THE MORIARTY CHALLENGE
Four Case Files. Four hidden words. One final message.
London, 1891. A most peculiar series of communications has fallen into our hands. No return address. No explanation. Only the name of one man...
Professor James Moriarty.
The Professor has heard rumours concerning the intelligence of the people of Northwich - and he has devised a little test. Four Case Files have been discovered. Each contains a puzzle. Each puzzle reveals one hidden word.
Solve all four, place your answers together in order and you will uncover a secret four-word message from Professor Moriarty himself.
Think your powers of deduction are up to the challenge?
The game is afoot...
HOW TO PLAY
Examine each of the four Case Files below.
Solve the puzzle contained within each one.
Keep each answer — do not reveal them publicly!
Put your four answers together, in Case File order.
Submit Moriarty's complete four-word message using the entry form at the bottom of this page.
Entries close at 8pm on Monday 31 August 2026.
All correct entries will be entered into our prize draw.
THE PRIZE
Two winning detectives will each receive:
🎭 Two tickets to see MORIARTY at the Harlequin Theatre
🥂 A welcome drink for themselves and their guest
The two winners will be selected at random from the correct entries and announced on Tuesday 1 September.
Now, detective...
Your investigation begins.
🔎 CASE FILE No. 1
LONDON, 1891.
The first communication contains four curious lines:
Beneath the gaslight, a shadow waits.
Only the observant will see him.
One wrong move may prove fatal.
Keep your wits about you.
And beneath them, one final instruction:
"The beginning is always important."
What word has Moriarty hidden?
📰 CASE FILE No. 2
EXTRAORDINARY NEWS FROM LONDON
Professor Moriarty remains at large. Scotland Yard is baffled. And amongst the morning newspapers, another communication has been discovered:
You believe yourself clever.
Others have believed the same.
Underestimate me at your peril.
Remember — I am always one move ahead.
Below them, Moriarty has written:
"Sometimes, detective, the answer is there from the very beginning."
What word has he hidden?
Two Case Files. Two answers.
Keep them safe.
🎩 CASE FILE No. 3
A BRILLIANT MIND. A DANGEROUS GAME.
He knows we're solving them. That much is now certain. Late last night, a third message was discovered. No footsteps. No witnesses. Only a card bearing seven curious lines...
Trust no one.
In London, appearances deceive.
Criminal minds leave patterns.
Keep your eyes upon the details.
Every letter may matter.
The smallest clue may betray me.
Surely you see it now?
Seven lines. One word.
What has Moriarty left us?
Three answers should now be in your possession.
Only one remains...
♟️ CASE FILE No. 4
THE FINAL MOVE
So. You have made it this far. Professor Moriarty confesses himself... mildly impressed.
Three answers should already be safely in your possession. Only one remains.
The Professor offers merely this:
Not tomorrow.
Only today.
When opportunity knocks.
Three lines.
Three beginnings.
One final instruction.
What is Moriarty telling you?
Now place your four answers together, in order.
At last, Professor Moriarty's secret message will be revealed.
HAVE YOU CRACKED THE CASE?
Four Case Files. Four hidden words. One final message.
If you think you've outwitted Professor Moriarty, it's time to submit your deduction.
Entries close at 8pm on Monday 31 August 2026.
Please do not post the answer on social media — Moriarty's secret must remain safe until the investigation is over.