Chapter 7

Two days after returning home from Norway, a letter was delivered to the London home of Stefan Peronius Parsons. The envelope containing the letter, bore no post mark indicating it had been hand delivered, also absent were salutations of any sort, save for the word ‘Buckthorney’, written on the reverse of the envelope. Intrigued, Parsons opened the letter.

If Parsons’ curiosity had not already been aroused by the enigmatic envelope, the letter within certainly managed to do so; fifteen words, written entirely in cipher. Parsons, a fond cryptologist, took the letter immediately to his study to try and find a key to unlock the letters contents.

After an hour spent looking through his extensive library, Parsons’ found the book he was looking for; Gruters Inscriptiones. The cipher was similar to one last used by Charlemagne, King of the Franks. Now armed with the key, Parsons deciphered each letter, scribbling them down as he did so. When he’d finished he looked at what was scrawled on the paper before him: ‘Sir I wish to discuss the construction of a Remarkable Structure on English Soil’ The letter was signed at the bottom with the letters ‘N. OM’.

By deliberately writing the letter in a cipher last used over a thousand years ago, Odham MacGuinness had counted on getting the attention of the great Occultist, the cipher, combined with the oblique reference to ‘a Remarkable Structure’ succeeded admirably. Parsons was determined to find out who, apart  from himself and Morrow, had knowledge of the  Aldebrec Wall, which he was most certain was the ‘Remarkable Structure’ alluded to. He sent word to his fellow explorer to  come see him at once, this done, he turned his attention back to the letter, and in particular the envelope.

When Enting Morrow arrived shortly thereafter, he was met at the door by a stony faced Parsons who told him they were catching the next available train to Honor Oak. Upon enquiring why, Morrow was answered with one word: ‘Buckthorney’.

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Footnote:

According to Polly Rirey , Professor at Creath University, Odham MacGuinness’  use of a cipher once used by Charlemagne, would have been a logical one.

“As a gardener, Odham MacGuinness would have found certain resonances with Charlemagne’s life appealing. For example, Charlemagne declared war on the Saxon horde at a the ‘Diet at Worms’ in 722, which would have amused the man who once concealed a worm in a sandwich prepared for William Butler Smith.

No doubt he would have also respected Charlemagnes reputation as a King who encouraged  early cultivation, in particular his decision to have his subjects plant fruit trees on their land.

But above all I think it was Charlemagne’s wish to have crocus bulbs inserted up his nostrils and anus on his deathbed, that would have clinched it.”