uccession

ome time ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

It seemed that every time the Baron had a birthday, the question would arise of who would succeed the Baron as the new ruler of Lilliland? The Baron was never asked the question directly, but there was plenty of speculation among the leaders of Lilliland.

Finally, the question of succession was asked of Professor Hamblin. The Professor replied that if the Baron married his fiancée, then Lady Angela of Alpine Castle would become the new ruler. If the Baron had a child with Lady Angela, then the child would, upon maturity, become the new ruler. But if the Baron died without being married, then Lilliland would be willed to Switzerland. Everything would be under the jurisdiction of Switzerland, the neighboring country.

But the Baron was middle-aged and healthy and it was a subject that was a long time off, so everyone thought.

When the Baron returned from his annual medical examination in Switzerland, things around Lilliland Castle seemed a little different. While in Switzerland, the Baron had extended his stay. Then a letter arrived addressed to the Baron’s fiancée, Lady Angela, saying that he had met a woman in Switzerland and did not wish to be engaged any more. Professor Hamblin received a similar letter from the Baron while he was in Switzerland saying that he would be returning with a houseguest, Susan, the woman he now wanted to marry.

Later. another letter arrived for the Professor from the Baron stating that his services were no longer required and that he should move ahead to retire in his family home in Cornwall, England. A generous retirement plan was given the Professor for being an invaluable aid to the Baron over the many years.

When the Baron returned with Susan, Lilliland Castle was very subdued and quiet. It turned out that Susan was not a romantic interest to the Baron, but a nurse. The Baron’s medical tests showed that he had advanced stages of an incurable disease. The was informed that he had only three months to live and that he would gradually deteriorate becoming very thin and weak with facial scales and scars. There was no cure and the nurse was there to supervise the last stages of the illness. Before the Baron died, he stipulated that Lilliland should become part of Switzerland. A special letter was sent to Professor Hamblin in England explaining about the illness and that he loved Lady Angela but did not want her to see him, as he grew sicker and sicker.

The Baron died, or so everyone was to think.

But wait, neither Lady Angela nor Professor Hamblin ever saw the dead body of Baron Von Lodge. The Baron had not been buried, but cremated. The strange visitors in the castle recently before his death were from INTERPOL. The International Police were on a secret mission.

Something strange has been going on and nobody knows anything.