Simple Genius

The deciphered message from #2 reads as follows:

I have deposited in the county of Bedford, about four miles from Buford’s, in an excavation or vault, six feet below the surface of the ground, the following articles, belonging jointly to the parties whose names are given in number “3,” herewith:

The first deposit consisted of one thousand and fourteen pounds of gold, and three thousand eight hundred and twelve pounds of silver, deposited November, 1819. The second was made December, 1821, and consisted of nineteen hundred and seven pounds of gold, and twelve hundred and eighty-eight pounds of silver; also jewels, obtained in St. Louis in exchange for silver to save transportation, and valued at US$13,000.

The above is securely packed in iron pots, with iron covers. The vault is roughly lined with stone, and the vessels rest on solid stone, and are covered with others. Paper number “1” describes the exact locality of the vault, so that no difficulty will be had in finding it.

The #2 cipher can be translated using any copy of the Declaration of Independence, but the deciphering requires some editing for spelling.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To Michelle, here’s to lucky 13! What a ride so far.

To Frances Jalet-Miller, for another superb editing job. Glad we’re a team again.

To Aaron Priest, Lucy Childs, Lisa Vance Erbach and Nicole Kenealy, for all you do every day for me. And to Abner Stein, who does a great job for me on the other side of the Atlantic.

To David Young, Jamie Raab, Emi Battaglia and Je

To David North, Maria Rejt and Katie James for all your input and support from across the pond.

To Patty and Tom Maciag for being such great friends.

To Karen Spiegel and Lucy Stille for getting Hollywood jazzed again.

To Spencer, for the musical assist in the story. And to Collin, who every day and in every way shows me the power of rapid-fire dialogue.

To Alli and Anshu Guleria, David and Catherine Broome and Bob and Marilyn Schule for always being there for us. A special thanks to Alli for the Indian material, and to Bob for his thoughtful editorial comments.

To Neal Schiff, for helping me to get to places I need to go.

To Deborah and Lynette, the true heads of the “Enterprise.”