goldencave | Deduction Archives

NORTON CAMPBELL; After surviving a terrible mining accident, Norton Campbell become even more reserved and gloomy. With the meteorite magnet obtained from the accident, he changed his profession and became a geological surveyor to avoid entering the darkness of the mine.

KINDNESS

Is that an Olive Branch you just threw, or...

A Good Deed: Norton, a miner, always visited the hospice and cared for the homeless old miners.

DILIGENCE

The more effort, the more rewards?

Work Record: Norton Campbell is always the first to go down into the mines and the last to leave it.

EFFICIENCY

We need more trials.

A Stack of Recommendation Letters: It can be seen that every one of Norton’s previous employers appreciated his hard work and expressed their regret at being unable to keep him for long.

PERSISTENCE

People won’t be unlucky forever, right?

1-Page Note: There are 13 items listed. The first 12 appear to be names of places, and the last one is crossed out.

PATIENCE

Next time...

Diary: Tomorrow, I will go to the last place recorded by the old man. If there’s still nothing, then I hope he...

COURAGE

The more dangers, the more opportunities.

A Geological Report: Part of the tunnel had been blocked by an unidentified object. One small mistake could cause the inner structure of the mine to collapse

ALERT

You need to be more cautious.

News: Due to the use of gunpowder and detonators, the era of simple rock drilling is coming to an end.

You need more helpers.

Mining Precautions: Theft of explosives is illegal and will be reported to the police once discovered.

WISDOM

Smart people know when to hold on and when to let go.

An Accident Report: An explosion collapsed a mine on the outskirts of the city. It’s suspected that the miners had mishandled the explosives, and the police expressed that there’s little chance for anyone to survive.

LUCKY

That’s only because the rest are just unlucky.

1-Page Case: Moderate burns to the face. Suspected to have been caused by direct exposure to excessive temperatures.

"FOOL'S GOLD"; With the desire to escape from a life in the darkness of the mines, Norton Campbell believes that Manor will present him with another new "opportunity."

SHREWD

Each step requires long term planning.

An old, folded letter: Yellow and brittle. It was once abandoned in an old, dusty corner. Signed, Benny.

LONELY

The lonliness of separation must be endured on the way up.

A coin: Stained by ash, footprints, tears, and dirt from the slums.

SOFISTICATED

Wear a mask for the sake of survival.

A note on the back: What a detestable person! Wagging his tail like a dog in front of the overseer!

WILLFUL

Those who persist will encounter more oppertunities.

A page from a diary: I found that old man's notes. Now, it belongs to the one who lives longer.

GLOOMY

The other side of kindness and affibility.

Abandoned junk: A tattered quilt, a chisel, an unsent letter, and a small piece of wrapped and hardened white bread.

GREEDY

Merely retaking what the heavens owe.

A map: Several crossed-out mines and a red circle.

ARROGANT

Only by being bolder can you challenge destiny.

Torn paper: Record the blasting's depth, distance between holds... and the mount of explosives used.

HYPOCRITE

Important moments must be witnessed by companions.

A memo: Two bottles of the cheapest whine for those drunkards to wet their throats. And toss some fatty meat to the guard dog.

RUTHLESS

Exploding from deep within like a lighted explosive.

A page from a diary: Those journalists and policemen are gone. So it's just that simple?

NUMB

Forget them and stay away from the dark underground.

A magnet: "Maybe it can keep me away from misfortune and darkness."

code

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

To Norton:
You rascal!
Why did you leave without saying goodbye and disappear?
I just can't stay in this dump any longer.
I'm dreaming of returning to the mines day and night, looking for that sparkling gold ore.
You wouldn't...
You wouldn't...
You wouldn't...
You wouldn't have gone by yourself, would you?

If you did then you're, you're...
Don't leave me behind, I beg of you.
What kind of person are you behind your polarized facade?
Even to an old man... You wouldn't trick an old miner who'd spent half his life crawling in mines, right?

Norton, my good boy, show some respect to your father.
Don't leave his old pal behind.

No!
No...Norton, dammit, you fool's gold!

"Iron Chisel" Benny

[ Aged handwriting ]
Account entry: Payment to be settled before August, 30% paid
Location: Oletus Manor
Keep the transportation receipts! Lease to be renewed. Find another place to stay upon return.

