Unlike most other cases, Milwaukee searchers have consistently beat the same drum with Lake Park representing the top contender to contain a casque. From an objective perspective, its difficult to pinpoint the basis for unbridled enthusiasm considering years of dead ends and a lack of one definitive interpretation where conversely dozens upon dozens of variations exist. While a Lake Park Milwaukee solution does offer a series of interesting interpretations when paired with verse 8, and a collection of superficial matches to image 10 that serve little to no purpose beyond existing, an investigative sum offers more questions than reasonable answers. For a comprehensive analysis of Lake Park, click here.
In contrast, Byron’s true Milwaukee solution behaves in a manner consistent with trained communication. It offers a clear interpretation of every line, and an authentic application for every word. It offers puzzle devices that serve clear purposes beyond generically existing and can explain verse detail down to precise word choices, sentence structure, and comma placement. It offers an image interpretation with clear and confirmable applications for all major puzzle devices down to precise details such as color choices, while incorporating compelling geographic mirroring, word play, and symbolism. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, this condition of clear intelligent design is deemed undesirable by many in the community, despite giving them exactly WHAT they have been asking for, just not WHERE.
Our journey begins not within an affluent neighborhood toward the northern Milwaukee boundary predominantly devoid of meaningful cultural expressions and landmarks commonly incorporated into “Secret” puzzles, but rather in the working class Southside immigration hotbed of Lincoln Village, teeming with rich historical characteristics synonymous with the “fair folks” of Secret lore.
Beginning our interpretation, the letter L with curved vertical member found in the woman’s cape of image 10 provides our starting position. When turned sideways, the L looks like four trees, making these two images perpendicular to one another, like the intersection of two streets. This represents the intersection of 4th and Lincoln, where trees similar to those in image 10 are also present.
View the three stories of Mitchell
After taking a few steps to the west onto the Lincoln Ave overpass, we can view three stories of the Kunzelmann-Esser furniture building on historic Mitchell St.
Pay particular attention to the language nuance of the verse. We are not explicitly instructed to locate a building that has only three stories, nor is physical proximity to that building specified. We are simply told to “view” three stories of a building related to the name Mitchell, which is fulfilled perfectly through this interpretation. This interpretation does comply with the Japanese Translation clue.
Mitchell St. was historically referred to as the “Polish Grand Ave.” or “Downtown of the South Side”, establishing the Polish as a secondary immigration focus from the beginning. This otherwise unspoken inclusion is further confirmed by the Litany of the Jewel clue which references the “Imperial star of Germany”.
Imperial Germany existed historically and was comprised of many modern day countries including Poland. Additional confirmation for this inclusion will reveal itself later in the interpretation.
As you walk the beating of the world
Via the Lincoln Ave. overpass we walk over Interstate 94, which is the main “artery” into the city. A highway system serves a similar function to a human circulatory system, transporting vital resources to businesses and institutions, facilitating the interconnected functioning of a cohesive system. In this context, the highway has a pulse or it beats, offering a more figurative interpretation of the verse line, although vehicles do generate a significant rhythmic sound. Such a comparison is common place amongst Biology textbooks.
An additional nuance of verse instruction found in this Milwaukee solution is the requirement that we view the three stories “as” or while we walk the beating of the world. What purpose does the word “as” serve if we start at a building then begin walking? If taking the verse at its word, why must these actions be conducted together versus one after the other? If beginning at Fourth and Lincoln based on our visual cue, an unobstructed view of the Kunzel-Mann Esser is only achieved once walking west onto the Lincoln Ave. overpass, explaining why both directions are applied congruently. In no other verse 8 interpretation is such simultaneous instruction authenticated.
At first glance, this alternative interpretation may appear incompatible with the Japanese Translation, but it is not. From the corresponding clue, while we are told to “think drum”, we are never instructed to apply a one for one exchange of words. To “think drum” may alternatively refer to rhythmic sound. We are then told to take a dictionary, look up the word “drum”, then arrive at a person’s name in the “vicinity”. Nothing explicitly mandates that our mystery word either contains the word drum or is even found on the same page as is commonly contended. In the vicinity of the word “drum” in the dictionary is the word “driver”, which can be a “name” both in either a descriptive or a formal sense. A driver is obviously related to a highway, while orange construction barrels, also known as “drums”, are observed more often than motorists desire.
