This is a tricky part of the game, and there are lots of things that you have to do in order for the guard to tell you that there is a ladder available.

Have you found the envelop and the marks on the floor by the location of the missing painting?

Have you found and measured all the foot prints? Some of the footprints are difficult to see, and there is a tricky set of prints in the soil outside the directors office. (you may have to work at standing in a spot that lets you get at them)

Did you find the red paint on the floor?

Did you look at the rug, the lock, the water jug and the restoration tools?

Make sure you look at the paintings...just look, not with the magnifying glass.

Did you talk to the Archivist in the director's office?

If all else fails, go over all the footprints again and measure them. Holmes should make a comment about Velmont being Lupin. Once he does, go and tell the director that they are both the same person.

If all else fails, go outside...the guard may be out there, and he will tell you that a ladder is available.

If you have done all of these things, you could try looking through the hints forum at
Source(s):
http://justadventure.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=HintsTips

Permalink | Report

This game is so picky and glitchy, it drove me insane. I think I know what you are talking about. There are a lot of things you need to do to trigger the event, mainly looking for and and measuring footprints.

Examine these footprints and measure them with the tape:
* in front of the crown jewel painting
* on the right side of the stairs (examine all prints, Holmes comments)
* in the Restoration room (2 sets)
* outside the Director's office by the plantpot (look for spilled soil)

Look at the rug and glass ceiling in the Restoration room.
Examine all 4 rubber marks on the floor where the Fighting Temeraire was hung (English gallery).
Source(s):
http://www.gameboomers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=374...

Permalink | Report

the paintings museum ladder can be very frustrating, but in truth it isn't difficult....

when examining the footprints with the magnifying glass, LEFT CLICK on each individual footprint. doing this will open new dialogue boxes which are required for the ladder sequence. merely examining and measuring the footprints isn't sufficient to bring up the ladder.

i discovered the above solution the hard way, through trial and error.
Permalink | Report