THE RESOLVING OF BACON'S BILITERAL REDUCED TO THREE SYMBOLS IN A NUMBERCIPHER
Place in their relative order as appearing in the original arrangementthe selected symbols of the Biliteral:
a a a a a a a a a b &c
Then place opposite each the number arrived at by the application of oddand even figures to represent the numerical values of the symbols "a"and "b."
Thus aaaaa will be as shown 9 aaaab will be as shown 72 aaaba will be as shown 521
and so on. Then put in sequence of numerical value. We shall then have:0. 9. 18. 27. 36. 45. 54. 63. 72. 81. 125. 143. 161. 216. 234. 252. 323.341. 414. 432. 521. 612. An analysis shows that of these there are twoof one figure; eight of two figures; and twelve of three figures. Nowas regards the latter series--the symbols composed of three figures--wewill find that if we add together the component figures of each of thosewhich begins and ends with an even number they will tot up to nine;but that the total of each of those commencing and ending with an oddnumber only total up to eight. There are no two of these symbols whichclash with one another so as to cause confusion.
To fit the alphabet to this cipher the simplest plan is to reserve onesymbol (the first--"0") to represent the repetition of a foregoingletter. This would not only enlarge possibilities of writing, but wouldhelp to baffle inquiry. There is a distinct purpose in choosing "0" asthe symbol of repetition for it can best be spared; it would invitecuriosity to begin a number cipher with "0," were it in use in anycombination of figures representing a letter.
Keep all the other numbers and combinations of numbers for purelyalphabetical use. Then take the next five--9 to 45 to represent thevowels. The rest of the alphabet can follow in regular sequence, usingup of the triple combinations, first those beginning and ending witheven numbers and which tot up to nine, and when these have beenexhausted, the others, those beginning and ending with odd numbers andwhich tot up to eight, in their own sequence.
If this plan be adopted, any letter of a word can be translated intonumbers which are easily distinguishable, and whose sequence can beseemingly altered, so as to baffle inquisitive eyes, by the addition ofany other numbers placed anywhere throughout the cipher. All of theseadded numbers can easily be discovered and eliminated by the scribe whoundertakes the work of decipheration, by means of the additions of oddor even numbers, or by reference to his key. The whole cipher is sorationally exact that any one who knows the principle can make a key ina few minutes.
As I had gone on with my work I was much cheered by certain resemblancesor coincidences which presented themselves, linking my new constructionwith the existing cipher. When I hit upon the values of additions ofeight and nine as the component elements of some of the symbols, I feltsure that I was now on the right track. At the completion of my work Iwas exultant for I felt satisfied in believing that the game was now inmy own hands.