I apologize for the lack of pictures; my antiquated digital camera is not playing nicely with my new computer, and I haven’t been able to upload them. I can give a slightly better description, however. Each tile is almost one-half inch square, with rounded corners, and is angled inward slightly toward the narrow end of the box. The highest edge of a tile appears to overlap the lowest edge of the next tile, but they can be pressed inward without striking one another.
I think it’s moot, anyway. I believe SnakesCatLady is right, and I feel like a fool for not having seen it. The unusually stiff tiles are not evidence of a failed mechanism, but of one that still works surprisingly well. I have discovered that when one such tile is depressed, others become locked in place, while the “normal” tiles are unaffected. I now suspect that they are part of a rather sophisticated combination lock. I have begun experimenting with combinations, but there are a quite a few of these tiles, so it may take some time.
I am growing increasingly concerned about my friends. Given the time it must have taken for the package to reach the Spook, and then for him to find me and send it on, Digger surely should have reached the States by now. Yet he has contacted neither me nor his office. The Spook is still unaccounted for as well, and his secretary seemed uneasy when I spoke with her today. I have suggested that they file missing-persons reports, as they are in a better position to do so than I.
Perhaps I am being paranoid—it would certainly not be a new experience for me—but I have resumed my old habit of sleeping with weapons close to hand.
Are there any designs on the tiles? You did say it was made of wood, correct?
I am in the camp that holds that the tiles are part of the locking mechanism. Perhaps the first in a series of locks. Could be a 3-lock box.
It’s going to be tough I would assume since you have no idea if you are to push a series of tiles in a certain order or certain tiles simultaneously.
You may even have to tilt the box a certain way when entering the “combination.”
Since it’s wood, you could always just X-Ray or MRI the sucker. Or drill a hole. Or get out some pliers. Or find your favorite whittling knife. Or set upon it with a screwdriver. Or drop it off the roof.
If it’s indestructible, that’s another data point in favor of Cenobitic origins.
)
