The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-20
CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER V.
 THE POLICE PLAY THEIR HAND. TT would be an Indictment of the E reades's perspicacity to inform H him that Payton's story about the
 breaking down of an imaginary aero and the call to him for aid was a pure invention.
 It will be remembered that Payton in his wireless telephone conversation with MT. Grayman had appointed a rendezvous for the second day after that of the discovery of the abduction.
 He had no intention of completing the transaction at that Eeeting-n meeting there should be. AS he had said, he would arrange for the payment of the ransom and the surrender o1 the prisoner to take place elsewhere That was an invariable feature of Pay tons system which served to bame those who sought to trap him.
 His first concern was to get meet ing with the person who was to pay. If he succeeded in that he depended on twenty things to aid him in the subse- quent negotiations, his extraordinary cunning and bis impressive personality playing the principal parts.
 He knew the character of William Grayman and his extreme fondness for his daughter. Of course this last was his best lever. Yet his demand for $10,O00,O0 was so enormous that he knew it would require all of his match less dexterity in managing men and in mastering events to enable him to get the money.
 To begin with, it was on it's face a thing of extreme improbability that the famous millionaire, whose shrewd- ness was a byword, would trust him. self in the hands of an outlaw.
 It was also perfectly certain that Grayman would call in the aid of the police. That, however, did not trou- ble Payton. He had uttered no vain boast. when he said that nobody had ever succeeded in running him down, and he had the most excellent reasons for his belief that nobody, ever would. The only question in Ahis mind was WAClACl A1dh NOulu SoO tO tAC kCA- dezvous at all.
 Any other man than Payton would have assumed without arguing the matter that Grayman would not go. But Payton was master reader of hu- man nature He knew that Grayman could not leave things as they were. He must rescue his daughter.
 So he set out in the Chameleon for Tribes Hill, very confident that MT. Grayman would be there-whatever company he might have. In regard to this Payton had means of knowledge the nature of which will appear later.
 Tribes Hill, place famous in In. dian tradition, lies in the old Mohawk territory in Montgomery county, N. Y. The distance between this place and Payton's lodge was great, but Payton had plenty of time at his disposal and, indeed, time to spare-for the Chameleon was one of the swifest cracks afly and could under pressure make 40 miles an hour. There were few aeros at that time which could keep within sight of her.
 So he set out at leisurely gait, put ing the fier in trim for either fighting or running away, as occasion might re- quire.
 Nor was Payton mistaken in his req soning about what MT. Grayman would do. The New York commissioner had gone to work with great energy upon his problem, and here is the result of his cogitation as he reported it to MT. Grayman twenty-four hours after their first conference. "Mr. Grayman," he said, wearing a satisfied smile as he entered the billionaire's sanctum, "I think that the Sky Pirate has carried his pitcher once too often to the foun- tain in venturing into New York. believe that we shall get him."
 'Well, well"' exclaimed Grayman testify. You seem to have changed your mind. Whats your plan?
 ''1t's just this," said the commission CT. 'I have been with four of my men to Tribes Hill to look over the ground. Payton has been cunning, must al low, but he has not hitherto had to deal with the metropolitan police. The bluff where he has promised to meet you is bare and unapproachable except under Payton's eyes. But there are woods not far off,
 ''Wait moment" said the billion aire. You seem to be assuming that I am fool enough to put myself into his grasp. You speak of his meeting me- It is you that he must meet"
 The commissioner sat down and as sumed a more confidental tone.
 "Mr. Grayman," he said, If you do not go, nothing can be done. No make up to represent you would deceive this fellow. All of these kidnapers are too sharp for that, and he above all. If you are not willing to go shall have to throw up the job.''
 MT. Graynan made no immediate re- ply. but sat meditating. Tt is true, !"