The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-07
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By ". Holt Whife

CHAPTER LxviIl-(continued)
Strong nodded him his thanks and
at that moment General Martel came
riding into the balloon ground.
The general drew near and saluted.
You have heard, of course. your
majesty" he said to Strong, "of the
policy we pursued in regard to his late
majesty"
Il have heard" said Strong. coldly.
and confess ! am not pleased. II was
a mistake. However. on that eoint /
will say nothing. although your error
is likely to cause me as infinite
amount CT pain"
General Martel lifted his eyebrows
in surprise.
Why SOP" he asked.
Because" said Strong, shortly. at
compels me TO go in search of him.
BY which road did he leave?"
The general shrugged his shoulders
and looked vastly uneasy.
Upon my word. your majesty" he
said. Il cannot say"
Il presume, said Strong. you did
not even consider IL worth while 20
discover by which road the king left
There, indeed. your majesty said
General Martel. II did wrong ! con
fess it, and am sorry. There should
however, be little difficulty in ascer-
tanning. Only one of two roads wa
open to him. In any case he mus
have passed the outpoSts. | will in
quire at once by telegraph"
| I'm the meantime" said Strong. an
grily, II have 10 stay here and wait
rs II so important as all that?
asked General Martel
Really, general said Strong. 'l
think you are a fool OF course, II
never occurred TO you that the Prir'
cess Diana was in Parish"
THAT is true" said the general
"and deeply regret II. | thought only
OF our troubles in Bomberg, and
heaven knows. they were great enough
during your absence
Troubles born OF foolish fear.
cried Strong. as he turned angrily
Iaway.
The general had sense enough &c
see that his presence could lead 10 nc
rood and. climbing into the saddle
again he rode away to make the neces
sary inquiries.
While he was absent, Strong Arbuth.
rot and the rest Of thom obtained
what food they could from the com
nissariat tent and ate It ravenously
"a they crouched round the fire. When
he had finished his decidedly simple
meal. Strong was in n slightly more
Amlable frame Of mind.
"1 feel better now" he said. 80 far
as the Inner man goes. but am
nfrajd that every second | shall fall
asleep. II this sort OF thing goes on,
shall have TO prop my eyelids up
with matches"
General Martel returned and report
cd that the king had left by the Croa'
tian road.
Strong thanked him ungraciously
enough, and then. turning away, gave
certain, orders regarding the care OF
the Czarevitch. who had been already
conveyed 10 the palace by Miss Hunt.
Next ne instructed Bellingham 70
take the Victor M in daylight and
keep her there until he returned.
BeIlingham received his instruc-
tions with apparent pleasure. although,
az a matter of fact he would rather
have been at the palace.
Strong and Arbuthnot then got into
the hi ard assembled at once.
II was a pitch dark night. and IA
neither Of them knew the lie NJ the
land 10 the southwest OF the city. they
had some little difficulty In picking
M the road 10 Croatia
They were, indeed. compelled 20
use the searchlight 20 find n nj all
and they had 10 keep the searchlight
constantly playing TO prevent their
wandering from the straight way.
ITO he Continuedl