The Detroit times., 1909-01-19
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By W. Holt White.
CHAPTER LIv.-(contlnued.)


And by a majority they had come 10
the conclusion that Strong meant 10
make for the United States. Wonder
full IA were his airships. they said. this
arch-pirate OF the air had realized al
last that the game was up so far as
Europe was concerned; that II was i'm
possible for him TO continue his strug
gle because the civilized states OF the
eastern hemisphere were TO regard
him as an outlaw.
Moreover, they argued that this as
founding hooligan OF the skies was an
astute man OF business. and that he
was evidently making for the United
states of America with view 10 com
ing 10 terms with the government Al
Washington on a guarantee that his
personal safety would be respected
They were confident Strong meant &c
place his airships at the disposal OF
the American war department
When he came to this Strong was
so tickled that he laughed aloud, and
the bartender lounged across the mar
BILE slab and asked him In English II
he were reading OF the exploits OF Mr.
Strong
Strong nodded, and said that he was
adding that Mr.. Strong appeared &c
be a person with a sense Of humor.
Perhaps" said the bartender. 81
tell you. Paris has gone crazy about
him. do not know which Is the
bigger hero OF the two, Mr.. Strong OF
the king OF Bahama. Anyway, | can
assure you OF one thing-that they
would much rather Mr.. Strong were
on the side of France than up against
them. He seems to be able TO scare
people pretty considerably"
Strong stroked his little faxen mus
tache thoughtfully, and hoped that II
might cling sufficiently tenaciously ia
chance OF his being recognized, for
he saw that weird and rather painful
wood-cuts OF his face had been called
In 10 illustrate the sensational &C.
counts OF the days dolngs.
Having finished his cocktail ne
strolled out and made for a telephone
exchange which he knew was situated
on the other side OF the street.
At the exchange he rang up the
Grand hotel and asked II the king Of
Bahama were in. He was answered
courteously enough that his majesty
had left about an hour before, and was
believed to be dining at the Balkanian
legation.
Strong congratulated himself upon
this stroke of luck. and without fur.
thcr hesitation he walked around the
corner to the hotel. His passage
across the courtyard was scarcely
noted, and the gorgeous majordomo
who stood at the top OF the steps
bowed tremendously as he entered.
He turned 10 the inquiry office and
asked. easily enough-though at the
same time he felt that hundred eyes
were endeavoring to probe his secrets
and discover his whether
the king were at home. and the reply
was the same as that which he re
ceived when. few minutes before
he had rung up on the telephone.
THAT Is tiresome." he said. The
princess. has she also gone out?"
To this. however, the reply was IN
the negative. and Strong thereupon re
quested paper and pencil that hc
might write her a note. IS
| He simply scrawled: do not OF
any account be alarmed or show an,
nervousness. But I am here, and 1
you can spare me few moments
should be grateful. | beg the priv.
lege Of little interview for the SAX
of your safety and for mine"
| Ito He Cautfuu~d