Professor Layton and the Last Specter/Puzzles 001-025

Caution! This page contains all the hints and solutions for every puzzle from 1 to 25. Scroll carefully or you might spoil the answer of a puzzle for yourself. The solutions are hidden behind spoiler tags, so only take a peek if you're desperate.

Puzzle 001

 * Name: A Secret Message
 * Trigger: Automatic
 * Location: Road to Misthallery
 * Chapter: Prologue
 * Picarats: 10

Description: "Hershel, my dear old friend, I must earnestly seek your help again. Our little town is in the most extraordinary predicament. At night, a mysterious giant shrouded in fog had been laying waste to our homes. I am convinced you can help stop this madness. Please come soon! Regards, Clark."


 * Hint 1: Reading left to right and top to bottom is the normal way to go... But you might have to approach this letter from a different direction.
 * Hint 2: The secret message is made up of seven characters that are somehow hidden in the letter. The trick is to find where those seven characters are hiding.
 * Hint 3: There is more than one way to read this letter. If you don't find any hidden messages reading it backward or forward, try reading it from top to bottom.
 * Super Hint: The secret message to be clear if you take the first character on each line and put them together.

Puzzle 002

 * Name: Tourist Spotting
 * Trigger: Talk to Charlie
 * Location: Grand Bridge St.
 * Chapter: 1
 * Picarats: 20

Description: These four photos were taken at the same location. Three of these were shot by tourists who took turns taking of each other. One of the photos was taken on a completely different day. Tap the three photos that were taken by the tourists who traveled together.


 * Hint 1: There is one common detail in three of the photos that shows that they were sightseeing at the same time. Compare the photos until you see what this detail is.
 * Hint 2: If you're thinking the dog in the photo is the key, you're barking up the wrong tourist attraction. Is there another detail that links three of the photos?
 * Hint 3: Look around the feet of each person. Do you see anything there?
 * Super Hint: The shadows in the photos will give you an idea of when each photo was taken. Since three people were traveling together, look for matching shadows.

Puzzle 003

 * Name: Pick a Package
 * Trigger: Check the crate
 * Location: Wrecked Home
 * Chapter: 1
 * Picarats: 20

Description: You have been told to get one of 16 boxes from a stack. The note that describes which box to grab got smudged, so this is all you can make of the details: -The color of the box on its right is ???. -The color of the box on its left is ???. -The color of the box above it is ???. -It's the same color as the box below it. Which one box meets this description?

1. The box below it is the same color. 2. There are boxes above, below, to the left and to the right of it. Which box meets both of these criteria? If you apply both conditions, you'll find the correct box!
 * Hint 1: The note says that the correct box is the same color as one below it. Narrow down your choices to those boxes that fit that description.
 * Hint 2: You don't need to know the details that have been smudged out to find the correct box. It says that the correct box has a box above, below, to the left, and to the right of it. That should help you further narrow down your choices.
 * Hint 3: Here are two major findings from the note that will help you select the one correct box.
 * Super Hint: If the box has a box above, below, to the right, and to the left of it, you can then rule out all boxes from the top and bottom rows. You can also rule out any boxes in the leftmost and the rightmost columns.

Puzzle 004

 * Name: Reloading the Cart
 * Trigger: Talk to Jasmine or check the cart
 * Location: Crossroads
 * Chapter: 1
 * Picarats: 30

Description: "I loaded my cart in such a hurry that everything fell out when I hit the first bump in the road! Can you put everything back without leaving any spaces so the load is secure? Please? Pretty please?"


 * Hint 1: [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol1.png]] is a bit bulky. Try turning it sideways and using it fill the bottom-right corner of the cart.
 * Hint 2: [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol2.png]] should be placed in the top-left corner of the cart.
 * Hint 3: When loading [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol3.png]] (careful, now), you should rotate it and place it on the top center of the cart.
 * Super Hint: Turn [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol2.png]] so that it looks like [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol4.png]], and put it on the top left. Turn [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol1.png]] so it looks like [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol5.png]], and put it on the bottom right. Then turn [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol3.png]] so it looks like [[File:PLLS_Puzzle_4_Symbol6.png]], and put it on the top center of the cart. The last two items will fit into the empty spaces and finish the job!

Puzzle 005

 * Name: River Crossing
 * Trigger: Talk to Bucky
 * Location: South Pier
 * Chapter: 1
 * Picarats: 25

Description: You need to get one dog, two cats, and three baby chicks across a river. You can take two animals at a time. If you leave the dog with only one cat, there will be a fight. The chicks on the riverbank must outnumber the cats. Otherwise, a fight will break out. Can you ferry all of the animals across without them fighting?


