The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-04
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
BY ". Holt Whfte

| CHAPTER Lxvitt.--(Coptlnued)
He may go ilourishing about In the
different capitals OF Europe In an en-
aeavor TO stiffen the backs OF the
powers against us. But. after all. has
efforts will be, comparatively speak
ing. harmless--so harmless. indeed.
that | do not see why we should not
let him GO"
Gen MarteI nodded acquiescence.
Il quite agree with YOU" he said. Il
think that Is the better plan. Person.
ally. ii anything mas happened to Mr..
Strong.-though heavon forbid that II
should be soft would be extremely
awkward for me II bis majesty were
I in Bomberg when the news came
through"
| Langley was becoming impatient TO
resume his work. and as he turned
away ne merely said:
well. will leave the matter to
You. general. IL is more in your
province than mine. In fact. think
that the sooner his ex-maJesty Is In
| his car and outside the country the
better for ali of u.s.
Gen. Martel called for his horse
and rode back TO Brandt's house. He
was determined that he himself would
not see the king again. and so he
contented himself with merely giving
orders 10 the officer In command that
his majesty should be allowed 10 de
part.
When the king heard Gen. Martels
message he smiled bitterly.
1t is certainly reversing the order
OF things" he said, when the servant
orders the mastei.'
However he was not slow to act
upon the permission given him. and.
once more sending for Ludwig. he set
out shortly after IL O'Clock.
The Victor reached Bomberg short
| " before midnight, and the Journey
was accomplished in complete silence.
No man dared say word TO Strong,
who sat alone with his thoughts.
Miss Hunt sat patiently hour after
hour. soothing the petuience OF the
little czarevitch Belhngham fingered
near oy. with jealousy in his eyes.
Arbuthnot. for the sake of having
something 10 do. stuck tenaciously TO
the controlling board.
They dropped down from the very
pitchy darkness of the upper air into
the ring OF light OF the balloon ground.
picking their moorings carefully AS
they came To a standstill there arose
from every side the first cheers that
Strong had ever heard in Bomberg.
Grimy. greasy. and generally toll
stained as ever. Langley rushed Tor
ward with outstretched hands.
Strong wrung them in silent friend
ship. and then merely jerked his
Thumb over his shoulder to the Vic
, tor"
Langley whistled as he saw the
baby.
What on earth he cried.
| Don't bother me-" said Strong. Il
still want TO be alone. Ask the 9TH
ers"
The men, half-frozen, climbed stifly
! out of the car aud assisted Miss Hunt
10 bring the baby safely TO earth. The
workmen crowded round and clamor<
ed hundred questions.
Arbu.hnot briefly explained. None
Of the party indeed was in the mood
10 be loquacious.
Strong went to one OF the great fires
at which the troops stationed on the
balloon ground were allowed TO warm
themselves when off duty, and at
| tempted 10 thaw himself.
Hertz approached him with some
difidence, saluted, and asked II he
! had any orders.
NO orders" said Strong, but tell
me. what have you done with the
king?"
THE king, sir" said Hertz in alarm.
why. his majesty has gone
What" he exclaimed.
/ (ro Bc Continued)