The letter in question is the letter “O”. It is zero. The man had nothing to write. The blind could read nothing. The person who was dumb could repeat nothing. The deaf man listened and heard nothing.

Either man should be asked the following question: “If I were to ask you if this is the way I should go, would you say yes?” While asking the question, the hiker should be pointing at either of the directions going from the fork.

1. BATon 2. BATman 3. BATh 4. BATtery 5. BATtle ship