Evening star., 1938-05-22
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE
Ibis time General Besseey surprises burg aboard his va
surprise that leads to an adventure and swift dro

Tor service, as was my duty.
"O-Nan-Senremained with her servant in my
house in the Street of the Cedar Trees Often
returned and spent time with her. but soon we
realized that this was not to be like the other
little wars. This was to be the supreme struggle.
We were surrounded by death on every side
Night and day the whole district where we
lived was being ravaged
My regiment was ordered northwards after
an attack which seemed as though it must lead
to certain death. Then O-Nan-Sen lay for long
in my arms and when we parted she took the
little box in which she kept the precious things
had given her and she showed me the place of
hiding and if her house fell about her ears as
seemed likely. if she were obliged to fly, she
would leave the box in such place as appeared
wise to her and inside she would write where
she was to be found
There came night when the whole quarter
in which we had lived was razed to the ground.
had two days respite while they filled up our
broken ranks. searched hour by hour neither
ate nor drank Then, in the ruined shop of an
old curiosity dealer known to us both, found
not the box but note from O. Nan-Sen.
60 westward with the missionaries, she
wrote. We escape You will follow have taken
the box. will leave it in the small bazaar of
Heratos in the town of Pening. Seek it again
there. Westward with the missionaries under
stood. rejoined my regiment but after the next
battle stole out of the lines at night I lay for
many days hidden.
Il made my way to that townof Pening west
wards searched until found the small shop
near the jewel market. The man wl,o had kept
it was dead - bombed to death the day before
1t was his son who told me of the box. He had
had it in his possession He would have kept it
but they were in need of food. An Indian n,er-
chant Fastening homewards in terror of the
war had spent his last few hours in the shop.
He had bought the box. He had taken it away
with him. The boy remembered his name 1t
was Hussein and he came from Port Said"
1T isa strange story, said Besserley quietly.
Il bought a small sandalwood box from Hussein
of Port Said few months ago"
The japanese inclined his head
Il found my way to the warehouse of Hus-
sein." he continued. He remembered the box
1t was nothing he said. He had sold it to an
American gentleman in motor yacht called
the Sea Spray traced the Sea Spray to Monte
Carlo. But now the time has come when all my
money has left me- am beggar. could not
come as purchaser. came to steal the box"
Besserley reflled his glass; you need worry
yourself no longer about the money" he as
sued the intruder soothingly "The box is
yours"
The japanese had been standing all this time
For moment his knees seemed about to give
way. They shook visibly He clutched the side
of the desk Then he Strengthened himself. His
eyes were glowing, his lips little parted.
"The box y you will give me the box?"
Il will give you the box, "Besserley promised,
but don't hope for too much, my friend There
is nothing there to speak to you of O. -Nan-Sen.
Behold"
He drew from his pocket the little wooden
receptacle in which he carried the two cigarettes
which he always permitted himself before his
evening cigar One of them he had smoked that
night, the other remained there The box itself
was the size of an ordinary small cigarette case.
Besserley had heard no sound of movement
Suddenly he found the Japanese kneeling on
the floor beseeching him. Give me the box!"
he begged.
Besserley passed it over. The long yellow
fingers clasped it at first tenderly, stroked it,