeces. Another large
specimen is taunting a small figure who fires stones at him from a catapult.
The stones are missing by yards. Somehow you feel the stories are familiar but
not quite accurate.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 201
The carpet is a rich red in colour and very finely woven. You feel as though
you shouldn't be walking on it with your muddy boots.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 202
Ouch! It hurts your feet walking about without your boots on.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 203
You must be kidding - the water's freezing!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 204
   "Sit and stay!" you say firmly to the $noun$, pointing at the ground. The
dog looks at you sorrowfully, his brown eyes pleading. But you persist in your
command and slowly he lowers his body to the floor, stretches out his front
paws and lays his head on them with a deep sigh.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 205
   "Here, boy!" you call and the dog leaps to his feet, bounding over to you
with his tail wagging. Two large paws lands on your shoulders and a long, hot
tongue whisks over your face. The two of you tumble to the floor in a heap.
Finally you manage to calm the dog and bring him to heel again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 206
The dog puts his head on one side and looks very confused at your command.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 207
   "Hey, look lads! He's found some armour, and ain't it pretty!" shouts the
obnoxious knight to his fellow knights on the battlements. There are several
guffaws from his cronies.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 208
You can't go that way - the drawbridge is up!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 209
You walk over the drawbridge and are greeted by a tall soldier who bows and
introduces himself as the Captain of the Guard.
   "My Lord is waiting inside the castle to greet you, we're so glad you've
come at last," he says. Naturally you have no idea what he's talking about but
decide to play along so you bow, mutter a few pleasantries and smile in what
you hope is a relaxed fashion.
Taking you casually but firmly by the arm, he leads you down a passage and into
a large hall where an elderly gentleman in rich robes is pacing back and forth
in front of a fireplace. Seeing you, he rushes forward and pumps your arm up
and down in vigorous greeting.
   "She tried to help you," he babbles, "but he was too strong for her and now
.... oh, it's too awful to think about. I knew you'd come eventually to rescue
my poor Reya. You will help, won't you?" He looks at you with great hope in his
eyes.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 210
   "No?" shouts the man. "How can you leave her to suffer in this way?  You're
no better than HE is!"  Turning away, he leans his head against the mantlepiece
of the fireplace and mutters "Maybe the next one will be the one we seek."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 211
   "Thank heavens!" says the man, clapping his hands and shouting for a glass
of wine for each of you. Draining your glasses, you smash them in the fireplace
in what you're assured is an old custom. Then his face gets serious again.
   "I can't say too much in case HE's listening. You look a sensible lad, I'm
sure you'll be able to save my daughter so, good luck. I'm depending on you."
He gives you a final pat on the shoulder then turns away, lost in thought but
his agitation still showing clearly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 212
You try to climb the $noun$ but can't seem to get a good footing so
eventually you give up.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 213
It's already lowered down the hole.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 214
You roll the tapestry back from the wall at one corner but don't see anything
special - nice try though!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 215
You try to break the door but it appears to be reinforced in some way and you
don't make any progress.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 216
And just how do you plan to do that?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 217
You can't see any way to open the $noun$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 218
You consider getting the books but realise the havoc you might cause by
disturbing them. It'd be awful if you were responsible for the young giants
failing their exams.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 219
You step back out of the boat onto dry land and, to your horror, you see the
craft drift away from the shore and disappear across the lake.  You search for
another way out of the caverns but, alas, don't find one.  Without food or
water, you slowly waste away, your bones on the lake side remain as your only
monument.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 220
You can only remove things you're wearing.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 221
The dog leaps across the giant's body and lands beside you.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 222
The dog growls slightly at the giant, then leaps him once again, landing beside
you in the hallway.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 223
The water stetches as far into the distance as you can see.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 224
You try to climb the stalagmite but can't seem to get a good foothold, so
eventually you give up.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 225
Just say which object you want to read eg read book, read leaflet.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 226
The paper says 'SynTax and Red Herring magazines. For those times when every
adventurer need a little (or a lot of) help. For leaflets on both, write to
Sue Medley, 9 Warwick Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6LJ, England.'
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 227
Even though you've tried to open the umbrella before, and failed, you decide
this may be your last hope and grasping the brolly firmly in your sticky hand,
you pull it open as far as you can. The speed of your descent pulls it
completely open and you float gently to the ground. So miracles CAN happen!
