Hamish X and the Hollow Mountain by Sean Cullen Page B

upon this refuge. Each King or Queen adds some new refinement. I’ve made a few improvements during my time, but perhaps my greatest contribution is yet to come …” Liam gazed off into the distance.
    â€œSurely an operation like the Hollow Mountain must be very expensive to maintain,” Parveen said. “How do you manage?”
    â€œWe’re mostly self-sufficient. We grow our own food; we fish from the lake. We manufacture whatever we need here. The children and George manage very well. But besides that, we have a monopoly on a very important commodity, haven’t we, George?”
    The two raccoons came into the room bearing a silvertray. On it was a wedge of yellow Swiss cheese, pocked with its famous holes. The nutty aroma of the cheese filled the room. Mimi groaned. “Don’t tell me ya make cheese here, too! I thought I’d slunk free o’ that when we left Windcity.”
    King Liam laughed. “No, not cheese. But the holes in the cheese.”
    â€œWhut?”
    â€œThe holes.” Liam pointed a long thin finger at one of the hollow bubbles in the expanse of cheese. “The characteristic holes in Swiss cheese are caused by an enzyme introduced during the cheese-making process. King Ludovig discovered the process and registered the patent. Swiss cheese just isn’t Swiss cheese without the holes. We collect a royalty every time the enzyme is used. The royalties add up very quickly. We have more than enough money to handle any expenses, with a sizable amount left over for investments. Through a number of false fronts and shell corporations, 32 we have invested heavily worldwide. If, heaven forbid, the Hollow Mountain is ever compromised and we are forced to flee, the money will help us relocate.”
    Parveen piped up. “Who would want to hurt you? All you do is take in orphans.”
    â€œAh, Parveen, the sad reality is that there are lots of people in the world who prey upon children because theyare helpless. Children have no voice in the adult world, and so they fall victim to those who would abuse or mistreat them. By taking these poor young ones in, we deprive the predators of their livelihood.
    â€œWhen the Hollow Mountain was first established, the goal of the Kings and Queens of Switzerland was to fight these terrible people and protect the children. It was bad enough when all we fought were ruthless businessmen and cruel, indifferent governments. In the last century, these more mundane threats have been eclipsed by the arrival of the ODA.
    â€œThe ODA hates us the most. If they found their way in here … well, I hate to imagine the ruin they would wreak upon our happy little enclave.”
    â€œBut why do they hate you so much?” Parveen asked.
    â€œOne can only guess at the ultimate goals of the Orphan Disposal Agency. The name suggests they have little respect for orphans, and their actions prove it. Naturally, since we try to help children in need, the ODA views us as a threat. Up to now they haven’t managed to find us. We hide our tracks pretty well. I hope they never do—the consequences would be disastrous. We do our best to be secretive. All our business dealings are handled through the Super Secret Swiss Bank. The SSSB 33 is so secretive that it makes the other Swiss banks seem positively forthright.”

    â€œBut how kin ya be shore that no one’s gonna squeal on ya?”
    â€œIn over four centuries, no one has done it yet. The gift we give our children is precious: a new start, a place to grow up in safety, a family. You wouldn’t squeal on a brother or a sister, would you, Mimi?”
    â€œNope, I wouldn’t but I cain’t speak for nobody else.”
    â€œYou can barely speak,” Cara muttered just loud enough for Mimi to hear. Mimi gritted her teeth and her eyes smouldered, but she held her tongue.
    The King went on. “We have another way of ensuring our secrecy, which we will show