 * Hint 1: On the first trip, take two cats with you to the other side.
 * Hint 2: Keeping close tabs on the cats is key. After you take the cats on the first trip, Take either the dog or the two chicks. The animals won't fight if you're with them on the riverbank. So, what do you do next?
 * Hint 3: Each time you have a chance, take the two cats back and forth across the river, rather than leaving them with other animals. If they're on the raft or alone on the riverbank, the animals will never fight.
 * Super Hint: On your first crossing, take the two cats. You can safely leave them there. Next, ferry the dog and one chick across the river. To prevent a fight, take the two cats back across the river with you. Then take the two remaining chicks, leaving the two cats behind. Finally, go back for the two cats!

Puzzle 006

 * Name: The Mailbox Panels
 * Trigger: Check the mailbox
 * Location: Triton Estate
 * Chapter: 1
 * Picarats: 30

Description: When you opened the mailbox, all of the side panels fell off! These panels spell out the word "POST," but you're not sure how they actually fit together to do so. Arrange the panels so that the mailbox looks as it did before the panels fell off.


 * Hint 1: The panels don't necessarily make up the letters on their own. In fact, if you try thinking about what the panels aren't making... you're almost there.
 * Hint 2: The panels don't come together to make letters--they actually form the borders around the letters. It helps quite a bit if you figure out the corner pieces first!
 * Hint 3: If you're still confused about how everything fits together, look at the colors of the individual tiles. Continue the pattern of alternating colors to match up the panels!
 * Super Hint: If you look at how the panels are shaped, you can see where the letters "POST" were written. You can also take the rectangular panels in the top and the bottom rows and arrange them so you create a pattern of alternating colors.

Puzzle 007

 * Name: Mopping Up
 * Trigger: Check the broom
 * Location: Foyer
 * Chapter: 1
 * Picarats: 45

Description: These poor-quality mops take two days to dry after they've been used, and the handle completely breaks after just three uses! What is the minimum number of mops that you would need to clean every day for a 30-day month?


 * Hint 1: Think about how many mops should be necessary for 30 days. Then see if there is any way you can reduce that number.
 * Hint 2: Each mop has to dry for two days, so you will need three mops for the first three days. It will take nine days until these mops are broken. Try to apply this pattern to the whole month.
 * Hint 3: If three mops are used over nine days, then nine mops are used to clean for 27 days. How many mops are needed for the remaining three days? Try to think about the smallest number needed.
 * Super Hint: The key is in thinking about how you divide up the remaining three days. If you leave it until the end of the month, you will need three mops, but what would happen if you spread these days out throughout the month?

Puzzle 008

 * Name: Mirror Ballroom
 * Trigger: Check the mirror
 * Location: Parlor
 * Chapter: 2
 * Picarats: 30

Description: It's all too easy to get lost in this big, dusty hall. There are 14 mirrors set out in some sort of strange arrangement here. You're trying to find a way out, but your only clues are a small arrow on the floor and a laser pointer bearing the words "Exit indicated by larger arrow." Which door is the exit?


 * Hint 1: If you don't know much about lasers, you might not realize that they aren't just used by rampaging aliens in the movies! In fact, laser pointers are great for making straight beams of light. Typically, the beam will be powerful enough to reflect off any shiny surface it hits.
 * Hint 2: There is a large arrow hidden somewhere within this room. Take your time and look around for where it could be.
 * Hint 3: Do you think the laser pointer can shed some light on this situation? Perhaps it can help you find the room's hidden clue.
 * Super Hint: The small arrow is probably a good place to start with the laser pointer. Can you make a shape out of the laser pointer's beam when it reflects off the mirrors?

Puzzle 009

 * Name: Certain Curtains
 * Trigger: Talk to Beth
 * Location: Foyer
 * Chapter: 2
 * Picarats: 20

Description: The butler left a note with instructions, but it's hard to read because he seems to have written it in a hurry. "Don't forget curtain 13!" Yet there are only four curtains labeled: A, B, C, and D. Which of these was he referring to?


 * Hint 1: Did the butler mean to write "13"...? Perhaps he was in such a hurry, his handwriting obscured the true meaning of his message. Rushing can lead one to make mistakes, you know.
 * Hint 2: What could "13" refer to? There are no hints to be found in the window or curtains themselves. The note says--or is supposed to say--everything you need to know.
 * Hint 3: If you push the "1" and "3" in "13" together, they turn into something entirely different. Something that looks more like a letter than a number.
 * Super Hint: Your choices are A, B, C, and D. When you write the "1" and "3" of "13" very close together, they look like one of those four letters.

Puzzle 010

 * Name: Rat Rations
 * Trigger: Check the pipe
 * Location: East District
 * Chapter: 2
 * Picarats: 45

Description: This rat hid his key behind his supply of cheese. He is paranoid about it being found, so he wants to change its hiding place. The only problem is that his cheese is in the way! Can you help the rat move his key from the hiding place on the right to the matching space directly to the key's left?


 * Hint 1: Did you notice that you can move two pieces of cheese at the same time? Start by moving the two rightmost pieces down. Then try to make a space in the bottom-left corner.
 * Hint 2: Continuing from Hint 1: Make a space in the top-right corner and move the key down to it. Then move the key one space to the left.
 * Hint 3: Continuing from Hint 2: After moving the key, fit the C-shaped cheeses together against the right wall. Next, move a flat cheese to the bottom and move the L-shaped cheese and other flat cheese to the left wall.
 * Super Hint: Continuing from Hint 3: There should now be a space below the key. Move the key down into this space. Now you can move the flat cheese out of the way and fit the key into its new hiding place!

