November 7, 2009
Walkthrough: Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy
notes:
The game has detailed instructions at the start.
The open book holds the list of items to be located.
The immediate objective is listed just below the book.
Some items are present on the screen. Some items are ‘hidden’ and require inventory items to be ‘revealed’.
At a time only 8 items can be searched. The total number of items to be found is noted atop the book.
The tool-bag contains items that are used to locate hidden items.
Clicking the name of an item shows its outline in the lantern at the bottom right, which is helpful.
There are ravens on the screen, finding which adds to the hint counter at the bottom right. The ravens’ eyes glow blue occasionally and make it easier to spot them.
Clicking the raven sitting on the lantern and then clicking an item on the list will make the raven find the item on the screen.
Too many wrong clicks brings on a black cat that scares the raven away for a while.
The screenshots show the positions of the relevant items only; randomly listed items are not mapped.
A journal summarises the journey so far and the next objectives.
walkthrough:
The game starts in the study. Click the door open and let the raven out.
Screen 1: Edgar Allan Poe’s Tomb at Westminster Cemetery
Relevant Items: Sign, 2 Ravens, Invitation, Birthday Treat, Scrub Brush, Dates
Click here for the screenshot.
The sign saying Westminster Cemetery confirms that the location is correct. The invitation to Dr. John Moran, Suspect # 1, was for a birthday, indicated by the cake.
Use the scrub brush from the tool-bag on the half-seen writing below Poe’s photo on the tomb.
It says that Poe was murdered on October 7, 1849, and this is the 200th anniversary of his birth.
Click the bluish glow to the left to venture deeper into the Cemetery.
Screen 2: The Gate at Westminster Cemetery
Click the gate to go deeper into the cemetery – whoa!
The crypt door has 8 funerary symbols.
Relevant Items: 2 Ravens, Charcoal Sticks, Paper, Flower Icon, Open Book Icon
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the paper with the right side gravestone, then the charcoal sticks to sketch the open book icon.
Use the paper with the left side gravestone, then the charcoal sticks to sketch the flower icon.
Click the bluish glow to the left to venture deeper into the Cemetery.
Screen 3: Deep Inside Westminster Cemetery
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Angel, Hourglass, Hand and Butterfly Icons
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the paper with the four glowing blue gravestones, then the charcoal sticks to sketch the four icons.
Click the bluish glow to the left to return to Poe’s Tomb.
Screen 4: Edgar Allan Poe’s Tomb at Westminster Cemetery
Relevant Items: Anchor and Skull Icons
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the paper with the glowing blue gravestone to the left of the screen, then the charcoal sticks to sketch the anchor icon.
Use the paper with Poe’s gravestone, then the charcoal sticks to sketch the skull icon.
Click the bluish glow to the left to return to Poe’s Tomb.
Screen 5: The Gate at Westminster Cemetery
Time to unlock the gate.
The funerary symbols have to be in the order set in the sheet, shown on the left of the screen.
Click each drum to rotate it till the image on it matches the corresponding icon in the sheet. The correct image locks in place.
Click here for the solution.
Click the gate to venture deeper into the cemetery.
Screen 6: Deeper Inside Westminster Cemetery
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Hand Rake, Corkscrew, Sponge, Newspaper, Face Etching
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the sponge on the gravestone with the smudge, to the left of Poe’s gravestone, to get the face etching of a woman.
Click the etching.
Use the hand rake on the pile of leaves in front of the gravestone with the etching to get the newspaper.
The headline says that on Poe’s birthday, a mysterious ‘Toaster’ leaves three red roses and cognac on Poe’s original grave.
Click Poe’s gravestone to examine it.
Screen 7: Poe’s Original Gravestone
Relevant Items: Stone Raven, Bottle (Holds Liquid), Wire Cutters, Wire Piece, Secret Map
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the wire cutters on the spool of wire at the top right of the screen to get wire piece.
Place the bottle (cognac from the newspaper headline?) on the circles at the base of Poe’s gravestone.
Use the corkscrew to open the bottle.
Something has to be placed in the bottle.
