The 2nd Mathcamp Puzzle Hunt


Doctor Lucky has asked me to read you the following:

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to my humble abode.  I hope you will enjoy your stay this evening and feel free to explore as you would like. 

“Now, I hate to bring this up, but there have been numerous accidents lately that could have ended very badly; as such, I have decided to lock away anything that could conceivable be considered dangerous.  I’ve hidden them away behind puzzles so fiendishly difficult that only I can unlock them.  If you’d like to try your hand at them, feel free, and do tell me if by some chance you succeed. 

“Ta ta!  I’m sure I will see you sometime before you depart.”

As a loyal member of Doctor Lucky's staff, I'd like give you all my own welcome:

Welcome to the J. Robert Lucky mansion, a rambling suburban estate seven minutes south of the Sound.  It’s a pleasant midsummer’s afternoon, but you’re not here to enjoy the scenery.

Now, we on the staff know that you have hated Doctor Lucky for as long as you can remember, and you’ve been secretly awaiting this perfect chance to take the old man out.  Maybe he destroyed your dry cleaning business; maybe you think he’s the king of the vampires.  Perhaps he’s the only person standing between you and the family fortune.  Or maybe his cat just keeps peeing in your shrubs.  Whatever your reason, it’s good enough to push you over the edge.  And now you absolutely can’t wait to put the lying old bastard away.

And, though you don’t know it, everyone else in the house wants to kill him too.

Uh, oh!  Doctor Lucky might be coming.  Better make sure he thinks you like him.

The Puzzles


1. Pinking Shears
2. Loud Noise
3. Monkey Hand
4. Billiard Cue
5. Trowel
6. Broom Stick
7. Civil War Cannon
8. Letter Opener
9. Shoe Horn
10. Bad Cream
11. Crepe Pan
12. Rat Poison
13. Piece of Rope
14. Duck Decoy

The staff

The staff of Dr. Lucky's manor: Puzzle credits are here.