Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1911-08-24
CHAPTER vi.
THE FINISH WITH THE POLICE.

police ally had been growing. and he
now looked upon him as an able de-
tectiye and a man of resources. His
only anxiety was lest Payton, feeling
sure that he had told the police, would
stay away. The commissioner had
succeeded in driving from the billion
aires mind the fear of injury to his
daughter in case Payton suspected
treachery.
"They always make such threats"
he said, "but they never execute them,
because why-it wouldn't pay. They
know their chances for a ransom would
be gone then. You may try to trap
kidnaper as often as you like, but he
will never resent it until every posi-
BILE card has been played. Payton has
got hundred cards up his sleeve"
Arrived at the station for Tribes Hill,
they had long uphill walk to the
scene of the rendezvous. The com
missioner's sharpshooters in all sorts
of DISCUSSES popped up here and there
and were sent to hiding places in the
neighborhood. As they approached the
bluff the commissioner parted from his
employer.
"Fll leave you here" he said, "and
go to my station over yonder, from
which, as I told you, l will make the
signal We may have to wait some
time, but reckon that he'll be along
early, and won't he be surprised,
though! Occupy his attention as long
as possible. Promise him anything
and everything. You can afford it,
you know"
The commissioner laughed heartily at
his own pleasantly, and the two sep
arated for their respective stations.
When Mr. Grayman was alone the
affair began to assume different as
pect. Once more his shrewd doubts re-
turned, and he said to himself that he
must have become an Internal idiot to
expose his life and liberty in this man
ner-he, William Grayman, with his
billions, to walk into the jaws of a
tiger with his eyes open to the danger!
Suddenly a voice sounded over his
head. CHANGING upward. Mr.. Grayman
was almost startled out of his senses
by seeing right above him an aero.
which was swiftly descending. In an
other minute it swept gracefully to
the ground, and an elegantly attired
gentleman calmly stepped down from
its fiat deck and, politely removing his
hat, advanced with outstretched hand
and winning smile toward the billion
aire
"Good morning, Mr.. Grayman,' he
said in voice of wonderful sweetness.
I'm delighted to see you here. am
Captain Alfonso Payton, with whom
you had distant conversation the day
before yesterday. I am happy to OBJ
serve how rigidly you keep your ap-
pointments, although that does not sur
prise me, for, of course. like all the
world, I know your business reputa-
ton. But you do me great honor, sir
Mr.. Grayman, like every person who
had ever come into contact with Pay
ton, felt instantly the magnetism of
his presence and manner Mr.. Gray
hand, and Payton gave him cordial
pressure of the fingers and smiled with
an increase of affability. showing his
beautiful teeth.
What a delightful morning we
have" he remarked. with the easy
grace of man used to the worlds
best things and glancing around him
with looks of admiration. 80 cool.
so fragrant with the breath of the
fields! But l think it will turn out a
hot day"
Eyes; think so,'' Mr.. Grayman re-
piled, so completely surprised that he
hardly knew what he was saying.
.I"-
"Ah, doubtless you would wish to
hear from your daughter" Payton
went on, still smiling. 81 am happy
to tell you that she is enjoying excel
lent health and spirits in most
charming locality. left her only
this morning. and. knowing. that was
to meet YOU she sent her love to her
father. whom she hopes to see soon,
as she will If he remains reasonable"
These last words Payton spoke with
sharp emphasis.
eve must come to business, MI.
Grayman," Payton continued in an IN
creasingly icy tone You are used to
plain, quick talk. So am |. You have
promised me S10,0000O0. Your prom
Use is as good as government bond.
When will you have the money ready :?
When get it you get Helen. But
you made me another promise, at least
by implication, and implied promises
when the parties understand one an
other are as good as any. You prom