Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-10-13

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will never resent it until every posi-
BILE card has been played. Payton has
got a hundred cards up his sleeve"
Arrived at the station for Tribes Hill.
they had a 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.
I'm leave you here" he said, "and
go to my station over yonder, from
which, as l 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 a 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 1t swept gracefully to
the ground, and an elegantly attired
gentleman calmly stepped down from
its fat 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. l am
Captain Alfonso Payton, with whom
you had a 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, sill"
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
man unconsciously took the offered
hand, and Payton gave him a cordial
pressure Of the fingers and smiled with
an increase Of afYability. showing his
beautiful teeth.
what a delightful morning we
have" he remarked. with the easy
grace Of a man used to the worlds
best things and CHANGING around him
with looks Of admiration. $50 cool,
so fragrant with the breath Of the
fields! But l think It will turn out a
hot day"
Eyes; I 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. II am happy
to tell you that she is enjoying excel
lent health and spirits In a most
charming locality. left her only
this morning. and. knowing that I was
to meet you. she sent her love to her
father. whom she hopes to see soon,
as she will IL he remains reasonable"
These last words Payton spoke with
q sharp emphasis.
I'VE must come to business, Mr..
Grayman," Payton continued in an In.
| creasingly Icy tone. You are used to
plain. quick talk. so am I. You have
promised me SlO.OOO.GO0. Your prom.
ise is as e;~d us government bond
When will you have the money ready
| When ! get II yoI get Helen. But
yCu made me another promise, at least
by implication. and implied promises
| when the parties understand one an
other are AZ good AZ any. You prom
ised not to try to betray me. That
promise you have not kept. and you
know what told YOU
Mr.. Grayman between surprise, an.
ger and anxiety lost his self com.
mand. Then the thought Of the com.
missioner and the aeros at hand fash
ed across his mind and restored his
confidence. He must carry out the
plan now. He was In for 1t.
Il did not he began, but Payton
interrupted him, laundering:
"Who is your friend under the tree
there? What is he waving his hand
kerchief forr"
Mr.. Grayman glanced toward the
place where the commissioner stood
and saw a fash Of white. Ah. the sig
nal at last! All his habitual GOODNESS
came back. The aeros would be here
in minute! He must. simply detain
Payton little longer.
well, out with 1t, Mr.. Grayman-
who is your friend?" sneered the pi-
rate.
Without replying, Grayman turned
round on his heel, expecting to see the
police aeros swiftly approaching. But
be saw nothing except the commits
sioner frantically waving his handker-
chief.
They're not coming" said Payton
derisively. The commissioner may
wave his arms of. but you'll never see
his aeros. fixed them all four this
morning. and now 1 guess shall have
to nx your
Az he spoke he lifted his hand.
Immediately the Chameleon wore
round and swept down toward them in
a beautiful curve. As she grazed the
ground. two men sprang OF, and, be-
fore he could have offered a show of
resistance, Mr.. Grayman was seized,
lifted from his feet and carried aboard.
Payton followed at his heels, and q
moment later they were circling up
ward.
That which Mr.. Grayman's good
sense had all tho yyhila ham <oll,rcr