A Key to Puzzledom (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ...table, to which we add the norm. In applying this to the norm we have put down letters of like frequency in the same order in which they appear in the cryptogram. This does not insure any especial result but is as good a rule as any. 8--7-6 5--43--1 TIEOFSKMZPABXCGWRYHJ eastonhidruflycgpmvbwk Applying the norm to the cryptogram, we get the following confusing jumble: Nkayhsp Rhilmdtn, Otns Auoseido Vishpas Oauutd, Rdfarh Ctntesh Bailso, Gtediny Ltos Genrigal Cayacffo Kuudferh. It is evident that the norm must be reconstructed by transposition of letters. We might be helped in this by applying some of the principles of the analytical method, to the extent, at least, of deciding upon several letters which represent vowels. The fourth, sixth and fourteenth words show that our norm classes as vowels at least two which must be consonants. The double and repeated letters in so many words are valuable clues in deciding which they are. Then the letter A, while used five times, is twice doubled, so it really is a third class word. If it is, the initial of the fourteenth (t) is a vowel; and in the sixth I and o are vowels for the same reason. By transposing nearby letters in the norm so that vowels fall under T, I and o, we would probably get a better fitting norm. We might also, by trying different infrequent letters in place of G in the twelfth word and by substituting vowels, hit upon that word. But our purpose now is to describe the exhaustive method which is employed when analysis fails. We will proceed, therefore, as though there were no clues, and will endeavor to show how, by perseverance, the norm may be applied in an experimental way until something tangible comes to the surface. This is done by taking from the cryptogram a word containing repeated letters ...