Enter The Fifth Column

Use this Companion Guide to check your solutions as you play by selecting Check Solutions & Unlock the Story below. Sometimes, the story will progress as you check your solutions. The Companion Guide can also be used to view hints. Most players use at least a few hints to get through the entire game.

• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #1

  This puzzle uses a set of five different rectangular cards. If you are missing any of these, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  This puzzle is unique in that it reveals three different answers, each of which can be inputted as an answer after selecting "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" in the dropdown.

  First, examine the card with the three illustrated grids. Notice that the colored squares in the corners of each grid match the colored corners of the other punch cards. Each card also has black squares and wedge symbols similar to those in the grids.

  If you were to overlap the cards, perhaps letters would show through and create a word or phrase... Are you able to use the punch cards to recreate these three patterns?

• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #2

  The colored squares in the corner of each illustrated grid provide a clue for which cards to use to recreate each image, and how to overlay them.

• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #3

  Try to recreate the pattern with the purple and red first. Overlap the purple card on top of the red card. Can you recreate the pattern? Do you notice anything about the letters in the punched holes once you've recreated the image?

• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #4

  The following image shows the correct alignment of the two punch cards. The pattern revealed with the cards matches the illustrated grid. Reading from left to right, top to bottom, the revealed letters in the holes spell: folio contains meeting month day time place.

  Now, enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide to unlock a part of the story!

  
• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #5

  The center illustrated grid with yellow and purple squares requires a subtle trick to replicate the pattern: try rotating one of the cards.

• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #6

  The following image shows the correct alignment of the two punch cards. The letters in the holes spell: ID contains cipher key.

  Now, enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide to unlock a part of the story!

  
• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #7

  To create the final image, the cards must be overlaid in the order shown (purple on top, then blue, then yellow, then red on bottom).

  Since the purple is on top, you know that its black square will be used in the final pattern. You also know that it will need to have holes where the other two black squares and the symbol will show through. Finding this pattern of holes on the purple sheet (in relation to the black square) can be a great place to start.

• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #8

  The following image shows which holes must be used on the purple sheet to create the final image. Can you line up the other sheets below it to find the final message?

  
• Punch Cards (Part I) Clue #9

  The following image shows the correct alignment of the four punch cards. The red card is aligned directly behind the blue, at the bottom. The letters in the holes spell: Decipher month day time for update

  

  Now, enter this final phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide to unlock a part of the story!

• Punch Cards (Part I) Solution

  Phrase 1: folio contains meeting month day time place

  Phrase 2: ID contains cipher key

  Phrase 3: Decipher month day time for update

  Be sure to enter these three phrases in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Telegram Clue #1

  You should have a telegram card that says "Western Union" at the top. If you do not have this component, click here.

  Notice that the back of the telegram card has the alphabet and that each letter is associated with a number. Is there any pattern or similarity between these numbers and the message on the front?

• Telegram Clue #2

  Most of the phrases in the telegram seem like gibberish, but some provide a clue for what to pay attention to. Specifically, note the phrase: "cadence carries meaning".

• Telegram Clue #3

  Notice that the telegram is written in sets of three words (with "STOP" in between each set). Further, each letter on the back is associated with a three digit number.

  Now recall the clue "cadence carries meaning". Can you use the cadence of each set of three words to translate them into numbers, and then to letters?

• Telegram Clue #4

  Use the number of syllables (the "cadence") in each word to translate it into a number. "Urgently awaiting you" becomes "331" ("urgently" has 3 syllables, "awaiting" has 3 syllables, "you" has 1 syllable), which finally translates to "Y" using the back. Translate the rest of the message with this methodology.

• Telegram Clue #5

  The telegram translates to "YOUR BIRTH MONTH". This telegram was in the possession of the Nazi agent along with the other materials you have received. Is there a material that would include the Nazi agent's "birth month"?

• Telegram Solution

  The ID contains a birth month of July, which is the answer to the puzzle.

  Now, enter July as the answer in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Newspaper Clue #1

  You should have a large newspaper sheet. If you do not have this component, click here.

  Notice that there are several red numbers on the front and back of the Newspaper. Try starting with the section labeled "1" (the "spot the differences" section), then working on the sections in order.

• Newspaper Clue #2 (Section 1)

  In the "spot the differences" section, the two images have a few subtle differences. The right side tells you that you are looking for 9 differences. It also gives you the number of letters in each difference so that you can verify your answers.