Sadly, nothing could save your boat and it is smashed to smithereens on the
rocks.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 228
Swimming while carrying a lit torch - great idea! In case you wondered, the
torch just went out.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 229
You start to strike out from the bank when you feel yourself sinking lower and
lower in the water. Something you're carrying is dragging you down below the
surface. You try dropping lightening your load but it's too late, you're
already down too deep, your legs entangled in thick weed. Your final word is
"Glub ..."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 230
You drop the $noun$ and slowly it sinks from sight into the murky depths of the
moat.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 231
You drop the box and it floats on the surface of the water.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 232
You drop everything you're carrying and watch the objects sink into the depths.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 233
You try, but find it's impossible to do that while you're swimming.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 234
You drop the box and it bobs back to the surface and floats there.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 235
Sorry this is a pacifist game (at the moment, anyway).
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 236
It isn't going to be easy to pick up the branch while the rope is tied to it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 237
Pyromaniac.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 238
The carpet is a rich red in colour and very finely woven.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 239
Ah, this is the life! You settle yourself onto the throne's soft seat and rest
your hands on the carved arms. For a few minutes you practice looking gracious
to your subjects, then you try scowling and passing judgement on wrong-doers.
Finally you try catching forty winks but wake with a start when you slide onto
the floor. Oh well, back to work.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 240
You sit on the floor and relax for a few minutes. Refreshed, you stand again to
get on with your explorations.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 241
You reach across to close the wardrobe door but, under the blanket, the dog
senses your movement and shuffles across the floor, positioning himself between
you and the door, only moving away again when you step back.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 242
   "Good boy!" you say, scratching the dog behind his ears. He looks up at you,
his eyes glowing with affection.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 243
You're already wearing the hood!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 244
Ignoring the fact that the ledge doesn't look too stable you jump up and down a
few times. Bad move. The ledge crumbles and though the drop isn't far, you
crack your head on one particularly large rock that was in just the 'right'
place to break your fall - and in this case your head too.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 245
You reach into the boat and raise the sail. The red fabric immediately billows
as it fills with wind which seems to arise from nowhere.  Slowly the boat slips
from the shore before you can scramble aboard, leaving you marooned with no
food, no water and no hope of rescue.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 246
You root about in the sand, hoping to dig up something useful. But all you find
are some pretty shells - very attractive but of no use to you.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 247
You reach into the boat and raise the sail. The red fabric immediately billows
as it fills with wind which seems to arise from nowhere.  Slowly the boat slips
from the shore before you can scramble aboard. The only way you can go is back
the way you came, into the tunnels. You wander them for a while, unable to
escape. Luckily you are drowned by the next high tide before you can die of
starvation.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 248
Looking again, you see that the boulder must have struck the carving as it fell
because only a few letters remain.
   '......o......? ........i........b.........'
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 249
You stretch out a tentative hand to pat the dog. It snarls and lunges at you,
making you pull back quickly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 250
You gingerly pat the dog on the top of its blanket-clad head. Muffled snarls
come from under the blanket, making you wonder if it's the best idea you've had
all day.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 251
You take one step along the path and suddenly hear a commotion ahead of you.
Obviously the alarm was raised after you escaped from the giants' building. You
think to yourself ... should you go that way or not?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 252
Deciding to risk it, you sneak along the path, but before you've taken more
than a few steps, a huge hand descends on your shoulder and you're whirled
round to find yourself face to face with a very large and very angry giant.
Holding your arms firmly, he marches you into the study where the chief giant
is waiting. Giants don't believe in trials, only their own idea of brutal
justice.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 253
Sensible decision!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 254
The only response you get from the soldiers is a lot of jeering.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 255
   "Shush, son. Can't you see I'm busy?"
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 256
You don't find anything more.
END_COMMAND

MESSAGE 257
You're afraid to move in the dark in case you fall or break something (maybe
both).
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 258
You push the $noun$ but nothing spectacular happens.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 259
ARGGH!!!!! (Feel better?)
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 260
I hope you did, because someone else feels a LOT worse - you just woke the
giant. And if there's one thing a giant hates more than waking up normally,
it's being woken up by some idiot screaming into his ear! It looks like you're
in for a rough time while the giant takes his revenge.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 261
You stumble back into the light.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 262
Sorry, you can't do that....
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 263
You drop the torch into the water. Not surprisingly, it goes out as it sinks.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 264
You aren't carrying anything else.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 265
Then a more refined and forceful voice shouts "Lower the drawbridge!" Several
of the men run to the mechanism and with much puffing and groaning get it into
action. The huge drawbridge starts to drop and you step back to avoid getting
squashed. It seems to take forever but finally the drawbridge settles in place
and you can see into the main part of the castle to the northwest.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 266
   "He ain't wearin' it, though," adds another voice.
