The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-07-30
CHAPTER ~.
The ConsuI'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 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.
tits a grand little place, isn't it
Gretzhoffen?" said Kitty smiling. 1--WE
read about it-and written about it
before now. But this isn't vacation,
really. l am on big assignment, Mr..
Consul. l may want your help-the
only trouble is, don't know what do
want to dol am after a story, and
don't know where it is or what it isl"
The gaunt, kindly old man smiled
at her. well, my dear, rest assured
that I will do all can for you. And,
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"
We'll, 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 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
new incumbent of the throne, Michael
he Second.
you see, this Michael the Second is
,nly a king in name, when it comes to
acts. He is only little lieutenant
He has been put on the job by bigger
Ind stronger man-Count Frederick is
he real power behind the throne in |
iretzhoffen-a strong and handsome |
nan-be sure you don't fall in love |
With him. What Count Frederick |
,lans no one knows. Perhaps he
las his own eye on the throne-we
ant tell what may happen. l say it
5 tense sort of place, Gretzhoffen.
BUT Gretzhoffen is broke. Michael, the
ing, is broke. Count Frederick, the
Warwick of Gretzhoffen, also is broke.
hat is why they tried to make loan
n our own country.
But they didn't seem to have the
unused revenues-noth-
lg which had not been used or spent
r wasted.
when Michael the First died, his
disappeared He was rich,
ne old king was-rich in the name of
But the crown jewels.
lie imperial securities, the crown
'easures of all sorts, the imperial
lntage of every description-theyl
There was rumor that
lie old king hid his treasures some
here, but that he left some sort of I
ysterious record by which they might
> traced. No one knows just what {
as left for that record 1t is known.
owever, or supposed, at least, that 1t 8
as put into the possession of an old
rvant-one OF the few men the old a
ng trusted. But this man finally | |
i've up some part of what he knew t
Lrt of the proof, whatever it waste c
e new king, when he himself was
'out to die. II
Between them. Count Frederick and
ichael the Second bankrupted this Il
ngdom. or at least Michael did. 1t a