The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-06-16

Roberts evolves great flying machine.
The cabinet plans a radioplane war val.
the scene OF conflict. The japanese fleet.
believing Nippon supreme. suddenly dis
Germs the radiOplane fleet. After maneu-
verins the airships descend. and by use
of strong magnets lift the warships. one
by one. from the sea. The vessels are
deposited in a mountain lake In the
United States to await peace. The Brit
ish fleet accepts american hSspisshhty ~, ana ana
wingless terrors. To show the kaiser
their wonderful invention. that ruler is
taken on a long trip-his first visit to
America--thus accounting for his mXs-
FERROUS disappearance from Berlin. The
radioplane breaks down. King Edward
Is brought to America on radiopiane.
CHAPTER xxi.-continued
The waning moon lighted up the
quiet reaches far beneath. and out
lined in diminutive spectral shapes
the fleet of anchored ships. The great
machine swoOped lower until they
could descry the telescoped tunnels.
from whose ragged mouths came no
curl of smoke, and the barred decks
whose lengths were paced only by
men of the watch. Aside from these
there was no sign of life. A mighty
squadron, bereft of power. floating on
still waters beneath a dying moon!
II America wished to prove her su-
premacy, the lesson was complete.
The royal shoulders outlined against
the light of the port gave one great
shudder of sorrow. and turned away.
When the shutters closed and the
lights returned. the king was resting
his brow upon his hand, the lord of
the admiralty was standing with tight
~ clasped hands, and the prime mir
lister was leaning with folded arms
against the polished frame of the port
through which he had viewed BritOn's
vanquished pride.
IF your majesty pleases," the voice
Of the American admiral broke into
the quietude. Il have promised to land
Miss Roberts and Admiral Fields be-
fore our return. With your consent
we shall stop in the place chosen for
all our visits to Washington. in the
outskirts"
The monarch still thinking of the
silent feet. assented, and the radio
plane swept downward at a tangent
to the lonely field. Again the lights
went out, the port opened, and the
slight shock of landing was felt. Al
most instantly man in uniform stood
before it and saluted the admiral, who
started back in surprise.
"A message for you. sir. from the
president and secretary of the navy.
with requests that it be opened and
read Immediately" the officer an
nounced.
Bevins returned to the light of hood
and read:
Kindly report to the White House
Immediately upon arrival. In case
his majesty. the king Of England, has
returned with you. which We earnest
" hope is the case, present to him
the hearty good will of the president
and people of the United States OF
America, and extend to him our urgent
invitation either to accompany You,
with those who may be his COM
panions. or await the return of a COM
mittee of invitation and reception
which will wait upon him as soon as
it becomes definitely known that he is
with you.
In case he did not accompany you
on your return, 1t will be necessary
for you to return to London at once.
inviting him to a conference of great
Importance, which is OccasiOned by
the exigencies of events which have
taken place tonight. In any case you
will report to us Immediately for in
structions."
Puzzled by this explicit message.
Bevins paused for moment. with MS
brows drawn down in thought, and
then returned to the drawing room,
where a shaded light rested in the Gen.
ter of the table round which his
guests were seated. With brief ex-
PLANTATION he handed the order to the
king, who calmly placed his glasses
upon his high, fine nose. leaned across
the table. and perused 1t.
Everything of the night was strange
and unusual A few-hOurs ago he had
gone to a theater to rest his nerves,
and here he was across the Atlantic,
informally, and learning new lessons
or receiving astounding revelations
with each beat of time. He had gone
thus far, and would 60 through to the
end, and would 60 informally.
I'VE prefer to accompany you, was
all the reply he made, and the party
filed out into the night, where two big
automobiles brought for this very
emergency wera in waiting. They
whirled away to the White House,
where they were met in the blue room
by the presiden. and his immediate
advisers. The king himself established
the basis of etiquette by extending his
hand to the president and his com.
panions. He assumed no department
Of ROYALTY: but as the first gentleman