• Newspaper Clue #3 (Section 1)

  The nine differences are circled in the images below. They are:

  1. 10 letters: watermelon
  2. 9 letters: dragonfly
  3. 8 letters: ice cream, necklace, golf ball
  4. 7 letters: balloon
  5. 6 letters: waffle, flower
  6. 5 letters: onion

  

  It's not yet entirely clear how you'll use these words, so perhaps you should move on to section #2.

• Newspaper Clue #4 (Section 2)

  You're now working on section #2: the word puzzle. Do you notice any similarities between the words from your completed "spot the differences" puzzle and this word puzzle?

• Newspaper Clue #5 (Section 2)

  The word puzzle requires the same number of words (9), and the required words are the same length as the "spot the differences" answers. Try filling out the word puzzle with your "spot the differences" answers.

• Newspaper Clue #6 (Section 2 & 3)

  The completed word puzzle is shown below.

  Now move on to #3. Notice that each row or column of numbers seems to be following a pattern. Can you fill in each of the circles with the numbers that fit the patterns?

  

• Newspaper Clue #7 (Section 3)

  Find the row that goes 1, 2, [blank], [blank], [blank], 6, 7. Notice that the blanks could be filled in with 3, 4, 5, to create the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Can you figure out similar numerical sequences in the other rows and columns?

  Some patterns will be more tricky than others. Try looking at the differences between numbers in each sequence. Do you subtract a certain amount to get the next number in the sequence? Do you add or multiply to get the next number? Perhaps every other number in the sequence follows a pattern?

  Also, you may notice as you begin filling out the puzzle that there are no duplicate numbers in the circles. Knowing this can help you solve any remaining blanks.

• Newspaper Clue #8 (Section 3)

  The completed grid, and explanation for each row and column can be found below. Before moving on to #4, do you notice any similarities between the word and number puzzles? Notice again that there are no repeated circled numbers.

  

  

• Newspaper Clue #9 (Section 3)

  The word and number puzzles are exactly the same shape. Also, your circled numbers are the numbers 1-16. Try using each number to identify a letter in the word puzzle.

• Newspaper Clue #10 (Section 3 & 4)

  The circled #1 refers to the letter: "F" in "FLOWER", #2 refers to "O" in "ONION", #3 refers to "L" in "BALLOON"... if you continue this logic it reveals the phrase "follow line of fire". Now go on to #4 on the front side. What could this phrase be indicating?

• Newspaper Clue #11 (Section 4)

  If you follow the line of fire of the anti-aircraft gun in the bottom left, you find the phrase "day is Senators place". Now go to the red #5.

  

• Newspaper Solution

  The "Washington Senators" are in second place. The answer is therefore Second.

  Be sure to enter this answer in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Navy Poster Clue #1

  This puzzle uses a Navy Poster. If you don't have it, click here.

  The bottom section of the poster has information about several strikes on the Imperial Japanese Navy. Given the map and this information, try identifying where each of the ships in the navy is located. A few important things to keep in mind:

  1. You are already given the location of one of the two aircraft carriers (it has been destroyed).
  2. Any square that contains land cannot hold a ship.
  3. The missed strikes “bombing runs” mean that there are no ships along any of those vertical columns.

  If you'd like to keep your poster pristine (or if you have multiple people who want to work on the puzzle simultaneously), you can print out a copy of the puzzle here. (Note that this is not the full poster.) The puzzle can be solved using logic, but if you'd like, the printable copy also includes a set of ships that can be cut out and used for testing with trial and error.

• Navy Poster Clue #2

  The following image maps the misses you are given by the poster's "Missed Strikes" section and the strikes by the poster's "Successful Strikes" section.

  

• Navy Poster Clue #3

  Given that the shortest ship is 3 squares long, there are several locations that a ship can't possibly fit. Try finding and eliminating these squares as possible locations for ships.

• Navy Poster Clue #4

  The following image shows the five squares that can be immediately eliminated given that the shortest ship is 3 squares long. There are also a few places that cannot have a ship because they would make a confirmed strike impossible. Can you find these?

  

• Navy Poster Clue #5

  The following image shows three more squares that cannot possibly have ships. If ships were in these locations, they would have to be destroyers (3 squares long), oriented horizontally. If destroyers were in these positions, however, the strikes immediately below and to the left wouldn't be possible because no ship could fit in the remaining vertical space(s).

  

• Navy Poster Clue #6

  At this point it is helpful to note how many squares are available to have ships, and how many squares are needed to fit the remaining imperial fleet. There are 40 possible spaces, and the fleet ships take up 38. This means that only 2 more squares will be without ships. Knowing this, try placing the ships in the remaining potential spots as efficiently as possible.