At a distance in time
From three who lived there
The verse uses the words “at” and “from”, to first establish a general location we are “at”, then identify a subsequent point of reference to leave “from”. Based on interpreting only what the verse is providing, we should be able to view the three stories of Mitchell, walk the beating of the world, and be at the distance in time all from one location. While still on the overpass we are at a distance from three four face clocks, serving as three different examples of Polish immigration in Milwaukee, historically concentrated on this side of town. From east to west, we find the Allen Bradley clock tower known locally as the “Polish Moon”, St. Stanislaus which was the first urban Polish church in America, and St. Josephat’s which was built by the Polish.
Based on verse language, we know a person or people group are referenced resulting from the word “who”, but it is never explicitly stated what three objects may be representing them and why. This leaves the door open for incorporating any supported set of objects tied to a person or people group.
Of the three locations, our current position places us roughly 700 feet away from St. Josaphat’s also found on Lincoln Ave. When following these three locations with our eyes from right to left, they are utilized as a directional device for leading toward St. Josephat’s. Our intended direction of travel is additionally confirmed by both our initial westward travel onto the overpass supported by the verse, and by the number 5 appearing in the crook of the woman’s elbow, found at ground level or from a map perspective as a result of 5th St. appearing immediately beyond the overpass.
At a distance in space
The verse presents a second set of the words at and from, suggesting we apply the same formula as before. If we are “at” a distance in space, this means we are at a location that represents a distance between two points in space. Traveling in the general direction of St Josephat’s on Lincoln Ave, we arrive at Kosciuszko Park, named after Polish general and American war hero General Kosciuszko. An equestrian memorial to the general is found on the park’s southern border shared with Lincoln Ave. Immortally etched into the statue’s granite base are the words “Hero of both hemispheres”, connecting geographically distant countries through the reverence of one extraordinary individual, which means this park represents a distance between two points in space as the result of its namesake.
Looking to the image, we are given multiple compelling Kosciuszko indicators. When comparing points of interest in image 10 to a map overview of the Milwaukee area, we are treated to accurate geographic mirroring. While image 10 shows the woman standing at the base of city hall, at the 7 o’clock position, looking at the jewel to her right, Kosciuszko Park is found south of city hall, at the 7 o’clock position, with the casque location to the east, perfectly mirroring image 10.
If the woman in image 10 is intended to represent General Kosciuszko as the geographic positioning suggests, it is highly unlikely that Byron could adequately capture facial characteristics and intended positioning with a polaroid picture taken several feet away from ground level, as he did with many environmental devices eventually incorporated into the images. This would suggest that any one of numerous portraits of the esteemed military figure could alternatively serve as reference material. In 1982 this might entail scouring multiple encyclopedias or biographical publications to locate the intended image.
At first glance, this portrait of Kosciuszko offers a collection of instantly recognizable similarities such as positioning, posture, facial composition, hair texture, hair color, comparable background color, and wardrobe color scheme although possessing alternative hues. More importantly, we find four precise details from the original painting faithfully reproduced in image 10 with uncanny accuracy. A suspiciously shaped shadow on the woman’s face matches a tuft of hair obscuring the general’s right ear. Two minor protrusions of the General’s hair are replicated by contours of the woman’s hood. The woman suspiciously appears to have a collar on only one side while the General’s portrait shows a collar. Finally, the contours of the woman’s neckline mimic a lace wardrobe flourish worn by the General. On what planet are all of these congruent details flippantly dismissed as nothing, yet the woman is confidently connected to a Lake Park lion statue for little discernable, puzzle based reason.
From woman, with harpsichord
These visual confirmations in this Milwaukee solution solidify the image 10 woman’s identity as a disguised General Kosciuszko. Is it subsequently possible that both “women” from image and verse actually share the same hidden identity? This would mean we aren’t looking for a “woman” at all, requiring the successful interpretation of complimentary clues before this particular device is intellectually accessible. A systematic, deductive approach can reinforce such a deviously deceptive possibility.