Put the stone raven on the semicircular space at the top of the tombstone.
The tombstone slides aside to reveal a scroll.
Put the scroll inside the bottle to get the secret map!
Click the glowing bluish gate to enter the crypt.
Screen 8: Crypt
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Weight, Family Crest
Click here for the screenshot.
Place the weight on the slider between the doors in the back wall to lower the family crest.
Examine the skeleton in the middle shelf on the left.
Screen 9: Skeleton
Relevant Items: None.
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 10: Crypt
Relevant Items: 4 Keys
Click the cask (barrel) on the right to remove it: a blue tile!
Use the secret map to navigate the tiles by calculating where the next tile would be.
For example, Tile 1 is marked. Tile 2 is located at: 1 Right, 1 Down, 3 Left as per secret map. And so on.
Don’t click on the direction tiles, only click on the final tile of each set of directions.
Key 1 is below Tile 2. Key 2 is below tile 3, Key 3 is below Tile 4, and Key 4 is below Tile 5.
Click here for the solution for Tiles 2, 3 and 4.
Click here for the solution for Tile 5.
Click the hammer on the bottom shelf of the right wall, exposed by the fallen skeleton.
Screen 11: Crypt Doors
Use the hammer on the right side door, marked with a clown.
Click here for the screenshot.
Click the Key of Fortunato held by the clown skeleton.
Voila, Poe’s Secret Room!
Screen 12: Poe’s Secret Room
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Banana (Monkey Food), Chimney Brush, Roller Dolly, Straight Jacket, Book, Trunk
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the chimney brush with the fireplace in the middle of the room to get the book.
‘The Poets and Poetry’ of America is the book by Rufus Griswold, the publisher who sullied Poe’s name. Hence Griswold is Suspect # 2.
Give the banana to the chimp at the bottom right.
Take the straight jacket from the crate underneath.
Use the roller dolly with the trunk just behind the list of items.
Screen 13: Open The Trunk
The five keys are floating around the trunk. The heads of the keys have designs – club, spade, diamond and heart - matching the 4 locks on the trunk. Use the Key of Fortunato to unlock the main lock of the trunk.
Click here for the solution.
Speak to Poe’s Ghost. He gives his manuscripts / stories and some more evidence as clues to catch the murderers within the next 24 hours by travelling back in time. He gives you his watch, which has 4 locations to be investigated.
Click the watch to go to Paris solve the various mysteries that will eventually resolve Poe’s death.
Click the left-most manuscript to solve the Mystery of Marie Roget, a young girl who was murdered.
Screen 14: Le Blanc La Perfumerie
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Gold Coin, Newspaper, Scissors, Diamond Ring and Le Blanc’s Hat.
Click here for the screenshot.
The newspaper has a story about the unsolved murder of the perfume girl.
Click the 4 people on the scene to learn more about Marie. Apparently, Marie was beautiful, had disappeared three years ago only to reappear a week later, she had most likely gone missing with a stranger, and that the neighbourhood had become unsafe with gangs and ruffians.
Use the gold coin with the gumball machine in front of Le Blanc to get the diamond ring.
Use the scissors to open the hatbox beside the gumball machine to discover Le Blanc’s hat with traces of mud on it.
Click the 7o’clock slot on the pocket watch at the bottom left of the screen to go inside the Perfumerie and question Le Blanc.
Screen 15: Inside The Perfumerie
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, 2 Pink Bottles (Marie’s Fragrance)
Click here for the screenshot.
Le Blanc says that Marie didn’t work the day she was murdered and may have been at her apartment with her mother. Talking to other people reveals that while Marie had many admirers, she was never seen with a married man, that she was with a dark man just before her disappearance, and that though married, Le Blanc fancied Marie.
Click the 5o’clock slot on the pocket watch at the bottom left of the screen to go to Marie’s bedroom.
Screen 16: Marie’s Bedroom
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Chinese Doll, Key, Sailing Ship
Click here for the screenshot.
