"Dear Hershel,

How are things going with Luke? I'd say, judging by the Times, everything is going smoothly. But that's not why I decided to write to you... Since last time, everyone seemed to be acting so nicely with me, or so it seemed... More than one week ago, one of Bucky's boats exploded, and menaces to me and my position as mayor were found on the remaining pieces. I thought it was just a joke, but other three cases like this one occurred within the week. I'm sending you all the extracts from the papers that I kept for this very purpose. I initially had no intention to bother you both because I know you're very busy... And because I find it a very dangerous situation. I know you'll understand what I mean with this. The police is unable to find the culprit and I'm sure you're the only one who can solve this mystery. Do it for a friend.

My regards,

Clark Triton."

Clark reread the handwritten letter in his dark office. The only thing that his orange lamp could lit up was his desk and all the papers on it, leaving the rest of the room in an unbreakable darkness. He got up, leaving the letter on the extracts for his butler Doland to send the next morning, and stared at the quietness of his garden at night.

-Hershel... I guess you won't like working alone, but I hope you understand.-

He then left the room, trying to figure out how the heck he could've sleep that night.

Luke woke up at six in the morning, yawning loudly.

-What day is it?-

He peeked at the calendar right in front of him, pinned at the wall.

-Today the professor has to meet the new Nobel prize for Archaeology, Jason Bird!-

The boy got up and stood in front of the mirror to comb his hair as much as he could and he dressed like all the other days: his white, buttoned shirt, his blue pants, his hat and his black shoes, grabbed his bag and hurried outside of the professor's flat. He opened the mailbox and took all the letters like he did everyday and then closed to the door. He walked to the Gressheneller University and met the rector Stone at the entrance.

-Hello, mister Stone.-

-Hello, little Triton. Have I ever told you you have the same enthusiastic eyes as your father when he studied here?-

-At least a dozen of times!-

Replied Luke with a little laugh. Stone had lived his life and was now a little old, so he sometimes repeated himself, but as a future gentleman Luke always replied kindly.

-How is dear Hearshel doing? Did he prepare the speech for today's meeting?-

-He probably did.-

-Sure he did! You can always count on young professor Layton!-

-What about Emmy? How is her research on the Easter Island's ruins going?-

-She didn't fill in a lot of news... She said they only found one of the six missing researchers.-

-I hope she's doing ok...-

Luke glanced to the clock behind the rector and exclaimed:

-It's getting late! I really have to go!-

-Wait, son. If you are not in a big hurry, could you please help me solve this puzzle my niece told me? I love her so much, but sometimes she just overdoes it!-

The apprentice thought about it: it was true that if the professor was still asleep it would slow them down even more, but on the other hand as the same Layton always said:

"A true gentleman always help someone in need."

So, even if a little nervously, Luke grabbed his notebook and said:

-Ask away.-

-There's a very small hotel room and some people are arguing on who should get it. The first one says she doesn't care who stays, the second one says that the weight of the third one is superior to the first one and herself, so she'd have to leave, while the third one says that the first one has no interest in staying. Based on these statements, can you figure out who will stay in the room?-

After he finished to write everything down, Luke read the statements again and then said:

-Could it be... The second one and the third one?-

Stone pet his brown wig, confused.

-It could, but why?-

-The first one said she didn't care who stayed in and the third one said that the first one didn't have any interest in staying. Plus, the second one doesn't say anything against the first one. This may be because the first one was actually NOT part of the people that wanted to stay in the room. She might've just been one of the hotel workers... The puzzle states "some people are fighting over a room", not "three people"! The second one was just finding an excuse to have the room all for herself, as it is a small room. The answer to the puzzle was in its own formulation!-

After that long of a speech, the boy put the notebook back in the bag.

-I suppose you're right! It's really easy to see that you've spent a lot of time with Hershel! Oh, and by the way...-

-Not a word with your niece, of course!-

Repeated Luke like it was a poem. After another goodbye, he entered the professor's office without knocking. He found him lying on his couch, asleep, with his usual black top hat (Luke had never seen him without it), his orange shirt, black trousers and green shoes. His black coat was hanging on the hanger, near to the professor's trunk. Luke took a big breath and shouted, even if not that loud not to disturb the other offices:

-Professor! Wake up, we're going to be late!-

Hershel opened his eyes and sat down pretty slowly, trying to figure out where he was.