Multiple factors advance our search from the edge of Kosciuszko Park to the General Kosciuszko monument. For starters, providing both a visual and written reference to a “woman” creates a junction from which both image and verse “wed” together as mandated on page 47 of The Secret. It is therefore no giant leap to suggest that both “women” may in fact represent the same individual. Secondly, the previously cited inscription at the statue echoes sentiment from the verse describing a “distance in space”. Thirdly, applying the pre-established at/from formula requires a point of reference within the park to leave from and continue our journey. Fourthly, the puzzle has not yet instructed directional deviation from westward orientation previously justified through multiple devices. Finally, if the woman from the verse is Kosciuszko in concordance with the image, and all other asserted details prove accurate, then we require a depiction of Kosciuszko as a environmental device for continued travel.
While the statue certainly does not display a “harpsichord”, the verse describes this instrument as “silently playing”. Since silence is the absence of sound, could a harpsichord reference pertaining to Kosciuszko be physically absent from the statue? According to Wikipedia, the General did write a Polish dance scored for a harpsichord.
Silently playing
Since “with harpsichord” and “silently playing” are found in separate lines, this implies a secondary reference for the later. From the statue location in 1982 was a playground found directly north. Because of the distance, the acoustics of the park, and the excessive vehicle noise on Lincoln Ave, children actively playing would not be heard, making them silent. This playground also creates an additional point of reference to leave the statue location and continue our search.
Standing at the Kosciuszko memorial, positioned on the statue’s right side with the majestic domes of St. Josephat’s in the backdrop, we discover ground level mirroring with image 10. In both cases, we see a side profile of our figure, Kosciuszko and the woman respectively, with the obscured domed structure or St Josephat’s in the background. While the positions of each subject are reversed, the parallels are evident.
Conversely, if swapping visual comparisons based on position, we still find a suspicious degree of superficial mirroring. The woman’s hood forms a smooth dome consistent with the presense of a dome at St. Josephat’s. The dome like structure from image 10 has a peculiar cascading design which seems to emulate the body of Kosciuszko, specifically his torso and bent leg. There is even a wardrobe flourish on the General’s chest located in a position comparable to a distinguished dark blotch. While the proportions may be slightly off, no more so than most confirmed or strongly supported visual matches in The Secret.
Step on nature
Cast in copper
Leaving the statue and following the former playground location into the park, we step on grass and thus “step on nature” for the first time. Although this interpretation offers an unsatisfying explanation to the corresponding Japanese Translation clue, it is no less accurate or credible. While the additional clue encourages us to “imagine a leaf”, it fails to explicitly require a one for one exchange. While blades of grass are “nature” just like leaves that fall onto the ground, they are also technically leaves themselves. In addition, the domes of St. Josephat’s in this Milwaukee solution are copper plated while thin metal plating is referred to as “leafing”.
As previously alluded to, the looming copper domes of St Josephat’s “cast” a shadow onto the park, while there just so happens to be a shadowy image of a domed structure in image 10, which matches up with the contours of St Josephat’s convincingly. Most interpretations can offer no explanation for this structure. In addition, the sentence structure for these clues should be noted. While “step on nature” does logically flow into “cast in copper” suggesting a direct relationship, they are also isolated into completely separate lines suggesting two unique environmental elements versus two conditions of the same device.
In review, we found our specific point of reference pertaining to Kosciuszko, which included an unrepresented connection to a harpsichord, used the playground as a point of reference while stepping north onto “nature” into the park figuratively subdued by the adjacent copper domes of the basilica. While the corresponding interpretations in this Milwaukee solution may subvert expectations, they conversely align perfectly with puzzle instruction without any unsupported decision making.
The painting shows the woman in possession of two red balls: one she is holding firmly and one that is floating above her hand. The former is symbolically indicative of possession, suggestive of a location found within the park and related in some manner to the red balls, while the later appears to be leading us to the floating objects of the rebus.
