Written by Katherine Bryant
Each of Parry Normal’s notes refers to a Massachusetts location that is, reputedly, haunted. The places are:
... college library, believed haunted by librarian in stacks at night, watching people. Curious; why would she be watching except to get information? Norton
... Witch called "Wonderful" (17th century) appears near Swallow Cave. Apparently helped in an Indian defeat. Obviously experienced with planning assaults! Nahant
... Ghost of a 2-year-old child named Doris in St. Stephen's Cemetery, sometimes with parents. They've even got the children in on this one... Attleboro
... lighthouse keeper of Minot Lighthouse, said to haunt after lighthouse was destroyed in a storm while main lighthouse keeper was gone for provisions. A shady character - why would he leave his post in a storm? Scituate
... eight-gated "Spider Gate" cemetery, considered deadly - said that no one has ever made it to the eighth gate. Dangerous place, just the sort of hangout for nasty spirits, I should think. Worcester
... fellow named Lysander tips tables over at a place called Moonlight Inn. Sounds dubious, but worth following up on. Pembroke
Entering these names into the diagram yields the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
|
O
|
R
|
T
|
O
|
N
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
|
A
|
H
|
A
|
N
|
T
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
T
|
T
|
L
|
E
|
B
|
O
|
R
|
O
|
|
|
|
|
|
S
|
C
|
I
|
T
|
U
|
A
|
T
|
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
W
|
O
|
R
|
C
|
E
|
S
|
T
|
E
|
R
|
|
|
P
|
E
|
M
|
B
|
R
|
O
|
K
|
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spelled down the center of the grid is NATICK, another Massachusetts town, and the answer to the puzzle. (And, no doubt, the center of the conspiracy... Natick has its own ghost, a man who, while drunk, stumbled over a cliff on the eve of St. Patrick's Day, 1874. It is said that every St. Patrick's eve, he can be seen drinking a bottle of whiskey ...)