The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-14
1.-THE SNan Who Stole The Earth"
By w. Holt White
" W. Holt White

which were folded quietly in her lap.
Only once. as they entered the pal
ace square. did Diana look up. but she
did not smile. and Strong put down
his glasses with little sigh.
Al the palace the king led the way
straight 10 his room. Ludwig shufiied
after them, but at the door the king
quietly told the prince TO wait with.
out.
He went into his own room with
Diana alone. and. walking over 10 his
desk. sat down
Well, madam" he said.
"Well?" said Diana.
Perhaps you will be kind enough"
said the king. ito give me an explana.
ton OF your departure. and also OF
your return. Surely | have enough
troubles on my mind at present with.
out being worried by an undutiful
daughter"
Il am, said Diana, doing my duty
towards you In the best possible way
How" asked the king.
Diana made haste TO explain that
she had inspired Strong's visits To
Germany and England. The king
looked at her closely and shrugged
his shoulders a little
Anu now! lie asked.
Now" said Diana, II have come
back not SO much as a daughter. but
/ as an ambassador for Mr. Strong.
do not wish TO anger you with awk.
ward words or phrases. but at the
same time bear an utimatum'
The king smiled little grimly in
mustache.
Il am getting used to ultimatums."
he said. They come almost as regu-
larly as ones meals. What is this
particular one about?"
Simply this" said Diana. For
the avoidance OF further bloodshed, for
the sake OF general peace. am ask.
Ing you To surrender the kingdom To
Mr.. Strong. and also TO place no fur.
Their obstacles'-hereh her color height
ened little-'to place no further
obstacles" she repeated. lin the way
OF our marriage"
Something akin to an oath escaped
the kings lips. He banged HIS hand
on the desk and rose from his seat
Never" he said. For my part, I
care nothing whatever may befall. II
my kingdom Is taken from me I shall
die fighting. IL the world is embroil-
ed, that Is none OF my business. |
Will surrender nothing 10 thief and Il
rogue. | will not give way one step to
a man who has placed himself beyond
all consideration and all law"
Diana felt her temper rising. but
struggled to keep II under. She con-
trolled her voice sufficiently to say
coldly: But you are defenseless"
That remains to be SEEN" said the
king.
I'm an hour" said Diana, "Mr.
Strong. OF he SO chooses. can lay this
city In ashes. He could destroy your
army and lay waste your country be-
fore shutdown. Is II worth while TO
risk this?"
"Mr Strong" said the king us vel.
come to do what he can"
by that" cried Diana, you confess
yourself already beaten. You must
know that you have no means to with.
stand him"
Il am not beaten yet" said the
king. Mark you," he added. raising
his voice. whatever Mr.. Strong may
do TO this country, he shall have no
say in what happens to you You
are my daughter You owe me your
allegiance and your duty, and I will
see to 1t that you pay me both.
have pledged my word to the king OF
Sylvania that you shall marry Prince
Ludwig. and on that | am determined
But whether you marry him here IN
peace, or whether you marry him else
where while we are at war, is nothing
to me-"
Diana clenched her hands I'm one
last effort TO keep her anger under.
Il VIII never do that" she said.
Never"
The king sneered.
Believe me-" said the king. that
heroics will avail you nothing" And
he lapsed into his American. This"
he drawled. rs a business deal, and I
shall work II out as | should work
out any business. Every business man
is liable to be beaten at times. may
be beaten now. IL so, so much the
worse, that Is all. No sentiment will
be allowed 70 creep into this affair"
tContinued Tomorrow
There are over 5000 parts to .