When the Inquisition arrested someone, it also seized their property: everything was inventoried and impounded. The families of Sagell Street had known this since 1678, and they learned to act first.
Before the seizures of 1688, one relative handed three hundred pounds in gold, silver and jewelry to a younger relative to hide. The worst happened, and the trial passed. After his reconciliation he went to get them back. The keeper refused to return them.
It is not the only story of hidden treasure. Another prisoner said that Gabriel Cortés, «Pota», had «some fine cords, and much gold and silver» hidden since his first arrest, and that not even his own sister knew about it.
The persecution did not only set families against the tribunal. It also opened cracks within them, and not even among the victims was money safe.
