The Detroit times., 1909-06-17
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
CHAPTER LxvllI-(continued.)
By ". Holt Whifs

CHAPTER LxVlll-(Continued.)
There was binding flash as the
shelf exploded in the gas. and the
flames leaped uy so high that Churs-
ton could feel the warmth of them.
But the balloon of the Deutschland"
was constructed in air-tight- comPa#t-
ments. SO that only portion OF the
bag was torn away
But the flames set up fire that be-
gan rapidly TO devour the gas bag. and
the Deutschland" amid a continuous
succession OF explosions and pufrs OF
flame. began slowly TO drift earth
ward
From the Victor" StFehg had been
noting the sensation in the town be-
meath. and If ever a city was IN a
panic Berlin was in panic now.
Every strip OF street was black with
people. gazing upward with white,
tense faces, as their first hope OF safe
" sank slowly but surely toward the
city over which Strong hung.
He observed with great admiration
that the Germans stuck pluckily 10
their posts. and in spite OF the fact
that cell after cell in the balloon was
burning and exploding. and that, there
fore, bit by bit OF her chances OF keep
ing afloat was rapidly diminishing.
the men in charge OF her were doing
their utmost to struggle toward the
barrack ground at the back Of the
central station. In which the kaiser 8
aeroplanes were building.
But Strong. while he admired the
Germans pluck, was by no means
pleased TO think that they should es-
cape him He desired TO capture them
if he could.
But could hep
Signalling TO the State" and tho
Princess" TO remain stationery. &c
made a sudden swoop, and came on a
level with the rapidly sinking
Deutschland" He then put toward
her at fair rate of speed, signalling
her 20 surrender. and threatening her
that II she would not haul down her
flag he would order the "Di' to dash
her TO destruction.
But tho stolid Germans worked
bravely on, paving not the slightest
heed TO his signals, and Strong. in q
sudden outburst OF rage. which scat
tered his discretion. made a sudden
dash over the Deutschland"
But the men on her were heroically
steady. AS the Victor" came on
they lined the side. and five rifles
went TO FIVE shoulders. There was a
puff OF smoke from the five guns, ond
only a swift finger on the controllinS
board saved the Victor" from being
riddled.
This steadied Strong, and he cast
about for some means to capture the
Deutschland. which was now sink
ing faster and faster toward the bar
rack ground.
But he had 10 let her go--there was
no help for IT, The Germans saw their
advantage and used IL TO the full.
Therefore Strong waited The bal
loon drove slowly down until IT graf.
ed along the steel roof Of the under
ground sheds in which the airships
were being built.
As the Deutschland. descended. the
barrack square swarmed with troops,
and Strong decided to leave them to
their work.
He then put M 10 the level Of the
other airships. and made across the
few hundred yards or so that divided
him from the Chancellerie, where he
knew the wireless was installed--
From the Chancellerie Strong got
into communication with the castle.
and demanded an instant parley with
the kaiser, but he was Informed that
tho kaiser was at Potsdam, and that In
any case IL would be impossible 10
communicate with him
Twill see about that" Strong tick.
ed back. Berlin Is swarming with
people-people, | presume. that II is
the desire Of the Prussian government
10 protect. But II you fail 10 place
me IN communication with the kaiser
direct I shall have no scruple I'm laying
this city in ruins, 20 the best OF my
ability"
49, tie Ne Conffauedl