Dan Brown's calling code sparks Witchery hunt

Published on Sunday 24 December 2006 00:07

Dan Brown, author of the best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code, apparently scribbled a mysterious code on the floorboards of a top Scottish hotel, and then concealed it with a rug, just before checking out.

According to staff at the luxurious Witchery Hotel, Edinburgh, the code was written in permanent ink and makes reference to paintings in the 275-a-night Armoury Suite, where the author stayed.

Cleaners are said to have made the discovery just hours after Brown had checked out following a week-long summer visit.

Brown apparently left a riddle in the guest book and on the floor scrawled his signature and the numbers 93065, probably an American-style date.

Hotel bosses said they contacted Brown, who verified that the inscription and riddle were his. The author is said to have challenged the hotel to break the code, which staff believe is somehow based on the gothic-style portraits of Stewart kings which line the suite's walls.

Last night, one staff member, who has seen both the book and signature, said: "We have no idea where the numbers come from, although the nine and 30 may be close to the day and month Brown stayed at the hotel."

The code is the latest piece in a tradition of celebrity guests leaving mementoes at the Witchery. Movie legend and art lover Jack Nicholson drew a self-portrait in the guest book and Simpsons' creator Matt Groening drew a series of Homer Simpson cartoons.

The owner of the Witchery and another Edinburgh hotel, the Prestonfield, is so anxious to discover the meaning of the cryptic message that he is offering a luxury prize to the first guest to get to the bottom of it.

Brown, who was not available for comment last night, set part of his most famous book at the nearby Rosslyn Chapel.