   "Yer right, Frank," says the first knight. Leaning over the battlements he
says in a stage whisper, "I don't expect he's got the guts to put it on."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 267
As you walk through the hall, the man suddenly looks at you and catches hold of
your arm.
   "I just remembered this - you may find it useful," he says, as he presses a
small vial of red liquid into your hand.
Before you can thank him, he turns away from you and is again deep in thought.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 268
You give the bust a gentle push. Strangely, it seems to be fixed to the pillar
and the whole things tips back a fraction. As it drops back to the floor, you
hear a faint 'click' in the distance.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 269
You hear a squeak and a 'click' in the distance.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 270
Suddenly, you see the door swing shut with a muffled click. Once again, all
that can be seen is panelling on the south wall.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 271
You bump your head on the panelling.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 272
As you walk through the door, it swings shut behind you, leaving just an
expanse of panelling.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 273
You can't open the harpsichord while there's something on top of it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 274
You take the $noun$ off the top of the harpsichord.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 275
You walk cautiously across the 'bridge' and arrive on the island.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 276
You scuttle across the plank, back to dry land.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 277
Good idea. The plank makes an adequate bridge over the stream.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 278
What? And get your feet wet?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 279
You pick up your home-made 'bridge' again and lay the plank on the ground.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 280
You try but you can't $verb$ it any further.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 281
With a mighty heave, you $verb$ the sideboard along the wall ... revealing a
narrow passage that was hidden behind it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 282
You open the red vial. The smell that emanates from the liquid within reminds
you of hot chilli, curry sauces and anything with peppers in it. The liquid
burns like fire as you swallow it. Heat radiates from your skin, causing the
vial to shatter into minute pieces of glass dust and your forehead burns as
though you were fighting a fierce fever.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 283
Do you want to drink the red liquid? If so, just say so.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 284
With a shudder, you feel your body temperature plummet back to normal.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 285
You try to judge if there's any regularity to the movement of the weapons but
after half an hour of studying them you have to admit defeat. Poised in the
doorway, you see a slight gap as a sword flies west and an axe north. You rush
forward, ducking to avoid a mace and then jumping to miss a stream of tiny
darts. Overbalancing, you fall to the floor, arm outstretched and grasp the
key. Missiles whirl above your head as you start the long crawl back. A cannon
ball hits you on the back of the head. Ouch! The other weapons, en masse, seem
to spot you and converge on your location ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 286
You turn the hourglass over and the sand starts to trickle through. You watch
it for several seconds, hypnotised by the smooth motion. Taking a step forward,
you find yourself, suddenly, several yards from your starting position. How
could you have moved so quickly? There's only one explanation - time seems to
have slowed down with the sand's movement.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 287
With a final trickle, the sand completes its short and uneventful journey from
the top bulb of the hourglass to the lower one. Your body shivers as you see
your surroundings blur, then come back into focus. Time has returned to its
normal speed; how tedious.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 288
With the added speed given to you through the magic of the hourglass, you
cross the room, ducking and diving like a skilled boxer, avoiding the weapons
which seem to sense your movement. Grasping the key, you turn and dash for the
door. The weapons put on an extra burst of speed too, clattering frantically
against each other as the fight for the honour of maiming you. None wins. You
puff and pant in the doorway, holding your hard-won prize and hoping it's
worth the bother.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 289
You take a step forward toward the red barrier. It's like a wall of pure heat.
You feel sweat pouring off you but the chill radiating from your body
counteracts the heat barrier and you pass through it, slightly warmer but
unharmed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 290
As you walk into the blue haze, it's worse than stepping into a freezer. A bath
of liquid nitrogen might be more like it. But the increase in your body
temperature protects you from the intense cold and though frost forms on your
eyebrows, you reach the other side unharmed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 291
You try to turn the hourglass again but, strangely, it flips back into its
original position. Then you notice a small message inside the object, written
in slightly differently coloured sand. It says 'One use only'.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 292
You cover your face with your arms and rush at the barrier of red light. Heat
bombards you from all sides. Though the barrier can be only a few inches wide,
all that emerges from the other side is a small pile of ash which slowly blows
away on a faint breeze.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 293
Stepping into the blue haze, you feel a chill start in your toes and your head
at the same time. Faster than the speed of light, an intense feeling of
absolute coldness rushes from both ends of your body to meet in the middle.
