The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-10
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
CHAPTER Xxi.
By W. Holt Whifs.

Continuity is good thing-ai excel
lent thing-but there are times when
ii must be ignored. and the present
chapter is a case in point.
It becomes necessary. In order TO
grasp the whole situation, TO deal with
the different actions OF many people
on one day.
First as TO Strong
He rode back with Bellingham TO
the palace, we'll satisfied with what
he had done. His power Of dealing
with his fellow beings was greater
than he had hoped.
According to his own notions Strong
was strictly honorable after the Brit
ish code. But the confidence he repos-
ed in other people. even at this mo-
ment when he regarded every man as
being as great gentleman as NM
self, did not amount 10 that stupidity
upon which Mayor Schaur counted
Strong. indeed. realized as he rode
back up the long main thoroughfare
OF Bomberg that the circumstances
in which he was placed required dras-
tic. but at the same time delicate,
handling. He recognized well enough
that, though his masterful spirit might
have engendered In the people or Bal
kaniu a certain amount of regard. he
was none the less going back to seek
what rest he might in the midst OF
people who must OF necessity be hos
tile TO him.
IL almost made him afraid TO think
OF the risk he had run upon the night
before. 10 remember that he and Bel
lingham had slept quiet sleep, leav-
Il "A NH oh al
" depended. at the mercy of men
who. under an inspiration begotten
of the dark night, have forgotten the
allegiance due 10 him in honor, and
have returned To that primeval idea
which can never be eradicated in the
breast OF any man--the idea OF coun-
try.
II only he could have foundea third
man to depend upon the affair would
have been different And third man
who could be trusted. was at the pres
ent time an imperative necessity
Suddenly he bethought himself OF
Hertz. He liked Hertz. He realized
that he had exerted over Hertz an in
fluence that overcame every preju-
dice against him-prejudice OF ma
tionality of loyalty to fallen dynas-
~.
So it was on Hertz that he set his
hopes.
Now Hertz had been troubled in
his own mind when Strong had left
SO hastily for the chamber OF deputies.
Against all his convictions he felt an
allegiance to Strong he could not ac-
count for He was even anxious. as
woman might be anxious. on his be-
half and after he had watched Strong
ride away he kept his silent post upon
the steps OF the palace.
He was there when Strong returned,
and ran down, eager as boy, TO
steady his stirrup while Strong dis
mounted.
And Strong. though heaven knows
he was young enough. felt that the
man who did him this little service
was only a boy. and when he had slid
from the saddle he clapped his hand
on Hertz's shoulder and said
Good lad Many thanks for what
YOU have done"
II is astonishing how fast news can
travel by word OF mouth. Men who
have fought with savage tribes in Az
RIGA know this To their cost. The
message which passes from mouth
TO mouth although theoretically il
cannot. none the less In actual prac-
tice passes the speed OF telegraph and
telephone.
So that when Strong dismounted in
the square there was not a man
among the troops still -massed there
who did not know the new dictator
had triumphed against the elect OF
the people
And in their souls they realized they
had better serve the man who was
man.
The stan officers who had not dared
to leave their duties were clustered
together In the entrance to the pal
ace
Strong. bidding Bellingham and
Hertz follow him. passed through
their midst coldly acknowledging
their overeager sslutes.
At the foot of the stairs he paused.
and with one of those pleasant smiles
that invariably succeed in disarming
even his enemies he turned To- Hertz
and said
Hertz. do not look upon you as
one OF the people here whom | have
been unfortunately compelled TO com.
mand look upon you as one of our
selves Yet. while | do so. do not
forget that IN your heart there must
be some regard for home and country.