ystery of Alpine Ski Trail X

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

The Baron, during his regular meetings with his chief advisor, often discussed how tourists were enjoying their visit to Lilliland. Tourism was an important part of the Lilliland economy, so offering satisfying tourist activities was very important.

Skiing down the Alpine Mountain slopes was a favorite winter activity for many tourists. In fact, many said that was the main reason for their annual winter visits to Lilliland.

One winter there were reports stating that there were skiers missing from the slopes. They just seemed to have vanished without a trace of what might have happened. It was always reported by the ski patrol that the missing person was a fairly good skier and was going down the North Side ski trail.

However, after several strange skiing disappearances, the Baron decided to have the ski patrol close the North Side ski run until there were answers to what happened to the missing skiers.

After an extensive search of all of the old mine shafts and other potential hazards for skiers, nothing unusual was found. This worried the Baron and when talking with his advisor, the Professor, an idea was contemplated.

“Suppose that we not search the ski trail any more, but search the Interpol files for missing persons. Maybe the skiers just wanted to disappear for business or political reasons. Did the missing skiers have anything in common?” the Professor speculated.

It turned out that none of the missing persons were not known to each other but did have serious business and financial problems, and that if they could disappear, they would not have to be prosecuted, if they were declared dead.

Of the six missing persons that disappeared on the same ski slope during the past six years, an Interpol search turned up the names and locations of four of the so-called missing skiers.

“How was it done?” the Baron wondered. The Professor found out that a member of the Ski Patrol, for a fee, would file a false missing person report, and that the person was presumed dead. That, unfortunately, would aid the person in escaping his responsibilities. The Ski Patrol officer turned himself in and was severely disciplined under the law.

All ski slope trails were reopened and everyone was very happy again.