The Uncovering of a Spanish Swindle under the closest police surveillance, and he would be in danger. He claimed the French consul in Madrid had started an investigation following Luis Achorn's death and that matters had become badly complicated. Furthermore he complained that the tribunal had given notice that unless the expenses, including the injury to the police officer, were paid within forty-five days the luggage would be confiscated. This, he added, would mean the end of the fortune hidden in the trunk and ruin to all. He asked Mr. Achorn to forward the money in United States bank notes by registered letter as early as possible, so that he might be enabled to carry out the mission entrusted to him by Luis on his death bed and depart for America with the wealth and Maria as speedily as possible. The letter last mentioned contained the will of the prisoner in Spanish, an official looking document with numerous seals. Later a letter came from the daughter, in dainty hand and on stationery deeply bor dered with black. She spoke of her father's great suffering and of her grief and urged Mr. Achorn to hasten the money, which would amount to about $1000, so that they might hurry their departure. She thanked Mr. Achorn for his interest and kindness and said she carried in her breast a letter which her father had com missioned her to deliver to him in person. She sent him a lot of love, affection and high estimation and a picture of a damsel with a sweet face, which she said was a likeness of herself. Then Mr. Achorn thought the time had. arrived to have a little fun, and sent the fol lowing letter: "Nov. 10, 1908. "Chaplain Pedro Garcia: "My Dear Chaplain—I learned with ex treme regret of the tragic end of my relative Luis Rodriguez and of the deplorable posi tion in which he has left his poor daughter Mary. It is evident that you have done all
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that could be done in his behalf and I appre ciate the delicate position in which you nave placed yourself in befriending him and his daughter. "Will you kindly advise me as to the amount of money necessary to pay the ex penses at the tribunal, and I will take the matter under advisement. Would it not be more advisable perhaps to allow the luggage to be sold by the court at auction, as I sup pose will be done if the costs of the tribunal are not paid, and could we not bid in the property and secure it in that way? The luggage and effects would be presumably of more value to us than to any other person and I suppose that they will be sold to the highest bidder even if the sum offered for them does not amount to the sum that Luis has been sentenced to pay. "Do you think it would be more advisable for you to escort Miss Mary to my house in America or for me to come over to Madrid and get her? Would you have any difficulty in getting leave of absence from the church or from your position in the hospital long enough to take the voyage to America? You have already indicated in your letter the jeopardy in which you are placed by reason of your good offices toward these dear people and I should be very sorry to accept still greater sacrifice for fear that it might endanger you who have already done so much. "I should not greatly mind the trip to Spain, as I have crossed the ocean many times, and I might deal directly with the court au thorities and thereby relieve you of having to do with any part of the money end of this affair. I know how reluctant one under Holy Orders is to have to do with such mat ters. If, however, you are disposed to make the further sacrifice, kindly advise me how much money it would take to redeem the baggage and how much will land you and dear little Mary safely in America. "Please give her my sympathy in her hour of affliction and accept for yourself my pro found regards. "Very. sincerely yours, "Edgar O. Achorn." They must have thrown up their hands upon receiving that letter, for Mr. Achorn has heard nothing more from them and has not had to spend any more cash on stamps and cables.