Just north of the former playground location is Ace Boxing Club, existing well before Byron devised his puzzle. For unspecified reasons, interpreting red balls as boxing gloves remains one of the most controversial clue applications in the entire proposal, despite a comprehensive collection of favorable supportive elements. So why do red balls represent boxing gloves?
While the red balls are rounded, red, and come in a pair, they are theoretically representing a pair of red, rounded, “balled” up fists. The floating red ball creates the silhouette of a bell on the woman’s hand, while bells have an obvious connotation to boxing.
Looking closely at the shaded portion of each ball, we find the number 5. Since both balls in theory represent one location, we add both fives together arriving at the sum of ten, further supported by plus signs appearing on the woman’s cowl. The boxing club lines up perfectly with 10th St. to the north.
Considering we have a two dimensional representation of two spheres in image 10, we are seeing half of each sphere, which makes them “hemispheres”. This correlates back to the General Kos. monument inscription, characterizing him as the “Hero of both Hemispheres”, tying multiple interconnected elements together perfectly.
When we assign the floating red ball to the location of the boxing club, and compare that to our previous 4th and Lincoln and 5th and Lincoln locations, we create accurate geographic mirroring between the painting and the map, all the while accurately and comprehensively interpreting the verse.
Ascend the 92 steps
After climbing the grand 200
Traveling north past the boxing club we conveniently encounter an obstruction at the exact point we require one. Just as the verse instructs us to “climb” the “grand 200”, our north bound progress is halted by a “grand” stand with a 200 meter track. The previous version was a part of old Kosciuszko Junior High School. Analyzing the language of the verse, while “92 steps” is presented first, the word “after” allows for reverse application. The 92 steps are therefore ascended AFTER climbing the “grand 200”.
As instructed by the red balls, we position ourselves beyond the grandstand on 10th St. When applying a map perspective, we are immediately confronted by two angled streets (Windlake Ave and Forest Home Ave) that upon further assessment match the angles of the key and the walking stick. What this means is our interpretation of the verse has led us to the key and the walking stick, while our interpretation of the painting, in particular the red balls, has led us to the key and the walking stick. The verse and the image are taking us to the same places at the same time in a specific, linear, geographically confirmable direction. The irony is, at the exact point in the image where objects “ascend” from the woman’s hand is the exact point on the map we encounter the 92 “steps” we are intended to “ascend”.
General interpretations of “ascend the 92 steps” are often focused exclusively on physical stairs although a step has numerous, alternative applications. The term step is so vague that essentially anything which facilitates advancement may qualify. In the physical sense, a step can be a stair, platform, a rock, the physical act of stepping, a delineated block accessible for stepping…just about anything. Steps allow us to progress or in many cases “ascend” to a higher level. In this case “steps” are applied as city blocks from a map perspective, allowing us to “ascend” to our next location.
While the interpretation in this Milwaukee solution device is highly contested for its unorthodox and potentially imprecise nature, the degree of additional information necessary to accommodate coherent and comprehensively communicated instruction is staggering. If the puzzle does not identify what street we travel on or our starting position…we’re dead in the water. If the puzzle does not identify the boundaries by which we count 92 blocks…we’re dead in the water. If the puzzle does not offer a secondary method for solidifying the termination point…we are at least compromised. If the 92 steps don’t happen to get us to National St., the rest of the verse will not make sense. Not only are we given all of this information exclusively through puzzle instruction, but we are also given multiple, significant image matches during the process of applying this particular device.
10th street is utilized as the physical medium of travel, as instructed by the image. The boundaries for counting out 92 steps are defined by the image’s identification of Windlake Ave and Forest Home Ave through the key and walking stick, which extend north to 12th St. and 7th St. respectively, forming what appears to be a rudimentary “staircase” on the map. Using these puzzle defined parameters for counting out 92 “steps” or city blocks in this case on the map, we are directed to National Ave.
