The Spectator., 1915-11-05
CHAPTER ".
The Consul's Story.

The business of any true American consul is to have known the father, or at least some relation. of any caller sul Jethro Thompson of Ohio, cast away in the melancholy enterprise of representing the dignity of this repub- lie in this small and none-too-well- known principality of Gretzhoffen, was glad-really glad-to see Miss Kitty Gray. And he knew-really knew her father. or had done so at the time when he was still living.
 Its a grand little place. isn't it Gretzhoffen?" said Kitty smiling I've read about it-and written about it- before now. But this isn't a vacation | really. l am on big assignment. MT Consul. l may want your help-the | only trouble Is. I don't know what dc want to dol am after story, and | don't know where it is or what 1t is''
 The gaunt. kindly old man smiled at her. Well. my dear, rest assured that l will do all l can for you. And between us, we ought to start some thing, maybe; If it's stories you're after, you've come to the place where they grow, that's sure enough. Why Miss Kitty. the story of the king of Gretzhoffen alone would fill book
 What do you know of Gretzhoffen, anyhow?" he asked suddenly. You said you had written about it. sup pose"
 Well. you see." replied Kitty, when the big news story about the proposed Gretzhoffen loan-its hawk ing about the street and its rejection when that came out l was put on the assignment of looking into Gretzhoffen in general. l remember that the old kings name was Michael. wasn't it?
 "The one that died? Yes, Michael the First. He was good sort. His death was the unluckiest thing that ever happened for this poor little peo' pie. He was a good man. King Michael and strong one and just. So much cannot be said, l am thinking. of the new incumbent of the throne, Michael the Second,
 You see, this Michael the Second is only king in name. when it comes tc facts. He is only little lieutenant He has been put on the job by bigger and stronger man-Count Frederick Is the real power behind the throne in Gretzhoffcn-a strong and handsome man-be sure you don't fall in love with him. What Count Frederick plans no one knows Perhaps he has his own eye on the throne-we can't tell what may happen. l say il is a tense sort of place, Gretzhoffen But Gretzhoffen is broke. Michael. the king, is broke. Count Frederick, the Warwick of Gretzhoffen. also is broke That is why they tried to make loan In our own country.
 But they didn't seem to have the | collateral-no unused revenues-noth ing which had not been used or spent or wasted.
 When Michael the First died, his treasury disappeared He was rich the old king was-rich in the name ol Gretzhoffen. But the crown jewels the imperial securities, the crowr treasures of all sorts, the imperial mintage of every description-they disappeared. There was rumor that the old king hid his treasures some where, but that he left some sort of 2 mysterious record by which they nigh | be traced. No one knows just wha' was left for that record. It is known however. or supposed, at least. that fl
 was put into the possession of an olt servant-one of the few men the olt | king trusted. But this man finally gave up some part of what he knew part of the proof. whatever it was-tt the new king, when he himself wa! | about to die.
 Between them. Count Frederick an, Michael the Second bankrupted thi
 kingdom. or at least Michael did. !