A Protracted Solution

 

Using a protractor, we can ascertain that the earring that looks like a compass rose is rotated ten degrees counterclockwise. This, I believe, tells us that our number ten is an adjustment of ten degrees counterclockwise (towards north) from the direction of east. This is some tricky stuff! That being said, I think this is the correct solution. In other words, I believe the casque was buried thirteen feet from the decorative post (fixture) in the direction of ten degrees north of east (80 degrees relative to true north). This is consistent with the dig site recalled by Eric Gasiorowski. 

Before we conclude, let’s make sure we’ve addressed all of our unanswered questions: The items hanging from the ears suggest a solution having to do with sounds or hearing. The magic pouring near the ear hints at “magical” music being important. The hooks allude to the improvisational themes of the duel between Beethoven and Steibelt, which inspired Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony. The weathervanes relate to Steibelt being vain. The nasty bumps on the leprechaun’s nose and cheek map to Braille representations of a single quote indicating that our units are in feet. The mysterious number 89 when reversed directs us to go thirteen feet east. And the earring that looks like a compass rose tells us to adjust our direction of east by ten degrees to the north. 

That wraps up my interpretation of how we are to find the casque for the Chicago puzzle. All of the lines in the poem have been interpreted. All of the questions we had pertaining to the image have been answered. All of the Japanese version hints fit with our interpretations. So we’re all done, right? Right?

Welcome to Level 8.

I know why you're here, why you bought this book and why you sit at your computer scouring the internet for clues. You're looking for it. I know because I was once looking for the same thing, until I realized that I wasn't really looking for a casque, I was looking for an answer. It's the question that drives us. It's the question that brought you here. You know the question, just as I did: What is the secret of The Secret?