Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 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
who comes from his own nation. Con-
sui Jethro Thompson OF ONO, cast
away in the melancholy enterprise OF
representing the dignity OF this rep 10
lie in this small and none-too-well-
known principally OF Gretzhofren vas
elad-really glad--to see Miss Kitty
Gray. And he EneW-really kne" -
her father, or had done SO at the time
when he was still Ewing
It's a grand little place isn't 1t
Gretzhoffen?' said Kitty smiling I've
read about it-and written about It
before now But this isn't a vacation,
really. / am on big assignment, Mr.
Consul. | may want your help-the
uu'v trouble is, don't know what DO
wan TO dol am after story, and !
don't know where it is or what II is
The .alnt, kindly old man smiled
at her Wnl' my dear rest assured
that ! t'll d, Il can for you. And
between us Ve Of hit TO start some
thing, maybe stoi
after, you We come ta 1l''.
they grow hats sur
Miss Kitty he story of ,u-
Gretzhoffen alone would
What do you iaos q Grr 7.e
anyhow" he askeG suddenly lou
said you had written a59at sup
pose"
Well you see replied Kitty,
when the big news story about the
proposed Gret2hoffen loan-its hawk
ing about the street and its rejection
when that came out | was put on the
assignment of looking into Gretzhoren
in general. | remember that the old
kings name was Michael wasn't it,
THE one that died? Yes, Michael
the First. He was a good sort His
death was the unluckiest thing that
ever happened for this poor little peo-
pie He was good man, King Michael,
and strong one and just. So much
cannot be said, am thinking of the
new incumbent of the throne. Michael
the Second
You see, this Michael the Second is
only king In name, when 1t comes TO
facts He is only a little lieutenant
tie has been put on the job by a bigger
and stronger man-Count Frederick is
the real power behind the throne In
Gret2hoffen-a strong and handsome
man--be sure you don't fall in love
with him, What Count Frederick
IIns no one knows Perhaps he
Mas his own eye on the throne--we
cant tell what may happen ! say 1t
is a tense sort OF place, Gretzhoiren
But Gretzhoifen is br@Ne 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 moth
ing which had not been used or spent
Or wasted i
When Michael the First died, his
treasury disappeared He was rich
the old king was-rch in the name Of
Gret2hoffen But the crown jewels
the imperial securities, the crown
treasures or 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 b
mysterious record by which they might
be traced No one knows just whal
was left for that record 1t Is known
however, or supposed, at least, that Il
was put into the possession OF an ole
servant-onc OF the few men the ole
King trusted But this man finally
gave up some part OF what he knew
part of the proof, whatever II waste
the new king when he himself Wa'
about 10 die
Between them, Count Frederick ant
Michael the Second bankrppted thi
RInedom. or at least Michael did 7
was their oyster and they opened 1
and scraped the shell
Now, in case the Count Frederick
big plunger, or his man Grahame
the little King Michael the Sec
uaa, should ever get hold OF the re
mlning clue to the whereabouts o
old King Michael's treasury pour
yGl know what would happen then
There would, Miss Kitty. TO quote
certain American ballad. be a no
time IN the old town in that case.
Its a story" said Kitty Gray, draw
ing Il long breath. But troubled ligh
aame to her eyes at the same time
How will fellow dig 1t out?" she
.gskpd " him sicallY