Your body goes rigid and white with frost and topples forward. As it hits the
floor, it shatters into a zillion pieces which slowly melt into tiny puddles.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 294
Didn't anyone ever tell you not to mix your drinks? Waves of alternating heat
and cold wash over your body, causing you to sweat and shiver. The waves come
quicker and quicker. It's too much for your poor body to stand. With a final
shiver, you drop down, dead as a dodo (but slightly more attractive).
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 295
As you pick up the shield, you feel a warmth enfold you and a faint musical
sound fills the air before dying away.
   Outside the grille, you hear a muffled voice say "Darn it!" and a sploshing
sound as someone swims away across the moat.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 296
You're afraid to collect the instruments in such a casual manner - they look
too valuable.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 297
You clamber gingerly onto the balcony and lay the plank over the gap. It only
just stretches from one side to the other and, to be honest, doesn't look too
safe.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 298
You consider jumping the gap but decide it's too far to attempt it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 299
Cautiously you put one foot on the plank, then the other. It creaks. You take a
step forward, then drop to your knees as the plank starts to sag in the middle.
You shuffle forward as fast as you can, the plank creaking more with each
second. Luckily it doesn't take you long to reach the other side. Just as
fortunately, the plank holds out just long enough. You have no sooner set one
foot onto the north balcony when the plank slips from its precarious position
and tumbles, end over end, into the courtyard below. There's a crash, several
growls and the sound of splintering wood. Then all is silent again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 300
How odd. You can lift either of your feet off the ground but 'something' is
pinning you to the floor.
END_MESSAGE 300

MESSAGE 301
It says:
     'Danger - keep out!'
... but not why.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 302
You strum a few chords on the harp, then try a folk tune you recall. There are
a few wrong notes but, generally, you don't play too badly. Getting more
confident, you attempt a few ambitious high notes. One of them is especially
shrill and the glass key disintegrates into a shower of fine particles of glass
dust.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 303
You tuck the harp under your arm and start to play a merry tune. As you get
into your stride, you start to play louder and louder. The crystal glows and
violent colour changes take place within it. Mesmerised, you play on. A strange
humming reaches your ears. It appears to be coming from within the crystal. Its
colour darkens to a deep purple and, with an almighty crack, it splits down the
middle. The two halves fall to the floor and shatter into dust and as they do
so, a tinkling sound catches your attention as a small, silver whistle falls
onto the plinth. Presumably it had been embedded in the crystal.
     Unfortunately, at the same moment as the crystal shatters, so does the
glass key.
END_MESSAGE.

MESSAGE 304
You tuck the harp under your arm and start to play a merry tune. As you get
into your stride, you start to play louder and louder. The crystal glows and
violent colour changes take place within it. Mesmerised, you play on. A strange
humming reaches your ears. It appears to be coming from within the crystal. Its
colour darkens to a deep purple and, with an almighty crack, it splits down the
middle. The two halves fall to the floor and shatter into dust and as they do
so, a tinkling sound catches your attention as a small, silver whistle falls
onto the plinth. Presumably it had been embedded in the crystal.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 305
Before you can move, a strange cloud appears above the crystal. Vague shapes
move within it, initially none of them identifiable. Then one becomes more
distinct ... the face of a young woman. She smiles at you and speaks.
     "At last, you have come ... you followed the trail. But beware. Touch
nothing that you do not understand for it may even yet be your undoing."
With a final smile, she is gone and the cloud dissipates once more.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 306
You take one step towards the crystal. Its colour darkens, from a pale green to
a bottle green, then changes to a dark purple. A glow appears, deep inside
it. Without warning a flash erupts from within it and a small fireball darts
across the room, striking you in the chest. The pain is brief, the results
fatal.
END_MESSAGE 306

MESSAGE 307
You attempt to pass the heat barrier a second time. Bad move. I expect yuou can
guess what happens ...?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 309
Trying to make a return trip through the cold barrier is a bad idea. You are
frozen solid by the time you reach the other side.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 310
You give a sharp blow on the whistle. You don't hear a thing but the glass key
shatters into a million pieces.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 311
You give a sharp blow on the whistle. The wolves look at you expectantly. One
blinks, another wags his tail, a third goes so far as to sniff your foot and
look up at you. A fourth gives a slight jump as the glass key shatters into
dust! The rest just wait.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 312
You give a sharp blow on the whistle. The wolves look at you expectantly. One
blinks, another wags his tail, a third goes so far as to sniff your foot and
look up at you. The rest just wait.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 313
You give a sharp blow on the whistle and hear nothing at all.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 314
You drop the key on the ground. It's glass. It breaks. Oops.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 315
You take a step towards the exit. The wolves look at each other, then at you.
