Bell Harry

by Nicholas Best

  The driver looked closer. The lettering on the side was American. It was an old ammunition box, left over from the war.

  The driver reached for his phone. The place was quickly cordoned off while the army was summoned. It was the army’s job to examine the box and ensure that the contents were safe before taking it away.

  A team from the bomb disposal squad arrived in due course. They were led by a captain in the Royal Engineers, accompanied by his sergeant. Bomb disposal was routine in this part of Kent. The Battle of Britain had been fought in the skies overhead. German bombers had frequently ditched their bombs anywhere in a desperate attempt to lighten their load and get away from the RAF. Sometimes the bombs had burrowed deep into the earth without exploding and remained there ever since.

  ‘It’s only an old ammo box.’ The captain wasn’t impressed. ‘Just a few live rounds, I should think. No high explosive.’

  ‘Shall we blow it up, sir?’

  ‘No. It’s not worth it. Let’s have a look first, see what’s inside.’

  The sergeant produced his bolt cutters. The box’s lid was gingerly prised open. There was no ammunition inside, just an old US Army cape wrapped around a package. They lifted it out with difficulty and peered inside.

  The package was full of jewels. There was gold and silver as well, all sorts of astonishing things. Most arresting of all was a brilliant red gem that tumbled out and fell onto the ground in front of them.

  ‘Good Lord.’ The captain picked the ruby up and held it to the light. He looked at it in amazement. ‘I wonder where that came from.’

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