Berkeley High School - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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OLLA PODRIDA ' BERKELEY HIGH before. The colored portion was black, not what people usually term 'black,' but a real, shining, impenetrable black, which seemed to hold and hypnotize the observer with some unreal, unseen, supernatural power. I cannot to this day remember which one of us started the con- versation, but I do know that soon found myself listening to a story which carried my thoughts far, far away, told in a manner which brought one's imaginary powers right to the scene of the story. It took him some time to tell the story. and when he had finished, it all seemed like some dream, and I would believe yet that it was, if I did not have this for proof that it was not. So saying, the stranger drew forth albeauti- fully carved sandal-wood box from his innermost pocket, which he handed to Jack Barry for inspection. The detective slowly opened the box, to find within a small key, lying in a rich case of inlaid ivory and purple plush. Probably the most interesting peculiarity of the key was the material of which it was constructed. It was very small, scarcely half an inch in length, and upon examination was found to be made en- tirely of opals, set, placed and molded into this little key. ' A very odd piece of workmanship, commented the detective, after a critical examination of the object. What did the stranger have to say concerning this key? That is Where the story begins, observed the man. The stranger proved to be a native of Persia, that country of interesting, in- soluble mysteries. He spoke creditable English, with a very slight ac- cent, and told the story in an interesting manner. You know the Per- sians are a superstitious people, believing that everything has some con- nection with mystery. VV ay up in the Zagros mountains of Persia there is a large and lofty building, set in amongst stately palm trees. This structure was once the temple and home of Mohammedan priests. To an observer this reminds him of a gloomy, desolate prison, the lair of robbers, thieves and murderers. Within this mysterious building this stranger, this Persian was reared, learning from childhood the strange, mysterious -secrets of the Persian priests. lVlr. Barry, when this Persian came to .me he was sick and weak, without food or funds. I-le pleaded with me, begged me to please take him in until he became strong and well. He asked me so pitifully .I could not refuse him, and he worked for me during the time I cared 19

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OLLA PODRIDA : : : BERKELEY HIGH for him, as faithfully as any one I have ever known. l suppose you are wondring where he is now. Sir, he died. He stayed with me, acting as my attendant, in return for his livelihood, for five months. l thought he was gaining strength during this time, but he was not. One day, he called me to him, and taking this little box from his clothing. he told me the story of the opal key. 'He claimed that this little key which we now have before us was once the sacred and secret possession of these priests. He also claimed that there is a box to which this key belonged: but most startling of all, he declared that box to be here in New York. It is here in this city, probably not far away, while we are sitting here with the key to which it will yield and open! He said that this box was stolen from the Persian temple years ago, he had been engaged in tracing it ever' since, and had just lately discovered its whereabouts. He died before he had time to tell me of the contents, or any- thing more than I have told you. He lelt me this key as the only object he owned, as a reward for my kindness. He did mention, however, that the box could be found at this address, and upon the presentation of this. . T he man drew a large roll of parchment from his pocket which,. upon investigation, proved to be some sort of a document, written en- tirely in an unknown language, also aprumpled slip of paper, bearing the address of a house in Forty-tiftli street. I desire to investigate this matter, continued the man, but I do not care about doing so alone. I came here today, sir, to ask if you would care to accompany me. Something, l do not know what, some great influence or longing-possibly curiosity--tells me l must investi- gate this matter. If you will accompany me l will make it all right with you. The man died of heart failure, at least that is the diagnosis given by the attending physician. I believe he would have told me more con- cerning the box, but death came too soon. Well, if you wish me to accompany you to this house, and take the chances of getting that box, l'm on, replied the detective. With a few more hasty words of explanation, the two men descended to the street, and hiring the services of a nearby automobile, were soon hurrying to the desired address in Forty-fifth street.. The car slowed down and came to a stand before a large, brown. 20