PUZZLING TIMES AT SOLVAMHALL CASTLE
A
B B
R R R
A A A A
C C C C C
A A A A A A
D D D D D D D
AAAAAAAA
BBBBBBBBB
RRRRRRRRRR
AAAAAAAAAAA
To-day we know that Abracadabra was the supreme deity of the
Assyrians, and this curious arrangement of the letters of the word
was commonly worn in Europe as an amulet or charm against
diseases. But Sir Hugh had never heard of it and, regarding the
document rather seriously, he sent for a learned priest.
" I pray you, sir clerk," said he, " shew me the true intent of this
strange writing."
" Sir Hugh," replied the holy man, after he had spoken in a
foreign tongue with the stranger, "it is but an amulet that this poor
wight doth wear upon his breast to ward off the ague, the toothache
and such other afflictions of the body."
" Then give the varlet food and raiment and set him on his way,"
said Sir Hugh. " Meanwhile, sir clerk, canst thou tell me in how
many ways this word * Abracadabra' may be read on the amulet,
always starting from the A at the top thereof ? "
Place your pencil on the A at the top and count in how many
different ways you can trace out the word downwards, always
passing from a letter to an adjoining one.
39.—
The Snail on the Flagstaff.
It would often be interesting if we could trace back to their origin
many of the best known puzzles. Some of them would be found to
have been first propounded in very ancient times, and there can be
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