The Detroit times., 1909-06-26
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By W. Holt Whtn
CHAPTER LxIx.-(contlnued.)

Il am very much obliged to you for
following out the instructions OF hS
majesty the emperor. | am indeed so
gratihed that | scarcely like to doubt
that everything is not as II should be.
However. as am not here as a guest
in time OF peace. but as an enemy in
time OF war, you Will understand that
before | go any further desire 20
have the premises searched from roof
10 cellar"
The man made a low bow. possibly
to cover his disgust, but he said moth
ing except that if Mr.. Strong would
be good enough 10 issue his !nstruc-
tons he would be pleased TO do al
he could.
Strong thereupon ordered Capt Ter.
mat and Capt. Wetter 10 follow tae
butler and make complete search OF
the building.
While they were away he sat down
and talked easily and almost jauntiiy
OF the days doings and the prospects
OF the morrow
After half an hour Zermat and Wet
ter returned, aud. saluting. reported
that, having entered every apartment
in the building between roof.tree and
foundation, they could find nothing
amiss and nothing suspicious.
Upon this Strong expressed himself
satisfied, and ordered dinner to be
served. But first he went up to the
really splendid room which had been
prepared for him and removed as best
he could the stains OF the days work
Change OF clothes he had none.
As he entered the dining room.
Strong had one unworthy and short.
lived fear lest the food which was be-
ing served might be poisoned But he
reflected instantly that, whatever
faults he might possess, the kaiser at
least was not poisoner
So he sat down in confidence and
glanced at the faces Of the three OIL
GERS who were with him and apparent
ly they too, had had some such sus.
picion as had fioated across the mind
of Strong, for they looked doubtfully
at their soup and waited until Strong
had taken several spoonfuls before
they fell to themselves.
The dinner was indeed excellent,
being both elaborate and we'll served
The wine also was good, so that
when dessert came Strong and tbs
BalKanian officers were all in a quite
ganguine and contented frame OF
mind.
Even after this, however, Strong de,
cided IL would be unwise to relinquish
any precautions, and in this he consid
cred he was fully justified. inasmuch
as he was practically in the enemy
camp, although a truce might have
been temporarily declared.
He therefore allotted the room on
either side OF him 10 two Of the off
GERS. while the third he posted on duty
/ In the corridor. His own room was
directly over the portico. so that
! Churston in the "Di' was immediately
beneath.
For once in his life Strong. partly
with an eye 20 effect. resolved not "a
take any part in the nights vigil lie
divided the watches equally between
the three Balkanian officers and
| Churston Two of the men were "a
remain on duty-one IN the "Di" AMI
one I'm the pavllion-till three, when
the other two men were to relieys
them.
I So the night was spent and in the
morning Strong rose refreshed and
considerably relieved in mind that no
| incident had disturbed his peace
~ 10 o'clock he got into commune
cation with the Chancellerie by wire
less. and extended polite invitation
20 the kaiser TO lunch With him at
midday
To THIS be received curt Antima
ton that his majesty could not post
bly, accept an invitation Of so insulting
a kind