  It may be helpful for you to print out a copy of the puzzle here. This printable copy also includes a set of ships that can be cut out so you can easily place them on the grid.

• Navy Poster Clue #7

  The final ship locations are noted below in the image. Do you notice anything?

  

• Navy Poster Solution

  The ships spell the time: 4PM

  Now, enter this answer in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Map (Part I) Clue #1

  This puzzle uses a map. If you do not have it, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  Try finding the top eight spots. Each phrase is referring to one location indicated by a black dot.

• Phrase Hint for "T.I.M.E."

  Why are there periods between each of the letters in "TIME?", and why are the letters capitalized? Also, what place (or kind of person), might involve sitting and contemplating?

• Phrase Hint for "Wise Prey"

  What location includes words that have multiple meanings, specifically a word that means both "wise" and is also an herb, and a word that means "prey" and "pit".

• Phrase Hint for "Baby Lion"

  You aren't looking for something that has to do with a lion cub. Try looking for "Baby Lion", but with something missing...

• Phrase Hint for "Finger Thing"

  Where might you get some scrambled eggs in the evening? "Scramble" also has a double meaning here.

• Phrase Hint for "Blind Person"

  What location sounds like it could be a pair of animals, but when written, clearly isn't?

• Phrase Hint for "Growth to Sound"

  What location, with only one letter change, transforms from a plant to a cheery sound?

• Phrase Hint for "Up Over Out"

  What location would be the opposite of "Up Over Out"?

• Phrase Hint for "Yellow Meets Blue"

  Try identifying a location that has three words: each one identified by one of the three statements.

• Phrase Answers

  Try identifying a location that has three words: each one identified by one of the three statements.

  1. T.I.M.E phrase: The Inspired Monk Enclave
  2. Wise prey phrase: The Sage Quarry
  3. Baby lion phrase: Babylon Lounge
  4. Blind person phrase: Too Dear Diner
  5. Single sound phrase: Thistle Inn (vs. Whistle Inn)
  6. Finger Thing Face phrase: Fringe Night Cafe (each word is scrambled)
  7. Up Over Out phrase: Down Under Inn
  8. Yellow meets blue phrase: Green Oak Club
• Map (Part I) Clue #2

  Do you notice anything about these locations? Are there any words, phrases, or images on this map that might provide a clue? Try circling each location (black dot).

• Map (Part I) Clue #3

  The subtitle of the map says "Let us point you in the right direction!", and the icon next to each of the top 8 spots is an arrow...

• Map (Part I) Solution

  The top 8 locations form an arrow that points to The Ascension Lounge

  

  Be sure to enter this answer in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• ID (Part I) Clue #1

  This puzzle uses a trifold ID. If you do not have it, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  Stuck on where to even get started? Make sure you examine all pieces of this component thoroughly!

• ID (Part I) Clue #2

  If you remove the photograph from the trifold, you find a series of symbols and numbers underneath it. Using only the ID, these can translate into a phrase.

• ID (Part I) Clue #3

  Do you see any similarities between the shapes around the blue letters and anything else in the ID? The color is a subtle tip.

• ID (Part I) Clue #4

  Each brown symbol is the same shape as a brown outline around/under/to the side of a text section in the ID. How might the blue numbers associated with each symbol be used to create a phrase?

• ID (Part I) Clue #5

  Each symbol refers to specific text section in the ID, and the blue number refers to a specific letter. For example:

  1. The underlined “1” refers to the first letter of the underlined sections: “S” (from “Signature”).
  2. The “6” in a box refers to the sixth letter of the “Department of Commerce” text block (which is also in a box): “T”.
  3. The “6” with brown lines on both sides and the bottom refers to the sixth letter of “Whitman” (which also has brown lines to the left, right, and bottom): “A”.
• ID (Part I) Solution

  A phrase is revealed: Start at eight CW shift

  The punch cards solution provides context for what this answer is used for. You'll need to figure out that CW = clockwise.

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Cipher Squares Clue #1

  You should have a set of two different cipher squares with letters on them. If you are missing these, click here.

  As noted in the introductory letter, the cipher squares set should be your final priority. Be sure to complete the rest of the puzzles before attempting this one.

• Cipher Squares Clue #2

  The punch cards noted that the ID contains your cipher key, and that you need to "decipher month day time". Can you use your answer from the ID ("start at eight clockwise shift") with your cipher square set to translate the month day time ("July Second 4PM") into a new phrase? (You may want to try spelling 4PM as FOUR PM because the cipher squares only contain letters.)

