The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-07
cHAprER xLv.-(contInusd.)

| NHAT -
i@ES." said the king. and his face
IIVI was sufficiently suggestive OF
III sympathy IYssl Your majesty. such
Is the case. But when II
came TO being forced TO admit
that the king of Bahama. above
all persons In the world. was hedged
about with a divinity which | must not
intrude on, then my whole spirit re-
volted. Indeed, short OF any monarch
save yourself, should not have hesi.
tated for moment In doing what
have done. Had you loved the rrin-
cess Diana, you would not have done
less yourself"
Again the king smiled kinoiy'
almost friendly smile.
"Yes," Strong said again, 1T was not
my fault that grew to love the prih'
Fcess. And though all that has nap
pened Is certainly my fault-and ] 10
not wish to excuse myself for one
single act--it was, at the same time.
almost accidental that was In the po-
sition to demand the princess hand In
marriage"
Quite So" said the king.
And | trust you will admit" Strong
continued, that have done my very
best to be honest and loyal toward
this country, and especially toward
your majesty.
II think" he went on. with a ring
| OF pride in his voice. '.that have prov
ed pretty conclusively that l am not
TO be despised, and that l possess
power to make even monarchs and ma
lions fear me. And IL man has this
power and this right. then l feel that
he is justified In exercising IT.. HAD
not that been the case-l crave your
fmajesty's pardon for saying this
there would have been no kings and
no dynasties at the present day"
The king nodded again, and his
smile was still as friendly as any man
could wish.
$50" said Strong. growing bold. i
have decided that l must regard might
as right. and TO filch from the world
that which l have the power to steal.
my task will. Of course" he went
on, "be far more simple. far more
pleasant and far less disastrous TO
other nations, IL your majesty can sec
your way TO help me-"
What would you have me dor
asked the king.
Il would have you do" said Strong,
what have asked the kaiser to do.
and what he has refused TO do. And,
believe me, | only ask you to assist
me because | desire TO rule this coun'
try out OF a very difficult position. But
the kaiser has failed me, and II Is
upon the advice of the Princess Diana
herself that | appeal to you now. She
has, | may assure your majesty, an
even greater appreciation OF yourself
than | have. Ii Is because she tells
me you are the one man In the world
who can solve the present difficult
problem that have come TO you"
You have evidently more to say,
Mr.. Strong" said the king. "but at the
| same time | fear that II will be i'm
possible for me to solve your problem
for you. What Is II you propose to
ask me?"
"All that I ask" said Strong. lis
that you should intercede on my be-
half with the great powers OF Europe
do not think | am saying too much
when | present To your majesty the
argument that, IL you would only In
teryene in this matter, the settlement
would be perfectly simple. At the
present moment. thanks to your own
efforts, Great Britain stands SO high
that, should she wish to place me on
the throne OF Bahama, the opposition
would be practically nil"
Up to this point the king had con.
tinued pleasant and smiling, but now
=, lis face hardened.
Really, Mr. Strong" he said, 81 do
not know whether to regard you as
one OF my subjects or not, but In any
case | can only look upon your re.
quest as a grave impertinence.. II
you are so kind as to leave Great Brit.
ain out OF this matter. so much the
better | cannot thank you for con.
descending TO do so, because | must
unhesitatingly decline to admit that
you have any claim on my considera.
ton whatsoever.
AT any rate" his majesty went on,
still more coldly. your affairs do not
concern me. II you become q menace
to this country you will certainly be
most effectively dealt with, just as we
!