The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-05
THE Man \
Who Stole
The Earth"
By ". Holt Wh,fe.
CHAPTER INI-,ConsinuedD

Victor" said Strong.
So. Langley put alongside the Victor,
where Strong ordered Arbuthnot and
Wildney TO take their places in the
Di.
Then he shouted "Bomberg." and the
two airships swung east and raced
across Paris.
Strong was greatly worried about
Diana. lie recognized II had been be-
} end his power TO make arrangements
for her safe keeping, OF even 10 have
her movements reported 10 him His
one hope lay In the old nurse, Felice,
and he wondered II he were right 10
indulge in such gamble.
He saw, however. that there was no
need for immediate action. He had
left Diana sufficiently cheered and
strengthened TO endure for several
days, and, in the meantime. he could
detach Bellingnam or even Miss Hunt
from Vienna 10 keep watch over Diana.
AfteV all. her fate depended upon
the larger issue, end IL was the larger
issue toward which he was now max
ing
The time was about 10 o'clock, and
Strong estimated that II all went wei
with both the Victor and the Di they
would make Bomberg about 5 In the
afternoon.
And. fortunately, all went well. The
world streamed away beneath them.
They crossed the borders OF France.
scurried over the southern portion OF
Germany, plunged across Austria, and
as the autumn afternoon was drawing
TO its close the towers of Bomberg and
the hills beyond the city rushed up at
them from the east.
Strong set the Victor over the min
istry, end babe Langley call up NJ.
Stalvan on the wireless.
AS Langley licked away Strong
made a rapid inspection OF the city
through his glasses. and even In the
little while he had been absent great
deal seemed to have been done.
The three army corps which had
been called into the field TO meet the
forces OF Sylvania were encamped on
the northern side OF the town. The
debris in the streets had been clear
cd away, trans were running up the
long main thoroughfare as was their
wont, and the people appeared TO be
conducting their ordinary business
amid the wrecked streets.
True. as the airship shot over the
city there arose from the people or
the town a murmur which, even though
1t drifted up but family. Strong took
as murmur OF reclamation.
Al any rate, the attitude OF the peo-
pie in the streets below was vastly
different from what 1t had been on his
previous visit. There arose no panic
and no disorder. The crowds were
simply curious.
In other respects, too, Strong noted
that the town had been reduced TO
comparative order The roads were
well patrolled by troops, and the peo-
pie were apparently following their
customary avocations.
There was scarcely time for him to
note all these satisfactory signs when
an answer came to the instrument on
the Victor and Langley rapidly trans
lated 10 him the message that NJ.
Stalvan. in the name of the Balkanian
people welcomed his return. Repre-
sentatiyes were prepared TO acknowl-
edge him as dictator OF the countrys
destinies.
1t was then that Strong took the in
strument himself and asked II NJ. Stall
van were prepared TO receive an en-
tirely private and confidential com
munication.
The answer was Yes
Thereupon Strong informed VI. Stall
van that he thanked him for the great
efforts which ne had made for the re-
storation OF peace in his absence, and
that he desired TO express to him his
great admiration for the spirit in which
NJ. Stalvan had complied with the slip
ulations which Strong had made.
He then went on 10 ask In what
manner VI. Stalvan advised him TO aS-
sumo active control OF Bahama. be-
cause ii was obvious that, although the
air might be a means OF mastering a
people. one could not dictate the az
fairs of a nation from an altitude OF
several thousand feet
The response to this was that M.
Stalvan pledged his word as gentle
man sthat IL Strong would descend at
the ministry his personal safety would
be guaranteed, and that he should en-
ter into possession OF the palace
which had been forsaken by the fugi-
tive king.
ITO he Contiuued.)