The Box
by Ian Curtress
He sat there in his home.
The Manse
There it is, on his desk in front of him. An old
but still beautiful ivory decorated travelling
writing box.
Last locked 1814 according to the details on the
underneath.
The lock is described as made by a specialist and
cannot be opened except but the one key which is
hidden in the The Manse.
From documents handed down over the years it
would appear many attempts have been made to
unlock it, without success. The same lack of
success in finding the key. The Manse has had no
church associations for over a hundred years but
is still owned and occupied by descendants.
It is surprising but pleasing that no successful
attempt has ever been made to break the Box open.
There were many documents in the cupboard where
the Box was stored.
A few generations have written something about an
experience following any attempt to find a way
inside
The earliest was, whilst on a drive in a pony and
trap to the blacksmith, a wheel came off and the
servant carrying the Box was thrown into a hedge.
It is believed they were going to get the Box
broken open.
A second was a very strange occurrence. A cousin
visiting the house had bragged that he could open
any lock.
He had some odd looking little hooked keys and
poked around in the lock for about five minutes
when suddenly he fell to the ground.
The hospital said he had suffered a stroke.. Just
coincidence of course.
Another report in 1911 is of the Box being
carried in a Motor car, no details as to where it
was being taken, when the engine caught fire. All
were ok but rather shaken and returned home by
train.
He had read these reports so many times and had
decided all his efforts would be employed looking
for the key.
Tried to think where he would hide something, but
all too obvious.
He was clutching at straws now. Had read read the
words on the Box over and over again.”Key
hidden in the the Manse…….Manse.?
Anagram? Could it be referring to an anagram.
Manse rearranged ……“Names”
What were the names of his ancestors at that date.
Checked back, it was Bannister!!
He hurried to the main staircase and studied it
closely. There were two acorn finials at the top.
With shaking hands he tried to turn each one.
After several tries was on the point of giving up
when one moved and with much squeaking, unscrewed.
Out fell a key.
That was a week ago and he had been trying to sum
up the courage to turn the lock. Now, he could no
longer delay and with some disquiet turned the
key.
It was surprisingly easy and after few gentle
pulls the lid opened and he could see its
contents.
There was an old newspaper cutting concerning.
“The continuing investigation in the High
Command on behalf of the Nepalese States for any
information regarding the missing Kathmandu Ruby”
The removal of this Famous relic was discovered
shortly after a minor uprising which was resolved
by the military.
There, wrapped in a piece of purple silk was a
small gold plinth with an oval velvet indentation.
His mind went into overdrive
A cold shiver went down his back as he replaced
the contents and closed the lid. Locking it and
placing the key safely in his desk draw.
In the evening he began his search for ancestors,
burning the midnight oil, unaware of the time.
Thank goodness for the digital age otherwise an
almost impossible task. More coffee.
It was just after 3am when the name jumped out
from the screen. Capt.D.Bannister.Retired. Died
en route to Kathmandu, where he is buried 1842
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