The book takes no position on guilt. The defendant was acquitted on June 20, 1893, and that acquittal stands. The verdict below is the readers', not the book's.
The puzzles are drawn from the 16,998 entries two readings of the 1892 city directory agreed on, from 1,110 numbered buildings on five real maps, and from one real trial. Two things were kept from the jury at New Bedford; a third they heard but never saw. All three are under this seal, in the words of the record. Before you open it, cast your verdict.
The jury was out an hour and ten minutes by Porter’s account, an hour and a half by the Boston Globe’s. Enter your docket number (the eleven digits from chapters 1 to 11), choose, and leave an address for the sealed file.
The file opens right away, then a few short notes over the next three weeks: a technique from the book to try, the mistake players make most often, a small challenge, a quick question to see how it is going, and an invitation to leave an honest review. Sent by Case File, dossier@bookcompanion.co. Free bonus, not needed to solve any puzzle in the book. Unsubscribe any time.
Counting…
On June 20, 1893, the jury at New Bedford said: not guilty.