Don Carlos, however, caused a letter to be published throughout Spain,
in which he denied the story, and said he was only waiting until the
proper time arrived to come forward. He added that one hundred thousand
volunteers were ready to take up arms for him at his call.

Side by side with this unwelcome announcement comes the news that there
is fresh trouble in the Spanish Cabinet.

Señor Reverter, the Spanish minister of finance, that is to say, the
minister who has charge of the money affairs of Spain, has been
excommunicated by the Church of Rome.

This minister has had a very hard battle to fight against the poverty of
his country, and her pressing need for money.

In his anxiety to help her he committed the unwarrantable act of seizing
money belonging to one of the churches, and using it for the Government.

The Church protested against this robbery, but the minister declared
that the Government must have the money she needed, and, in spite of the
indignation of the churchmen, proceeded to take it.

Finding that they could get no help from the Government, the members of
the church appealed to the Bishop who had charge of the district in
which the plundered church was situated.

The anger of this bishop knew no bounds. He would not allow the Church
to be so shamefully robbed, and sent an angry demand to the minister
that he refund the money instantly.