The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-22
he Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By W. Holt Wh,t.
CHAPTER uxvIII.-(continued.)

| CHAPTER ExVIll.-(Continued.)
His old-time knowledge OF Potsdam
enabled him TO easily pick out. even
I from the height at which he was, the
long line OF the artillery barracks,
and toward these he moved. and, when
he hung over them, carefully dropped
she'll fair and square through the
roof OF the building which he knew
housed the guns.
The effect was electrical Where all
had been silence and deso,ation few
moments before, there now was
scene Of animation which practically
amounted TO confusion.
Bugles rang wildly. From their
quarters the artillerymen In parade
uniform dashed 10 the stables, and IN
few seconds, with marvellous precl-
sion and speed, the guns were horseG
and came Gathering out OF the sheds.
Once in the broad. open roadway
they fell into line, and, at a brisk
trot. tangled toward the parade
ground beyond the barracks OF the
guards.
Strong laughed little to himself to
think how easily he had disturbed the
hornets nest, and laughed all the more
when he considered how utterly I'M
possible 1t was for the moving engines
Of destruction beneath him TO harm
him in any way.
AT this moment Strong was con-
sclous of flashes within the disc of
the wireless, but TO these he turned d
blind eye.
Quickly and easily. he set the bar
racks of the artillery alight from END
TO END, and then moved above what
he know full we'll was the magazine.
To Strong's eye, already experienced
in detecting the motives OF moving
TROOPS. 1t was obvious that his position
and movements were being carefuily
watched and reported to whomsoever
might be commanding the army below.
For, as he swung over the magazine.
other bugles rang out, and such troops
as were still stationed In the immed-
tate neighborhood began to move away
at the double.
This made It abundantly apparent to
strong what must be the effect II he
dropped a shell from the Victor into
the magazine itself.
He consulted Geographically with
Langley. however. only to be assured
that at the altitude at which he then
was tire exploding Of the magazine
could do him no damage.
Overheard, therefore went a shell
and there came a blinginy sheet of
flame and a report which made the
Victor" culver.
Tho cloud OF smoke which followed
the explosion was so dense that A
nuarter of an hour elapsed before tho
air had cleared sufficiently for Strong
to observe the effect Of his last shell.
when AT last the smoke had rolled
away. even Strong was astonished AT
the effect OF the blowing up OF the
magazine.
The barracks opposite were in ruins,
whi1e all the windows in Potsdam had
apparently been shiyered to atoms.
Under the cover OF the smoke tho
troops had been concentrated on the
main beyond the railway station. at
the southern edge of-the =Park- Tue
whole garrison of Potsdam was, IN
deed. now drawn mp as though for
some gigantic review.
He had been too busy with various
matters 90 look at the wireless. bur
slancing az IL again. he observed that
flashes under the glass disc were COM
ing quick and fast. Evidently. some
one was I'm a panic-possibly the en-.
reror feared that from the destruction
Of property Strong mighe proceed to
takes lives. and az he had no wish TO
no forced into this. Strong began 20
nick ND the thread OF the urgent mes.
saees with which he was being bonn.
barded.
fTe Ne continued.y