There was nothing extraordinary about John Griswold when he walked into our lumber company office in Bluefields; clean-cut, about 35 yrs. old, good but not flashy clothes, medium height, and build, obviously an Australian. He introduced himself to the manager and without too much formality stated his request - he had been told that the lumber company had a good steel safe and an honest manager - would he take care of some cash for him while he was doing some gold-placer prospecting back up in the bush; he pulled out a package of U.S. currency - there was $50,000 in all in bills of $500 and $1000 denominations. He said to please just give him a receipt and if anything happened to him to notify the British Consular Minister. That is the way it started!! Griswold went up in the bush - the placer mining was not as good as he had been told and he did not complain. He came in every few weeks or so for supplies and a little companionship. We got to know him a little though he was not talkative; there was a beautiful blonde wife back in Melbourse also a little girl about six - we saw the pictures; there were letters from home, sent to him in care of the company - everything seemed to indicate that Griswold came from a fine family but there was never a hint as to why he had come from far-off Australia to this particular spot in the Central American tropics. There was an air of mystery about the man which we never penetrated although his conversation, although casual, was very pleasant and delightful there was alays a hint of impending tragedy or some foreboding on his part - an unknown danger.

About six months after his arrival he walked in one day and announced that he was through with his attempts at placer mining and was going to Guatemala to look at some mines there - he wanted his money. The money was given to him - the receipt was returned; Griswold had decided to take the trip on a Honduranean Lumber schooner. Much later the schooner came ashore off one of the little islands - the crew disappeared - Griswold and his $50,000 were not on the schooner and were never heard of again in spite of the thorough investigation by the British authorities.

In Nama's handwriting beneath: A story told to me by one of the clerks in the office.