The kidnappers, or brigands, made very specific demands before accepting the ransom. First, they insisted that the payment be made in gold coins, not paper money. Second, they required the American rescuers to promise complete secrecy. They were not allowed to reveal the identities of the brigands, the location where the ransom was handed over, or any other details related to the case.
The brigands were especially worried that if the location of the ransom exchange was discovered, the people living in that area might be accused of helping them. This could result in punishment by the Ottoman authorities, so the brigands wanted to protect those locals from suspicion Private Tour Sofia.
Turkish Soldiers Complicate the Plan
The Turkish soldiers were constantly watching the American rescue committee’s movements. Their unexpected appearance near the planned meeting point made it too dangerous to deliver the ransom. Because of this, the payment had to be delayed until February 13.
During this waiting period, three men from the brigand group stayed close to the secret meeting location. They waited patiently for a safe opportunity to collect the money. However, the Americans had to come up with a clever plan to avoid raising the suspicion of the Turkish soldiers.
A Clever Distraction with Stones
To distract the Turkish authorities, the missionaries took the gold coins out of their containers and replaced them with stones. These containers were then sent back to the train station in full view of the soldiers and detectives. The packages were guarded, which made the soldiers believe the ransom mission had failed and the Americans were returning the money to Constantinople.
The trick worked. Thinking the plan had been canceled, the Turkish guards relaxed and stopped watching the missionaries so closely. This gave the rescue committee the chance they needed.
The Ransom is Paid
On February 13, with the coast finally clear, the Americans were able to pay the ransom—$65,000 in gold coins. Four brigands received the money directly. They insisted on counting each coin one by one to make sure the full amount had been delivered The Kidnapping of Mme.
At the same time, twelve other brigands were nearby. They stayed hidden but were ready to act if anything went wrong. Some of them were even known personally by the missionaries, which added a strange twist to the event.
The rescue mission required patience, secrecy, and creativity. Despite the challenges and dangers, the plan succeeded. The ransom was delivered without violence, and the lives of the hostages were protected, thanks to careful planning and clever thinking.