An additional implication of the 92 steps interpretation in this Milwaukee solution is that it offers a clear separation between the first half of the verse focused heavily on Polish immigration, from the second half that focuses on German immigration found primarily at the casque location. This clear separation is representative of cultural separation by national origin found historically in the city. Since the Poles were commonly viewed as inferior by opposing populations, the word “ascend” could allude to an air of superiority conveyed against residents of Polish origin.
Pass the compass and reach
Working in conjunction with the 92 steps is the “compass”. A compass represents north, south, east, and west and leads to desired destinations, while a small interchange in the highway just south of National Ave. fulfills precisely the same role. While so many clue interpretations in the collective investigation serve no purpose beyond generically existing, this device reinforces our termination point for the 92 steps at National Ave.
While ascending the 92 steps, we pass Walker St, Walker’s Square Neighborhood, Walker’s Square Park, and enter into the Walker’s Point Neighborhood. These walking references correspond to the location of the walking stick in image 10 when applying a condensed version of the map. As for the “culvert”, we will save that for later.
Below the bridge
Walk 100 paces
Looking east down National Ave, there is a highway overpass serving as the bridge. By dictionary definition, a bridge is simply a structure accommodating various means of travel over some form of obstruction or impediment. This section of highway represents the southern edge of the I94 viaduct. A viaduct is defined as a “bridge-like” structure. Through this criteria, the highlighted structure qualifies reasonably as a bridge. If walking from one end of the overpass to the other, we reasonably travel 100 paces as the verse instructs. Unlike other applications, a defined starting position for the 100 paces is an inherent attribute of this interpretation.
National Ave is also designated as WI Highway 59. If you’ll notice, verse 8 includes the word “three” three times and includes three other numbers represented numerically: 92, 200, and 100 respectively, reflecting a pattern of three and three. Something extremely interesting happens when we add each set of numbers together grouped by either verbal or numerical expression.
If adding the individual digits of numerically represented numbers until a single digit is arrived at, we achieve a sum of 5. Subsequently multiplying three times three achieves a product of 9. The numbers 5 and 9 together give us 59…as in Highway 59. Furthermore, first and fifth are referenced in the verse. If added together, we arrive at 6th…as in 6th Street. At the intersection of Highway 59 (National Ave) and 6th St., our backs are turned to the “bridge” of 100 paces while preparing to travel south then east over “rock and soil”. These results are hauntingly specific and accurate.
Can this connection be characterized as slightly subjective…sure, that would be a fair assessment. However, the specificity and accuracy of results undermines an impression of subjectivity. To give even further credence to this line of thinking, an additional clue from the Japanese translation tells us that number combinations appearing in the verses are meant to be “decoded” on some level.
Southeast over rock and soil
Upon completing 100 paces below the “bridge”, the verse next instructs travel of a south-eastern orientation over “rock and soil”. While this verse line could objectively refer to literal rocks and dirt, it would subsequently offer a very superficial and circumstantial match theoretically applicable at an endless number of locations. Instead, Mineral St., serving as the “rock”, and Greenfield Ave, serving as the “soil”, appear on the map in the same order as the verse and south of our current position. Please note that if the 92 steps were not accurately followed, we could have alternatively taken Washington St. to the other side of the highway, subsequently preventing an accurate application of “rock and soil”.
While one could argue that the 100 paces are taking place “over rock and soil”, this should not be considered a required interpretation. If taken this way, we could also claim that 100 paces MUST take place under a bridge for the same reason, despite known alternative proposals failing to meet this standard. While it may seem awkward to give direction without a word of commandment such as “go” or “travel” as is the case in this Milwaukee solution, it should be taken into consideration that the accuracy of subtle literary devices is occasionally sacrificed to facilitate a more interesting puzzle. While this may seem like a contradiction, it really isn’t. It gives an individual investigator additional interpretations to consider with diverse variation of application. Take for example the fact that some words are capitalized to indicate a proper noun while not all proper nouns are capitalized i.e. “octave” in verse 11. This is also why, despite establishing individual clues, interpretations are justly qualified by the totality of evidence rather than isolated characteristics.
