Page:John Feoktist Dudikoff - Beasts in Cassocks (1924).djvu/103

 get all of your $7,600. We will also try to get costs for you, and only then," Father Richloy added, "I will let him have your confession."

It was on the evening of the next day that I met Father Richlov on Chambers Street. Father Ptashchuk was with me. To my question: "When are we going for the money?" Father Richlov answered in Priest Ptashchuk's hearing: "Why are you so uneasy? What else do you want? You received the New Testament and $200.00 and the the balance, $2,600.00, deposited in the bank and $5,000.00 for the shares you will receive to a cent from Metropolitan Platon. You will be assured of a position at $50.00 a week. If you are stubborn,

you will not get anything, and I will say that I know nothing of the matter. Remember now that you have signed the confession and thus walked into our trap."

A suit was begun and I had to serve with summonses the Archpriest, the Prelates and sub-Prelates. The Bishops hid in order to avoid being served, and thus to delay the trial. Once I came with witnesses to the Consistory at 15 East 97th Street and asked to see Metropolitan Platon. "He is not in," I was told. "Announce me to Alexander." I was told that he, too, had left. At that instant Arch-