Let's analyze the clues provided.
The clue states: "I am inside the path. I am the difference of 2 numbers outside the path."
The numbers given are: 7, 6, 7, 8, 6, 9, 3, 5.
To find the answer, we need to calculate the difference between pairs of numbers from the given list and see which of those differences is also one of the numbers given.
Calculating some differences:
- 9 - 6 = 3
- 8 - 5 = 3
- 7 - 6 = 1 (Not in the list)
- 7 - 3 = 4 (Not in the list)
- 6 - 3 = 3
- 6 - 9 = -3 (Not applicable)
- 5 - 3 = 2 (Not in the list)
The only valid number from the list that represents the difference of two outside numbers is 3.
Thus, the secret number is 3.