To the first young birch
Traveling south then east in a stair step fashion, we arrive at 2nd and Scott on the northwest edge of the Allen Bradley Complex. Harry Linde Bradley was a founding member of the Allen Bradley Corporation when he was either 18 or 21, which makes him first and young. Later in his life he was a founding member of the John Birch Society. This clearly fulfills all three qualifying words. This reference also rings true from a topical standpoint, since the John Birch Society was characterized as an anti-communist group and the US was still embroiled in the cold war with the Soviet Union in the early 80s.
Pass three, staying west
From 2nd and Scott we pass 3rd St. continuing west as instructed by the verse.
You’ll see a letter from the country
Of wonderstone’s hearth
To identify the subject of the next few lines, let’s break this down piece by piece. We have three qualifiers to identify and accurately apply to our Milwaukee solution, while also acknowledging how these qualifiers contextually interconnect. First, we must find a “letter”. That letter must be seen shortly after “passing three” and must have a direct connection to our “country”. Next, our “country” must be the point of origin for our “wonderstone”. While many if not most people apply the term “wonderstone” in an incredibly loose way, this term is specifically referenced on page 30 of The Secret: A Treasure Hunt. The term “wonderstone” references the gemstones identified in the “Litany of the Jewels” on page 21, where the immigration focus for a particular case is paired with a gemstone. The use of “wonderstone’s hearth” would suggest an applicable immigration reference, while German immigration is a logical choice for Milwaukee given its pervasive historical presence. So, in theory, we should be looking for a “letter” associated with a German immigration reference physically seen just past 3rd St.
Approaching the 4th and Scott St intersection, a Christian cross is visible above the trees. A cross is also a lower-case letter T. This cross is on a historic German church. So, as of right now, this interpretation fits all verse requirements.
On a proud, tall fifth
“On a proud, tall fifth” is a continuation of the previous lines, paying particular attention to the word “on”. Whatever our “letter” is, in addition to being connected to a country and a stone, it is also “on” the proud tall fifth. The aforementioned church, St. Stephen’s, is the tallest building on this side of 5th St, and is proudly displayed immediately beside the highway.
This connection between the “proud, tall fifth” and the “letter from the country” is also an important distinction because past 4th st alternative crosses on churches across the street are visible. The provided qualifiers allow discernment between the right church and the wrong ones in this Milwaukee solution.
In review, we must see a letter after passing 3 staying west, which we do. That letter must be connected to a country where the wonderstone (amethyst) originates, which it is. That letter must be on something we can connect to the qualifiers “proud”, “tall”, and “fifth”, which it is. The perfect fulfillment of such precise qualifiers validates this proposed answer as the product of trained communication.
At its southern foot
Just south of St. Stephen’s church is a small pad of land appearing as an abstract foot from a map view. While this interpretation is extremely superficial and subject to scrutiny, additional evidence offers numerous confirmations of accurate interpretation.
After previously interpreting the “compass”, we temporarily bypassed applying “the foot of the culvert”. These two lines are structured suspiciously with the first awkwardly terminated following the word “reach”, implying physical separation from our current position. Our proposed casque location for this Milwaukee solution includes a sewer drain, which is one part of an enclosed, engineered drainage system. While this application is unorthodox, a sewer drain or sewer system does meet the dictionary definition of a “culvert”. This means that “The foot of the culvert” is an out of place line similar to “Feel at home” from the Boston case, indicating a casque site landmark.
The word foot is applied twice in the verse. In fact, there are three generic walking terms appearing twice each in verse 8: foot, step, and walk. While this serves as a contextual clue to associate verse 8 with Mill-WALK-key, similar to how the rebus functions in image 10, these terms are also used to draw an association between two lines of the verse. For example, both lines that use the word foot just so happen to reference the same pad of land where the casque is found. In addition, both lines that use the word walk reference the highway, while both lines that use the word step have you travel relatively large distances north through Kos park and up to National Ave respectively.
Some will point out that the pad of land used in this Milwaukee solution is not a park, which does nothing to disqualify it. The book makes it perfectly clear that a casque can be buried in a city location that is not a park.
