Tombstone epitaph., 1915-08-29


 walls, and waved his hand. "Adios." he said. T spend the night here with 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 Senor Rafael Saieido the banker dis mounted. paid his guide. and asked the direction to . great silver mine where he hoped to find his friend. Having reached the ofsce of the mine through several abrupt. twisty streets. Poe opened the door and asked a black-haired Mexican youth if Mir. Re:chmann were in. The boy d. 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. "Oh. 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 Reiehmann.
 T was only telling my friend 1 was in a hole." said Reichmann. knowing that Poe could speak enough Spanish to get along. "Senor Terranova. allow me to introduce my friend. Senor Christopher Poe. the New York bank er."
 Senor Terranoya took two military steps forward. bowed formally. and put out his hand Imply. as though Of fering a dish rag.
 Who robbed the safe-" asked Poe in Spanish, looking idly at the big. old | fashioned American safe. yawning empty.
 That's just It." cried Reichmann. Tt was done last night Senor Ter ranova, I am afraid. is under the i'm precision that I robbed it" T have not accused" said the Mexi- can quickly.
 May I ask what was in its" Poe turned to Reichmann. ''I haven't a notion what was in the silver and crystal casket The safe is the personal property of Senor 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 a mass Of debris in the corner, among which Poe recog- nized slabs of crystal, bones. dust. and the glint of silver. That safe con tained the remains of Cortes. together with a priceless chalchituitl put in his mouth. as a heart. on burial ac- cording to the old custom" 'Cortes, the Great Conqueror?' cried Reichmann.
 No other answered Senor Terra nova
 Then yoa are a relative Of the duke of Terranova, who was supposed to ! have taken tho 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 otcn his tomb and scatter the ashes of the great commander" said Poe. deeply interested. Exactly. My name tells that h. stead of taking the body to Palermo. however. it was brought here at night from Mexico City. and here 1t has re- mained 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 a suspicious glance at the mine manager, and an- | swered:
 '.Ah. that.s the only important part: i: in the mouth lies a chalchituitl. a green jade stone. prized above all gems by the Aztecs. It was stolen for that"
 But I am no Aztec. I don't prize any historic jewels of Mexico" cried | Reichmann excitedly. Yet you say you think an American did it."
 "T think an American stole the skull for the jewe, that was in it and the gold which surrounded ail," answered Seaor Terravona decisiveiy. Besides there are few Mexicans around here clever enough to open such . safe"
 Tt is not. however. a very good safe" remarked Christopher Poe. who had stopped to examine the door of the massive steel structure. It's 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.
 "I do not believe it could be opened by anyone who did not have the com. bination. and Mfr Reichmann here had access to the company safe in which a duplicate Of the combination Of this casket contairsc was filed"
 My dear sir" said Poe. picking a shining little article out of a cr,ck in the floor and testing the poi7t of E