Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-03-31

what he heard, A snarl, growl or
rage almost inarticulate, came from
him.
You, Michael, our king" said
Count Frederick, suddenly turning to
him, growing wrath in his tones now,
Il call you your majesty as yet, but
dare say to you, your majesty-your
drunken majesty-your weak and
helpless coward majesty-that there
shall never be wasted upon you or
your purpose one penny of this treas
ure which We have found
That, gentlemen" said he, turning
to the councillors and ministers who
stood about, lis the treasure of the
people. 1t was saved for them. 1t
has been guarded for them by Michael
the good king, whose name this man
Is not fit to wear.
DO not doubt what | say to you,
gentlemen, | myself have seen that
treasure with my own eyes-this lady
also was with me- There is enough
there to make our people very rich
more than that, to make them CON
tented and happy--if we use these
treasures wisely. What shall We do
hand them over TO yonder weakling
to squander, to dissipate? No, | tell
you"
They stood silent, grave, looking
from one to the other and at him.
lie extended before him the folded
parchment which he had taken from
the treasure chest.
This said he, I'VE found in the
treasure chest have brought it
unopened. have fancied it may
be some document of importance to
our state 1t was not for me to open,
Will you, your exccllencyo'
He offered it to the prime minister
of the government The latter grave
ly took it in his hands-gazed at the
great seal which fastened it-broke
the seal-undid the contining band
and gazed upon the contents # the
parchment thus unfoded. His hands
shook-the great sheet almost fell
frcm them as he read.
Read. then demanded Count Fred
erick. What is it that you have
found?" 1t was natural for men TO
obey his voice when he spoke thus.
1t is strange and wonderful is
incredible said the prime minister
Court Frederick caught il turn the
parchment in his cwn hands In turn
his own face showed amaze, aston
isl ment-his own strong hands shook,
Your majesty said he, smiling at
length as he turned toward the cover
ing figure IN the corner OF the room,
81 shall call you that for the last
time"
What do you mean" demanded
Michael with one last show OF resent
nent, summoning such resolution as
he could to his IN boated face
What do you mean treason, in the
presence of the king
NO treason for you are not our
king"
These. said he ARE the imperial
scripts OF Michael the First of Gretz-
hoffen. They We're buried with his
treasures. In some part, they govern
the disposition of those treasures.
You hear in this the voice Of our king,
and that must be our governing pow
err hereafter
What is II, then" at length ex'
claimed the prime minister Has
there been a mistake you say MI,
chael here is not our king who then
is our king?'
Your excelency,' said Count Fred.
erick slowly, as he turned toward him,
yourself. these noblemen of Gretz'
hoffen. the council of ministers, the
parliament of the realm-all these
shall at length perhaps bear out my
statement which make now. my
self, Frederick-am the king
At these words they made no an.
swer. There was nothing on those
calm features Of insihcerity, of In.
trigue or dshonor His words car
riei with them his own conviction as
to their truth.
Listen, gentlemen" said he, gently,
at last. Great things have happened
to us in our realm We shall this day
save our kingdom As believe, | am
your king | accept that station sol
EMMY and here | have the profit
may not be doubted that ultimately
its substantiation will be complete
by the parliament by the people them.
selves-by all our courts-by your
voice unanimous, as ! doubt not, you
noblemen of this kingdom.
Shall | then read?"
In the name Of God, Amen !,
Michael of Gretzhoffen, by the grace
of God, king, leave this script with
the treasures of the kingdom which
have concealed herewith beneath the
floor of the torture chamber. With
them place the secret governing the
ownership of the treasures OF this
kingdom. That secret is known only
to myself and my bodyguard. who has
been faithful man-Boris Roleau.
For now these many months have
been cogni2ant of dangers at the
hands of my own foster brother Stan
islaw. Should he be successful IN
what | conceive to be his plans, my
nfe may forfeit, but not the treasures
themselves.
1T was my pleasure to have made
medal or a coin which should be the
token of this secret. When my body
guard, Boris Rolesn, a faithful man,
with myself planned the burial OF
these treasures, gave him the linden.
ture, the half OF a certain coin or
medal which caused tG be made and
inscribed, as record of the hiding
place of that which we were about to
conceal, Upon the face OF that medal
or coin this inscription was written:
dCuh payimnnti - anpulp yprRpntiS--