The preponderance of cost of construction fell upon that principality, Dawsbergen and Axphain escaping with comparatively small obligations owing to the fact that they had few mountains to contend with.

As a matter of fact, the Dawsbergen and Axphain ends of the railroad were now virtually built and waiting for the completion of the extensive work in the Graustark highlands.
The opening of this narrative finds the ministry preparing to float a new five million gavvo issue of bonds for construction and equipment purposes.

Agents of the government were ready to depart for London and Paris to take up the matter with the great banking houses.

St.
Petersburg and Berlin were not to be given the opportunity to gobble up these extremely fine securities.

This seemingly extraordinary exclusion of Russian and German bidders was the result of vigorous objections raised by an utter outsider, the American, John Tullis, long time friend and companion of Grenfall Lorry, consort to the late Princess.
Tullis was a strange man in many particulars.