We have the words FIGHTI(NG), VICIN(ITY), RENEWE(D), ANDVIL(LA), RDINGT(O), RECE(IVED). With this to go on, we must choose column 11 as the next one and then in order, columns 8, 10, 7, 12, 9. But note that the order 11, 8, 10, 7, 12, 9, is the same as the order 5, 2, 4, 1, 6, 3. The message was written in twelve columns and the columns have been transposed in that order. We may, although it is entirely unnecessary, speculate on the key word used. It was probably M E X I C O 4 2 6 3 1 5 meaning that the 4th column of the plain text was transferred in enciphering so it became our 1st, the 2d column remained the 2d; the 6th column became our 3d, etc. Actually, this cipher was solved because the word VILLA was suspected and all the necessary letters were found in line six of the arrangement in twelve columns. The order 1, 6, 3, 11, 8 was tried and gave this result. 1 6 3 11 8 H T I N G C I N I T Y A H A S E W E D B L S O B R V I L L A N G T O A E C E I V F I F T E The remainder of the solution followed the lines already laid down and, naturally, offered no difficulties, in view of the large number of connected syllables available. Case 2-b. Message SLCOF WEETN EBRDO ORVYM FFEDI NMTEC ROIAR PERHO ESETS RFBHL TENAH OPTAU SOMTL RTETT ASCBH NIODC RENEN AAPRD LACYE ECIIE SGUFN This is a transposition cipher, English text, and contains 105 letters. The factors of 105 are 5 × 3 × 7 so that we must investigate the following rectangles; 5 × 21, 15 × 7, three of 5 × 7, five of 3 × 7 and seven of 5 × 3. 21 × 5 Vowels S L C O F W E E T N E B R D O O R V Y M F 6 F E D I N M T E C R O I A R P E R H O E S 9 E T S R F B H L T E N A H O P T A U S O M 7 T L R T E T T A S C B H N I O D C R E N E 6 N A A P R D L A C Y E E C I I E S G U F N 9 Vowels 1 2 1 2 1 0 1 4 0 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 1 1 3 2 1 The vowel count of the columns of the rectangle 5 × 21 is very satisfactory. Let us consider it as three blocks of 5 × 7 each, since we must do this ultimately, and make a vowel count of columns for these blocks.