The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-08-07
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 nonetoo-well-
known principally Of Gretzhofen. 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
Gretzhonen?" said Kitty smiling. I've
read about it-and written about it
before now. But this isn't vacation,
really. I am on big assignment. Mr..
Consul. 1 may want your help-the
only trouble is. don't know what do
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 will do all can for you. And.
between US. we ought to start some
thing, maybe; II 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 Gretzhonen.
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-lts 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."
1.-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 a good man. King Michael.
and strong one and a 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 It comes to
facts. He is only a 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
Gretzhonen-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 it
is a tense sort OF place, Gre1hofen.
But Gretzhoffen Is broke. Michael. the
king, is broke. Count Frederick, the
Warwick Of Gretzhotfen. 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 wss-rich in the name OF
GretzhoHen. But the crown jewels.
the imperial securities. the crown
treasures Of all sorts. the imperial
rnintage Of every descriptlon-they
disappeared. There was rumor that
the old king hid his treasures some
where, but that he left some sort Of
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 the possession Of an old
serTant-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 It 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. It
was their oyster, and they opened It
and Scrapeo the shell.
Nov, IN case the Count Frederick,
the big pIunger. 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 4
certain American ballad. be Q hot
time in the old town IN that case"
ITS Q storyl" said Kitty Gray. draw
ing a long breath. But a troubled light
came to her eyes at the same time.
How will q fellow dig It out?" she
asked yhimsically.