Puzzle 011

 * Name: Downhill from Here
 * Trigger: Talk to Mido
 * Location: Café Entrance
 * Chapter: 2
 * Picarats: 10

Description: While this photograph shows two cyclists passing each other on a hill, the camera was tilted when it was taken, making the incline look completely flat. Can you tell which side of the photo is actually uphill? Please tap either A or B to enter your answer.


 * Hint 1: If you're having trouble, imagine yourself riding a bike in steep hill. Which direction would be easier?
 * Hint 2: If you set a ball on an incline, it would just roll downhill, right? A bicycle would do the same thing.
 * Hint 3: What would the person on the bike going downhill have to do to keep moving? It's probably the opposite of what the cyclist going uphill has to do.
 * Super Hint: Take a close look at the pedals on each bike. The person going downhill shouldn't need to pedal. If the person who isn't paddling is going downhill, then the opposite of the direction they are heading is uphill.

Puzzle 012

 * Name: Room Check
 * Trigger: Ring the bell repeatedly
 * Location: Hotel Lobby
 * Chapter: 2
 * Picarats: 35

Description: You need to check all 12 rooms in the hotel. You want to be as efficient as possible and make your rounds without entering the same room twice. There is a number you can use to help you remember the route so that you can check every room with no backtracking. What is that number?


 * Hint 1: You want to check all of the rooms without having to think about your route too much. Draw a route to see if your path resembles a number at all...
 * Hint 2: From the first room, try going right, down, left, down, right. That's the first number done...
 * Hint 3: The first digit of the number is 2. If you never enter any room twice, what will the full number be?
 * Super Hint: Here's the route from the room in the second column from the left on the bottom row: right, right, up, left, up, then right to the exit. What number does that part of your route look like?

Puzzle 013

 * Name: Bucket Run
 * Trigger: Check the pool of water
 * Location: Café Entrance
 * Chapter: 3
 * Picarats: 30

Description: You have two empty buckets and are currently in a park with two fountains. Starting at the position marked by a star, visit both of the fountains, filling a bucket at each, and return as quickly as possible to the starting point. Assuming you do not travel along the same path twice, what route should you take? Draw a line along your route.


 * Hint 1: You're looking for the fastest route. It might help to imagine yourself actually carrying the buckets.
 * Hint 2: Your first instinct might be to run straight to the fountains, but is that really the best approach? Try thinking about it a little more practically.
 * Hint 3: Taking the shortest route is not the only way to make the trip faster. Think about other things that could slow you down. Say, carrying something heavy...
 * Super Hint: If you fill up the buckets right away, you'll be stuck carrying heavy buckets are trying to rush back to the start. You won't be able to move as quickly as before. Find a route that allows you to keep the buckets empty for as long as possible.

Puzzle 014

 * Name: Cafeteria Conundrum
 * Trigger: Tap the chalkboard
 * Location: Paddy's Place
 * Chapter: 3
 * Picarats: 20

Description: There are four tables in this cafeteria. The total cost of the food ordered at each table is the exact same amount. What's the last item ordered at table 4: A, a cup of tea; B, a glass of juice; or C, a plate of toast?


 * Hint 1: Try comparing the two tables that have the most similar items.
 * Hint 2: Calculate the total bill for each table in terms of cups of tea. Start with tables 1 and 3.
 * Hint 3: Tables 1 and 3 have the same amount of juice, so ignore the juice in comparison. That leaves you with a cup of tea and a plate of toast in table 1, and three cups of tea on table 3. You can then work out that one plate of toasts costs the same as two cups of tea.
 * Super Hint: You've learned that one plate of toast costs the same as two cups of tea, so now take a look at table 2. If you replace the toast with tea, you'll have four cups of tea on the table. What must the last item on table 4 be?

Puzzle 015

 * Name: Eating Point
 * Trigger: Talk to Dom
 * Location: Pike Lane
 * Chapter: 3
 * Picarats: 20

Description: You're supposed to meet a friend at a restaurant, but you forgot which restaurant! You know the restaurant is due north of the hero statue, due south of the goddess statue, and due east of the lion statue. You have a map, but it doesn't show compass directions or statue names. Which restaurant are you looking for?


 * Hint 1: There are no compass directions on the map, meaning the top of the map isn't necessarily north.
 * Hint 2: Since the restaurant you want is due north and due south of two statues, you should be able to draw a straight line that contains both statues and the restaurant.
 * Hint 3: There's a bit of a "twist" to solving this puzzle. Try slowly turning the map until you find an angle in which the direction of the statues and restaurant fits the requirements.
 * Super Hint: The statue on the bottom left is the goddess statue. And the bottom-left corner of the map is the most northern section of the town map. Can you work out the rest of it now?