One gives a snarl, then the pack attacks.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 316
The wolves watch silently, but remain still, as you go through the doorway.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 317
You pull open the grille and the smell of the moat reaches you in full force.
You'd forgotten how disgusting it was.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 318
The grille is already open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 319
You can't go that way, the grille is closed.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 320
You clamber through the hole and drop into the moat, pulling the grille shut
behind you. Swiftly, before the weight of your belongings drags you down, you
swim to the shore. Once there, you (once again) dry off yourself and your
possessions in the warm sun. Soon you're ready to continue with your adventure.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 321
The dog sees the plank fall and howls. He leaps onto the balcony and, tensing
his muscles, jumps after you. You just grab the scruff of his neck as he lands
and, scrabbling with his claws, he manages to drag himself to safety.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 322
You recite the words of the spell, directing them at the statue. A shimmer
forms in the air around you and a bright globe of light appears in the middle
of it. The light hovers for a minute then darts forwards and strikes the
statue! A glow passes from the top to the bottom of it ... it's too bright for
you to look at it and you are forced to turn away until it fades. When it does
you can see that the woman has become flesh and blood.
     "My name is Reya. Thank you for saving me," she says. "Alas, the magic
held by the staff, when used by the wrong person, can have dire consequences as
you can see." She waves a hand to encompass the remaining statues. "Luckily I
have some magical knowledge of my own and can now restore these poor people to
normality. You must ensure the staff can never be used for evil again. Find it
as quickly as you can and return it to the King, for I fear time is running
out. Take this," she adds, passing you a shawl of fine net. "It will help you
in your quest. But for now, please take me back to my father so I can show him
that I am myself again." She looks at you expectantly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 323
You recite the words of the spell, directing them at your chosen target.  A
shimmer forms in the air around you and a bright globe of light appears in the
middle of it. The light hovers for a minute then darts forwards and strikes its
target! A glow passes from the top to the bottom of it ... it's too bright for
you to look at it and you are forced to turn away until it fades.  When it does
you can see that absolutely nothing has changed! Obviously this spell is not
meant to be used in this way.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 324
You recite the words of the spell, directing them at the bust. A shimmer
forms in the air around you and a bright globe of light appears in the middle
of it. The light hovers for a minute then darts forwards and strikes the
bust! A glow passes from the top to the bottom of it ... it's too bright
for you to look at it and you are forced to turn away until it fades. When it
does you can see that the bust has become animated. Of course, it has no body
so can do very little. You see its mouth moving and faintly hear the words
"What a waste of a spell," before the bust returns to its natural state.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 325
Suddenly the man notices you and your companion.
     "Reya!" he cries, holding out his arms. She rushes into them and they
embrace. It is a touching reunion and you are forced to hide a tear or two.
Then he turns to you.
     "Thank you for returning my daughter to me. I will be forever grateful to
you. I fear that there is little more that I can do to help you in your search
for the King's staff and the scoundrel who stole it. Our good wishes will go
with you and we will pray for your success for I fear that if you fail, the
fate that befell Reya for opposing him will be nothing compared to the fate we
will suffer if HE takes charge, wielding the staff, and using it for evil, not
good."
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 326
You flick through the books - there are hundreds of them. If you had time you'd
like nothing better than to pour over them but you know you haven't that much
time to spare. Luckily your search is rewarded quickly as a small scroll falls
out of one book and onto the floor.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 327
You search through the books again but find nothing special.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 328
How can you cast a spell when you don't have the relevant scroll with you?
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 329
The doberman cocks his head to one side and watches you intently.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 330
You slip your arm through the strap on the shield. It feels quite light.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 331
You drop the armour. Rather than just dropping onto the floor, it lands with a
'clang'. When you try to move it, you find it is held to the disk by some
mysterious force.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 332
No matter how hard to try, you find the armour is pinned to the disk by a
strange force.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 333
It's impossible to get the $noun$.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 334
You close the grille again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 335
As you gaze over the water, you hear a strange sound. The water begins to boil
and, slowly, you see a series of stones rise from beneath the surface of the
lake. Gradually the water becomes still again and you can see that the stones
form a path from one side of the lake to the other.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 336
The stones are still wet but you manage to keep your footing as you cross from
one side to the other.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 337
You grasp the staff and pull it. There's a grinding sound and the statue slowly
slides away from the wall, revealing a short passage to the north.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 338
You pull the staff again and the statue slides back, blocking the passageway.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 339
As you reach for the picture, it slips from your hands and falls to the floor.
