"Now, the point is to prove this relationship, and this relationship
is proved, for I have the baptismal documents that show our descent in
a direct line from Juan Antonio, Fermin's brother. But why doesn't
Fermin Nunez de Latona's name appear in the parish register of Labraz?
That's what's been bothering me, and I've settled it. That Irishman
Bandon, when his rival Juan Antonio died, sent to Spain an agent named
Shaphter, who caused the disappearance of Don Fermin's baptismal
certificate. How? I don't know as yet. In the meantime, I'm continuing
the claim in London, just to keep the case in the courts, and the
Hastings are the ones who are pushing the suit."
"And how much does this fortune amount to?" asked Manuel.
"Reckoning principal and interest, to a million pounds sterling."
"And is that much?"
"Without allowing for exchange, about one hundred million reales;
allowing for exchange, a hundred and thirty."
Manuel burst out laughing.
"And all for you alone?"
"For me and my sisters. You can just imagine, when I collect that sum,
what these cheap carriages and such things will mean to me. Nothing at
all."
"And now, in the meantime, you haven't a peseta."
"Such is life. You've got to wait. It can't be helped. Now, when
nobody believes me, I enjoy the recognition of my own strength more
than I'll enjoy my subsequent triumph.
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