Marie’s fiancé says that he didn’t escort her home the previous night, while her mother says that she was supposed to stay with her aunt but never reached. The Chinese doll indicates that she may have had a suitor who travelled a lot, like a sailor.
Use the key on the bureau on the left of the bed to reveal the ship.
Click the 3o’clock slot on the pocket watch at the bottom left of the screen to go to the docks.
Screen 17: Docks
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Corn Kernel, Fishing Rod, Knotted Cloth, Fishing Net, Rudder, Necklace
Click here for the screenshot.
Detective Dupin says that Marie’s body was thrown into the water AFTER she was killed. The boatman says that he saw a rudderless boat floating in the water the night before, and the policeman says that marks matching the boat were found on Marie’s back. Beauvois identified Marie’s body. One fisherman says that she was strangled by someone strong, while another is convinced the body wasn’t Marie’s.
The knotted cloth from Marie’s petticoat had a sailor’s knot and may have been used to strangle her and drag the body around.
Click the fishing net beyond the crate on the right to examine it.
Screen 18: Fishing Net
Relevant Items: None.
Click here for the screenshot.
Return to the docks.
Use the fishing rod on the water to find the missing rudder.
Use the corn kernels with the birdhouse on the tree at the left of the screen to have the magpie return Marie’s necklace.
Screen 19: Crossing The River
Only 3 people can fit on the boat at a time, including the boatman.
The boys cannot be left without an adult.
The sailors must be guarded by the policeman or Dupin.
Trip 1: Boy 1, Player
Trip 2: Return: only Boatman
Trip 3: Dupin, Sailor 1
Trip 4: Return: Boatman and Player
Trip 5: Player, Boy 2
Trip 6: Return: only Boatman
Trip 7: Policeman, Sailor 2
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 20: Woods 1
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Dress Items
Click here for the screenshot.
Marie’s belongings are scattered about like she struggled with a person.
Screen 21: Woods 2
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Dress Items
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 22: Match Marie’s Belongings
Click here for the bonnets solution.
Click here for the skirts solution.
Click here for the scarves solution.
Click here for the pins solution.
Click here for the perfumes solution.
Click here for the necklaces solution.
Click here for the handkerchiefs solution.
Click here for the gloves solution.
Screen 23: Deluc Inn
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Key, Letters
Click here for the screenshot.
The innkeeper says Marie came with a dark-complexioned man the day before her body was found, and that she heard screams on the day of the murder. Others say that the couple was followed by a group of miscreants who followed them to the woods, to return later and cross the river in a hurry.
Use the key on the letterbox beside the inn door to get the letters.
Screen 24: Woods 3
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Bottle of Poison, Boyfriend’s Note, Shovel (Hole Digger), Rake (Gathers Leaves), Shoe Print, Pocket Watch, Drag Marks
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the rake on the leaves on the ground to reveal the drag marks.
Use the shovel on the hole near the foot of the body to reveal the pocket watch of Le Blanc.
Screen 25: Le Blanc La Perfumerie
Click on Dupin to get his conclusion: the murderer was an individual, dark complexioned, a naval officer... wait! This case is similar to the real life murder of Mary Rogers in New York.
Click the Statue of Liberty on the counter.
Poe’s ghost admits to Mary that he made a mistake by distracting the detectives from her real killer.
Click the left manuscript / pocket watch to go to New York.
Screen 25: Anderson’s Liberty Store
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Newspaper, Sponge (Holds Water), Bag of Oats, Open Sign, Note
Click here for the screenshot.
The newspaper has a story about the unsolved murder of the cigar store girl.
Talk to the people on the scene to learn more about the missing cigar store girl – Mary Rogers, who case is remarkably similar to Marie’s. According to them, she was beautiful, had disappeared three years ago only to reappear a week later, that she had most like gone missing with a stranger, and that the neighbourhood had become unsafe with gangs.
Use the bag of oats with the horse to have him move. Click the note exposed on the wall.
The note from Mary asks Mr. Anderson to stop his advances or else she would resign.
Use the sponge with the right side glass door of Anderson’s shop to reveal the Open sign.
