A Brass Mechanism

Morning light cut across the wooden desk, but the center drawer was pulled out two inches. A dark gap. I slipped inside. In the corner sat an old wooden pencil case with a sliding brass clasp. Heavy. Cold metal. I approached quietly, inspecting the seam. I pressed both hands against the latch, levering my weight until the small tooth clicked backward. The lid slid back half an inch. Inside lay metal clips, a graphite stump, and a small brass key. A solid find. I left the latch cracked and observed from the shadow.