The Detroit times., 1909-07-24
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
BY W. Holt Whif.
CHAPTER LxxI.-(continusd.)

Strong stood still. somewhat awk.
wardly awaiting the emperor's APP
proach. With all his resources. with
all his tact. he was little doubtful ~
TO 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.
Mr.. Strong" said the emperor. 1t
is true that | have peen oofGated.
Nothing can prevent your aScendency
over the world now-it Ia simply
question Of little time ana Il little
money for you TO so increase YOUR
fleet that you have the world COM
pletely at your mercy. And lin glad
to have been defeated by you. At
least | shall go down 10 postcrity as
the only man who was able TO even
put up fight against you. Aid that. :"
he added. lis due only 10 your gen.
crosby"
A ChlvaIrous Kaiser.
Your majesty" said Strong.
please do not continue TO cmbarrass
me by SO much >chivalrous kindness.
Now. II you will permit ME To suggest
it we will return 70 Bomberg al once"
The kaiser looked little hopeless
ly about him.
We seem to be In rather forsak-
en- spot he said. and | see no means
OF transport"
Strong laughed You forget the
Victor" he said.
The kaiscd 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 Strong's arms.
For full half a 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 10
Introduce my most gallant friend, the
Emperor or Germany"
\ The kaiser, with very courtly air,
took Diana's hand and raised 1t to his
lips. Then all three together walked
into the palace.
| In the hall Strong looked the kaiser
7 full in the face.
II think said he. Il can explain
my motives more clearly IL you will
accompany me for a few minutes up
stairs"
The kaiser made a little bow.
Strong therefore. led the way TO
the nursery, where they found Miss
Hunt playing with the infant care
Witch.
For moment the kaiser looked
perplexed.
Emperors Present and Future.
Strong laughed aloud.
II see," he said. your majesty does
not recognize a very puissant prince.
The baby is the czarevitch."
There was silence for some mo-
ments, and then Strong spoke again.
Hard things have been said OF ine.
your majesty and most OF them wclc
undeserved boasted that | would
steal the tdIlu, anu IediAy bAAuh
have fulfilled my boast
Ever since | met the princess,
and he quietly took Diana's nnd.
have resolved to do all | could TO MI
tigate suffering in this world. Unfort
unately, the only way lay through
war. England because OF my own ma
tionality, | was compelled to rule oIt
OF the conflict. feared no opposl-
ton save from Russia and yourself.
1T may have been a dreadful thir
TO do. but | stole the czarevitch for a
good purpose Tomorrow Russia will
be my friend, just as hope Germany
may be mine"
Germany Is your friend" said the
kaiser simply.
Your majesty" said Strong little
sharply. II thank you for that expreO.
sion OF good will. but you Will, oil
course. understand that the way oil
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. lis the source
of my Inspiration. With Russia to
support me and with Germany as my
ally, | have nothing more to fear The
world is mine to do as | bid 1t, and
my bidding will be for the best, mas
much as. dictator of the world though
| may be, shall in turn be ruled ~
love"
Again the emperor held out his
hand.
Mr.. Strong" he said-"I am still
forced 70 call you Mr.. Strong-if you
will allow me | will remain IN Bonn
berg until you have been crowned die
tator And II I may suggest 1t, On
that same Gay the princess should be
crowned queen"
Then he turned with a very pleasant
smile TO Diana.
Madam" he said. II am getting an
old man-consider me as father.
Grant mo the favor that at your we'd
ding mag be permitted to give you
away 10 The Man Who Stole che
Earthl'"