Theodore Cockatoo’s Journal, 17 August 1912

August 17, 1912 Syriam, Lower Burma This afternoon, near the market below Kyaik-Khauk, I showed my drawing of the Star to a young woman named Nang Hseng Wan. She had watched with some amusement while I questioned a dealer in worked silver and appeared curious to know what object could inspire such determined inquiry. She examined the drawing with considerable attention, then announced that it resembled the heart of the White Umbrella. I confess that the observation amused me. The drawing is an excellent one, particularly considering that it was made from contradictory descriptions supplied by men who could not agree upon the number of stones, the character of the setting, or even the precise color of the central jewel. It is plainly a star. Still, I suppose the radiating points might suggest the ribs of an umbrella to someone already inclined toward such an interpretation. She remained quite certain of it, however, and repeated the phrase before departing. I have written it beside the original drawing, as much to preserve the oddity of the encounter as anything else. J.A. and I continue to enjoy spectacular success in many of our meetings. The search for the Star has provided an exceptional justification for this route. Doors ordinarily closed to foreign travelers have opened readily before the prospect of a lost royal jewel, and our introductions have proved even more productive than anticipated. The Star itself remains elusive. It would nevertheless be quite a prize to obtain, and I have not abandoned the expectation that it shall be found before our work is concluded.