The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-12
THE Man
Who Stole
The Earth"
By w. Holt Whits.
CHAPTER LxI.-(continued.)

Even in the half darkness Hertz
raw the mayors face grow ashy white
and divining by this time that some
treachery was afoot he called up ar
other officer and instructed him 10
lead the mayor into the palace
SO the queer little party proceeded
through the vast hall and walked up
the stairs together The mayor
companion was shaking like a leaf.
while Shaur himself was silent and
fearful.
Hertz hac not the slightest hesita.
ton In rousing Bellingham, who was
doing en- couch outside Strong's
door. and a minute later Strong, called
from slumber, confronted the man and
the mayor.
The scene was a strange one when
Hertz and another officer entered
Strong's room with Herr Schaur and
the other man, who cringed and
siouched
Strong and Bellingham were wrap
ped in long military coats. their hair
tumbled. and both of them bore traces
OF having hastily rousted themselves
from slumber.
Though he had no notion OF what
the matter might be which had so sud
denly disturbed them, Strong saw ar
a glance that IL was serious one, and
he CURLY ordered Hertz TO tell him
what had occurred
Hertz was brief and soldier-like in
his account of how he had detected
Schaur in the intention OF commit
ting mischief But what the mischief
was he could not say.
Co y,1a
at both the shrinking men. he gave
orders for them to be searched. Bell
ingham stepped forward To assist in
hands through the dirty mans pockets
he gave a little cry OF surprise and
drew out the grenade.
Where did you say this happened"
asked Strong sharply.
Just at the stern of the hi, e" said
Hertz.
Your motive?" Strong demanded Of
the shrinking mayor
And the query sent the rat.faced
little man iEto one OF his violent out
bursts.
He no longer shrank; his small
body swelled with pride and import
ance.
"'rhe action" he cried was the
best action in the world the action OF
a patriot, the action OF man who
desires to rid his country of Cypress
ors and usurpers. 1t would leave bee
the noblest ever done I'm Bomberg. We
are caught, | admit il. We have no
defense. ] will suffer whatever penal
~ Is necessary. but ] will at least tell
you what | had in my mind
Had not that officer been SO quick"
--Schaur jerked shaking finger az
Hertz-"you would have been lost by
now. The 'Di would have been blown
into a thousand atoms
And you, too" said Strong.
"Oh. l know that. But what do
care?"
Then the other man turned upon
the mayor You liar" he said. you
horrible loathsome liar! You told me
that the force of the explosion was
just sufficient to destroy the 'Di,' and
would In no way injure me. Through
your lies you have fished me out OF
the frying-pan into the fire.
"You had better say interrupted
Strong. from Jail TO the gallows"
At this both men gave little cry
and started back. but Bellingham and
Hertz held them securely.
Put that thing away" said Strong
and Bellingham removed the grenade
TO the other side OF the room.
Then Strong turned 10 Hertz. SEQ
to the housing OF these men till dawn.
he said. "In the meantime send up
the officer in command OF the troops
Before sun up well show these scoun.
drels the sort OF gallows that they
deserve"
The little mayor would have burst
into torrent OF abuse and POSSIBLY
OF suppllcatiOn. but Hertz clapped
his hand over his mouth and hurried
him out OF the room
In few moments The officer in com
mand of the troops made known his
presence at the door OF Strong's room
ana, being ordered i'm. he was instruct
ed 10 parade all the troops at and
have sufficient accommodations for