El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-13
CHAPTER III.
TEN MILLION DOLLARS RANSOM.


daughters room. It was empty. So
the servant reported
Empty" Mr.. Grayman exclaimed.
what do you mean?"
Miss Helen is not there, and her
bed has not been occupied. We can
find no trace OF her or Of Susan"
Mr. Grayman could not believe his
ears. He was of a choleric tempera-
ment, except in business.
you idiot" he said, brushing the
girl aside. "Ill go myself and see."
He assembled to his daughters apart
ments. In few minutes he had con-
WINGED himself of the truth of the in
credible report. Miss Grayman was
not to be found, and neither her bed
nor Susanss had been disturbed. He
was absolutely stunned. His daugh-
ter, although Of romantic DISPOSE
ton, was most regular in her habits.
and she had seldom spent a night out
Of the house when he was in 1t. He
treasured her as the apple Of his eye.
She formed the only bond between him
and the world Of sentiment He new
er suffered her to be long out of his
sight In summer they went together
to one Of his country places, or to the
mountains, or the seaside, or some
times TO Europe That she should van
ish out Of his own house, from under
his very eyes. was a thing beyond all
possibility Of belief. 1t simply could
not be so. And yet it was so.
After the first half paralyzing shock
produced by this tremendous fact Mr..
Grayman became angry He abused
the servants who focked, wondering,
around Miss Grayman's door. When
the housekeeper appeared, brstling to
the rescue with an imaginary expia-
nation Of the disappearance half ut
tered on her lips, be lost all patience
and chased her downstairs. Mr.. Gray
man. the great Millionaire, noted for
his GOODNESS and his nerve, had almost
gone mad He had met his first check
IN thirty years and in form that he
could not endure.
The occurrence was so unprecedent-
ed that he could not think connectedly
about it or about what to do. The
butler was more clear headed than his
master.
Il think it will be necessary to send
for the police, sir" be suggested
THE poiceF' cried Mr.. Grayman.
What have they got to do with it?
What do the police know about my
Saughterr'
''But-but, SIR" stammered the man,
"sbe may-she may have been carried
off,"
Carried OF Who would carry her
off, you fool? Who could carry her
off hereT'
81 don't know, sir. But she wouldn't
have gone of herself, would she. SIR"
At this one OF the maids. In whose
hard. practical brain the buffers re-
mark had struck the spark Of an idea.
said in an undertone to companion:
Gould it have been that Lord Darn
ley? He was always hanging around
her."
Mr.. Grayman's ear caught the words.
Now, this was something which might
have been expected to anger him-the
suggestion that his daughter would
eIope. But instead 1t simply shocked
his mind back into normal state. In
an instant he had become master of
himself and of the situation.
go about your duties" he said quiet
II in his ordinary tones. 1--WE are max
ing trouble about nothing. / had real
" forgotten what my daughter told
me last night. / have been so over
pressed with business that 1t escaped
me. She has not disappeared. l know
where she is. 1t was only my forget
fitness. Think no more about IT."
This was again the William Gray
man who knew how to make billions.
In a fash he had reached his decision
II his daughter had run away at the
instigation of one of her suitors-a
thing he did not yet believe-it was
absolutely essential that the fact should
be suppressed, at least until he knew
all the circumstances. The idea Of a
forcible abduction did not occur to
him. 1t would have appeared to his
mind too absurd to be entertained.
Still, he felt that he needed the aid
Of the police. as the butler had suggest
ed. but it must be secret aid. 1t must
never be known-least of all to his
servants. He. Of course, had the means
IF securing secrecy, at least as far as
is humanity possible, for money
ian shut as well as open all mouths.
A million dollars would be bagatelle
% William Grayman If 1t guarded his
family from scandal.
His mind was made up as to the ac-
ion that he should take. In his ordi-
nary manner. at his usual hour, he
his wits Before leaving
he house he called for the house
Keeper.
81 was a little rude In my excite
nent this morning" he said to her,
and It was all so absurd. 1t was due
o my forgetfulness. inspired by intense
application to business. Ny daughter
nay be absent some time. She went