The Ratline Guide | How to Solve Marathon Men

Marathon Men is the first chapter in which the puzzle shifts from one obvious photo to separating two nearly parallel identities. You begin with the Schulz Brothers' Docket, Squad Photo, and Ma Schulz’s Note. Very quickly, you also need to call Diego Rodrigo Tailoring and then the Canadian Dental Organization.

Those calls unlock the Schmidt Patient List, Conference Photo, and Conference Sheet, which are the real backbone of the case.

How To Separate Ralph And Fritz Schulz

The smartest way through this chapter is to stop thinking of the brothers as two random men with beards. The case provides a physical divider. Ma Schulz’s Note says both sons should shave, but it also says Ralph needs to wash his face to avoid infection. That matters because infected facial wounds leave scars.

Now, combine that with Diego Rodrigo’s line that his dentist has no scars, no birthmarks, and no other distinguishing marks. That instantly creates a split. The bearded man with a facial scar is Ralph Schulz. The bearded man without a scar is Fritz Schulz.

Ralph Schulz Solution

Once you know that the scar is important, Ralph becomes the brother linked to public achievement. The case leads to the person who came up with the idea for the Oronectomy, and that person is linked to the meeting materials. The man with scars and a beard in the Squad Photo, or the Dental Innovator in the 1971 Conference Photo, is his real photo.

His alias is Dirk Muller, and he is located in Toronto.

Fritz Schulz Solution

The brother now doesn't have the scar. Diego Rodrigo tells you that his dentist's name is Dr. A. Schmidt, so you already know the last name. The rest is filled in by the meeting materials. Fritz Schulz is in Buenos Aires and is hiding by calling himself Alex Schmidt. The Beard without the Scar in the Squad Photo is the right picture of his head.

The scar can be used as the main tip to help you finish the chapter. The names and towns will stop competing with each other after that and start putting themselves into the right two groups.