-Fallen asleep while studying again, professor?-

-Ah, Luke. For a second there I thought that Rosa was the one shouting.-

-Rosa is not here today. I thought you remembered!-

-Ahah! I have been pretty busy, Luke. You know that.-

He answered while adjusting the hat. Luke regretted not taking it off before waking his mentor up. He had always been curious about what lied underneath it...

-Anyways, here are your letters, like every morning.-

And he dropped them on the table in front of the couch, only to then start to make the professor's morning tea and one for himself, for this special occasion. Hershel looked the writer of every letter before he opened it and the third of the four letters intrigued him. He left the other ones on the table and opened that one. While reading, his expression got very serious.

-So we have to be out in seven minutes if we want to be at the opening ceremony! The meeting's pretty far away, even with the Laytonmobile.-

Luke said while dropping two spoonful of sugar in his cup. Layton had opened the fourth letter and was now staring at the four papers extracts with a concentrated expression. Luke was just about to give the professor the tray when he got up and put on his coat.

-What about your tea?-

-I'll drink it in a second, but I'm in a hurry. Tell rector Stone I won't be able to attend the meeting.-

-What? Why not?-

Asked the apprentice trying to keep steady hands not to make the tray fall off before leaving it on the desk.

-I have to go... Somewhere.-

-Where are we going?-

Hershel's fingers stopped on the trunk.

-I said "I", not "we".-

-Do you not want me to come? I don't understand...-

His eyes got caught up on the words written in his father's handwriting. He picked it up and started reading it mentally.

-Luke. Put it down.-

Maybe the order wasn't rhetorical enough for Luke to obey.

-Are they menacing my father... With bombs?-

No answer needed, so the silence took advantage of this.

-But this is awful! We have to hurry up and...-

-Did you not hear what I said? I'm going.-

-So you want me to stay here?-

Again, the silence stood between them.

-My whole city and my father could be in danger and you're asking me to bow out?-

Luke's temper was resurfacing. He was usually a polite little boy, but sometimes lost his calm and showed his more infantile side of character. Layton was well aware of these drastic changes and he kept his calm voice:

-Did you carefully read the whole letter?-

-What do you mean?-

-Read the last lines. Out loud.-

-What does that have to do with any...-

-Just do it, Luke. It's a puzzle.-

Even if his tone didn't change at all, something in his eyes made Luke obey.

-I initially had no intention to bother you because I know you're very busy... And because I find it a very dangerous situation. I know you'll understand what I mean with this.-

-Right there.-

-I don't get it...-

Layton didn't expect his apprentice to immediately understand the message, so he continued:

-Look at the four articles on the table.-

Just the pictures taken for the journalists were enough to give Luke chills.

-Exploding boat... Building on fire... Bridge destroyed... Fire in the woods... This is just atrocious!-

-Exactly, my boy. Now listed carefully...-

Luke stayed put, worried because of all the events that had just happened.

-Whoever this person is, they're mad. They don't play by the rules. They won't hesitate in hurting everyone in their path. I'm sorry to tell you this, my boy, but I'm afraid you can't come with me this time.-

Luke stammered, confused and disappointed.

-Now don't misunderstand this. You are my apprentice but I promised you and your father I would protect you at all costs. And today's cost has to be this one.-

He closed his trunk.

-I need you to stay here where it's safe.-

The boy didn't know how to reply until the professor had his hand on the handle.

-Professor, wait!-

Layton didn't move and didn't turn around like he normally would have.

-I have been your apprentice for a while now... And we have faced together spectres, giant robots... And a crazy scientist. I honestly don't think a bomber man is going to make that much of a difference!-

He then clenched his knuckles, like they could in some way give his voice some more courage.

-I am coming, professor! And there is absolutely nothing you can say that's going to change my mind!-

The two looked at each other in the eyes for a second, and then the professor sighed:

-Very well, then.-

Luke almost sobbed in joy.

-But it's your turn to make a promise now.-

-I'm all ears.-

-Promise me that if I ever tell you to hide or to run, you'll do it no question and stop worrying about me.-

-You have my word, professor!-

He replied, torturing his braces like a proud politician. Layton opened the door to let Luke go first.

-On we go then. Misthallery awaits us.-