Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-08-26
THE NEEDLE

front OF lane between two mu,
walls. and waved his hand. "Adios,
he said. Il spend tho night here will
q friend"
| Tho caravan continued for half ,
mile further through steep streets
paved by hand with small pebbles. tn,
smoothness OF which indicated tina
they had served the sure hoofs of bur
ros for centuries. At the maison oil
Senior Rafael Saieido the banker dis
mounted, paid his guide, and asket
the direction to . 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 black.haired Mexican youth II
Mr.. Reichmann were In. The boy d.
rected him into second room, and
there short, stout, blonde German
American stared at the traveller, and
rushed up to him. grasping his hand
firmly and crying:
My old friend Chris Poo, by all
thaI1 stranger! --..
| Yes. What's the matter, Biilie?'
asked Poe, as he glanced from q 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 persplring profusely.
oh. confound It'll" said Reichmann
quickly. There's the devil to pay
here!"
VIII you please speak In Spanish,
so ! can understand" said the pouchy
little Mexican firmly. stepping UP be.
side Reichmann.
4 was only telling my friend was
In hole" said Reichmann, knowing
that Poe could speak enough Spanish
to set along. "Senor Terranova, allow
mo to Introduce my friend, Senior
Christopher Poe. tho 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 safer" asked Poe
In Spanish. looking idly at the big, old
fashioned American safe, yawning
empty.
That's just i'll" cried Reichmann.
1T was done last night Senior Ter
ranova. am afraid, IL under the i'm.
preston that robbed It."
Il have not accused said the Mexi.
can quickly.
May ask what was In III" Poe
turned to Reichmann.
Il haven't a notion what was In the
silver and crystal casket. The safe Ia
tho 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 ut q Iaass OF debris In
the corner. among which Poo recog-
nized slabs Of crystal, bones. dust, and
the CLINT OF silver. THAT safe con.
tained the remains OF Cortes. together
with q priceless chalchituiu put in
his mouth. M heart, on burial &C.
cording to the old custom"
'cortes, the Great Conquerorr'
cried Reichmann.
mo other answered Senior Terra.
nova.
Then you are a 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 lS2a. mad with the centennial cele.
bration of their independence, wanted
to break open his tomb and scatter the
ashes OF the great commander" said
Poe, deeply iaterested.
Exactly. My name tells that. In
stead OF taking the body to Palermo,
however. II ~as brought here at night
from Mexico City, and here Il has re-
mained ever siace. unknown to the
world"
but why should anybody steal the
skull Of Cortess" Queried Reichmann,
perspiring, .They left his bones. all
but the head"
The little Mexican cast a suspicious
glance at tho mine manager. and an.
swered:
"Ah. thAtA the only important part:
In the mouth lies a chalchituitl. q
green jade stone. priced above all
gems by the Aztecs. II was stolen for
that
"But I am no Aztec. l don't prize
any historic jewels Of Mexico" cried
Reichmann excitedly. yet you say
you think an American did Il"
Il think an American stole the skull
for the jewel that was In It and the
gold which surrounded sll." answered
Senior Terravona decisively. Besides.
there are few Mexicans around here
clever enough to open such 4 safe"
1t In not. however, 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 . knowledge OF tumhlers
could open 1t Ia half an hours time"
The mine president drew himself up
with dignity.
II do not believe It could be- opened
by anyone who did not have the com. |
bination, and Mr.. Reichmann here had |
access to the company safe In which q |
duplicate OF the combination OF this |