The Detroit times., 1908-12-15

hH then L mink you maho
Nv mistake. In any case" sue
went on, tits Is necessary Tor
me TO give Mr.. Strong his an
swer"
For few moments the king was
lost In thought.
THAT" he said, shall be as you
wish. In any case. presume .na'
should he not hear from you WITHIN
an hour he will begin hosuiities'
will be lust as well 10 begin these nus
tilities on "A fair understanding as
TO begin them in the dark. only
make one stipulation. however anu
that is that you should delay your
reply until noon"
The clock showed that the hour was
just past 10.
Diana said nothing more, ana VAIN
ed out OF the room. she went up ~
her own apartments, ana there sa'e
herself up 10 waiting.
But the king was busy he sent
messengers in hot haste 10 the resi-
dences OF all the ministers or o'noi
mowers and the message he sent WAS
so urgent that the ministers cahie
quickly TO the palace and awai'eu'
troubled and uneasy, for the King In
the council chamber. in which his ma
iesty had chosen TO meet them.
Meantime the king himself sat at mis-
desk smiling grimly He Imagined
that he had. at any rate for the mo
ment. checked the wild campaign oil
Strong. For he doubted II even tha'
reckless person would be likely 10 ue
stroy the palace when he knew tha'
II contained the ministers or olhc'
powers
However. you never can ten, ne
added to himself as he entered tue
council chamber
And his majesty was perfectly rish'
In this conclusion.
TIE stated his case clearly ana sue
cinctly TO the ministers. and they were
troubled indeed. They did not IKE L
confer In his majesty's presence, Tor
they saw no means OF discussing the
matter adequately while the hlng was
In their midst.
His majesty shrewdly guessed their
thoughts and with a word or excuse
withdrew.
Then the ministers fell on each
other In hot argument. The outcome
OF a sharp debate was that they were
powers. There was no reason 'hes
! Judged, why they should furnlsh lhe
catspaw with which TO fish the KING
OF Bahamas chestnuts out OF the re
| Up till then Strong's quarrel was not
with them, but with Bahama, anu
1 with Bahama he must settle. III thelr
various governments chose 20 witt-
draw then that was another matter
but they were OF no mind to compro'
mise themselves or their countries b2
opening negotiations with Strong.
They made up their minds unalter
ably. and seeing that they were no.
bound 10 a time-limit. they made So
bold as 10 send in search OF the king
The moment he entered the council
CT amber his majesty saw well enough
that he had lost his last NOV. too
land, therefore. he merely shrugged Ms
shoulders when the ministers register
ed their objections to his desire.
From the Victor the visit OF th1
ministers had been quite plain tt
Strong, and he guessed what the move
portended. and while he admired tn"
shrewdness OF IL. he was inclined to
doubt that II would have successful
Issue. And when. after little while
The saw the ministers hurrying ava.
again. he laughed to see that he was
right.
1t was now upon the stroke OF noon
and he wondered when he would hea:
from Diana. He did not like to make
the first move lest she should think
he doubted But just about noon ar
land NJ the silence came
His own little instrument began tc
tick and fash. and there came the
message: His majesty declines n
ANY way 10 consider Mr.. Strongs pro
posals. Mr. Strong is at liberty e
take what steps he pleases."
That is official" Strong answered
Nov. what OF yourself?"
II have still hope" said Diana. "and
I wish that you would give me time
Strong answered: IL cannot. There
has already been time enough spent
7 shall move to the attack at once
But you, what OF YOU"
IF shall remain here" said Diana