As□the searc□ co□tinu□□, cry□tic clues □t□rted □o□emerge, add□ng another□lay□r o□ intri□ue to the case□ S□mbols carved □nto trees, str□nge marki□gs on ro□□□,□and □ryptic notes left behind o□ly deep□ned the my□t□ry sur□o□ndi□g the mis□□ng nine.□Were th□se clue□ int□ntiona□ly left □ehin□, or we□□ they simply a prod□ct of □□e g□oup's par□noi□ a□d un□aveling□state □f □in□□