The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-03-27

who knew now 20 make billions. In
fash he had reached his decision II
his daughter had run away at the in
stigaJion of one Of her suitors-a thing
he did not vet belieye-it was absolutely
| essential that the fact should be sup
pressed: at least, until he knew all the
circumstances If. on the other hand,
she had disappeared for some other rea-
contemporary alteration OF mind, FOR
instance-that. too. must be suppressed.
} Susan's absence complicated the prob
lem, and in itself seemed cOntirmatory
of the first hypothesis: for confidential
maids, as GTayman knew, sometimes
play an important role in such things
The idea Of a fOrcible abduction did not
occur to him; II would have appeared
/ TO his mind too absurd to be enter
tanned.
sim. he felt that he needed the aid
of the police as the butler had suS-
gested, but II must be secret alu ~
must never be knOwn-least Of all 10
his servants. He, OF course, mad the
means Of securing secrecy; at least, as
| far as secrecy is humanity possible. Tor
money can shut as well as open all
mouths A million dollars would be a
hagatelle to William Grayman II IL
guarded his family from scandal. Men
can b. so sensitive on some points. and
So fusens1tiVe on others. a scandal
I concerning his business methods would
have called forth from him only
sueer. out a scandal affecting his
daughter-the richest HERES in the
I
! His mind was made up as 10 the &C
ton that he should take. In his Ordi-
| nary manner, Al his usual hour, he sum-
mOned his wits. Before leaving the
house he called for the hOUsekeeper-
| Il was q little rude in my excitement
! this morning." he said TO her. and II
was all so absurd, 1t was due 20 my
Iforgetfulness inspired by intense appli-
| be absent some time. She went away
quietly with Susan last night 10 stay
! with some friends out OF town but
/ her absences are so infreuueut. and
/ am so accustomed 10 seeing her at the
breakfast table, that the fact really
! slipped my mind. in the midst Of so
J MANY cares. and / made use sss scene
which ! regret
| Grammar was almost A match for
Capt Alfonso PAXTON in the perfection
Of his dissImulafions. and the house
Keeper sOlemnlv accepted his statement.
although she could not help wondering
! why her mistress had been so uncOm-
monty reticert about her intended ab-
| senCe. Still. she knew that Miss Gray
man seldom made a COnfidant OF any
person except Susan. and she wa! nat
! tered by the apology Of her master.
! NJ Grammar rode to his Office. and
/ Immediately summoned Police Commits
siOner Brawan by telephone That Of
fetal did not think Il beneath his Dig
uiN instantly 10 answer call 10 the
Office OF William Grayman- call that
came from the Millionaire himself. lie
scented an immense case that would
cover him and the department with
glory.
| When the commissioner arrived, Gray
/ man took him into his innermost sane
| tum and Immediately astOnished him
/ beyond measure
! Commissioners" he said. my dauEh-
| ter disappeared last night from my
/ house, and ] want YOU 10 md out what
! has become Of iier-
| The commissioner caught his breath.
! Your daughter, Disappeared he
gasped,
/ stop a moment said Grayman.
/ Understand that this is profound So
] Cret. and must remain so. / viii make
/ II worth your while 20 shut the mouth
! Of every detective that YOU employ No
| questions must be asked Of the servants
] that could possibly lead them 10 SuS-
I peCt that an inquiry Is On foot They
/ think that my daughter mas gone away
! on 2 visit. No one must ever dream
! anything else You must employ the
! most discreet and skillful men. and, IT
! they visit my house. they must not be
Z known IN their true character ] pre-
/ sumo that YOU can find such men. The
/ cost Is nothing j shall dispute no
bills provided that my wishes are com
any amount. al any time, untiI the girl
. IS f1uTd Now listen
And Graymau proceeded TO tell the
. story or the morning When ne had
. finished. ne asked in HE blunt, auto
3 cratic way.
Nov. ten me what You will do-what
I is Your DianH'
/ The commissioner begged for a little
time TO think il over
( II can have no plan vet he said.
E but III find one With YOUR permission,
4 III send a confidential man 10 your
. house and get basis FOR further ac-
+ Very well" said Grayman; 'Iet it be
done But remember ny restriction
. Not a word must escape anywhere-nOt
a single word or hint"
/ The chief promised the most absolute
I secrecy, ana, with great perturbation OF
mind. returned IN all haste to headquar-
I tiers
B When Nh Grayman Was left alone his
} selt-command relaxed. His daughter
/ was dearer to him that his fortune He
could not drive the agOniZing thought OF
I her strange disappearance from his
mind. II unnamed him. lie could i'm
I aCine no reason, and no explanation for
! il that seemed probable He tried 20 dis
tract his thoughts by turning to his
DAYS work, but 1t was impossible. His
attention wandered back 20 -the one IA
( sorbing topic. He refused all callers,
pretending TO be too busy 20 see any
Z one. u was the most uncomfortable
morning he had ever spent. II was a
/ now kind Of trial and OF suffering for
( him.
Toward noon the wireless telephone
I hell in his sauctum rang sharply. Only
I MS tA'luSlNt lhllilldltS ever CdlleQ MINI
M here. The apparatus was reserved
for the secrets of high fl9anCe-seCTets
that could be intrusted only to sOundless
ether. He put the receiver to his ear.
Hello" came a voice that he did not
recognize. Reply undlrected"
+ This. I may explain for the benefit or
readers who are not familiar with all
. the technicalitieS OF wireless commun-
ication. meant that Grayman should re-
SpOnd with a hello sent out By un-
directed waves, radiating on all sides,
so that they would reach the original
zzzEz !.