Owingsville outlook., 1921-06-23
CHAPTER I.
The Message in the Box.


Anticipating the possibility Of my
train arriving late, | had named the
hour Of my meeting with Cummings
as three o'clock, and, I'm consequence
Of our reaching the city exactly on
time, was compelled TO lOiteT idly
about the hotel for an hour. However,
In passing through the corridor my
attention was attracted by an unique
curiosity shop occupying n small side
room. and, merely 10 pass the time
pleasantly, entered and began exam
lining the strange collection of wares
on display.
There were several articles | lin
gered over, tempted TO purchase, but
drifted on, rather undecided, until my
eyes perceived a very quaint lacquered
Jewel box, of 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,
"a collector in an amateur way. What
is the wOrkmanship-Surel not Jap
aneseT
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 finger-''is ancient Arabic,
but no wild Arab ever did the lacquer" Z"
yet so strange a curiO must have a
history, an imaginary one. at least.
What is the stOryg"
Positively none" he admitted re-
gretfully. THE fact is, this article was
found by a chamhermaid I'm 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?"
"Yes, ridiculously low, no doubt, yet
bringing me a good profit"
He named a price, and, still with the
box in my hands, yielded TO the temp
tation, and bought II. The article was
sufficiently small TO find lOdgment in
an Overcoat pocket, and, as Cummings
appeared a 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 I had
made, which remained securely hid
den. II was only after returning to
my own room, then nearing midnight,
that IL 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. II was
certainly a wonderful find, artistically
beautiful, and most unusual in design
There was a mystery that must have
exercised a 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 I'm 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
the table, and before / could prevent
the fall, 1t lay upon the floor at my
feet.
As I stopped hastily to recover the
overturned box, / was astounded tC
discover the bottom slipped partially
aside, as though some secret spring had
been touched. revealing so narrow Q
receptacle that the ordinary eye would
never suspect the possibility OF its ex
istence. Not only was there a false
bottom, but the opening revealed 6
closely folded paper. / grasped thi:
quickly, a thrill running through me
What ancient and lOng-buried message
was about to be unfOlded7
But mol 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 l coulC
barely decipher the words, yet clearly
revealed as of this day and generation
know Spanish fairly well, having haC
a year in Mexico City. yet It required
some time before / could puzzle Ou
the message on this sheet. The paper
had been torn, seemingly sunderet
from q much longer letter. and pre-
served merely because Of the specih,
address and instructions It contained