I do have a theory,” Lentz replied. As you may or may not know, crossword puzzles represent an indistinct boundary between the eclectic and the arcane. The ability to complete a puzzle successfully depends not only on the puzzle solver’s knowledge, but also on his ability to utilize deductive reasoning. The latter requires mathematical precision, an awareness of finite possibilities, not to mention a heightened sense of the lyricism that is characteristic of syntactical dialect. Of course, as an editor, I endeavor never to weigh the two elements too harshly against one another. Though I have been accused of tipping the scales on the side of the esoteric, I try to shade each puzzle ever so slightly to one side or the other. Some weeks, the puzzle-solver that knows esoteric facts relevant to the theme will have the edge; other weeks the logician will have the advantage. However, in the case of all of the puzzles constructed by the murderer, the clues are weighted heavily on the side of the esoteric. Therefore, I favor the theory that the killer’s purpose is to deliver a message of some kind.”
“I take it you have been able to solve the puzzles?” Sam asked Lentz.
“Most of them, Mr. Sonn. But there were one or two that we could only partially solve.”
“Forgive me, Captain, but I was unaware that you had experienced difficulty in solving the puzzles,” Sam said turning his attention to Morgan. “I was under the impression that the problem lie in making the association with the intended victim.”
“You’re mostly correct. As Mr. Lentz said, we did manage to solve most of the puzzles but still could not figure out the link to the intended victim until it was too late. But two of them we couldn’t completely solve even with Mr. Lentz’s assistance. In those cases, the solutions that appeared in the paper were sent in by the murderer after the crime had been committed,” Morgan said.
“Do you have the latest puzzle, Captain Morgan?”
“Yes, Sam, I have it right here.”
“Have you had a go at it yet, Mr. Lentz?” Sam asked.
“Yes, I toiled over it for hours last night and still couldn’t make heads or tails out of it.”
“Sometimes two heads are better than one,” Sam stated. “Also, I’m going to use the full power of my computer lexicon.”
“How about a crossword dictionary, Sam?” Morgan asked.
“Yes,” Sam replied affirmatively, “anything that might help.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Sonn, but accomplished crossword puzzle solvers never use references,” Lentz interjected. “It actually deters progress, slowing down the experienced solver. References are for dilettantes.”
“Let’s see what you have so far,” Sam said not bothering to take issue with Lentz’s pejorative remark.
Morgan handed the sparsely filled in grid over to Sam. “Principia Mathematica, eh?” Sam muttered loud enough for all to hear. “Perhaps our killer is a mathematician or philosopher. You don’t seem to have filled in any of the theme clues, Mr. Lentz”
“As I said, Mr. Sonn, they are far too esoteric. For example, 22 across is Montreal Function. We have the last three letters of the word, ion.”
“Wasn’t the Montreal World’s Fair called Expo? Perhaps it has something to do with exponents? How about exponentiation? Does it fit?”
“It fits, Sam,” Ward exclaimed.
“I see you have several letters filled in for 42 across,” Sam observed. “What’s the clue?”
“Steve and Edie, Ozzie and Harriet,” Ward answered.
Sam rubbed his chin and took a deep breath. “How about Ordered Pairs?” he asked.
“Sam you’re on a roll,” Ward said.
“Those were excellent guesses,” Lentz admitted. “I figured the first one had something to do with exponents. I thought of exponentiation but couldn’t verify any of the letters, so I didn’t pencil it in. The remaining theme clues are much more complex.”
“All right then, what’s the clue for 27 across?”
“Three point play,” Ward answered.
“That is a hard one,” Sam said, “let’s come back to it. What about 101 across? You have the first three letters har.”
“Tranquil Fall Classic,” Ward read the clue. “The fall classic is the World Series.”
“The word series is significant in Math. Perhaps it refers to a type of series. Try harmonic series,” Sam proclaimed confidently. “Does it fit?”
“It fits Sam, my man, harmonic series! Are we great, or are we great?” Ward asked triumphantly.
“How about 90 across? You have the first letter, f.”
“The clue is First lenders,” Ward said.
“Factors,” Sam answered.
“Bingo,” Ward said.
Lentz was beginning to feel uncomfortable. “What about 77 across, Character changes?” Lentz asked, confidant that Sam would be stumped.
“What’s 69 down?” Sam asked, ignoring Lentz’s challenge.
“Sun ring,” Ward replied.
“A sun ring is a corona,” Sam said.
“It fits, Sam,” Ward said excitedly.
“What about 64 down?” Sam asked.
“A four letter word for Space,” Ward said.
“Room,” Morgan chimed in.
“Excellent, Captain,” Sam said, pleased that Morgan was able to contribute.
“What’s 78 down?” Sam asked.
“Mentored, a seven letter word,” Ward replied
“Tutored,” Lentz said. He decided to join the party.
Sam looked at the puzzle. “Twelve letter word, ending in s, third letter r, fourth letter m, sixth letter t. Character changes,” Sam repeated the clue. Within seconds Sam shouted out, “Permutations!”
“I don’t believe it, Sam. We’re happening, my man!” Ward was brimming over with enthusiasm. Meanwhile Captain Morgan had straightened up in his chair. His entire posture seemed more formal. He began to shuffle papers and folders around on his desk as if he felt the sudden need to clean up. Strange as it seemed, Sonn appeared to have more of a knack for these puzzles than did Lentz. Perhaps Sonn was deserving of the moniker Super Sleuth after all.
Lentz had graduated in mood from uncomfortable to annoyed. “Congratulations, Mr. Sonn. That was quite a display of ingenuity. But I’m afraid the remaining theme clues are inscrutable, even for someone as resourceful as yourself.” Lentz had gone from patronizing Sam to outright denial. And if there was one thing Sam could never be, it was denied. “You obviously know your math,” Lentz added.