Standing at this random plot of land, parallels between surrounding landmarks and image 10 emerge when applying this Milwaukee solution. Conducting a comparative analysis in which the sewer drain roughly represents the jewels location in image 10, we might expect to find devices in our physical environment representative of objects in the image, placing a logical focus on the flower and millstone given a lack of definitive application thus far despite following the other rebus objects.
First, the flower amongst the rebus items matches the flower window design on St. Stephen’s. If the flower in image ten actually represents the proud tall 5th, we should expect to find some additional verification of its identity. As it happens, following from left to right, the same way we followed the objects to the casque location, the flower with five petals and a blurry five beneath it is also the fifth object.
The millstone miraculously matches the location of the south facing clock face of the Allen Bradley clock tower, although reversed, and looks like a clock face with its features removed. The top of the millstone has a straightedge, and the clock face has straight edges. The middle of the millstone shows a black triangle and a square, while the clock face includes black triangles and squares. As a representation of manufacturing, the millstone perfectly corresponds to the industrial history of the Walker’s Point Neighborhood where our casque location is found, as well as the Allen Bradley company (now Rockwell) that produces automation technology.
Taking a step back to the image, all of the rebus objects are paired together by color. There are two red balls, the key and the walking stick are darker tones of brown, while the millstone and the flower are comparatively lighter tones of tan. These sets of objects matching in color correspond to landmarks found together in the same location in this Milwaukee solution: the red balls are collectively the boxing club, the key and the walking stick are two streets that combine to form the figurative “staircase”, and the flower and the millstone represent landmarks found at the casque location. In addition, the walking stick is pointing at the jewel, while the casque location is in Walker’s Point.
Commonly, potential information conveyed in the images beyond superficial one for one matches is predominantly ignored, despite appearing in each of the confirmed cases. While essentially every image 10 application employs the now infamous Milwaukee rebus within “Secret” circles, the potential for additional word play or visual puns is unwisely neglected. The principle player in image 10 is the hooded woman with her eclectic collection of foreign objects, seemingly juggled in a circular fashion. Objects that are juggled in a circle end at the same point they originally began at, representing a duality between the origin and conclusion. Does this potential symbolism apply to this Milwaukee solution, with common characteristics appearing at the beginning and the end of the interpretation?
First, the puzzle starts on 4th St, and ends on 4th street. Secondly, a set of intriguing similarities are discovered when comparing the first building of the interpretation, the Kunzelmann Esser furniture building, and the last building, St Stephen’ s Church. Both buildings are described using numbers (3 and 5), both described in regard to height (3 stories and tall 5th), both described with street names (5th st and Mitchell St.), and both buildings have the same color scheme of white and red.
The giant letter L with the curved vertical member from image 10 incorporated as our starting point for this Milwaukee solution, also represents our ending point, perfectly reflecting the juggling symbolism. This letter L matches perfectly with the curvature of the highway intersecting with Greenfield Ave on the map. This landmark is found directly beside our casque location. The curved letter L includes vertical ridges that precisely match the number of lanes found on the highway.
In other solutions, investigators have connected the four trees in image 10 to the proud tall fifth. There is a small sliver they claim is the fifth tree and subsequently the proud fifth. When applying this solution, if we locate this sliver but rotate the image 180 degrees, we see a negative space that looks suspiciously like the primary church steeple on St Stephen’s, even further confirming its identity as the proud tall fifth.
While this could certainly be a coincidence, considering clues collectively assembled in support of our “tall 5th” application, we have five verse devices and arguably five image devices.
This Milwaukee solution offers a dynamic absent from the three “confirmed” cases: a secondary unlisted culture, which certainly seems like a very Byron thing to do. While enthusiasts often object to this inclusion, there is nothing from the source material disqualifying the possibility, conversely supported on numerous occasions by otherwise inexplicable puzzle elements.
The gemstone in image 10 appears blue, despite its identification as purple in the book, with no other image containing a purple gem. The gem in image 10, which in real life takes us to the base of a German church in a German neighborhood, is directly across from a red ball which corresponds to a location at a Polish park in a Polish neighborhood. If combining the blue gem (connected to German immigration) and the red ball (connected to Polish immigration), in essence combining the two cultures, we get purple. In addition, while it is possibly just a coincidence, plus signs are found on the woman’s cowl between the two items theoretically intended to be combined.
