Message 3

Your mission: crack the codes. Take them in order. The first is easy, but they get progressively more difficult. The second message holds the key to solving the last message. You’ll also need to do some field work along the way.

To make life easier for field agents like you, HQ has a pre-printed Field Cipher Worksheet for you to use. Print a copy to keep with you. You’ll need it.

Based upon your field training, you remember that the final message is a simple Vernam Cipher. The first step is to copy the numbers from the secret message into the “Cipher Number” boxes on the Field Cipher Worksheet. The key—once you uncover it—must be copied repeatedly into the “Additive Number” boxes below the Cipher Numbers. To determine the “Code Numbers,” simply subtract the “Additive Number” from the “Cipher Number.” The “Code Numbers” can then be converted to “Plain Characters” with the chart at the bottom of the Field Cipher Worksheet.

When you’ve decoded the message, follow the instructions to find the cache and stop the assassins! When you go to find the cache, stealth will be absolutely necessary. Remember: You’re a spy. Act like it! There is plenty of parking nearby. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks to Know Future for the inspiration for this cache!