He went on begging infinite pardons for that annoyance,
but he explained that since he didn't know when I was going to leave and
where I live, he decided to send his partner to watch me in case that they
might lose me, and when I'll be idle to invite me to receive it.
Trying to understand, I asked him what that sheath was,
namely, if it was of some specific use. He looked at me obviously puzzled.
- "Don't
you know yourself?" he asked.
I explained that I had no idea either who
left it or
what it is.
- "It must be a mistake, I'm not the
recipient"
- "This is something you will decide", the
Chinese answered, "I have to give it to you".
I thanked him and went outside holding the strange
object inside the indifferent box. The girl was accompanying me.
- "Don't think of it too much", she said.
"In cases of presents ex-caelis there is always a sequel".
- "What might that be?" I wondered.
- "Someone will find you, whether if you were
given something that doesn't belong to you, or to show you the proper sword
for a sheath of such a value. And I don't think he'll lose his time",
she answered.
She saw me off politely and went her way, while I
entered my hotel.
Paul, my friend, my letters have become like leafs of a
personal diary. Day by day we disappear from them - our joys, our things.
But you don't disappear: when I came back ... I read the Ballads that you've
offered me, the prayer that wrote for his mother that drunkard, corrupt,
thief and vagabond, François Villon, the man.