In what is referred to as the “Litany of the Jewels” in the book, which is a set of clues that reportedly reference each casque location directly, we get the phrase “Imperial star of Germany”. Imperial Germany historically included many modern-day countries such as Poland. In this regard, it would be extremely unlikely for Byron to apply the word “imperial” and not include a secondary culture connected to Germany. It just so happens that when looking closely at the flower in image 10, you can see a five-point star, while the flower represents a German church.
To break this down, the word “imperial” would imply the application of at least two unique immigration populations relevant to the host city, which we find in German and Polish culture respectively. The insinuation of multiple cultures would imply that they collectively appear in some form at the casque location for this Milwaukee solution, which they do. The reference to a “star” is fulfilled by the flower in the image which likewise represents a German church.
Now that the entire Milwaukee solution is revealed, look at the map created as a result of interpreting the verse, and compare that to image 10 when we draw a line between different objects. However, they are not just random objects, they are the same objects we used to identify real physical locations, appearing in precisely the same order as they do on the map. While there are some minor scale discrepancies between image 10 and the map, it shares the same general path with matching points of reference.
In addition to representing General Kosciuszko, the woman’s face and hair emulate characteristics of the river system in Milwaukee. Not only do we see similar features represented such as bangs, mouth, chin etc, but we also see three segments of the woman’s hair emulating nearby docks. This also highlights the side of town our investigation takes us to.
When it comes to proposals alternative to this Milwaukee solution, including popular contenders like Lake Park, clearly purposeful elements are often unceremoniously disregarded. Why is City Hall shown in the image? Why does the woman’s hand include the silhouette of what looks like a bell? Why is the woman’s outstretched hand a perfect match for a relief of Solomon Juneau near downtown? Is all of that just misdirection or is there a specific and relatively satisfying answer when applying the correct solution proposal? To explore these ideas, click here…
Milwaukee Solution Pros:
-Multiple “wed lines” between verse and image
-Explanation for language nuances such as sentence structure and potential line order discrepancies
-All lines and qualifying words of verse accurately applied
-Reason behind viewing Mitchell building WHILE walking the beating of the world
-Comprehensive application of image down to minor details
-Thorough application of image symbolism
-Geographic mirroring in image 10 that accurately recreates the verse instructed map including one for one accurate location matches
-Explanation for why a purple amethyst would appear blue in the image
-Thorough application of the litany of the jewel clue, including the word “imperial”
-Both primary and secondary immigration focuses represented at casque location
-Walking terms in verse illustrate continuity with environmental devices they represent
-Potential messiness of 92 step translation compensated for with additional clues and clear instruction of all inherently necessary details
-Painting and verse that compliment one another and are solved simultaneously in coherent linear fashion
-Puzzle devices serve clear purposes beyond generically existing
-Despite offering devices or characteristics unique to this case, this interpretation is also more similar to “confirmed” solutions than Lake Park
-The presence of extremely specific characteristics mirrored between image 10 and Kosciuszko portrait
-The angles of the key and the walking stick offering accurate matches to Windlake and Forest Home Ave in an orderly fashion complimented by the verse interpretations
-Offers a level of interconnection amongst clues impossible to manifest coincidentally
Milwaukee Solution Cons:
-Less satisfying applications of Japanese Translation clues
-Beating of the world is a highway overpass
-Less literal verse applications
-Secondary culture
-Casque location not in an actual park
-Interpretated pathway totaling approximately three miles
-Not Lake Park despite “confirmation” of lion statue by JJP
-From three who lived there are buildings pertaining to people instead of signs
-92 steps is arguably a messy translation and not literal stairs
-Red balls are not red balls
-Asserts that a “woman” can be a man in disguise
-First young birch not a literal tree
-Lots of information, which some qualify as increasing the complicated nature of the puzzle
-“Southern foot” is interpreted as a triangle
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