Steganography: The Art of Secret Writing

BOOK TWO.
A 2

And so that we may prove what we have said by an example, let us set down our intent original: "intentionem" — in this context, the actual secret message to be conveyed. in the common tongue, which we will subsequently communicate to a friend in the manner described before.

Roth.

LET THIS BE THE SECRET INTENTION OF THE MIND

Dear faithful servant: we are minded, for honest cause, to wage war against those of Strasbourg and to fall upon them with all our might on the next Wednesday after the feast of Saints Vitus and Modestus. The feast of Saints Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia is June 15th. The "Wednesday after" would be the specific date for the military strike. It is therefore our earnest desire of you, as you are bound to us by oath and vow and tied to faithful service: that you appear on that same day well-equipped, according to your ability, at four hours after midnight by Straussenburg in the forest (Here were the letters so placed) original: "Hic ita erant literæ positæ" — This likely refers to the layout of the text in the original cryptographic grid. where you would find further instructions to follow; do not fail to appear. We wish to acknowledge this to you in grace, and keep this our plan with you in high secrecy, etc.

TO NOTIFY THIS SECRET

Roth.

Almighty eternal God, who created all things from nothing, have mercy on us through the most bitter passion of your only-begotten Son dying on the cross, who, conceived of the Holy Spirit without male union, was born of the most pure ever-Virgin Mary, and delivering himself for us voluntarily unto death, by his most holy blood freed our souls from death. Hear us miserable ones, O most clement Father, and through the shedding of the most sacred blood of the same your most sweet Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us our sins and infuse our hearts with your grace, so that loving you in all things and above all with sincere fervor, we may always obey your commands with devotion. And continually advancing in mutual love, let us henceforth love nothing of the earth, and seek nothing perishable. For you are the Lord our God, who created us in your image and likeness from the beginning when we were not: and through your beloved son...

This Latin prayer serves as the "cover text." While it appears to be a pious meditation, the recipient would use a specific key—often involving the first or last letters of words—to extract the secret German military orders regarding the attack on Strasbourg.