Click the 7o’clock slot on the pocket watch at the bottom left to enter Anderson’s shop.
Screen 26: Inside Anderson’s Liberty Store
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Key, Scissors (Fabric Shears), Tattered Newspaper, Tie Pin, Billing, Diamond Ring
Click here for the screenshot.
The newspaper says that James Finnegan, a local rowdy, who was found with Mary’s ring, is her killer.
Talk to the two women. They mention that the shop is a place for debate among some on New York’s most influential people, and hence the shopkeeper has to be discrete.
The tie pin has ‘D. P.’ inscribed on it, for ‘Daniel Payne’, Mary’s fiancé, a nervous and jealous fellow.
The saleswoman says that Anderson paid Mary extra to flirt with clients.
Use the key with the cash till on the counter at the right to get the billing details.
The bill says that Poe does not have to pay anything at the bar.
Use the scissors with seat of the chair to the right to reveal the diamond ring.
Click the 5o’clock slot on the pocket watch at the bottom left to go to Anderson’s bedroom.
Screen 27: Anderson’s Bedroom
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Matches (Makes Fire), Newspaper, Photo, Nail File, Map, Mary’s Picture, Manuscript
Click here for the screenshot.
The matchbox has the image of an inn on it.
The newspaper says that Mary’s lover has been found dead at the crime scene with a suicide note.
The photo shows Anderson with Poe.
The map is a polling map.
Use the nail file with the top right drawer of the bureau on the left of the room to reveal Mary’s photo and the manuscript.
Screen 28: Mary’s Dress
Relevant Items: 12 Dress Pieces
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 29: Anderson’s Study
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, 12 Paper Pieces, Atomiser, Cheque Book, Policeman, Ticket Stub, Note, Tack Pliers, Newspaper, Knotted Rope, Web (Spider’s Home), 10 Handprints, Photo, Diploma
Click here for the screenshot showing the location of 12 paper pieces.
Click here for the screenshot of the rest of the items in the room.
The cheque book shows a payment of $5000 to Poe.
The ticket stud is for a cruise for Anderson for a month, saying that he knew about sailor knots.
The newspaper says there is a $30000 reward for evidence / arrest of the killer.
The knotted rope has the same knot that was used to kill Marie.
The note mentions using Mr. G (Griswold?) to discredit Poe’s character.
Suddenly there is a ghostly presence in the room.
Use the atomiser anywhere in the room to reveal the 10 ghostly handprints all over it.
Click here for the screenshot showing the 10 handprints.
Click the diploma on the wall, to the left of the moose head, to reveal the photo of Mary.
Click the pattern in front of the desk in the middle of the room to reveal a slider puzzle.
Screen 30: Slider Puzzle
The wooden blocks have to be moved around to reveal the 4 paper pieces. Once a paper is revealed, click it to collect it. This puzzle has multiple solutions.
Click here for my solution.
Now the key has to be revealed. It is below the yellow block. This also has multiple solutions.
Click here for my solution.
Screen 31: Anderson’s Study
Use the key with the second drawer of the bureau to the right, below the moose head.
Screen 32: Bureau Drawer
Take the 3 paper pieces and the secret message.
Click here for the screenshot.
The secret message says, ‘she knows too much’.
Screen 33: Anderson’s Study
Use the tack pliers with the big chair to reveal the money. Hmm.
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 34: Torn Letter
This is a jigsaw puzzle. The torn pieces of the paper have to be placed correctly on the left to complete the letter. Drag the pieces to the letter, and they will lock in the correct slots. Start with the edge pieces, then the central pieces.
Click here for the solution.
Screen 35: Anderson’s Bedroom
Relevant Items: Handcuff, Fire Poker, Padded Chair, Evidence, Newspaper
Click here for the screenshot.
Click the badge on the items that the policeman wants to investigate.
Use the fire poker on the floorboards below the padded chair.
Use the handcuffs on Anderson.
Click the newspaper on the bed.
The Mystery of Marie Roget / Mary Rogers is solved, and the reward of $200,000 will be given to her heirs.
