The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-07-29
THE UNKNOWN
MR.. KENT
GEORGE n. DORIAN co. 1915 corYR1er.

trying. and seemed startled when
the doors leading to the corridor
closed with harsh clicking sound.
"You are Mr.. Kent" suavely be-
gan Provarsk
Financial agent for John Rhodes.
who loaned this kingdom five mil
lion dollars on my advice" the
visitor finished the sentence, eye
ing the usurper at the opposite end
Of the table.
Provarsk smiled sadly and shook
his head, quite with a regretful air,
but politely waited for his visitor
to proceed.
Dangerous man, this. Knows how
to keep his mouth shut" was Kent's
mental measurement. Aloud he
said. II came here in my employers
interests and was told at the very
gates Of the palace that the king
had abdicated and that distin-
guished Baron Provarsk now ruled
in his stead, or at least was at
present the head of the govern
ment."
He paused and watched the baron,
who bit his lower lip, tried to keep
from frowning. and mentally swore
that he must find out which sentry
had been so frank in statement and
see that his case was amply attend
ed to.
81 presume. therefore, continued
the visitor, 'that it is the Baron
Provarsk I must interview concern
Ing the state of Indebtedness
THAT Is true" replied the usurper.
"And l. am Baron Provarsk. Now
that you are made comfortable, per-
haps it is as well considering the
confidential nature of our interview,
that you dismiss your man for few
minutes, Mr.-ah-" He consulted
the card to refresh his memory,
"Mr. Kent"
Quite impossible! Quite impos-
sible! Quite impossible!" declared
the agent, resuming some of his
former air Of irritability. "Can't you
see for yourself that he is both
hands and feet to me? I'll answer
for him. He always goes where I
go. Don't miSfd him Talk as if he
isn't here. He forgets, 1 pay him
for that-and for being dumb. Be
Sides, il he ever said that you said
anything, at any time, or any place,
I'd say he was liar! All men Of
affairs deny all interviews and call
all reporters liars when it suits their
convenience. So they're all liars
--everybody's liar. but you and
me-"
Provarsk decided that there was
quite lot of wisdom in that speech.
1t indicated possibilities. Moreover,
as it fitted in SO closely with his own
cy2:ccS: code. It y-ss Up &c Tia; money
lender to take the responsibility IL
anything was said that might prove
embarrassing.
"As you WISH" he said with lit
tie shrug.
What came for. and all that in
terests me-" said the agent. sis to
know what provisions the new gov
eminent proposes to make for the
payment of its bonds. They are al
most due. I don't care rap who
pays them. All I want is the pay
ment. Money alone does not change.
1t has no regard for the hand that
borrows, spends or pays. 1t absorbs
no personality, 10 identity. It has
neither fealty nor religion 1t out
lasts kings and cardinals. It is adj
mirable, being steadfastly itself" His
eyes were wide and vacant as he
rhapodized; but now they came
quickly to another cast and he de-
manded, What does the new gov
eminent OF the great sovereign state
of Marker intend to do about the
bonds held by Mr.. John Rhodes?"
The usurper stared straight at
him, wondering If there was inten-
tional sarcasm in this money lend
er's speech. but meeting stare even
steadier than his own. and devoid OF
anything save enquiry resolved tc
continue in diplomacy.
4 am exceedingly sorry, Mr.
Kent" he said, with an admirable
assumption of regret. ito say thai
the late king, my cousin Karl. was
not-ah! What shall I say to seen
kindly yet truthful?-rn fact Kar
was anything but a great and far.
sighted monarch. Indeed, he was I
plain. unadulterated ass"
1T appears SO. You are here.'
h = Il