As root having run chmod rwxrwsr-x /var/games/nethack no errors returned. As user then ran hearse and got back hearse could not find a bones directory checked /var/games/nethack and /usr/lib/games/nethackdir. Nethack may have been replaced on my way from squeeze to sid I don't know for sure. I hope after loosing a game or two I can find that bones directory in one of those places, time will tell.