But the game doesn’t end here. Poe still has to be freed, and it has to be discovered why he tried to mislead the law in the Mary Rogers case.
Click the middle manuscript / pocket watch to solve the Gold Bug Case, a tale of treasure hunting in South Carolina.
Screen 36: Sullivan's Island
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Lantern, Key, Bug Collection
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the lantern with the empty holder in front of the door of the house to reveal the key. Click the key.
Use the key with the chest in the middle of the screen to reveal the bug collection. Click the bug collection.
Click the 7o'clock slot on the watch to enter the cabin.
Screen 37: Inside The Cabin
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Shovel, 4 Bugs, Pot, Water Bottle, Spool, Key, Blueprint, Hand Print
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the key on the lock of the locker at the bottom right of screen to reveal the old ship's blueprint.
Use the pot on the stove, then add water from the water bottle to reveal Legrand's handprint on the mirror.
Click the handprint.
Click the 5o'clock slot on the watch to go to the beach.
Screen 38: At The Beach
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, 3 Bugs, Knife, Pearl
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the knife on the oyster in the middle of the screen to reveal the pearl. Click the pearl.
Screen 39: The Bug Collection
The bugs have to be placed in their slots in the collection box. The outlines of the bugs are marked in the box to serve as reference points. Left click a bug and, keeping the mouse pressed, drag it to its place. A sound plays for correct placement.
Click here for the screenshot.
Placing all the bugs correctly reveals a golden scarab in the middle of the box. Click the scarab.
A drawer slides open to reveal a paper. Click the paper.
Poe's ghost says that the paper is a treasure map.
Screen 40: Sullivan's Island
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, 6 Wooden Boards, Flint
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the wooden boards and the flint with the campfire site (circle of stones) at the bottom middle of the screen to light a fire.
The treasure map of Captain Kidd is revealed.
Screen 41: Treasure Island
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Artillery Weapon (Cannon), Cannonball, Match, Gunpowder
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the artillery weapon / cannon and cannon ball with the cannon body at the left of the screen to construct the cannon.
Use the match with the cannon to fire it and blow the 'nose' of the skull mountain.
Screen 42: Sullivan's Island
Relevant Items: Ship's Wheel, Torch
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the torch with the burning campfire to light it.
Screen 43: Treasure Island
Relevant Items: 2 Lanterns, Peg Leg
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the torch to burn away the birds' nests in front of the two eye sockets of the skull.
Place one lantern in each eye socket of the skull.
Use the peg leg with the hole in the mechanism glowing on the left of the screen.
Use the ship's wheel with the peg leg to open the mouth of the skull.
The Devil's Seat is revealed! Click the chair.
Screen 44: Inside The Skull
The legend says that a Gold Bug (scarab) was used with a skull to decide where to dig for the treasure.
Use the scarab with the skull hanging from the tree on the left.
Use the spool with the scarab on the ground to measure where to dig.
Use the shovel with the spool finally ends.
Click here for the screenshot.
The treasure!
Click the pencil and then the map to sign it.
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Assorted Treasure Gems & Jewelry
Click here for the screenshot.
Examine the hole.
Screen 45: Inside The Hole
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, ID Bracelet, Ticket
Click here for the screenshot.
The ID Bracelet says 'Royster', who was the brother of Poe's fiancee.
The ticket is to Baltimore, where Poe died.
Poe admits that he was killed by the Royster brothers, but that they were merely pawns for bigger criminals.
Click the right-most manuscript / pocket watch to solve the Edgar Allan Poe conspiracy, to know how and why Poe was murdered.
Screen 46: Baltimore Hotel
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Bone, Baltimore Map, Register Book
Click here for the screenshot.
Talk to the 4 people. The desk clerk says that there are no rooms available. George and James Royster do not want Poe to marry their sister and move her to Richmond. The lady guest confirms that Poe is staying at the hotel.
Give the bone to the dog sitting in front of the reception counter to reveal the register.
Click the register to go to Poe's room.
Screen 47: Poe's Room
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, 2 Black Books, Red Book, Magazine, Letter, Ticket
Click here for the screenshot.