• Cipher Squares Clue #3

  Cipher sets are used to translate single letters from a coded message into single letters from a decoded message. For example, imagine the two differently colored circles below were actually two separate components. If stacked one on top of the other and oriented correctly, the cipher set could translate "cipher" into "answer" (find "c" on the inner circle, and note that it corresponds with "a" on the outer, find "i" on the inner, note that it corresponds to "n" on the outer etc.).

  Can you find the correct way to overlap the two cipher squares such that finding the letters in "July Second Four PM" on the interior square translates to letters on the exterior square that make a new phrase? You'll need to use the key you learned from the ID "start at eight clockwise shift".

  

• Cipher Squares Clue #4

  Based on the instruction to "start at eight" try aligning the hole in the small square with the "8" on the large one. From here, you can see that "J" (from "July") translates to "W" on the large square.

  

  Next, shift the small square clockwise, so the hole now lines up with the number 9. The "U" on the small square translates to "E" on the exterior. Keep following this process.

  

• Cipher Squares Solution

  The phrase "July Second Four PM" translates to the update: Weaponry Acquired

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide! This is the final puzzle of Part I, and there will be a substantial story update to set up Part II.

• Tips for getting started with Part II

  The personal notes sheet is "written by you" as a recap of the components in Part I and the answers you decoded from each. This sheet is not a puzzle.

  Go back and examine the components from Part I, now using the flashlights found in the Evidence envelope. Try examining the materials with the same priority as you did in Part I (the punch cards first and the cipher squares last).

  To operate the flashlights, unscrew the back and remove the white plastic circle from the battery compartment. Then screw the back on again and press the black button. This should turn the flashlight on.

  Note: there may be hidden information in some materials and not in others! You'll only need to use some of the materials from Part I.

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #1

  You will need the same punch cards that you used in Part I as well as the special flashlight inside the Evidence envelope. If you are missing any of these components, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical copy.

  Use your newly acquired flashlight to examine the punch card with the three illustrated images. On the back, you will see the phrases:

  1. Disregard diagrams on back of this sheet
  2. Month, day, time remain the same
  3. See back of purple sheet for additional instructions

  Now, go and take a look at the back of the purple sheet!

  

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #2

  The back of the purple sheet should show, with an arrow pointing to a specific punch out:

  1. Q
  2. Z
  3. J

  Try using the punch card set with this information to create three new phrases.

  

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #3

  Use your flashlight to uncover hidden letters on the punch cards. You'll notice that there is only one Q, one Z (that may be particularly tricky to find so look carefully!), and one J in the entire set. Try lining up the indicated hole with each of these letters.

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #4

  You'll need to keep the purple page upside-down and rotated to find the new phrases. The invisible letters on the purple card should be in the same orientation as the letters on the underlying punch cards.

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #5

  Below is the correct orientation for "Q". The phrase is: "MEETING IS A DECOY MAP HAS TARGET" (Note that Q is not used in the phrase)

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #6

  Below is the correct orientation for "Z". Note that the "Z" is in invisible ink. The phrase is: "DECIPHER MONTH DAY TIME FOR PICKUP"

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  

• Punch Cards (Part II) Clue #7

  Below is the correct orientation for "J". The phrase is: "OPERATION SARIN GAS IS GO". Do you remember any information about sarin gas from Part I? Check out the Newspaper if not.

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  

• Punch Cards (Part II) Solution

  Phrase 1: MEETING IS A DECOY MAP HAS TARGET

  Phrase 2: DECIPHER MONTH DAY TIME FOR PICKUP

  Phrase 3: OPERATION SARIN GAS IS GO

  Do you remember any information about Sarin gas from Part I? Check out the Newspaper if not. (Interesting fact: this sarin gas article is historically factual)

  Be sure to enter these phrases in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Map (Part II) Clue #1

  Use your flashlight to examine the map thoroughly. You should find some text and a symbol on the back of the component.

• Map (Part II) Clue #2

  Using the flashlight, you should see: "The fruits of our labors are near. Utilize them and our emblem will identify your target."

  You will also see a swastika with a few additional details on it. What locations on the front of the map might these phrases be indicating?

  

• Map (Part II) Clue #3

  Look for locations that have fruit in their name. Once you've found them, can you see how the symbol would indicate a specific location?

