American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1921-06-03
CHAPTER /.
The Message in the Box.

AhllSlpulIu Ue pOSSlDllly Ol my
train arriving late, L had named the
hour of my meeting with Cummings
rs 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 a small side
room, and, merely to pass the time
pleasantly, l entered and began exam
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 a very quaint lacquered
jewel box, of a class of workmanship
quite unusual. The proprietor, per-
ceiving my interest, Joined me.
1.-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
J. ted, taking the article from his hand,
"a collector in an amateur way. What
is the workmanship-surely not Jap
anese?"
NO." smilingly. Although posi-
lively l cannot answer as to its or
igtn. 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 a curio must have a
history, an imaginary one, at Least.
What is the story?"
POSITIVELY none" he admitted re-
gretfully. THE fact is, this article was
found by a c~hambermaid 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 no
response, and finally, after thirty days,
was persuaded to accept my offer for
the article
you have put a price on this?"
Eyes, r~idiculously low, no doubt, yet
bringing me a good profit"
He named a price, and, still with the
box in my hands, 1 yielded TO the temp
sufficiently small to find Judgment in
an o%vercoat pocket, and, as Cummings
appeared n little later, was soon for
gotten in the earnestness of our con
v~ersation. We later had dinner to.
gether, and attended the theater IN
company, my mind so occupied with
other matters that l scarcely once
thought of the strange purchase l haC
made, which remained securely hid
den. 1t was only after returning tC
my own room, then nearing midnight
that it was again recalled to memory
Only an idle curiosity and a feeling
of sleeplessness induced me to draw
the article forth, and remove its wrap
pings, but the sight served immedi
ately to increase my interest. It wa;
certainly a wonderful find. artistically
beautiful, and most unusual in design
There was a mystery that must hav'
exercised a strange spell over m,
Imagination, for l dreamed OF the long
dead workman who fashioned II, for
ktllul VI llG DuSNlllb hlbll ilbhios r
clock somewhere in the neighborhooc
struck, and l counted twelve, ~arousin;
myself. Perhaps l vas already hal
sleeping, for as | turned to rise m!
sleeve struck the box at the edge o
the table, and before l could proven
the fall, II lay upon the floor at m,
feet.
As I stopped hastily to recover tn
overturned box. / was ~astounded I,
discover the bottom slipped PARTIAL.
aside. as though some secret spring ha,
been touched. revealing 30 narrow
receptacle that the ordinary eye woul'
never suspect the possibility Of lts ex
istence. Not only was thare a falls,
bottom, but the opening revealed
closely folded paper. I grasped thu
quickly, a thrill running through me
What ancient and long-buried messag,
was about TO be unfoldedr
But no. This was plainly modern
a clean, white sheet, no folded parch
ment of old. but some mystery Of yes
terday. There was writing there, II
Spanish, so family traced I coul,
barely decipher the words, yet clearl.
revealed as of this day and generation
know Spanish fairly well, having IA,
a year in Mexico City, yet It require,
some time before l could puzzle on
the message on this sheet. The pape
had been torn, seemingly sundere'
from a much longer letter. and pre-
served merely becauss of the specifi
address and instructions II continued
Beyond doubt all else bad been De
stroyed. What remained may hav'
been surH1ent guidance to the part!
who had the benefit Of what went he
fore in the original epaste but wa
obscure 10 anyone elsa Yet II wa
modern, something relating to thi
very time. a menac something 10 b.
grPsped and understood. This cOnviC