The black books are copies of 'The Pit and the Pendulum'.
The red book is 'The Masque of the Red Death'.
The magazine is 'Stylus', the controversial journal Poe was trying to fund.
The letter talks about Poe marrying Elmira Royster.
The ticket is the same one that was found in the Roysters' grave.
Screen 48: Poe's Room - After The Murder
The two screens have to be matched to find out the differences before and after Poe's murder.
Click here for the screenshot.
The murderers took the ring and the letter to Elmira.
Now for the other part of the room - find the differences.
Click here for the screenshot.
Poe was found at the polling place, Gunner's Hall. Time to go there!
Screen 49: Outside Gunner's Hall
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Light Bulb, Electrical Wire
Click here for the screenshot.
The policeman says that there were no reports of election fraud.
Add the bulb to the lamp post at the left of the screen.
Connect the electrical wire to the cut wires at the base of the lamp.
Screen 50: Hospital
Assist the doctor operating on Poe.
Click here for the screenshot.
Drag the magnifying glass to the doctor: Poe was beaten on the head and suffered a fatal concussion.
Drag the notebook to the doctor: Poe kept saying 'Reynolds'.
Drag the syringe to the doctor: No alcohol in Poe's system.
Drag the stethoscope to the doctor: Poe has passed away.
Dr. Moran is ruled out as a suspect.
Screen 51: Carriage
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Letter, Ring
Click here for the screenshot.
The letter is the one to Mrs. Clemm from Poe's hotel room.
The ring is Poe's wedding ring for Elmira.
Screen 52: Poe's Grave
Relevant Items: Wire Brush, Lantern, Shovel
Click here for the screenshot.
The Roysters killed Poe, and then Reynolds killed the Roysters.
Click the various gravestones to locate the Roysters' grave.
Use the brush on a gravestone to expose its text.
The grave at the extreme right of the screen is the Roysters' grave.
Use the shovel in front of the Roysters' gravestone.
Screen 53: Roysters' Grave
Use the lantern to light the grave.
Relevant Items: 2 Bullets, Deposit Key, Gun, Painting
Click here for the screenshot.
The 'Captain Kidd' of this story is notorious politician Boss Tweed.
Screen 54: Tweed's Den
Relevant Items: 1 Raven, Money Receipt, Notepad, Official Seal, Telegram, Key
Click here for the screenshot.
The money receipt proves that Tweed financed cigar shop owner Anderson the pay Mary Rogers and spy on Poe.
The notepad shows that Tweed instructed Griswold to ruin Poe's credibility.
Tweed's official seal was stamped on documents to both Anderson and Griswold.
The telegram proves that the Roysters were killed on Tweed's instruction by Reynolds.
Two doors - one at the extreme right and one beside the bookshelf - have to be blocked to keep Reynolds and Griswold from escaping.
Use one copy of Poe's black books for each of the doors.
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 55: Anderson’s Liberty Store
Click here for the screenshot.
Click the policeman.
Screen 56: Tweed's Cellar
Click here for the screenshot.
Use the policeman to arrest either Reynolds or Griswold.
The other villain will suffer the fate of death.
I chose Griswold to be arrested, tried and jailed, to suffer the same fate of notoriety and tragedy that he was trying to create for Poe.
Which left Reynolds to die a grisly death like his victims.
Screen 57: Tweed's Cellar
Use Poe's red book to block Tweed's escape.
Click here for the screenshot.
Screen 58: The Masque of Red Death
Tweed has to be trapped by making chains of colours in the order given in the book.
So if the book says 'White, Blue', then two blocks, first white and then blue, have to be clicked one after the other.
The blocks can be linked either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
There are multiple solutions for each combination.
Each correct combination brings the Grim Reaper closer to Tweed.
Click here, here, here, here, here and here for the screenshots.
Use the key to open the deposit box in the middle of the colour grid.
Click here for the screenshot.
That's the end of Tweed...
... and now Poe is free!
Ciao for now!
This is an original walkthrough written by me. Please do not distribute / adapt the text and images in any way without my written consent.