You notice that it had been hanging on a spike which is embedded in the wall.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 340
You pull the spike from the wall. It leaves a small hole but, what the heck!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 341
You look at the table and admire the fine china, glasses and cutlery. They look
very expensive. Then you look UNDER the table and spot a small trapdoor,
cunningly concealed. You open the trapdoor. Pungent fumes rise from beneath it.
Looking down you can see very little.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 342
You look at the table and admire the fine china, glasses and cutlery. They look
very expensive.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 343
The trapdoor is already open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 344
Before you can move, the stones slowly sink beneath the surface of the lake
again. The water churns for a few minutes, then lies calm again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 345
As you walk to the north end of the room you hear a noise behind you. Turning,
you see the south door close.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 346
The door seems to be jammed shut.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 347
Some force appears to be holding the door open. No matter how you try, you
can't budge it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 348
You turn the key in the lock and hear a click as it unlocks. Suddenly the door
flies back with tremendous force and you gaze through the doorway into the room
within.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 349
You pause as you hear a strange hissing sound coming from the small holes.
Slowly the sound dies away. You shake your head and walk north into the
adjoining room.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 350
As you re-enter the room, you hear the hissing sound again. It gets louder and
you smell an acrid scent.  Turning, you see a green gas coming from the holes
in the floor, walls and ceiling of the room. The south door slams shut and the
room slowly fills with gas. You find it hard to breathe ... then harder ...
then impossible, and your lifeless body slumps to the floor.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 351
As you re-enter the room, you hear the hissing sound again. It gets louder and
you smell an acrid scent. Turning, you see a green gas coming from the holes in
the floor, walls and ceiling of the room. The south door judders, as though
trying to shut, but the spike holds it open. You hold your breath as the gas
drifts out down the corridor to the south. Finally, the hissing stops and you
take a deep breath in relief.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 352
You slide the spike under the partly-open door, then give the door an
experimental tug. It seems to be held open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 353
You check your pockets but don't seem to have anything suitable to use to prop
the door open.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 354
Cautiously you slide open one side of the hive. Inside you can see a tattered
scroll which is sticky with honey. Bees are crawling all over it. A few fly out
of the hive, around your head.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 355
You reach into the hive to get the scroll. Bees crawl onto your hands and up
your arms. You swat at them but there are too many of them. Several hundred
stings later you are extremely dead.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 356
You reach into the hive to get the scroll. Bees fly out and settle on your face
and catch in your hair.  You swat at them but there are too many of them.
Several hundred stings later you are extremely dead.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 357
You reach into the hive to get the scroll. Bees crawl onto your hands and up
your arms. More settle on your face and tangle in your hair. You swat at them
but there are too many of them. Several hundred stings later you are extremely
dead.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 358
You reach into the hive to get the scroll. Bees crawl onto your hands but the
gloves protect you. More bees try to settle on your face but the net keeps them
away. You pick up the scroll and, as most of the bees fly back into the hive,
step back from it, with a huge sigh of relief.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 359
You jump down through the trapdoor and land on the top of a metal cylinder,
then take a better look around.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 360
From nearby, you hear a strange slurping noise and a bubbling sound and
realise that the cylinder has sunk under the acid.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 361
With a slurping sound the cylinder finally sinks under the acid. You sink too
and disappear from sight. Or do you just dissolve? It's hard to tell.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 362
The dog gives a faint growl and lies down in front of the statue. Though you
call him, he refuses to move, resting his head on his paws.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 363
You jump through the trapdoor. Unfortunately the cylinder you were expecting to
land on has sunk beneath the acid. You vanish under the liquid with only a
squeak and a trail of bubbles.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 364
You go through the west exit, back to the cylinder room. Unfortunately the
cylinder has sunk beneath the acid so there's nothing to land on (apart from
the acid itself, that is).
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 365
You experiment with different ways of wearing the net ... like a shawl ... a
sarong ... finally you drape it over your head and shoulders. You can just
see out through the mesh.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 366
You jump east over the pool of acid and land safely in the next room.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 367
You take an idle step east, straight into the acid. Sizzle ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 368
You jump through the west exit and land on the cylinder again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 369
"Nimbus," you cry. A small cloud forms above the well ... turns bigger ... and
blacker, until it covers the ceiling. You hear a small noise and notice a drop
of water on the ground. More follow as rain begins to fall from the cloud.
