The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-06-18
CHAPTER I.
The Message in the Box.

train ARRIVING lale, L Hdu ndlneu TIC
hour of my meeting with Cummings
as three O'Clock. and, in consequence
of our reaching the city exactly on
time, was compelled to loiter idly
about the hotel for an hour. However,
in passing through the corridor my
attention was attracted By an unique
curiosity shop occupying SMALL side
room, and, merely to pass the time
pleasantly, entered and began exam-
lining the strange collection of wares
Oh display.
There were several articles | lin
gered over, tempted to purchase, but
drifted on, rather undecided, until my
eyes perceived very quaint lacquered
jewel box, of a clasS of workmanship
quite unusual. The proprietor, per-
ceiving my interest, joined me.
The jewel box attracts you" he
said pleasantly. opening the case and
bringing it forth. You have love for
such things?"
a deep interest at least" l admit
ted, taking the article from his hand,
IA collector i'm an amateur way. What
is the orkmanship-surely not Jap
anese?'
NO" smilingly. 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 tinger-"is ancient Arabic
but no wild Arab ever did the lacquer
Yet so strange curio must have g
history. an imaginary one, at least
What is the story?"
Positively none" he admitted re
gretfully. THE fact is, this article was
found by chambermaid in one of the
hotel 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
ly. He even advertised, but with M
response, and finally, after thirty days
was persuaded to accept my offer fol
the article"
You have put a price on this?"
Yes, ridiculOusly low, no doubt, We
bringing me a good profit"
He named price, and, still with thu
box in my hands, yielded to the temp
tation, and bought it. The article wa
sufficiently small to find Judgment il
an Overcoat pocket. and. as Cumming
appeared a little later, was soon for
gotten i'm the earnestness Of our con
versation. We later had dinner to
gether, and attended the theater II
company, my mind so occupied witt
other matters that l scarcely one
thought of the strange purchase | hat
made, which remained securely hid
den. 1t was only after returning t
my own room, then nearing midnight
that it was again recalled to memory
Only an idle curiosity and feelin
of sleepIessness induced me to draw
the article forth, and remove its wrap
pings, but the sight served immedl
ately to increase my interest. 1t wa
certainly a wonderful find. artisticall
beautiful, and most unusual in design
There was a mystery that must hav
exercised a strange spell over IN
Imagination, for dreamed of the Ions
dead workman who fashioned IL. fol
getful of the passing night hours.
clock somewhere in the neighborhOo
struck, and 1 counted twelve, arousin
myself. Perhaps l was already hal
sleeping. for as / turned to rise m
sleeve struck the box at the edge {
the table, and before could prever
the fall, it lay upon the floor at m
feet.
AS I stopped hastily to recover III
overturned box, l was astounded |
discover the bottom slipped PARTIAL
aside, as though some secret spring ha
been touched. revealing so narrow
receptacle that the ordinary eye woul
never suspect the possibility of its e,
istence. Not only was there a. falls
bottom, but the opening revealed
closely folded paper. | grasped tn
quickly, thrill running through IN
What ancient and long-buried MESA.
was about to be unfolded?
But no, This was plainly modern
a clean, white sheet, no folded pare
ment of old, but some mystery Of We
terday. There was writing there,
. Spanish, so family traced l cou
| barely decipher the words, yet clear
! revealed as of this day and generatio
1 know Spanish fairly well, having h,
q vaar In Mexico CITY. vet II reouir
some time before 1 could puzzle o
the message on this sheet. The pap
Q had been torn. seemingly sunder
q from a much longer letter, and pI
served merely because Of the speci
address and instructions 1t contains