A distinguished-looking English gentleman is ushered into the office of the principal Director of a certain prominent international banking institution, at its headquarters in Brussels. The Director rises from behind his surprisingly simple desk, greets the gentleman warmly, and indicates to his guest that he should take a chair.While the Director's manservant prepares coffee, the Director hands a document to the englishman, who reads it and then looks up, a curious expression on his face.

"Very well, I shall, of course, take on the duty most willingly. I am honored that he specifically asked that I should be one of those who would be called upon for this task. But...may I enquire...why me?"

The Director smiled as he took the cup of dark,thick coffee that his man was handing to him."My dear Geoffrey, quite simply...the Prince liked you. As he worked with you through our branch in London, when he was in England for so many years, I think he developed a sense of trust in you. And after all, he felt a strong connection to the English side of his heritage...I was not at all surprised to read in the instructions he left for us that he would wish to have an English gentleman on the Regency Council that would govern Melioria if something happened to him."

Geoffrey Edwardtone nodded."Yes he certainly did love all things English. Such a remarkable, enlightened man. And such a shame. But I gather no identifiable corpse was actually found?

The Director shook his head. "No....however the presumption is that he is deceased. There is the minimal chance he was carried off by the hostile aboriginals into the wilderness and may be a prisoner...but it is very, very minimal.

Geoffrey sighed, and then an odd, ironic little smile lit up his face. "Knowing the Principe di Melioria, I should not be surprised if he has found some means of survival. In fact, I would not be entirely shocked were it to turn out that the Prince has charmed the natives into making him the Chief of their tribe, and even now has them all organized doing hydraulic engineering projects..."

The Director laughed, and then his face became serious once again. "That may be, but his instructions to us were to look after the Principessa and his children, and make sure they had all the resources they required, AND to set up this Regency Council to govern the principality until such time as the Prince is either found alive, confirmed as dead, or sufficient time has passed that the death will be a legal presumption. Then, at that time, decisions will be made for the succession of a new ruler. By the way, before leaving on his trip, the Prince already made the necessary discreet contacts with adjoining kingdoms and principalities to ensure that the authority of the Regency Council would be accepted, should it have to be assembled..

Geoffrey Edwardstone looked relieved. "Well that certainly simplifies matters a great deal...I presume the business arrangements will be continued as at present?"

"Yes, absolutely. Melioria is a vital element of our interests. You may wish to close the gambling house, if it does not seem on the road to profitability, and you will continue the transition from the springs being used for a spa, to the bottling of the waters as a curative. But essentially, the town will continue as a resort, with the same expectations that the nobility of various nations will be welcome, though usually incognito...for all the various reasons, of which I have no need to explain, no?"

Geoffrey looked as if he were taking mental notes. "Quite right, Very reasonable, very civilized. So let's see who else is on the Regency Council..." He began studying the final page of the document.

"You know Signor Aldo Stern?" asked the Director.

"Ah...yes...the Piedmontese legal scholar. Good choice. Met him in Hanover during the war. Very sensible gentleman, very thoughtful. I shall enjoy working with him. And I see the prince's sister, Donna Ariella, is on the Regency Council as well. Excellent. Good to have a member of the family on board."

The director smiled. "Yes, she is currently living in the villa, so that will facilitate a sense of continuity. Donna Ariella is rather quiet, and relatively young, but those who have gotten to know her say she is a most intelligent and practical lady. A very good head for numbers, it seems. I am confident you will enjoy working with her as well."

Geoffrey looked back at the paper and arched an eyebrow as he continued reading. "Who's this last one on the list--Diogeneia, Freifrau von Khr? Whatever is someone--who seems to be a german baroness--doing on the council?"

The Director's face gave no hint of any concern. "She is the widow of a German baron--a member of the minor nobility in Franconia. She had relocated to Melioria and developed a friendship and mutual respect with the Prince. His notes indicate that he thought she has an uncommon degree of common sense...the sort of person that the prince tended to appreciate. He was thinking pragmatically as well: he saw a potential value in having another titled person on the Regency Council besides his sister, but one with no ties to any particular court. She will be seen as impartial.

"She has no special allegiance to the Bavarians, or the King in Prussia, perhaps?" asked Geoffrey.

"Only in that she gets a small pension from the Prussian government for the services rendered by her late husband...he was a Rittmeister of cavalry," replied the Director with a slight shrug.

"Indeed? Which regiment?"

"5th Bayreuth Dragoons, I believe. He was awarded the Pour le Merite in the long war."

Geoffrey looked impressed. "Oh splendid...top-shelf horse soldiers, those fellows...and a contract regiment from one of the semi-autonomous margravates. Yes, she'll most likely be delightfully independently-minded. But she'll be a cooperative member of the Council, you think?"

The Director smiled, "My dear Geoffrey, I have every confidence that the Baroness von Khr will act in a way that shall be consistent with what the Prince would have wanted. She has the utmost respect for his memory..." Then he shrugged in that careless, continental way. "And...the bank, after all, has extensive means for gathering useful information that helps us in looking after the interests of the organization and our clients. Had there been any indication she would be the proverbial 'loose cannon,' the document you presently hold in your hands would have disappeared long before now, and an improved but utterly plausible alternative would have been produced."

Geoffrey Edwardstone nodded and silently tucked the document into a leather folder. "We commence immediately, I presume?"

"You depart for Italy, at once, my friend," answered the Director as he guided the englishman out of the office.