"I knew it," said Perez, going to work more boldly upon the second screw, "I knew there was nothing sinful in opening the coffin, for the sin lies in the intention." All the screws were soon drawn out, and to gratify his curiosity it only remained to raise the coffin lid, and here his heart beat violently--but courage--Perez did raise the lid, _and, and, he saw--no saint, but hay--the hay is carefully removed--then strips of linen--they are removed--then hay again, but no saint, nothing like the bone of a saint--but a wooden box_. "Well, that is odd," thought Perez, "and what can there be in it? I must open the box, but how? there is no key, what is to be done? Shall I force the lock, or break the cover of the box? Either attempt would make a noise, which the passengers or sailors might hear, but what is to be done? Good Saint Escarpacio, take pity on me, and direct me how to open the box," whispered Perez, and there was perhaps a little irony in the supplication. In feeling among the hay surrounding the box, Perez found a key at one of its corners secured by a small iron chain. "Ah! ha! I have it at last" Perez cried, "_the key, the key_," and quickly putting it into the key-hole, he opened the Box--and he saw--what? _Leathern bags filled to the top_ according to the beautifully written tickets, with GOLD PISTOLES--SILVER CROWNS, closely ranged in shining piles--all in the most perfect order. "But what is this? a letter? I must read it," exclaimed the excited Perez--"_by your leave, gentle wax_," and he tears the letter open. It began thus: "Father Antonio, of Cuba, to the reverend fathers in Cadiz, greeting. "As agreed between us, Most Reverend Fathers, I send you THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND LIVRES, in the name, and under the semblance of Father Escarpacio, whose bones I am supposed to be sending to Spain. The annexed memorandum of accounts will show that this sum comprises the whole of our little gleanings and savings up to this time, for the benefit of our Holy Order. You will pardon I am sure this innocent artifice on our part, Most Reverend Fathers, as it will prove a safeguard to the treasure, and avoid awakening the avarice and cupidity of the person to whom I am obliged to intrust it. (Signed) ANTONIO, of Cuba."