Nick Bounty in: A CASE OF THE CRABS
Hint Guide by Kevin Lynn

Introduction

This page contains hints for playing the game A Case of the Crabs . If you have the time, you otter try to play the game without these hints. Also, SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS ARE SPOILERS! Don't read ahead unless you really want to finish the game without solving all of the puzzles.

How to use this hint page

These hints are divided into sections, each of which gives questions and solutions appropriate to one portion of the game. Each question is followed by one or more hints, "hidden" within a colored box. When you are certain you wish to see a hint, "select" the colored area with the mouse by dragging over it. Here's a sample to practice on:

What's black and white and red all over?

Hint 1: A very old riddle.
Hint 2: A newspaper.

You should be able to see the "invisible" text next to each hint by selecting the area with a mouse. If not, the hints are probably already visible. In an emergency, "view source".

General hints for playing A Case of the Crabs

Look at everything.

Talk to everyone.

Get everything that's not nailed down. --Who knows when you might need it?

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Shellfish and Murder

Arthur Griffen is dead! What should I do?

Hint 1: You'll have start an investigation. Are there any clues around?
Hint 2: Look at the crab. Take the crab. Look at the knife. Take the knife.
Hint 3: Look at the box. A clue!
Hint 4: Go to the docks.

Why can't I go anywhere?

Hint 1: You need to get a clue!
Hint 2: Because you don't know where to go.
Hint 3: Look at the box. A clue!
Hint 4: Go to the docks.

A Motive for Murder

What do I do now?

Hint 1: When in doubt, talk to everyone, examine everything, and take everything.
Hint 2: Talk to Bill.

Why won't Bill talk to me?

Hint 1: It could be your breath.
Hint 2: But that's not it. He's just busy. You'll have to get his attention somehow.
Hint 3: Maybe putting something in his bucket would get his attention.
Hint 4: Something like a crab.
Hint 5: Use crab with bucket.

What was Arthur up to?

Hint 1: Maybe you should have a look around.
Hint 2: Remember the crate he was carrying.
Hint 3: Look at the crates. Look at the squid. Look at the sponges.
Hint 4: You'd better have a look inside the crates.
Hint 5: Use knife with crates.

All I found is a crate full of crabs. Now what?

Hint 1: Take a closer look at the crabs.
Hint 2: The crabs are fake! Better keep one as evidence.
Hint 3: Next, you'd better check out the restaurants.
Hint 4: Start with the Blue Crab Cafe.

At The Blue Crab Cafe

I can't get in, they have an ID scanner!

Hint 1: You'll need an ID card then.
Hint 2: You know who would have had an ID card? Arthur. Arthur would have had an ID card.
Hint 4: Better head back to the office and search the body.

Back at the office

I looked at the body, but there's no ID card. Now what?

Hint 1: You'll have to make a fake ID card, then. Do you see anything in the office that might help with that?
Hint 2: Look at library card. Get it.

But how will an expired library card help?

Hint 1: One side is blank. You'll put your false identification on the back of the card.

How do I make a fake ID card?

Hint 1: The ID card will need to have the fingerprints of an authorized person.
Hint 2: If only you had a book to explain the fingerprinting process.
Hint 3: Look at the fingerprinting book. Take it.

But this book is too long!

Hint 1: That's what they said about "War and Peace" too!
Hint 2: But in this case it's true. You'll have to cut it down a little.
Hint 3: Use knife with book. Look at leaflet.

OK, how do I get the fingerprint?

Hint 1: Follow the instructions in the leaflet.
Hint 2: Look at the leaflet. Look at it again as you complete each step.

Where am I going to get an ink pad?

Hint 1: That's the sort of thing one might find in an office supply store.
Hint 2: But there's no office supply store in this game.
Hint 3: Where else might one get some ink?
Hint 4: Some squids spray an inky substance as a defense mechanism. Seen any squids lately?
Hint 4: Go to the docks. Frighten the squid with the crab. Viola! Look at the ink.
Hint 5: A sponge might make a nice ink pad. Get sponge.
Hint 6: Use sponge with ink. Now back to the office!
Hint 7: Look at leaflet. Use sponge with hand. Look at leaflet. Use card with hand. Look at leaflet.

Back at The Blue Crab Cafe

I still can't get in!

