Chapter 1
In the foggy, cold city of Bagatelle. The familiar figure of James Norwood sat there on the sofa reading the fresh reports of the events.
“Of course, it was the watchman. Took them 3 weeks to figure it out. Well never mind, at least they got it right. They have their methods.” said James turning the page only to see the headline stating that the crime rate was declining.
“Huh, the crime’s disappearing, surely everyone is the gainer and no one the loser, save the poor out-of-work specialist, whose occupation has now gone.” said the detective shrugging shoulders in humorous deprecation and laying the newspaper on the table.
There was a ring at the door. “Come in” said James.
The door clicked open revealing the Detective Inspector. James stood up and shook his hands with him. “Ah, Hauser good to see you again. So to what do we owe this honour.” said James taking his seat and pointing towards the couch.
“Well I wouldn’t be dropping by had I not received the orders to get you.”
“Where?” questioned James.
“The PM has requested your presence.”
“Why exactly?”
“I think it would be better to hear from the PM himself.”
“Fair point” said James tossing on his jacket.
"Marks you coming?” called out James
“Where?”
“The PM’s residence”
“Why?”
“Got an invitation”
“Coming” Marks came out pulling his jacket on.
It was very cold as the snowfall had begun, leaving the pathway covered in snow. The snow glistened on the road making it a sight to behold. It took them 45mins of driving to reach their destination. It was a fairly large mansion with lawns extending on both sides. In between stood a gravel path from the front gate to the main door. After reaching the door Hauser rang the bell. One of the maids opened the door.
“We’ve come to meet the PM. He ordered.” said Hauser.
“Just a moment.” the maid replied before closing the door and opening it after a few second.
“Come in” said the maid inviting them inside, guiding them towards the study.
The room was covered with books on all three sides, right opposite to the door stood a desk and a chair on which sat the PM. The fire was blazing in the fireplace near which few sofas were arranged.
Hearing them approach the PM stood up and walked towards them, greeted and shook hands with them.
“Hauser, Ah! Mr.Norwood pleasure to meet you”
“Pleasure is all mine sir” replied James.
“You must be Marks Wilston”
“Yes sir”
“I was told that you summoned me sir.” James cut the conversation short.
“Ah! Yes I did Norwood. First take your seat” said the PM pointing towards the sofas that were neatly arranged.
“Tea?”
“Yes, two sugars please” replied the detective.
The PM laid an envelope on the table. “I have been receiving these letters....” remarked the PM.
“Have been receiving?”
“Yes, from past 3 days”
“Can I?” asked James pointing towards the letter.
“Please” replied the PM.
James held the letter very delicately, twisting it between his fingers looking at it closely both ways. The maid had brought in the tea and handed it to each of them.
“Marks what do you make of it?”
“Um, it’s an envelope.”
“Yes, thank you. Next?”
“It’s not a recent version”
“Very good, it’s old 90s or maybe even 80s the material used gives the insights.” James held up the letter against the fire which revealed the watermark.
“See the watermark?”
“J.B co”
“Yes, John and brothers co. A very old company with only four branches. One them here in Bagatelle at the other end. Anyways please continue.” Said James satisfied with his observations.
“Yes, well I said I’ve been receiving the same envelope for past 3 days that is today’s edition the others are lying there on the table in the dining room as I open all the letters there”
“It was not the envelope but what was in that intrigued me. At first glance they look like weird scribbling. So, I just left them not thinking as much but they returned the next day. So I started wondering but it made no sense to me, again I ignored it. Like a lie told over and over makes us believe that it is the truth just the same way when they appeared again I began thinking that they maybe actually meant something....” the PM was still narrating the events when James completed the PM’s sentence saying.
“I believe this is where I come in. you wanted me to see if it made any sense or not and if it did what did it mean?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I want you to do.” James took the envelope in his hands again and carefully opened it and found a paper, which is replicated below-
He looks at it for few seconds then tosses the paper on the table and says, “He’s threatening you. It says SAVE YOUR LIFE IF YOU CAN.”
James picks the envelope, stands up and continues “Watch your back for now. I’m not sure of his intentions but if any updates please let me know. Thank you” and take his leave.
The PM sat there in confusion.
James walked through the door, his eyes fixed on the paper. Marks went up to him and asked, “How did you know that?”
“Well, as you know I know and have decoded many ciphers and this is just one of them. It is commonly used by many secret associations, criminals it is known as tic-tac-toe cipher. You see there are few ciphers and codes which just by seeing them I am able to decode like the grid cipher, sip code, this one, etc."
They took a taxi and continued on the path. After reaching their flat James took a paper and a pen and started writing something down. After finishing he called Marks and laid the paper in front of him and spoke, “You see in ordinary codes letters are coded as numbers but this one, they represent a figure. It may pass as a crazy hieroglyph unless you just happen to have the key to it."
The writings are given below-
“Ha, so absurdly simple!” exclaimed Marks.
“Everything’s a piece of cake once you know it.” Remarked James picking up the paper and settling down in his chair.
