‘I own that I was moved to sympathy by the fearful earnestness of Mr. Craig. I asked him who the man was.
‘He replied: “That I will not tell you, nor will I tell you his sin, nor the precise nature of my revenge, until you agree to join me. Surely you, as the professed lover of Juana, will not hesitate for a moment?”
‘But I did hesitate.
‘I said: “First, let me ask you one or two questions.”
‘He said coldly and bitterly: “Ask.”
‘So I asked: “You want me to help you in passing this coin which has not come from the Royal Mint?”
‘He replied with eagerness: “Yes. I want one or two accounts opened at other banks, and certain operations put into action with financiers and specie dealers. Also, with your help, I can do a lot at our own bank.”
‘I said: “It seems to me you have already done something there.”
‘He laughed, and outlined to me the various means, all very ingenious, by which he had already disposed of a lot of silver.
‘I said: “Another question: Am I to understand that if I decline to join you you will withhold your consent to my marriage with i your daughter?”