The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-11-26

her father. or had donO 20 at the time
when he was still living.
ITS = 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 vacation.
really. am on = big assignment, Mr..
Consul. may want your help-the
only trouble 10. don't know what do
want to dol am after . story, and
don't know where II II Or what It Isl"
What do you know of oretzhoffen,
anyhow" he asked suddehly. you
said you had written about II. sup
pose"
We'll, you sOe,S replied Kitty.
when the big news story about the
proposed GretIhonen loan-its hawk
Ing about the street and lie rejection
when that came out l was put on the
assignment of looking into GretIhoifen
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. 80 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 II. comes to
facts. He Is only 4 little lieutenant.
He has been put on the job by a bigger
and stronger man-Count Frederick is
the real power behind the throne in
Gretzhoffen-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. say II
Is tense sort Of place, Gretzhoffen.
But Gret2hoffen 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 OF
Gretzhoffen. But the crown Jewels.
the imperial securities. the crown
treasures OF all sorts, the imperial
mintage OF every description-they
disappeared. There was MINOR that
the old king hid his treasures some
where, but that he left some sort of a
mysterious record by which they might
be traced. No one knows Just what
was left for that record 1t is known.
however, or supposed, at least, that 1t
was put into tho possession Of an old
servant-one OF the few men the old
king trusted But this man finally
gave up some part OF what he knew
part Of the proof, whatever 1t was-to
the new king. when he himself was
about to die.
Between them, Count Frederick and
Michael the Second bankrupted this
kingdom, or at least Michael did 1t
was their oyster, and they opened It
and scraped the shell.
Now in case the Count Frederick,
the big plunger, or his man Grahame,
or the little King Michael the Sec.
ond, should ever get hold of the re-
naming clue to the whereabouts of
old King Michael's treasury-pouf!
you know what would happen then.
There would. Miss Kitty, to quote a
certain American ballad, be a hot
time in the old town in that case"
IT'S a story" said Kitty Gray, draw
ing long breath. But troubled light
came to her eyes at the same time
How will fellow dig 1t out" she
asked whimsically.