Thunder crashes and lightning flashes. You get drenched as the rain continues
to fall. Finally the cloud has expended all its water and it slowly shrinks to
nothing. Looking into the well, you can see it is now full of water. Bobbing on
the surface is a metallic object. You reach in and take it - it appears to be a
horn.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 370
"Nimbus," you cry. A small cloud forms in the air above you ... turns bigger
... and blacker. You hear a pattering sound as raindrops start to fall from it.
Soon you are drenched by a deluge of water. Gradually the rain stops falling
and the cloud shrinks to nothing. The water evaporates quickly (and magically)
until all that is left to remind you of the rainstorm is your damp hair.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 371
Cautiously you dip the plaque into the acid. Small bubbles appear around its
edge and a pungent smell fills the air. You see the surface of the plaque
become clean and whip it out of the liquid before it dissolves completely.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 372
You dip it into the acid.  Small bubbles appear around its edge and a pungent
smell fills the air. The bubbles increase and with a gasp you let go of the
object which sinks beneath the surface with a >gloop<. Bubbles continue to rise
for a few moments, then the acid lies still.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 373
You say the name "Oklib". For a moment, nothing happens, then the plaque begins
to glow. A haze covers your sight as mist rolls up from the floor. Laughter
fills the air and you try to keep your balance as the ground tips beneath you.
Suddenly all goes black and you feel yourself falling. With a bump you hit the
ground. Dim light fills the room as you look around you and hope you're ready
for what you're about to experience ...
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 374
You speak, but nothing happens.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 375
You hold out the ring and the hand makes a clutching movement, then relaxes,
its fingers straightening. You slip the ring onto one of its fingers. For a
moment nothing happens, then the hand clenches into a fist and disolves into
smoke. The grille retracts into the ceiling but before you can step forwards a
mist appears in your way. You watch as it solidifies into a wall of glass. It
reaches from floor to ceiling.

Hearty laughter reaches your ears from the north.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 376
You put the horn to your lips and blow. A long tone is emitted from the horn.
You feel a strange vibration through your body and lower the horn. Mesmerised
you watch the glass wall. It seems to be rippling! Suddenly there's a loud
>>crack!!<< and the wall shatters, glass shards dropping to the floor where
they smoke and vanish.

You're about to step forward when you hear a voice say "Now, my beauty!" and
something flashes past over your shoulder, landing in front of you. It's a
tiger, claws entended, blocking your path.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 377
You blow the horn. A long tone fills the air but nothing else happens.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 378
Suddenly the dog leaps forward and lunges at the tiger. The huge cat leaps
back, amazed that anyone would dare to attack it. The two circle each other,
the tiger snarling, the dog growling. The tiger crouches, as if to pounce ...
the dog eyes him distainfully and barks ... they circle again. You're just
about to call the dog back to you, fearing for his safety, when, to your
amazement the tiger turns tail and runs through the north exit. Muffled shouts
reach your ears, then silence. You realise the corridor is now clear of any
obstructions and you're free to continue, if you dare.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 379
The tiger snarls and sharpens its claws on the rough stone wall.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 380
With a threatening growl, the tiger takes a step towards you.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 381
The tiger leaps at you and flattens you to the ground, its hot breath in your
face. So this is what it feels like when a cat plays with a mouse. Personally
you could have done without the experience.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 382
Taking hold of the dog's collar, you say the name "Oklib". For a moment,
nothing happens, then the plaque begins to glow. A haze covers your sight as
mist rolls up from the floor. Laughter fills the air and you try to keep your
balance as the ground tips beneath you.  Suddenly all goes black and you feel
yourself falling. With a bump you hit the ground. Dim light fills the room as
you look around you and hope you're ready for what you're about to experience.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 383
Oklib shrugs. "That isn't important right now," he says.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 384
Oklib whirls the King's staff above his head and points it towards you like a
lance. A look of intense concentration crosses his face and you see his hand
grip the staff more firmly. A ball of light flashes from the end of the staff,
rises into the air and hovers by the ceiling, changing shape into a lightning
bolt. It's going to drop any moment and strike you if you don't do something
quickly!
