The Detroit times., 1909-07-24
The Man ~
Who Stole
The Earth"
By W. Holt Whifs
CHAPTER Lxxi.-(contInusd.)

GNNfs-kSSfttUo0o
Strong stood STILL. somewhat awk.
wardly awaiting the emperor's ap-
proach. With all his resources. with |
all his tact. he was little doubtful Is |
10 how 10 greet his majesty.
This difficulty. however. was solved
by the emperor himself AS he drew !
near he held out his hand In a most
frank and friendly fashion to Strong.
Strong grasped il gladly.
MI Strong" said the emperor. lie
is true that | have been aofsated. |
Nothing can prevent your ascendency
over the world now--it Ia simply a /
question OF little time ana little
money for you TO 80 increase YOUR
| feet that you have the world com.
pletely al your mercy. And | IAN glad
TO have been defeated by you. AT
least shall go down 10 postcrity as
the only man who was able 10 even
put up fight against you. And that"
he added. is due only 70 your gen
crosby
A Chivairous Kaiser.
Your. majesty" said Strong
| please do not continue To ombarrass
me by so much chivalrous kindness.
Now, If you will permit me To suggest
it We will return TO Bomberg al once"
The kaiser looked little hopeless
ly about him.
We seem TO be in a rather forsak-
en- spot he said. and | see no means
OF transport"
Strong laughed. You forget the
Victor he said.
The kaised flushed. II was not until
that moment that he realized how
complete the victory mad been
On arriving at the palace, Strong
put the Victor" down In The fore
court. swung easily over the side. and
then turned TO assist the emperor TO
reach the ground.
Diana, all pride. all small sense OF
dignity cast To the winds, came run
ming down the steps and threw her.
self into Strongs arms.
For full half minute she cried
upon his breast
The troops were paraded in the
square. but of these Strong took no
heed. Very gently he wiped Diana's
tears away until she laughed at the
very tenderness OF his action.
And when she laughed. Strong
! laughed. too and said Allow me TO
introduce my most gallant friend, the
/
The kaiser. with a very courtly air.
took Diana's hand and raised II TO his
lips. Then all three together walked
into the palace.
In the hall Strong looked the kaiser
full in the face.
IL think. said he. Il can explain
my motives more clearly II you will
accompany me for few minutes up
stairs
The kaiser made little bow.
Strong. therefore, led the way to
the nursery, where they found Miss
Hunt playing with the infant care
witch.
For Il moment the kaiser looked
perplexed
Emperors Present and Future.
Strong laughed aloud.
Il see" he said. your majesty does
not recognize very puissant prince
The baby Is the czarevitch.
There was a silence for some mo-
ments. and then Strong spoke again.
Hard things have been said OF zoe.
your majesty, and most OF them wcro
undeseryed | boasted that | would
steal the earth, and | really think l
have fulfilled my boast.
Ever since | met the princess,
and he quietly took Dtana's hand.
have resolved to do all | could TO nj
tigate suffering In this world. UnfOrt
unately, the only way lay through
war. England. because OF my own ma
tionality. | was compelled to rule OFT
OF the conflict. feared no opposi-
ton save from Russia and yourself.
| 1T may have been a dreadful thing
to do. but | stole the czarevltch fol
good purpose. Tomorrow Russia viii
be my friend, just as hope Germany
may be mine"
Germany is your friend" said the
kaiser simply.
Your majesty" said Strong a little
sharply. II thank you for that express.
sion of good will. but you will, OF
course. understand that the way or
Germany Is my way.
| 1t shall be your way said tue
kaiser with ring OF sincerity In his
voice. because | think your way Is
inspired"
Strong lifted Diana's hands and kiss
ed them
And here" he said, rs the source
of my inspiration. With Russia 10
support me and with Germany as my
ally. | have nothing more To fear. The
| world is mine to do as | bid IL, and
my bidding will be for the best, mas
much as. dictator OF the world thousn
| may be, shall in turn be ruied ~
love"
Again the emperor held out his
hand
MIR. strong" he said-I am suli
forced TO call you MIR. Strong-n you
will allow me | will remain III Bonn
berg until you have been crowned dc
tator And II may suggest II, ca
that same DAY the princess should be
crowned queen
Then he turned with very pleasant
smile to Diana.
Madam" ne said. Il am getting an
old men-consider me as father.
Grant me the favor that at your we'd
ding may be permitted to give you
away 10 The Man Who Stole me
Earth"