The Detroit times., 1909-06-17
The Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
CHAPTER LxvnI.-(con,inued.)
By ". Holt Whin


There was binding fash as tho
shell exploded In the gas. and the
flames leapod a., SO high that Churs'
Ton could feel the warmth OF them.
But the balloon OF the Deutschland"
was constructed In alright compart-
monts. So that only portion Of the
bag was torn away
But the flames set mp fire that be-
gan rapidly 10 devour the gas bag. and
the Deutschland amid continuous
succession OF explosions ana pnffs of
flame, began slowly 10 drift earth
ward
From the Victor" strong had been
netting the sensation TIA the town be-
meath. and II ever city was IN \
panic Berlin was In a panic now.
Every strip or street was black with
people. gazing upward with white,
tense faces. as their first hope of safe
y sank slowly but surely toward the
city over which Strong hung.
He observed with great admiration
that the Germans stuck pluckily TO
their posts. and In spite OF the fact
that cell after cell in the BALLOON was
burning and exploding. and that. there
ing atloat was rapidly diminlshing.
the men In charge OF her were doing
their utmost TO struggle toward the
barrack ground at the 1back OF the
central station. in which the kaiser 3
aeroplanps were building.
But Strong. while ,he admired the
Germans pluck. was by no means
pleased 10 think that they should es.
cape him. He desired to capture them
II he could.
But could he?
Signalling 10 the state" and the
Princess" 10 remain stationery. &c
made sudden swoop, and came on a
level with the rapidly sinking
Deutschland" He then put toward
her at fair rate OF speed. signalling
her TO surrender. and threatening her
that If she would not haul down her
flag he would order the "Di' 10 dash
her 10 destruction.
But the stolid Germans worked
bravely on. paying not the slightest
heed 20 his signals. and Strong, in q
sudden outburst OF rage. which scat
tered his discretion. made 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 4
pun OF smoke from the five guns. ond
only a swift finger on the controlling
board saved the Victor from being
riddled.
This steadied Strong. and he cast
about for some means 70 capture the
Deutschland, which was now sink
ing faster and faster toward the bar
rack ground.
But he had To let her go-there was
no helm for II. The Germans SAN their
advantage and used II To the full.
Therefore Strong waited. The bal
/ loon drove slowly down until Il graf
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 10
their work
He then put up TO the level OF tho
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 CASTE.
and demanded an instant parley with
the kaiser. but he was Informed that
!, the kaiser was at Potsdam. and that In
amy case II would be impossible 20
/ communicate with him.
II will see about that" Strong tick.
ed back Berlin Is swarming with
people-people. | presume, that II Is
the desire OF the Prussian government
TO protect But II you fail TO place
me In communication with the kaiser
direct I shall have no scruple In laying
this city in ruins. 10 the best OF my
ability"
He had no intention OF doing any
such thing. but the threat told The
easy manner In which he had deal,
with the Deutschland had struck fear
into the official mind.
tTo BE Continurd)