The Detroit times., 1908-05-25

| les from his enemy the King of Syl-
vania. who occasionally forced an
entry 10 his house. His purpose.
therefore. in desiring to- be imprison-
ed In the tower himself was twofold:
first, he wished TO learn the secret
or Mr.. Montgomery Jones' methods.
that he might the better hold him 10
silence. and. second. the tower pres
ented 10 him the best means OF es-
Gaping In manner likely TO increase
Mr.. Montgomery Jones dawning
fears.
But this grille above the window
was stumbling block which appear
ed TO prevent his putting into execu-
ton the plan which he had carefully
matured.
Strong therefore drew the curtains
| TO again and walked back into the
room. He turned on the switch and be-
gan TO examine the ceiling. Yes.
there In the very center OF IL was
undoubtedly a trap-door. stout
strong trap-door. which appeared to
have no fastening on the inner side
II was. however. fitted with two small
keyholes. such as are used on Yale
! locks.
Strong threw himself on the couch
and lighted cigarette. He kept his
gaze riveted on the trap-door In or
der the better TO concentrate his mind
on the problem OF escape For though
| he knew that escape would be per-
1 fectly possible by the creation OF
disturbance, the creation OF that dis
turbance would bring down upon him
publicity that would be more than
damaging to his plans.
Presently he took up the note aud
read IL again. and he read between
the irony OF ii definite threat that
Mr.. Montgomery Jones would return.
He pulled out his watch and saw that
! the time was | O'Clock. He had still
an hour and half in which 10 await
f, developments before his hand would
be irretrievabiy forced.
BY this time he was hungry, and
! he walked over to the table on which
the food was spread. but though he
! looked at IL with considerable long.
ing. he shook his head and smiled 10
himself. He had no desire 10 sleep
except of his own volition. He dis.
trusted Mr.. Jones, SO he turned away
again and searched round the room
for some means OF occupying his
time. He had nothing to think about
now: he was reduced 10 the extrem.
ity of sitting down to wait
Then on little table he discovered
what had hitherto escaped his notice.
II was blue-covered book lying open
and face downward. In gilt letters
on the back of II Strong caught sight
OF the words, "Rudyard Kipling." He
picked up the book and, turning II
about. glanced at the page at which
IL was open. and there, scored heav-
lily In pencil, there stared him In the
face the title of that disheartening
tale. The Man Who Would Be King"
This touch Of irony on the part of
the methodically inclined Mr.. Jones
struck him as quite delightful. and
with laugh of real enjoyment Strong
sat down TO read through once again
the most bitter of all Rudyard Kip
ling's tales.
He had got half way through II
when he was conscious OF slight
noise. and, looking up. he saw that
the King OF Balkani had returned. and
that ne was not merely under sur.
vigilance. but under cover of that
long-nosed Smith & Wesson which he
had seen used SO often before.
Don't take the trouble TO rise" said
Mr. Jones: lit is quite unnecessary tc
treat me with formality, even though
| happen to be king"
IL am much Obliged TO you" Strong
answered, looking at him without
fiinching. II really don't feel IN a
particularly active mood"
Something very nearly akin to adj
miration cleaned through his males
tvs glasses. He came slowly forward.
still keeping Strong under cover. and
drew from the wall a plain. upright
chair.
On this Mr.. Jones seated himself.
and with his wrist and elbow on his
knee kept the long nose of his wcap-
on unswervingly in Strongs direction.
tTo he Contfuued.)
When an honest man Is in hard luck
he doesn't want charity so much as