(Testimony of Nancy Perrin Rich)
Mrs. Rich.
Yes; it was.
Mr. Hubert.
Who mentioned it?
Mrs. Rich.
The colonel. And it seemed awfully exorbitant for something like this. I smelled a fish, to quote a maxim.
Mr. Hubert.
You mean you thought that there was too much money involved for this sort of operation?
Mrs. Rich.
Yes; I did.
Mr. Hubert.
You didn't express that view, of course?
Mrs. Rich.
No; I didn't say anything. I just kept quiet.
Mr. Hubert.
How were matters left at the end of that meeting?
Mrs. Rich.
That there were more people involved, and that we were to attend a meeting at some later date, of which we would be advised.
Mr. Hubert.
Were you advised?
Mrs. Rich.
We were.
Mr. Hubert.
Did another meeting take place?
Mrs. Rich.
Yes; it did.
Mr. Hubert.
How long after the first?
Mrs. Rich.
Oh, probably 5 or 6 days, give or take a day or 2.
Mr. Hubert.
At the same place?
Mrs. Rich.
Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
Was it at night?
Mrs. Rich.
It was.
Mr. Hubert.
How did you get there then?
Mrs. Rich.
We went in our own car, but with Dave with us. At that time, Dave and my husband and I were in our car.
Mr. Hubert.
All right. Tell us what happened.
Mrs. Rich.
Well, we got there and at that time there was the colonel and another middle-aged woman, kind of a real old granite face I would describe her, steel-gray hair. Looked rather mannish. And there was a rather----
Mr. Hubert.
Did you know her name?
Mrs. Rich.
No; I was introduced. Names were mentioned around. I don't recall it. And then there was another rather pugnacious- looking fellow, who looked at though he might have been an ex-prizefighter.
Mr. Hubert.
Were you introduced to him?
Mrs. Rich.
I was introduced to everyone.
Mr. Hubert.
Who else was there?
Mrs. Rich.
The colonel, the woman, and the prizefighter type, a couple of other men that just kind of sat off in the corner. One of them looked rather dark, like he might have been Cuban or Latin American, and Dave, my husband, and myself.
Mr. Hubert.
Tell us what happened at that meeting.
Mrs. Rich.
Well, apparently from what I could discern, they had some kind of a hitch in their plans. And at that time I point blank spoke up and said, "Well, suppose we discuss the plans in full before we"--meaning my husband and myself--"get into this. I would like to know what we are getting into. And at this point you know by now I certainly have a say in this matter." Then it came out-- boom---quite blank. We were going to bring Cuban refugees out---but we were going to run military supplies and Enfield rifles in.
Mr. Hubert.
Who made that statement?
Mrs. Rich.
I believe it was the Latin-looking fellow that first made the statement. But the colonel clarified it. The colonel seemed to be the head of it and seemed to do all the talking.
Mr. Hubert.
He was in uniform?
Mrs. Rich.
Yes; he was.
Mr. Hubert.
Could you describe what the colonel looked like?
Mrs. Rich.
Vaguely. I would say approximately 45 to 50, perhaps a little younger. He was kind of bald, and that may have made him look older. As I recall, a rather slightly built man--and I would not swear to it.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he have any other characteristics?
Mrs. Rich.
Not that I can recall, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Was he in summer uniform?
Mrs. Rick.
Yes; he was.
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