Hint 1: Apparently, the ID card still lacks a photograph.
Hint 2: Seen any good pictures lately?
Hint 3: Did you happen to notice the flyer on the building next door?
Hint 4: Use knife with flyer. Use small photo with card. Use card with scanner.

I'm in! Er, now what?

Hint 1: Don't get out much, do you?
Hint 2: Normally when one goes to a restaurant, one begins by talking to the hostess. Talk to Sandy.
Hint 3: Better check out the kitchen, too.
Hint 4: Remember, always look at everything.
Hint 5: Talk to Gutman.
Hint 6: Also remember, always try to get everything.

OK, I'm done talking to the cook. What next?

Hint 1: Go out the back door.

At The Boss's Place

What happened?

Hint 1: You were escorted at gunpoint to a meeting with the Boss. He was obviously trying to intimidate you into giving up your investigation.

Are there any more clues around here?

Hint 1: Sometimes a good detective has to dig around in the garbage to find what he needs.
Hint 2: Look at the garbage. Take the cans.
Hint 3: Look at the window.
Hint 4: Talk to Wilbur.

Gathering Evidence

How can I implicate the Boss?

Hint 1: You need some way to prove what you know about the Boss.
Hint 2: This is where some surveillance equipment would come in handy.
Hint 3: Maybe that old Victrola could be useful...

How can I get the Victrola from Gutman?

Hint 1: He wouldn't let you take it before because he was using it.
Hint 2: If he were forced to stop using it, maybe he'd let you take it.
Hint 3: Go to the alley behind the Cafe. Look at the fusebox.
Hint 4: Most people don't realize that crabs spit when they feel threatened.
Hint 5: Use crab with fusebox. Look at the wires. Get the wires. Now that the power is off, the Victrola should be available...
Hint 6: Go in. Get the Victrola. Head back to the alley. Don't feel too bad, this was really the best thing you could do for Gutman. He was wallowing in self pity!

Am I done here?

Hint 1: Head back out into the alley. There sure are alot of empty boxes back here.
Hint 2: Move the box. Get the card. Look at it. Who could have dropped that card...

At Jim's Shack 'O Crabs

I can't get Jim to talk to me?

Hint 1: Well, he appears to be a little preoccupied at the moment.
Hint 2: Perhaps if you helped him get rid of that rat...
Hint 3: You can't kill it, but maybe you can trap it.
Hint 4: You'll need some bait, and something to grab the rat.
Hint 5: Bait's no problem, you've got that cheese from the Cafe.
Hint 6: But you'll need to use it with something else in order to make a trap...
Hint 7: Something like that toy crab you found at the docks. Use cheese with toy crab. Use trap with rat. Talk to Jim.
Hint 8: Sounds like Jim could use some sort of exterminator.
Hint 9: Use business card with Jim. Who could the exterminator be?

While Wilbur is on the phone

How can I implicate the Boss?

Hint 1: You're going to want to listen to, and record the Boss's incriminating conversation.
Hint 2: Can you use any of the stuff in your posession to listen to and record a conversation?
Hint 3: Yes, it turns out you can.
Hint 4: Use wires with cans.
Hint 5: Use listening device with window. Hmm, still need a recording device...
Hint 6: Use device with Victrola.
Hint 7: Use spy equipment with window. now you've got him!

Endgame

OK, I have the recorded evidence. What should I do with it?

Hint 1: The safe thing to do would be to take it to the police.
Hint 2: But since when does Nick Bounty play it safe?
Hint 3: Let's confront the Boss! Go to the Boss's office.

Help! He destroyed the evidence, and now he's going to shoot me!

Hint 1: Well, what were you thinking, barging in and confronting him like that?
Hint 2: You'd better shoot him first!

But I don't have a gun!

Hint 1: That IS a problem. Maybe the knife would work?
Hint 2: Nope. Besides, it's evidence. Got anything else?
Hint 3: Use crab with Boss. Now THAT'S irony!
Hint 4: Congratulations, you have won!

Still Hungry?

Have you tried...

Hint 1: ...looking at the painting in Nick's office?
Hint 2: ...looking at the other books on the shelf in Nick's office?
Hint 3: ...shooting Wilbur?
Hint 4: ...looking at the poster in the alley?
Hint 5: ...reading the credits at the end of the game?
Hint 6: ...watching the Nick Bounty movies at Otter Archives by clicking HERE?