The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-05-27
CHAPTER /.
-
The Message in the Box.

Anticipating the possibility of my
train arriving late, | had numed the
hour of my meeting with Cummings
as three O'clock, and. in consequence
of our reaching the city exactly on
time, was compelled to l0iter idly
about the hotel for an hour. However.
In passing through the corridor my
attention was attracted by al unique
curiosity shop occupying u small side
room, and. merely to pass the time
pleasantly, l entered and began exaiM-
lining the strange collection Of wares
on display.
There were several articles l lin
gered over, tempted to purchase, but
drifted on, rather undecided, until my
eyes perceived q very quaint lacquered
jewel box, OF q class OF workmanship
quite unusual. The proprietor, per-
ceiyfng my interest, joined me.
THE jewel box attracts you," he
said pleasantly. opening the case and
bringing 1t forth. "YOu have love for
such things:'
"A deep interest ut least" l admit
ted. taking the article from his hand,
Il collector in an amateur way. What
is the workmanship-surely moi Jap
anese?'
NO." smiiingly. although posi-
lively l cannot answer as to its or
igin. The inscription, which can only
be read with a microscope'-he traced
with his finger-"is ancient Arabic.
but no wild Arab ever did the lacquer"
yet SO strange a .curiO must have a
history. an imaginary one, at least.
What is the storyy"
Positively none," he admitted re-
g%retfully. 1.-The fact is, this article was
found by a chambermaid IN one Of the
hateA rooms, and turned in to the man
ager. He made every effort to trace
the guests, only to learn that they, two
men, By the way, had registered false
". He even advertised, but with no
response, and finally, after thirty days,
was persuaded to accept my offer for
the article"
you have put a price on this?"
"Yes. ridiculOnsly low. no doubt, yet
bringing me a good profit"
He named q price, and, still with the
box In my hands. | yielded to the temp
tation. and bought 1t. The article was
sufficiently small to find Judgment In
an overcoat pocket. and, MS Cummings
appeared q little later. was soon for.
gotten In the ~eArnestness Of our con-
v~ersatiOn. We later had dinner to-
gether. and attended the theater n
company, my mind so occupied with
other matters that scarcely once
thought Of the strange purchase | Ind
made. which remained securely hid
den. Il was only after returning to
ny own room. then nearing midnight.
that It was again recalled to memory.
Only an idle curiosity and . feeling
Or ~sleeplessness induced me to draw
the article forth, and remove It's wrap
pings. but the sight served immedi-
ately to increase my interest. It was
certainly ! wonderful find. artistically
beautiful, and most unusual In design.
There was q mystery that must have
exercised 4 strange spell Over my
Imagination. for l dreamed at the long
dead workman who fashioned 1t, Tor.
gefful OF the passing night hours. A
clock somewhere In the neighborhood
struck, and I counted twelve. arousing
myself. Perhaps ! was already half
eleeping. Tor q i turned to rise my
6leeve struck the box at the edge Of
~ table. and bsGOre I could prevent
EfNa TIL. AZ lay uDOn the 6oOr II nv