The sheriff scowled as he glanced around the gaolhouse. "Where is everyone?"
"Out attending a three-horse collision on the M1," Constable Plodfoot said.
"I guess it's down to you then. The bushranger's stolen the Middle Sea Diamond."
"What?"
"Cracked the mayor's safe while he was sozzled, er, sleeping. I know you have a score to settle with that wily villain..."
"Too right I do, sir."
The sheriff sighed. "Catch him if you can, Plodfoot, but right now I just need that diamond back."
"Where do I start?"
He pulled a parchment from his jacket. "I found this at the crime scene; it's a list of his accomplices by the look of it. Talk to them, coerce them in any way you can, but I doubt you'll get more than one piece of the puzzle from each of them."
Plodfoot scanned the list, adding notes of his own.
A. Swampy Sludge - don't get your feet wet.
B. Wobbegong Wil - thinks he's a shark but he's just one of many fish. Hard to bag; look carefully to find his limit.
C. Postman Pete - count on his obstructionism but ignore anything signed.
D. Barnacle Bob - quick to anger if you stray near his oysters.
E. Last Digit Larry - a trig but accident-prone crab-wrangler; watch your fingers.
F. Ruddy Bollard - not someone to get on the wrong side of.
Plodfoot stepped over to the map on the wall, pushing thumbtacks into each of the accomplices' last known hideouts.
"Plan your route carefully to avoid doubling back," the sheriff said, "and take a packed lunch as you have lots of territory to cover. You'll need a boat too, unless your horse feels like swimming."
Plodfoot chanced a grin.
"Call in on Checksum Charlie on your way past; he might be able to help."
"Uh huh."
"One more thing; I found this cryptic note as well."
S 33 31.ABC E 151 21.DEF
Plodfoot's eyes lit up. "He's taunting us, sir, but I know what it means. Leave it to me."
Footnote: Aside from the boat requirement, the rest of the terrain is 2.5, with just some rock-hopping near GZ. All the waypoint clues are in plain sight.
Congratulations to Wests Tigers Fan for being first to crack the case!
