The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

574 the best and most widely known of all ‘the corresponding members of the British Museum in London. [I'll call a couple of rickshaws—” It was not difficult to find the museum, but it proved very difficult to set an interview with the curator, who was busy setting up specimens of bears from Patagonia. “Ty hope you will not think me rude if I say that I am really very busy,” he said as he shook hands with his visitors when Oakes had introduced himself. ‘“‘Is there anything that I can do for you?” “T merely want to ask you a ques- tion, sir,” said Oakes a little shortly. It is never pleasant to be told that the man you have come to see does not want to see you. “Have you ever heard of a silver box that is supposed to carry with it a kind of curse?” And before he knew it, Oakes, under the questions of the curator who showed himself greatly interested indeed, had told him all that had oc- curred since the day when Heming- way had showed him, the box in Ma- nila. Dr. Emlen was very obviously growing more and more interested as the tale progressed. Oakes told him of the death of the old bonge, of the trouble with the coolies, of what the interpreter had said. He had talked for a half hour. “How long have you lived in the Fast?” asked the doctor finally. “ About five years—almost entirely in Manila, though,” said Oakes. “And you have never heard this story of a silver box—of the silver box?” “Never. Why? What is it?” * You have lived out here, too, Mr. Hemingway. Have you never heard any curious tale—so outrageous a tale that it would have been discarded from the_ fairy books for children as improbable? Have you never heard of it?” Hemingway’s brow was wrinkled in deep thought as he replied: “ Now THE ARGOSY. that you speak of it, I have a vague sort of recollection of some story or tradition that More and I picked up among the people of the Hindu Koosh —but the tortures of the Holy Inquisi- tion could not make me remember what it was. What is it?” For answer the curator led the way to his private office and pulled forward some chairs. A great oak table filled the entire center of the room and on it were a number of small, square packages that were wrapped in strong brown paper evi- dently ready for shipment. Oakes laid the box, ready wrapped among the other packages, upon the table and he and Hemingway sat down. Marjorie leaned forward in her chair, frankly interested in hear- ing the explanation. “Just one moment,” said Dr. Em- len. “ Wah Lin ”’—to an attendant— “take those packages that are on the table to the addresses that are written on a piece of paper lying be- side them. Now, gentlemen, if you and Miss Downs will accompany me I will show you something—’’ Fie led the way into a: dark little al- cove where he opened a black wooden chest. . Pulling open a shallow drawer in this he took from it a little book that was covered with red leather and hurriedly shuffled the pages. “Ah! Here it is.’ Another pause of ten minutes elapsed during which he read to himself. ‘ Now—here you are—listen”’; and he read from the little book a minute description of the silver box whereat his visitors wondered not a little. “How long have people known of this box?” asked Marjorie. “It must be very old.” “Marcdé Polo wrote of it when he was in China and it has always been a tradition that it existed at the Court of Prester John, the mythical prince who reigned about the time of Charle- magne I believe. Come!. Let us get the box and compare it with the de- scription that*I have read you. This COMicdoo S CO@