The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-08-19
THE NEEDLE


He Sdiu Speuu Juo ulSnt uSi0 WILL
friend"
The caravan continued for half a
mile further through steep streets
paved by hand with small pebbles, the
smoothness of which indicated that
they had served the sure hoofs OF bur-
ros for centuries. At the maison Of
Senior Rafael Saleido the banker dis
mounted, paid his guide. and asked
the direction to a great silver mine
where he hoped to find his friend.
Having reached the office of the
mine through several abrupt, twisty
streets, Poe opened the door and
asked a black-haired Mexican youth If
Mr.. Reichmann were in. The boy di-
rected him into a second room, and
there a short, stout, blonde German
American stared at the traveller, and
rushed up to him, grasping his hand
firmly and crying:
my old friend Chris Poe, by all
that's strange!"
Yes. What's the matter, Billie?"
asked Poe, as he glanced from a low
| browed Mexican with saggy stomach
and pouchy eyelids to an open safe in
| the corner, and then completed the
triangle by bringing his gaze back to
Reichmann, who he noticed for the
first time was perspiring profusely.
ooh, confound it," said Reichmann
quickly. There's the devil to pay
here!"
will you please speak in Spanish,
so can understand" said the pouchy
little Mexican firmly, stepping up be-
side Reichmann.
II was only telling my friend was
| in a hole" said Reichmann, knowing
that Poe could speak enough Spanish
to get along. "Senor Terranova, allow
me to introduce my friend, Senior
Christopher Poe. the New York bank
err"
| Senior Terranova took two military
steps forward, bowed formally, and
put out his hand Imply, as though of.
fering dish rag.
"Who robbed the safe?" asked Poe
in Spanish, looking idly at the big, old
fashioned American safe, yawning
empty.
"Thats just it," cried Reichmann.
'It was done last night. Senior Ter
ranova, am afraid, is under the i'm
preston that I robbed It,"
81 have not accused" said the Next
can quickly.
May I ask what was in it?" Poe
turned to Reichmann.
81 haven't notion what was in the
silver and crystal casket. The safe Is
the personal property Of Senior Terra
nova. president of our mine
There is no use concealing the con-
| tents longer!" cried the Mexican,
standing back dramatically, and point
ing his finger at mass OF debris in
the corner, among which Poe recog-
nized slabs of crystal, bones. dust, and
the CLINT Of silver. THAT safe con-
tanned the remains of Cortes. together
with priceless chalchituitl put in
j his mouth, as heart, on burial &C.
cording to the old custom"
'Cortes, the Great Conqueror?"
cried Reichmann.
mo other answered Senior Terra
nova.
Then you are relative OF the duke
of Terranova, who was supposed to
have taken the remains Of COrtes to
Palermo for safe burial when the mob
Of 1923, mad with the centennial cele-
bration of their independence, wanted
| to break open his tomb and scatter the
ashes OF the great commander" said
i Doc doon1v fnfQroSfnd
Exactly. My name tells that. In
stead of taking the body to Palermo,
however, it was brought here at night
from Mexico City. and here, 1t has re-
NAMED ever since, unknown to the
world"
"But why should anybody steal the
skull of Cortes?" queried Reichmann,
perspiring. They left his bones. all
but the head"
The little Mexican cast suspicious
glance at the mine manager, and an
swered:
"Ah, that's the only important part;
| in the mouth lies q chalchituitl, a
green jade stone, priced above all
gems by the Aztecs. It was stolen for
that"
But l am no Aztec, / don't prize
any historic jewels of Mexico" cried
Reichmann excitedly. 'Yet you say
you think an American did It."
II think an American stole the skull
for the jewel that was in 1t and the
gold which surrounded ALL" answered
Senior Terravona decisively. Besides,
there are few Mexicans around here
clever enough to open such SAFE"
1T is not, however, a very good
| safe," remarked Christopher Poe, who
had stopped to examine the door OF
the massive steel structure. Its an
antique pattern. Most any clever
crook with a knowledge of tumblers
could open 1t in half an hours time.
The mine president drew himself up
/ with dignity