Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-05-25
CHAPTER 1.
Lac MESSAGE in the Boz.


Anticipating the possibility Of my
train arriving late, | had named 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 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, 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, untii 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 uCGB iIbGltsl at Acststs AhAhlA-
ted, taking the article from his hand,
"a collector in an amateur way. What
is the orkmanship-surely not Jap
anese?"
NO" smilingly. although posi-
lively l cannot answer as to it's 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 curio must have a
history, an imaginary one, at least.
What is the story?r
Positively none" he admitted re-
gretfuIly "The fact is, this article was
found by chamhermaid 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?"
Is AthtNNiOuSig lONf no uOuDlt yet
bringing me : good profit"
He named price. and, stiIl with the
box in my hands. yielded to Che temp
tation. and bought it, The article was
sufficiently small to find lodgment in
an oyercoat pocket, and, as Cummings
appeared little later. was soon for
gotten in the earnestness of our con
versation. We later had dinner TO-
gether, and attended the theater IN
company. my mind so occupied with
other matters that ] scarcely once
thought Of the strange purchase had
made, which remained securely hid
den. 1t was only after returning TO
my own room, then nearing midnight,
that it was again recalled to memory.
Only an idle curiosity ana ii feeling
Of sleepiessness induced me to draw
the article forth. and remove its wrap
pings, but the sight served immedi-
afeiy to increase my interest. II was
certainly a wonderful find, artistically
beautiful. and most unusual in design.
There was a mystery that must have
exercised strange spell over my
imagination. for dreamed of the long
dead workman who fashioned it, for
getful of the passing night hours. A
clock somewhere In the neighborhood
struck, and / counted twelve, arousing
myself. Perhaps | was already half
sleeping, for as / turned to rise my
sleeve struck the box at the edge of
- 4aFI haf Il
the fall. it lay upon the floor at my
feet.
AS I stopped hastily to recover the
overturned box. was aStounded to
discover the bottom slipped partially
aside. as though some secret spring had
been touched, revealing so narrow a
receptacle that the ordinary eye would
never suspect the possihilit. of its ex-
istenc@. Not only was there false
bottom. but Tie opening revealed
closely folded paper. / gragped this
quickly. thrill running through me-
What ancient and long-buried message
was about to be unfoIded?
But no! This was plainly modern
a clean, white sheet, DO folded parch-
ment Of old, but some mystery of yes
terday. There was writing there, in
Spanish, so family traced / could
barely decipher the words, yet clearly
revealed as Of this day and generation.
/ know Spanish fairly well, hag wing had
a year in Mexico City. yet 1t required
some time before / could puzzle out
the message on this sheet The paper
had been torn. seemingly sundered
from a much longer letter, and pre-
ser--i merely because Of the specific