• Map (Part II) Solution

  The image below shows the eight locations and how they indicate a location. The target is the Grand Central Terminal.

  Be sure to enter this in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  

• ID (Part II) Clue #1

  Examine the ID thoroughly again with your flashlight. You will find a new set of text below the symbols you used previously: "Flip each symbol L - R". Try once again decoding this message using this new information.

  

• ID (Part II) Clue #2

  Flipping each of the brown symbols over a vertical axis would yield the following image. You will note that many symbols are the same (and therefore translate to the same letters). Try translating the modified symbols and see how it changes the translated phrase.

  

• ID (Part II) Solution

  The previous phrase from Part I (without access to the flashlight) was: "start at eight cw shift". Your new phrase is start at five ccw shift (ccw = counter-clockwise).

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Cipher Squares (Part II) Clue #1

  Once again, make sure you have fully solved the other puzzles before attempting the cipher squares. The telegram, newspaper, and navy posters do not have any invisible ink and there is nothing new to solve. The cipher squares also do not have invisible ink.

• Cipher Squares (Part II) Clue #2

  The punch cards noted that the Month Day and Time are the same. Try using the new ID instructions "start at five ccw shift" to decode the same phrase you used previously: "July Second Four PM". From the punch cards, you learned that this should hold the "pickup".

• Cipher Squares (Part II) Clue #3

  Last time you aligned the small square so the number "8" showed through the central cutout. This time, align the small square so that "5" shows through the cutout. First translate "J" to "L" in this configuration. Then, shift the small square counterclockwise (ccw), so that the number "4" shows through the cutout. "U" should translate to "O". Follow this pattern to decode the phrase.

• Cipher Squares (Part II) Solution

  This time the phrase decodes to: locker eight eight

  This must be the pickup location for something for operation sarin gas.

  Be sure to enter this phrase in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

• Rosie the Riveter Poster Clue #1

  You should have a poster that depicts Rosie the Riveter. If you are missing this component, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  Examine the poster thoroughly with your flashlight.

  On the front you'll notice some text that says "Gas canister 1 of 3" and "Input code word for drop spot" followed by an empty box.

  On the back, you'll notice that the three drawn riveted sheets have words above them.

  Is there a way to translate each riveted sheet into the word above it?

• Rosie the Riveter Poster Clue #2

  Take a look at the intersections within each sketch, and compare them to the words above.

  

• Rosie the Riveter Poster Clue #3

  Notice that the number of letters in each word matches the number of intersections within each pattern. For example, "TURN" has four letters, and there are four interior intersections within the diagram below it. Reading from left to right, top to bottom, each intersection translates to a letter in the word above it. You will notice that the three words share several letters and that the corresponding intersections match across the patterns.

  

• Rosie the Riveter Poster Clue #4

  You'll also notice that there are similar images on the front of the poster. Use the image-to-letter translation you learned on the back to translate the image on the front.

• Rosie the Riveter Poster Solution

  The image on the front translates to DESTRUCTION

  Now, enter this in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  Be sure to write this answer down. Later, you will need to "input it" as prompted on the front of the poster in invisible ink.

• Uncle Sam Poster Clue #1

  You should have a poster that depicts Uncle Sam. If you are missing this component, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  Examine your poster thoroughly with your flashlight. You will see the phrases: "Gas canister 2 of 3" and "Input code word for drop spot" followed by an empty box.

  You will also notice that each plane and tank has some combination of symbols on it, and a letter nearby. You will also see a phrase: "Disorder rules each squadron." Can you think of a way this phrase would prompt you to use the letters to create words? Squadrons in war often were identified by symbols (e.g. one squadron could have a star as a symbol).

• Uncle Sam Poster Clue #2

  Try grouping all the letters that are next to stars together, all letters that are next to crosses together, and all letters that are next to stripes together. A letter that is next to a plane or tank that has two symbols would be in both groupings.

• Uncle Sam Poster Clue #3

  Stars: TTSRLEE, Crosses: 3RD, Stripes: SSEID. Can these be reorganized to make words? (remember "disorder rules each squadron")

• Uncle Sam Poster Clue #4

  These can make the words: "LETTERS", "3RD", "SIDES". How might these be used to create a final code word?

• Uncle Sam Poster Clue #5

  Try looking at the 3rd letters from the words on the sides of the poster.

• Uncle Sam Poster Solution

  You should get the letters: D O M I from the left side, and N A T E from the right. Together they create the answer: DOMINATE

  Now, enter this in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  Be sure to write this answer down. Later, you will need to "input it" as prompted on the front of the poster in invisible ink.

