Perhaps, in the present context, it’s a bit of an exaggeration. Yet if the small amount of feedback we’ve received in the office is any indication, the quotation would seem spectacularly to draw attention to the reaction of readers to our last little brainteaser (Five Easy Pieces in Issue 22, November 2000).

A shame really, and any of you who attempted it but were not successful may well kick yourselves when you see that it isn’t impossible after all. Like all puzzles, it just requires perseverance and some lateral thinking.

For those few who care, the solution will be found here.

All things considered, ’twere probably best were we to postpone our next puzzle challenge for another eighteen months or more.