Challenge 80

What’s the Model?

Write and tell us what you think the first unmistakable clue — or combination of clues — to the model of Toby Wallis’s “The Artificer” might be. You may need two installments for sufficient evidence. However:

First prize goes to the first reader who guesses correctly and supplies convincing evidence from part 1 before part 2 appears.
Second prize goes to the first reader who guesses correctly and supplies convincing evidence from parts 1 and 2 before part 3, the conclusion, appears.

The contest closes on Saturday midnight (your time) at the end of the run of issue 81. Sunday is out, because issue 82 is scheduled to appear shortly after midnight, and that might give some readers an advantage. First prize: the winner’s name will be emblazoned in color in the Readers’ Guide of issue 82. Second prize: the winner’s name in a different color in the Readers’ Guide. We’d offer free subscriptions, but we do that for everyone.

Please send us your ideas!