The Detroit times., 1909-06-12
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By W. Holt Whtts
-cHHPTEH -UXVTTT-(contInued

N''NF ST @LNN'il'-- NSOiN'hH~S-J
BY now the child had lost his dread
Of him. and came running, with his
small arms outstretched, as Strong en-
tered the room.
Strong caught the boy and tossed
him high In the air again and again.
while the future ear of all the Russias
crowed and chuckled at his dearest
foe.
Strong romped with the boy until he
was well night exhausted. And the
child was tired, too, tff4-enuteI-
enough To nestle half drowslly In MS
arms while Strong sat before the nur-
sery fire.
And the strange humor OF the situa-
ton appealed forcibly TO strong. 90
greatly did 1t appeal 10 him that ne
sat for quite an unnecessary utne
dwelling over the irony or the clrcuin-
7 stances.
In his arms he held the baby who
was a hostage for great people
peace. within few days II "ou'd
be necessary for a government con.
trolling the lives OF 1lo,UUU'VUO peopIe
To decide whether they should accept
the law Of Strong, or whether they
should defy him and lose their ruler
heir. or whether they shouid aocepS
the law OF the stranger and receive
hack the baby in whose small person
their dcstinies we're bound up.
Presently the boy went to steep ana
Strong tiptoed with him TO the Gov
and there laid him down.
The old peasant woman VINO i,as'
taken I'D the duties OF nurse, %nlcn
Miss Hunt. much against her Will hd'.
been forced to relinquish, smiled anu
nodded at the dictator as he stood oy
the baby's bed still bordering over
all that depended on the safety Oh
that tiny specimen OF humanity,
From the nursery he walked Dack
n his bare study. and there received
tho news that the airships were no"
unite ready for their flight.
And Strong smiled a smile or al
most childish satisfaction TO hlmseI1
because he realized that in those loul
! instruments OF warfare he held inc
mower OF life and death over the whole
world.
True he recognized that many years
must mass before he would be able &c
enforce his will in every country, Du'
mundane things being possible wher
tho forces OF civilization are united on
a mint he realized that In the ena
he must emerge triumphant, because
nothing could prevent his mastery
oyer Europe being complete within
the next few months.
Ringing mp Langley on the tele
nbone. he congratulated him verj
warmly on his work. and urged him
IN come ND 10 the palace with all the
speed he could. -,
Then he summoned Gen Martel, NJ
tStHfyarf, HeFts-Pelham.- MlldneX. AIl1
those Balkanian officers who had stood
ny him when his fate was still being
weighed In a trembling balance.
when all were assembled he made
them a plain and simple speech.
"Gentlemen," he said, II have ask
cd you TO gather here because | want
10 establish among you all the friend
shin and cooperation that ! can. IL Is
necessary. 20 gain my end, that my
will should be absolutely law, but AT
the same time I desire it 10 be obeyed
ont OF affection rather than out OF
fear hope that even the most fear
ful man I'm this country will recog
nize tonight that Bahama is now IN
sured against attacks OF Europe.
trust. too. that Il will see. within the
next few days. that, far from being
at the worlds mercy the world lies Ct
our feet. and that. from being mum
bered among the smaller and less I'M
portaut states Of the civilized earth
we shall suddenly have, become the
only world power"
There would have been some slight
outhurst Of applause. but Strong held
nm his hand to check the faintest dem
Ionstration. and briSkly turned from
7 one man 10 another, quickly giving
I HIS orders for the morrow.
lie decided to issue proclamation
I that night. stating what would soon be
iachieved. And in that proclamation
he included an order for a general
holiday 20 be held on the following
day
Soon the newspapers OF Bomberp
announced that on the morrow BAL.
kania's aerial Sect would make an
ascent nj noon Further, they called
upon the people 10 honor the event by
gathering on the Morning HIS to
cheer their aerial navy.
Z CTo he continued.J