A stately manor rises above the gardens of the cultivated landscape around you. You are about to bypass the estate when a troupe of angry people march out and start screaming at you.
“That’s the one! Thief! Officer, do your duty.”
A local sheriff comes forward and cuffs you as you stare in amazement. “What’s going on?” you finally stammer.
“Seems that Old Man Throckmorton’s money is missing. He just died yesterday, and his heirs are naturally anxious to dispose of the wealth properly.”
“What’s that got to do with me?” you demand.
“Well, when the safe was opened, there was no treasure in it. Just a scrap of parchment with some weird inscriptions. Looks like the treasure was stolen, and you’re the only stranger around here.”
“Now hold it right there!” you exclaim. “That’s not enough of a reason to arrest me.”
“Why not? Until we find the money, you’re a great scapegoat.”
“Great,” you mutter. “Let me see that parchment.”
The sheriff shows you this document:
I, Ernest P. Throckmorton, declare that my worldly possessions are hid under a tile of that room which has always been my chief pleasure—the music room. It may be found by arranging the words below into a grid map of the room.
Start with the N; placing one letter per box, proceed filling in words—each word goes in a straight line north (up), east, south or west. The first letter of each word tells the direction it travels. The last letter of each word is the first letter of the next word.
My treasure is under the last letter of the last word.
nature
nettle
nee
notice
elan
edges
eel
elfin
es
wilton
wanton
sow
sate
spats
shadow
Where is the treasure? Submit your solution to win your freedom.
