The Detroit times., 1909-06-25
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By ". Holt Whits
CHAPTER Lxlx.-(continued.)

CHAP ! ER LHlH.-(Continueo.)
When the tail OF the column had dis
appeared, Strong received a further
message from the Chancellerie.
You will understand he read.
that. while the emperor guarantees
your safety SO far as he is concerned.
and viii fulfill MS word absolutely
and entirely. his majesty cannot guar
autee Mr.. Strongs reception at the
hands OF the Potsdam poDuace."
Strong raped back:
II | have nothing TO fear from the
kaiser's troops, then | should have
nothing TO fear from his civilian sub
jects At least the risk is mine.
This. for that night. concluded all
the communication with the Prussiaa
authorities, and Strong Immediately
set about making his arrangements
( for his descent.
II was now quite dark, but the rays
OF the combined searchlights OF the
airships illumined the whole OF the
Sanssouci Park.
Therefore, he decided. FOR mobility's
sake. that he would descend in the
"Di" and with him he took BeiliHg-
ham and three OF the Balkanian ofti.
GERS upon whom he knew he could re-
ly.
The weight Of the five men made
The navigation OF the "Di' little
perilous. but not so perilous as TO pre-
vent Strong from determining 10 make
only one descent.
To the commanders Of the three
airships he left ample instructions.
They were 70 lie only 30 feet above
! the Orangery Palace in a triangle.
| Their lights were TO be kept going
! throughout the night, so that any
movement or any observation-disclosures
Strong did not expect any-could oe
Instantly detected. and In such posi-
tion that any onslaught on the Oran-
gerry could be resisted not only by
shell-fre. but by rifles.
| Strong then put down 70 the open
space before the doors OF the pavilion,
| and was the first TO set foot In the
| grounds.
Chnrston he ordered to remain In
the "Di. thinking It unwise TO leave
the airship without guard.
/ Then ne and the three Balkanian
officers ascended the steps OF the pa
WILTON ard on the threshold were
Imet by three obsequious servants, all
Of whom. greatly to Strongs relief,
| though somewhat to his astOnishment.
spoke English.
The servants received him as they
might have done any honored guest.
and a most British-looking butler ask.
ed Strong 10 IoIlow him into little
sittingroom on the right.
.r Thought sir" he said by way OF
exclamation. that you and the other
gentlemen would be more comfortable
here than In the larger apartments.
Strong nodded.
Il have received instructions" tho
man went on. that you will require
dinner at about o'clock Dinner will
be ready. and will be served I'm the
dining room In the meantime, If You
will allow me. and If such Is your wish.
I will conduct you TO your sleeping
ap,rtf tfrteftt :, 4-- -
Strong drew in a long breath and
looked quickly about him.
Strong had on an instant to decide
whether this complete surrender 20
him OF the pavilion meant that tne
kaiser was disposed 10 show him ev
cry courtesy. unwelcome though be
might be or whether he were simply
being politely lured into a trap from
which he could not escape
In his own mind he felt pretty con.
fdent that he might completely trust
the kaiser. but at the same time he
resolved To take every precaution. SO.
turning to the man, be said:
(To ne Continued,