However, because this code is simple to write, it’s also easy to decipher. See? Being a secret agent may not be as difficult as we’ve been led to believe. Then he can deduce the letter T, and so on. (You can verify letter frequency here.)Īll Holmes has to do is determine which figure occurs most frequently he can assume this is the letter E. In the English language, the most common letter is E, followed by T, A, O, I, N. This is known as a Monoalphabetic (Letter) Substitution which means, according to, “each letter of the alphabet is replaced according to the key with another letter or symbol.” But Holmes quickly realizes each figure represents a letter of the alphabet. “What a fascinating plan!” says Holmes, because he admires a fascinating Plan.Īt first glance, Tobel’s code looks like a crude set of hieroglyphics, as though it’s depicting a strange pantomime or mob dance. The bomb sight has been disassembled into four pieces, each of which has been entrusted to a British Scientist. Tobel’s code is composed of dancing stick men, and these figures reveal a surprise. Tobel leaves behind when he unexpectedly disappears. Tobel to London 2) to get valuable info when Tobel vanishes and 3) to rescue Tobel from the nefarious Professor Moriarty ( Lionel Atwill).īut Holmes’ theatrical apparel pales in comparison to his Powers Of Deduction, which he needs to solve the mysterious code Dr. He wears three Nazi-fooling disguises in this film: 1) to escort Dr. Naturally, the Nazis want to nab this Invention before the Allies put it to use.īut they’ll have to get around Sherlock Holmes first, and Holmes is, among other things, a Master Of Disguise. Tobel has invented a deadly accurate, state-of-the-art bomb sight, which he’s loaning to the British War Effort. Tobel (pronounced To-BELL, played by William Post Jr). In this somewhat bizarre movie, Holmes infiltrates a Nazi spy ring that plans to kidnap noted scientist, Dr. This mystery/thriller/propaganda flick stars the fab Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as the crime-solving Sherlock Holmes and Dr. We learned this valuable information from the WWII-era film Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942). So, today! We have a life-saving tip should you ever find yourself with a Top Secret Invention that could change the Course Of History. Image: Mountain Xpressĭear Reader, we always try to look out for your best interests.