Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-10-20
CHAPTER VII

fierce battles above the clouds
CHAPTER VII
TIE BrLIIosAIRE's rREDIcAxKyT.
e Il EANWHILE what was hap
fYS pening to William Grayman!
~ The Chameleon. as ] have
said, speeded westward upon
leaving Tribes Hill. and Payton tool
good care to rise 50 high and to dis
guise the aero 30 well with appropriate
color that probably not an eye caught
sight Of her after she quilted the
scene Of the encounter with the police
As soon as Mr.. Grayman had beer
carried aboard he was put into the Ut
tie room that had been occupied by bis
daughter, and the door was locked
upon him.
II had to venture It," be soliloQuiz
ed. Il don't see that there was any
other way-and yet l was foolI And
what have ! gained? Almost It would
have been better to pay the money and
let the scoundrei golf he surrendered
Helen safe"
Then be tried to imagine what Pay
ton would do. Would be keep him q
prisoner3 But what could be gain BY
ihat2 The Millionaire knew well
enough that there was nobody who
would pay $l0.OOOO0O to have him re-
leased. Was his life in danger1 No
he did not think SO. The commission
er's reasoning on that point seemed
conclusive. Ali the danger centered
on his daughter. At moments he de
bated whether he should not now Of
fer to pay the ransom and have don't
with 1t. He could afford It, enormous
though the sum was. He had cleared
City millions during the past year.
While he was turning the subject II
his mind the door opened and Payton
entered.
"Mr. Grayman." he said In his most
winning manner. II give you my word
as a gentleman that I am inexpressi
bly, panied by what has occurred. Il
was not my intention to carry you on
or to offer you any indignity whatever
but you know AZ well a. do that
was compelled"
"You promised me immunity II
would meet you" interposed Mr.. Gray
man.
And you broke the convention BY
coming to the rendezvous under the
secret escort Of a whole neet," laughed
Payton. "But for my means Of learn
ing tho designs Of my enemies ]
should have been beautifully trapped
But now I let that pass. I am willing
to overlook 1t In view Of your inexpe
Renee In such affairs a this You
are now. by force Of circumstances, n
q position where It win BE- impossible
for any further interruption Of ON
private conversation to occur, and w
may proceed with the business IN tn
most amicable spirit"
The easy self assurance Of THU
speech and Payton's cool assumption
that be was the injured party quite
dumfounded Mr.. 0ayman. He saw
the game well enough. but he did mol
see a way to meet It. He felt desirl
to throttle the fellow. "WherO u my
laughter he demanded
Payt0n smiled provokingiy - he -
piled. "She Il where no police IN TIKI
world can ever find her and where shs
win remain In my charge until TIKI
ransom IL paid or until
Payton purposely did not finish tn
sentence. but remained silent. looking
straight into the ptiliona:re's eyeG. u
II was his plan to shake bis prisoner
nerves be was fairly successful n
do not want any harm to come 10 yor
or your daughter. but ! must have tn
ten millions. You have the money:
have the girl You can afford thu
price. and she y worth It to you or b
envy man Your life II In my hands
there's no denying that But I don't
want IL want only the money"
Mr. Grayman saw that he must tenn
pOrize somehow The 6rst thing Wal
to get himself out Of this iix. III
would try promises. and II worst came
TO worst he would even pay the ran
som. trusting to get 1t back again
when Payton should finally be caught
What do you want me to DOR b
asked
Il want you to promise me ON your
honor as a gentleman and banker Il
meet me With the money at q place
which 1 shall designate later. and
where Helen shall be surrendered t.
~ if you faithfully keep your en-
fagement Will you do thatr'
suppose refuseY
sayton's lip curled Then you viii
U7i return to New York;
suppose say 'YesY"
'ihcn I will carry you home myself
With the Chameleon"
s,r Grayran reflected what harm
a. ?fomisIng?" he asked himself. "a
ssoinise eztorted under compulsion Is
ru!.- 1t Will simply give me another
chance. Once at liberty III not be
:oo enough to put myself in his power
again. Some way Will open up"
Well" he said aloud. then III say
Yes"
Good" responded Payton. 'Splen.
DID good sense. III give the order to
tnrn New yorkward Of once"
fayton had read the billionaire's
thoughts rs if they had been printed
sc knew that at present Mr. Graymen
'ac To intention OF meeting him on the
t"7nis he had prescribed. but would
on"o more try to entrap him. Yet IN
less he released him now he could new
q nope for the money.
9e rose and left Grayman alone In
the cabin. but within a few minutes
returned, saying. Come out, Mr.. Gray.
man, and convince yourself that You
IRE homeward bound"
Rather unwillingly the Millionaire
yentured upon the deck. They were