Hi,

I am on Episode 2 and have solved the bed posts puzzle, opened the box and am stumped on the envelope puzzle. I tried to insert the tip of the knife behind the center of the wax seal, but it doesn't seem to fit in the center. Tried it several times and I can't get the knife to get behind the center of the seal of the envelope. I've read the directions of the garment, but still can't get the tip of the knife to fit in the center. What is the trick of this puzzle?

Thanks,

Linda

Finished playing Xiama, Conspiracies, The Messenger

Believe me, Linda, you're not the first person to have trouble here! Check out this old thread for some ideas...

Linda, This is from UHS hints.

The envelope requires special care, just as any fine piece of clothing.

Did you rummage through the bedroom closets?

The armoire contains a piece of clothing with a "care" tag. Clarify the instructions by using the magnifying glass.

The directions shown at the bottom of the tag are not for a garment. They apply to the envelope!

Use the paper knife (letter opener) in the manner described on the tag.

Try to simulate the way you would open a real envelope. Over and down in one smooth motion.

Insert the tip of the letter opener behind the center of the wax seal; move it horizontally and, without releasing your mouse, drag the knife down to the bottom of the envelope.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

I tried like everyone suggested and I just couldn't get that darn knife in the envelope and into the seal ! When the envelope came up, I went into inventory and got the knife and used the mouse button and tired to insert it into the envelope and held the left mouse down and tried bringing the knife down, but nothing happened! Am I missing something simple? I tried to advance to Episode 3, but it wouldn't advance. Do you have to finish one episode before going to another one?

Any other ideas? I have read all of the hints, but I must be missing something simple!

Thanks for the help in advance!

Linda

TLC, did you check to be sure that her save went into your correct game folder? And that you don't already have a save of the same number, if they are numbered? (It's been too long, and I don't remember that particular detail.)

That just about finishes what I know about the subject -- I'll call this to the attention of some of our tech geniuses....

The save file has extensions, I've never seen before. .ars, .aba, .con

I played the game up to & passed the point she is. I believe I know which files she needs but I don't know if her game will see them. I sent her the 2 files and I hope they work for her.

**crossing fingers**

Hi TLC, Jenny & MaG,

Thanks for the saves, but I couldn't find out how to use them, so I decided to try it again from the excellent description given by TLC and upon several tries, much to my amazement, I opened that darn letter, only to find out that upon completing the Globe Puzzle, another letter to open! Well, I did get this letter opened much easier this time, and am now getting through with this Second Episode!

Thanks for all your help!

Linda

Now playing: Faust & Grim Fandango

Help!! I'm stuck on the same darned puzzle - opening the letter! I have followed all the directions from G/B's but can't find the hotspot where the knife slides into the envelope. Can anyone tell me EXACTLY where to position the knife?

Sister, if my memory serves me correctly, you have to go in just above the seal from the right side. What was the most important part about doing this correctly was that the knife was perfectly straight horizontally & not pointing up or down a little. Slip it in slowly and once you are sure it is straight, move slowly in & then go straight down.

Melanie

Sister, did you find the clue inside the armoire? Check out the piece of clothing with a "care" tag--the directions shown at the bottom of the tag are not for a garment. They apply to the envelope!

Use the paper knife (letter opener) in the manner described on the tag. Insert the tip of the letter opener behind the center of the wax seal; move it horizontally and, without releasing your mouse, drag the knife down to the bottom of the envelope...

Oops! I had assumed Sister did that already, Jenny.

Melanie

It's a good thing too, Jenny.

If she hadn't, my info wouldn't have helped much & she would have had to wait for a reply again.

Luckily, we have you mods to keep us on the right track & unstick us.

Melanie

Thanks Melanie & Jenny. Yes I had already seen the clues in the armoire. Trouble was I have been trying to poke and prod my way into the side of the envelope! No matter where I have placed the tip of the knife it doesn't 'appear' to disappear. Maybe the hint 'smoothly' is the answer. I'm off to give it a go.
Just curious guys, was the image of the knife large or small when you completed the puzzle?

I don't remember whether it was large or small afterwards, Sister, but you'll know it when you get it right and you'll be able to read the letter.

Smoothly & slowly are important. This puzzle was tricky. The knife has to go in from the side under the flap slowly & if you jerk it around too much, you won't get the envelope open. It has to be straight & your movement has to be fluid.

If you're not seeing the knife disappear under the envelope flap, you might not be slipping it under the flap. Maybe you're just sliding it on top of the flap instead of underneath it?

Melanie

I asked that as you mentioned the knife must be 'straight'. My large initial knife will go in no other direction than horizontal and vertical. it does not bend or move out of these 2 directions. If you lose the click off the 1st knife image you then end up with a much smaller image the 2nd time of trying.

When I say straight, I mean that you can't waver when sliding the knife through the seal. You have to do it in one vertical movement after your knife is in horizontally & under the flap & if your mouse moves up or down a little, it throws you off.

It took me many tries to break the seal!

I do remember the knife being smaller & larger & also something that occurs when you do it, but my memory about it is rusty and I don't want to ruin it for you in case it does not happen until you break the seal.

Melanie

You would not believe it!! Refusing to admit defeat (dispite the appeal for saved game) I gave it another go and actually did it! YAHOO!!!
Please ignore all pleas.