A simple but interesting problem developed from a thrilling adventure which befell me during my ascent of the pyramids. The guide, as you may observe, was armed with a sword for the purpose of slaying any lions which might come our way, and it was stipulated that I was to have the skins from any we might capture. We were just preparing to climb the smaller of the Cheops when one of the beasts which infest that neighborhood came in view. I hastened to the top to place my belongings in safety, taking five steps at a time, my guide six, and the lion seven. The situation is somewhat complicated, as the sketch shows that none of the measurements will bring any one of the parties to the exact summit. Nevertheless, despite the fact of the lower steps being out of view, you will find sufficient data to estimate the exact height of that little pyramid.
I may say incidentally, that the rascally guide whom I instructed to save the lion's skin while I deposited my belongings in safety must have stolen the same, as I never saw him again.
In the problem of the pyramids it is evident that if the lion goes seven steps, the guide six and the tourist five, 7x6x5 gives 210 as the number of steps, which would bring them out together at the top. As the lion is five steps shy in the sketch, the guide three and the tourist one, we can readily see that the pyramid must be 201 steps high to bring about the tableau shown.
2. A REBUS.
Let go! Let go! You naughty first,
In my gown you’ll cause my second,
And make my wrath impetuous
As my whole is ever reckoned.
Ans. 3, 21, 18, 18, 5, 14, 20.
CURRENT
3. A CHARADE.
In Africa once, delighting to range,
On the tail of my owner I sped!
But now I adorn, oh wonderful change,
Instead of the tail, a new owner’s head.
Ostrich feather.
5. A REBUS.
In olden days great was my power,
Oft have I saved the embattled tower
From the invading foe;
Transpose me, ah! how great my fall,
I am then the smallest of the small,
And lowest of the low.
Ans. 13, 15, 1, 20.
MOAT
6.
To give the young folks a chance to exercise their ingenuity, it may be said that Dauber, the artist, is back from Europe, where he has been studying the old masters. He brought a portfolio of paintings which bear witness to his industry, but when he showed me a picture of a deer sketched from life, and offered to bet I could not guess where he painted it. I said Dusseldorf at once, for I have seen a class of twenty sketching that same picture at the academy, many moons before he was born.
How many of our puzzlists can discover the locality of the scene of the painting concealed in the description.
Hidden city, Finland.
7. A REBUS
Entire I am capital; curtail me and I am capital still, but behead and transpose me and I am looking for capital.
Ans. 6, 21, 14, 4.
FUND
8. A CHARADE.
My first is four-sixths of a step that is long,
My second a person of state;
My whole is a thing that is known to be wrong,
And is a strong symptom of hate.
Cypher Ans. 19, 20, 18, 9, 11, 9, 14, 7.
STRIKING
9. A REBUS.
My first when in a circle found.
Betakes to whirling round and round
My second, elevated high,
Calmly surveys the passer by;
My friendly whole acts like a brother
Not for himself, but for another.
Cypher Ans. 19, 16, 15, 11, 5, 19, 13, 1, 14.
SPOKESMAN
10.
If I were to bite off the end of your nose what would the magistrate compel me to do? Keep the peace (piece).
Why is a child with a cold in its head like a winter's night? Because it blows, it snows (its nose).
Why are the complaints of married people like the noise of the waves on the shore? Because they are the murmurs of the tied (tide).
When is a lover like a tailor? When he presses his suit.
How many peas would you suppose there are in a pint? One P.
Why is a man committing murder like a hen walking across the street? Because it's a foul proceeding.
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