• War Rationing Poster Clue #1

  You should have a poster that discusses war rationing. If you are missing this component, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  Examine the poster thoroughly with your flashlight., You will see the phrases: "Gas canister 3 of 3" and "Input code word for drop spot" followed by an empty box.

  You should also find the following statements in invisible ink:

  1. Total stamp value = 66
  2. ≥1 of each item
  3. 3x rations of flour vs sugar
  4. Items ratio 2 blue : 1 red
  5. Stamps used: 3 blue, 4 red
• War Rationing Poster Clue #2

  Each stamp in the stamp book in the bottom right corner of the poster has a letter. Perhaps you can identify a set of stamps that create a word? The statements seem to allude to a specific set of items, and the associated stamps that were used to purchase them.

  Can you find a set of goods that would satisfy these criteria? Then, can you find the specific stamps (from the bottom right of the poster) that could have been used to purchase these goods?

• War Rationing Poster Clue #3

  There are many routes to solve this logic puzzle. One route is to start by setting a baseline: let's assume you order the minimum of 1 of each of the red stamp goods (you need "≥1 of each item"). The cost of these red goods would be 30 (7+10+13).

  In this scenario, you would have purchased 3 red items, which means you need to also purchase 6 blue items ("Items ratio: 2 blue: 1 red"). Because you need to order "3x rations of flour vs sugar" the only scenario that works is the following: 3 flour, 1 milk, 1 butter, 1 sugar (in this scenario you are ordering 3x as much flour as sugar, and the total number of goods is 6). The cost of these blue goods would be 19 (3x2+1x3+1x4+1x6).

  In this scenario, the total cost of the goods is 30+19= 49.

  We know that the total stamp value must be 66, however. Can you figure out which items you could add to make this total 66?

• War Rationing Poster Clue #4

  The difference between our minimum order scenario and the actual is 17 (66-49). You know that you need an item ratio of 2 blue: 1 red. This means that you need to add a minimum of 3 items to your order (2 blue and 1 red). Can you find one red item and two blue that add up to 17? Remember, you also need to follow the rule "3x rations of flour vs sugar".

• War Rationing Poster Clue #5

  1 milk (3, blue) + 1 butter (4, blue) + 1 bacon (10, red) = 17. We now know the goods that would fulfill our criteria:

  Blue: 3 flour, 2 milk, 2 butter, 1 sugar (total cost = 26)

  Red: 1 coffee, 2 bacon, 1 beef (total cost = 40)

• War Rationing Poster Clue #6

  Can you use this knowledge to determine which specific stamps from the bottom-right of the poster were used? Remember, "stamps used: 3 blue, 4 red".

• War Rationing Poster Clue #7

  The blue stamps numbered 4, 10, and 12 are the only three that sum to 26.

  The red stamps numbered 5, 8, 10, and 17 are the only four that sum to 40.

  Can you find a word using these stamps?

• War Rationing Poster Solution

  Reading from left to right, top to bottom (not paying attention to color) yields the answer: CONQUER

  Now, enter this in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide!

  Be sure to write this answer down. Later, you will need to "input it" as prompted on the front of the poster in invisible ink.

• Grand Central Terminal Clue #1

  You should have a semi-transparent floorplan of Grand Central Terminal. If you are missing this component, please email us at support@puzzlingpursuits.com so that we can mail you a physical replacement.

  Examine this sheet thoroughly with your flashlight. You'll notice that the top says "Identify drop locations with poster code words". You'll need to solve the other three components before tackling this one.

• Grand Central Terminal Clue #2

  Are you able to find your code words within the quotes on this sheet? How might you be able to identify a specific drop location within the terminal?

• Grand Central Terminal Clue #3

  Try "inputting" the code words in the rectangles on each poster by overlapping the terminal map such that the correct code word (from a quote) fits inside the rectangle. What might now indicate the drop locations?

• Grand Central Terminal Clue #4

  If you align the word "destruction" from the quote "To bring about the destruction of an idea..." within the rectangle on the Rosie the Riveter poster, you will see that the target on her forehead aligns with the Waiting Room. Can you find the other locations?

  

• Grand Central Terminal Solution

  The Rosie the Riveter poster reveals the location: Waiting Room

  The Uncle Sam poster reveals the location: Restaurant

  The War Rationing poster reveals the location: Train Gates

  Now, enter these three locations in the "Check Solutions & Unlock the Story" section of the guide to reveal the end of The Fifth Column!