L Frank Baum

The Fate of a Crown L Frank Baum

Robert Harcliffe is a recent college graduate working for his family's mercantile business in New Orleans. His Uncle Nelson receives a letter from an old client in Brazil, Dom Miguel de Pintra, a wealthy man who has retired from business to devote himself to politics. Dom Miguel specifically supports the republican cause attempting to replace the Brazilian Empire, and has written to request a secretary. Robert, eager for adventure, agrees to take the job. Robert's attitude is devil-may-care at first, but he quickly learns that he has entered into a dangerous enterprise. He cleverly evades a murderous spy on the journey down to Rio de Janeiro. But, as soon as he reaches the city he is arrested by the police. In the carriage taking him to the police station, the lieutenant in charge is murdered by his own sergeant, who is a republican sympathizer. The sergeant and other sympathizers guide Harcliffe to the city of Cuyaba in Matto Grosso state, and to Dom Miguel's plantation. There, Harcliffe quickly becomes a devoted admirer of de Pintra and a republican sympathizer himself. Just as quickly, Robert learns that the circle around the republican leader is fraught with uncertainty. The man's daughter Izabel is cold and suspect, while his ward Lesba is an ardent republican, and a beauty with whom Harcliffe soon falls in love. Lesba's brother appears to be a republican too - yet he serves as the Emperor's minister of police. Harcliffe wrestles with question of who can be trusted, and who is playing a "double game".