[ New handwriting ]
Such a large amount of money!
I've never seen so much money before, not least in a mine. I'm sure many people will risk their lives to grab it!
This is simply unfair. The poor find it difficult to lead a comfortable life, while all the rich need to do is wave their banknotes around.
Over the last 20 years, I lived like a rat in the gutter. I spent days under the ground in the dark just so I could earn a minimal living. Scars from the blasts crawled all over my face like maggots. The constant scorn and ridicule... I endured it every time just so I'd get a chance to climb up the ladder.
It's ridiculous how much effort I put into this—anyway, I've finally managed to crawl out from the rat hole. I no longer have to pick and pull on the disgusting ash. Those who did nothing but laugh at me deserve to stay underground and be stepped on like maggots forever.

I and only I deserve that money! Think about it, Norton Campbell. There won't be a better chance. Such a simple "game", such a generous employer. Clear an obstacle and you'll get a load of money. Isn't this much simpler than what you used to do?
No life is more precious than others. Just think about that woman, think about how arrogant she is!
Get rid of her before she takes any action!

...
The report on the mining incident mentioned the sole survivor—Norton Campbell.

According to the report, the illegal use of explosives caused a cave-in that led to a few dozen workers being trapped. The complex structure of the mine impeded search and rescue efforts.

The police report claimed the search and rescue team was at the brink of giving up when a survivor dug his way out through a mountain creek a few dozen meters away from the mine. Compared to the bloodied state the other victims were in, he'd suffered minor burns... That's all the information in the newspaper.

I suspected that there was more to it, so I spent time investigating Norton Campbell.

His father, a former miner, died of black lung many years ago, and his educations records are blank too. Like most of the poor, there's no choice but to labor. That's all the information I could get from his former colleagues and employers. He was a gloomy person who rarely spoke about himself. Norton Campbell was invited to this manor as a guest, and I finally got an opportunity to interview him today, but all I got were vague answers.

Question: Were you part of the illegal blasting that led to the cave-in last year?
Answer: It's a common thing in the mining industry. It doesn't take a genius to know explosives produce much faster results than drills.

Question: According to the investigation, you enter the mine 30 minutes earlier than everyone else...
Answer: It's just a habit of mine. Those slackers know only to follow me and wait for money and ores to fall into their arms.

Question: All the others died beneath the rubble after the collapse, but you got away with minor burns on your face. Is it because you were closer to the source of the explosion but had time to hide somewhere safe?
Answer: Why don't you ask the police? Their investigation is much more detailed than anything I can describe.

The money I had was only enough to pay for 3 questions. Just like how he was when I spoke to him, Norton Campbell wasn't friendly at all during the interview, and he left in a hurry once he got paid. He didn't even try to conceal his hatred for the rich. After that I only met him once during dinner. He didn't speak much to the other guests, but his face was much gloomier than before. Mrs. Plinius did warn me to stay away from him, but I personally think his hatred is reserved for the rich.

After the interview and investigation, my theory grew clearer. All the guests seemed plagued by shocking rumors that can't be proved, and all these games seem to have a similar objective. However, he was an exception...

My brother,
What have you been up to lately?
This break of yours is taking way too long. Even the work at the mines will be done soon!
I was looking for some work clothes two days ago, and I found a pretty neat set.
I'll get someone to modify it into a winter quilt for that brat of yours.

Colin fell ill during your absence.
What the heck! It's like these issues creep up on you when you're underground, and there's no escape!
But it's time for days like these to end. I have a new idea once we're done here.
It's like you said. There are mines everywhere, and we can mine anywhere. Why is it that only the rich are allowed to mine for gold?
Just think about it. We'd get to live a better life. Our children will get to enjoy bread, cake, and dessert every day.
That brat of yours can go to school and wear clean clothes like a rich man's boy.
We can get a nice house with glass windows to enjoy the sun.
When the kids grow up, their memories will be filled with a comfortable life surrounded by servants. Mines? Coal? Bah!

I can't wait to tell you the rest when you return, my brother.
This is all I can say about my golden plan in this letter!
Come on back so that we can do great things together.
Let's change our lives and the lives of our children.

Benny

Deduction Archives

PROSPECTOR'S BIRTHDAY LETTERS

An unsent letter

The last page of the notes

Investigation Records

An Old Letter