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 385
Too slow ... you were too slow. The lightning, however, wasn't. It zaps down
from the ceiling and illuminates you from the inside out.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 386
You hold the shield above your head. The lightning zaps down from the ceiling,
strikes the shield and rebounds, hitting the ceiling with a spectacular display
of pyrotechnics. Cautiously you lower the shield and a strange sound reaches
your ears ... sobbing.  Oklib is weeping, his head buried in his hands.
     "All I wanted was to be fanous," he sobs. "And you drove me crazy with
your nit-picking! I thought I could steal the staff, get the power I wanted and
get rid of YOU at the same time. But it's all gone wrong." He throws off his
robes and hurls the staff to the floor.
     "What can I do? I can't go back. And everyone hates me. I don't blame
them, but I wish somebody liked me ... that I had a friend ... "
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 387
You hand the whistle to Oklib. He looks at it for a moment, then gives it an
experimental blow. The doberman pricks up its ears and looks at you.
     "It's okay, boy," you say. "Thanks for all your help but now you must go
with Oklib." You pat his head and watch, sadly, as your faithful companion
walks across to Oklib and stands by him.  The Sergeant pats the dog tentatively
on the head. Slowly the dog wags his tail and Oklib smiles.
     "I think I'll call you Doberman," he says to the dog. "I know it's not
very original for you but it seems appropriate." The dog thumps his tail in
agreement.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 388
Oklib takes the object from you and looks it over.
     "I don't know what use this will be," he says with a sniff.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 389
You hand the whistle to Oklib. He looks at it for a moment, then gives it an
experimental blow. No sound is heard.
     "I don't know what use this will be," he says with a sniff.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 390
     "It's time I went," says Oklib. "I hope you've forgiven me."
You assure him that you have and solemnly the two of you shake hands. You give
the dog a final pat and are rewarded with a big, sloppy lick across the face.
     "All you have to do to leave is touch the mirror with the staff and it
will take you home. I've been experimenting with the mirror and I've found a
strange world where they don't believe in magic but they have something that
looks like magic called 'television'. I think I might fit in there because they
said they were looking for a Sergeant for an idea they had. They didn't like my
name much but they said they'll change it to Bliko or something like that.
Perhaps they could find a part for you too, eh, Doberman?"
     The dog barks loudly and the two of them step through the mirror. As they
do, you see the dog's form shimmer and change. He slowly rises onto his hind
legs and his body thickens. An army uniform appears on his body and by the time
the transformation is complete, he has changed into a dumpy little Private.
     "Finished in 'Make Up', Bilko?" says a voice, as a harassed-looking man
strides into view. "Just put these glasses on. Now, who's this?"
     "Erm, his name's Doberman," says your old Sergeant.
     "Great name! We'll write him in. Come on, time means money and you're
going to be famous!"
The three of them disappear into the milling crowd.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 391
You touch the staff to the surface of the mirror. It shimmers as the vision of
the television studio vanishes from view and an image of the great hall of King
Arcon's court appears. You step forward and ...
     ... You reappear in front of King Arcon's throne, giving the poor old
geezer (I mean, king) quite a shock! You hold out the staff and blurt out that
you've recovered it. But you don't mention Oklib's part in its disappearance.
     Oklib's vanishing trick remains a mystery, to be talked about by new
recruits for many years to come as you, their Sergeant (promoted due to your
heroism in recovering the King's staff from person or persons unknown) put them
through their paces.
     Occasionally you wonder how Oklib got on in his new job. Did he get to be
famous? You'd like to think so. Even though he'd hoped to find fame and fortune
and get his revenge on you, maybe he'd found something even better - fame,
fortune and a loyal friend like Doberman.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 392
Reverently, you pick up the King's staff. It's surprisingly light. Just for a
moment, you wonder what it would be like to use its power, then you shake your
head. Still, a part of you can see how Oklib could be tempted by the idea.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 393
For help, please drop an SAE to:
Sue Medley, 9 Warwick Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6LJ,
saying exactly where you're stuck.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 394
Oklib moves surprisingly quickly and puts his foot on the staff.
     "Don't touch it ..." he snarls.
As you step back, he removes his foot and starts sniffing again.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 395
You push the extinguished torch deep into the glowing embers of the fire. Faint
wisps of smoke emerge and you tap your foot impatiently. Your wait is rewarded
when the torch suddenly ignites. Carefully, you retrieve it.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 396
No matter how hard you try, you'll never be able to relight a torch THAT wet.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 397
There's no point. The torch is already burning brightly.
END_MESSAGE

MESSAGE 398
Why? The box is already open.
END_MESSAGE
