The Cotton Factory Times. — 1901-06-21 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER XI.  WOOFENDII. " PITTS BANNISTER ON THE TRACK.  If Holt had known of th 3 relatiOn3 between Owd Woofenden and It(Mart Bannistbr he tkittld after have sent him the cypher for solution.  Woofeuden was more than a herbal quack more than a bird and animal staffer. He was a profound mathematician, with a reputation in that branch of learning which spread further afield than his notoriety in other pursuits. it was as a mathematician that Haimlater had sought his advice. His own bent Was in the direction of mathematics, and he had more than once found problems too difficult to solve. These ha had laid before Owd Woofendeu. and in no case had the difficulty been too great for his powers. Between the old man and the young man a kindred spirit was quickly recognised. They were neither over scrupulous. They only recognised difficulties, either in mathematics or in men, as objects to be overcome or removed. Therefore it was that Owl Woofenden, determined to know the Inner meaning of the Cryptogram he had deciphered, thought orßanaister, who he surmised was well acquainted with bolt, and would be able to keep his movements ander observation.  11,e will take the liberty of peeping, over Owd Woofendon's shoulder as ho writes to Robert Bannister. The old man is a fair epistole.rian, and petis much better English than he speaks. This is what we see :  "Mr. Robert Bannister, c/o Messrs. Davis and Deese, Cheetwood Mill, Firwood. " Sir,—l hope you are making good progress in your mathematical studies. It pleases me in my old age to know such a promising student, and to reflect that when I am gone, which cannot now be long, the reputation of Lancashire for mathematical lore will be safe in the bands of such as you. "However, it is not of mathematics I write you to-day,, but of a science somewhat akin: You are aware that I have some repute as a cryptogramist— a reader of secret cyphers. I have Jost had one submitted to me which excites my interest in more than a professional sense. "The person who sent me the cypher, and who has just gone away with the solution, is a Mr. John Holt, of Firwood. You mast be acquainted with him, because he has gained some distinction as a writer on political subjects in the correspondence columns of the Eureka Chronicle. It was there that I first saw his name.  I gathered from Holt that this cypher was written by the father of Sally Dighton—Crazy Sally, you know whom I mean—over seventy years ago, and that it has been discovered In her papers since she died.  I am old enough to remember the circumstances attending Mr. Dighton's death. Be was murdered in his house on the Moss, and it was always assumed that the assassins got away with their booty. But this cypher has set me thinking. It just possible he had hid it in a place to which the cryptogram contains the clue. Anyhow, it is worth looking into. The words of the cypher are as follow: Fifty feet dttton from Wdyfarer's Well.. Measure downhill in direction of sun dt noon. Dig nine feet. This tenet mean the old well in the brow side just before you get to the wagon rand on the Moss. I want you to keep an eye on that well and also on liolt. If there is any plunder hidden we are as much entitled to it as he. Anyhow, we ought to get a share. If I have ever been of use to you in your mathematical studies yon Will do me a good turn in this matter.  I don't like to be baffled, and Holt was very close with me during our interview to-day.—Yours truly, Janus