The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-10-19
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth
By ". Holt W'hite.
CHAPTER xxxvII.-(continued..)

CHAPTER xxxvll.-(Conti
Listen, my dear" he said. while
tell you something. Chivalry. ! sup
pose. should keep me silent. but | am
not feeling particularly chivalrous nj
the present time. l regret" he went
on, i regret very much to be forced
10 tell you what am about to say. But
IL seems to be the only method by
which l can alter your mind
Il shall always be sorry" he con-
tlnued, that l was compelled To in.
form you that your father Is a dis.
honorable man--but he Is dishonorabie
To the point of murder.
las you know. gave him my word.
II he would only meet me In the Morn
ing Hills and discuss matters, that 1
would guarantee his safety. He also
gave me his word that no harm should
happen to me.
Il kept to my part of the bargain;
but he. IL you please, orders up q bat
terry OF artillery. posts them on the
hills above us. and when | leave him.
starts pounding away at me with
shells. l don't call that honorable
Indeed. | call II dishonorable to de-
gree"
Is that true?" asked Diana.
Il give you my word" said Strong.
that IL Is absolutely true"
Strong bent his head to hide the
shadow OF smile. and put the Vie.
tor" racing on again.
In half an hour they dropped into
the shades OF Aero.
Wiidney was waiting for them. and
he raised his eyebrows as he saw the
figure of the girl In the car; but to
Strong he said nothing at all. He
knew too we'll TO trouble that violent
ly tempered young man at such
time.
When Strong assisted Diana to
alight. his manner became formal.
Il trust that II will not be necessary
to detain you here for long. Mean
time would suggest. Princess. that II
would be better II we were to hold
little council of war. or, let us say. a
friendly chat. as TO what had best been
done
He led the way TO the tent which
had been occupied by Miss Hunt and
bowed Diana In.
When the princess entered the tent
she looked about her with quick.
curious glances. and Strong smiled AZ
her puzzlement.
II am afraid" he said, chat there
are no chairs. not even a couch tn
offer you. Since we have been here
we have got TO the habit OF sitting On
piles Of rugs" He stopped. folded up
three or four rugs. and placed them
in heap.
"A poor throne" he said. ito honor
the princess. but II is the only throne
| haye-at present.
Diana had by this time lost some q:
her curtness of manner: she even
smiled in way that led Strong 10
hope that she might to some extent
J enter into the spirit Of the time.
And now, your majesty" she said.
with laugh and a shrug of her
shoulders. what do you propose to do
with your captive?"
There are several things" SAID
Strong, (which don't propose to do,
and | may explain them to YOU at once.
First Of all. should count IL mean on
my part to hold you as hostage.
shall also refrain to the utmost OF my
power from bringing pressure TO bear
on you in any way Also, as soon az
we have discussed matters. | will
promise TO take you back 10 Bomberg
as soon as ever you please.
II look upon you as 4 counsel--a
counsel endowed with considerable
wisdom. and further, shall feel CRATE
full for your advice"
II cannot give you advice" said
Diana, until know what you propose
to do. If you will tell me your i'm.
mediate plans. shall be glad to crit.
else them. Criticism" she added, with
"a little laugh. rs one OF my foibles."
Strong thought for few moments.
then took her hand. II think II will be-
best" he said. IF I begin by telling
you my own idea. II is this:
II shall return to Bomberg this aft
ernoon to take the town by storm.
Your father must see that 1t IL inevita-
BILE that he cannot hold out. II he re-.
fuses TO capitulate decently and abdl-
cate In my favor, then I shall lay the
city In ashes round him"
rs that ALP" asked Diana.
Then. having secured the city OF
Bomberg." strong went on, impertura-
bly,, Il shall capture the entire state.
Following that shall Immediately pro.
coed TO build several other airships
similar to the Victor The world will
then be mine.
of" said Diana, slowly-so slowly
that her words sank into Strong's
mind one by one-"if you pursue that
oourse--even II you gain the whole
earth you will never win me-"
And Why"
Because 1t Ia simply a course Of
wholesale murder, and 7 decline to
have my name handed down to future
generations as a murderess."
Strong shut his jaws with q snap.
The ominous lines of his mouth
widened and deepcned. The blood
leapt into his face. and then recedei
from II. leaving II stone pale. He
used his will to shut otft of hts heart
every vestige OF love for Diana.
Princess" he said. and he spoke
almost as slowly as she had done.
believe me that I would not embark
on such course IL there were any
other way"
He paused and looked az her rather
sadly.
Two bright spots Of color famed IN
Diana's cheeks. "You are a strong
man." she said. 'but you are a fool" \
A shrug OF Strong's shoulders an
swered the remark.
HAS II not occurred tn YOU" sha
said. that you might easily achieve
with diplomacy what you low propose
to secure by force"
I'm what way?"