The There’s Treasure Inside Cryptogram, found inside the chapter of The Past and Future Box, provides clues to a more exact location for finding the PF treasure box. Discussions on the MW Discord.
In the chapter, Jon mentions that the Word Seach, which is the first game he has given us to play to discover clues to the PF box, holds plenty of what we need to find the box. However, he provided a second game to provide even more help. This is the cryptogram seen below.
Past and Future Box Cryptogram Solution
The solution is found like any other simple cryptogram puzzle. Each letter represents another letter. It is a monoalphabetic cipher. While there are many online sites which will solve it for you, it is nice to know how it can be solved by just pencil and paper. No computers needed.
First, a letter frequency test might help. The most used letters in the alphabet are ETAON. The most used letters in the There’s Treasure Inside Cryptogram is also E. If you replace X (the most used letter in the cryptogram) with E, it can be solved for:
FROM ROCK TO FIELD FROM STRONG TO STREAM,
PAST TREE AND POSTS TO FOREST GREEN,
ARRIVE YOU NOW WHERE BEAUTY SHEENS.
IT’S UNDER, OVER, IN BETWEEN.
Noted Curiosities from the Solution
- O=H and I=O – for those searchers who like the OHIO area – this supports that possibility
- There are 2 Mirrored Letters in the KEY – C with U, N with Y Why are they mirrored? SEE YOU New York?
- THIS = FROM when solving the cryptogram. Jon had control of what letters substituted which – why have FROM / THIS?
- X = E (one of least commonly used letters to one of the most commonly used) If substituted in the word search according to how the cryptogram was – POE is given – with surrounding letters of KEY
- 4 letters NOT used: FGKW connecting to JQXZ – If connecting the cryptogram to the Word Search – there would be 11 (a number found in the WS) that could not be substituted and be left blank. In the word search each letter is found in the alphabet but there is only one G J X, 5 Q’s and 3 Z’s
- Exactly 26 Words in the cryptogram – same as letters in the alphabet (coincidence? yes, could be – but noted)
What is the meaning to the decoded Cryptogram?
There are many interpretations. Until a box is found any meaning put forth is unconfirmed.
The message itself could be taken very literal – For example – Rock is a Rock, Field is a Field….or it could be taken more cryptically with a play of words. From Rock (a music rock band) to Field ( to an audience) – to suggest an amphitheater…
Or a mixture of both literal and cryptic – where then Strong to Stream is a Waterfall – strong gush to soft stream of water….. combining together – and in this example – Amphitheater Falls – which is on a trail in PA – NO I do not think it is here…I’m just giving an example of how the message could work to give different things….
The word search is to give us plenty – but the cryptogram is to give us more help. It’s interesting how he writes this in the book:
“Once you have finished the word search you will have plenty of what you need to find the treasure box. But in case you still aren’t convinced and want even more help, you’re in luck….. “
It’s like the cryptogram might help finish the word search….