Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-10-27

AN oB1IGINo SECRETARY.


AN oBIIGINa SECRETARY.
q LFONSO PAXTON had played
"a his master card, and II he
~ could Judge by Mr. Gray.
mans conduct hitherto 1t had
an excellent chance OF winning. But
In William Grayman he had an an
tagonist who. like himself, had never
known final defeat and whose recent
experience had already made him wise
in this game. so new to him.
The secretary OF the treasury, Mr..
Grantham. was his intimate friend
The newspapers had raised a scandal
from time to time about their associa.
tons and had accused the complainant
secretary OF sharing in the proceeds
Of the b:llionaire's combinations Moth
ing, however. was ever proved against
Mr. Grantham, and he paid no atten.
ton to the attacks or the gossip.
On the very morning of the receipt
OF Payton's letter and after the bill
lionaire had made his decision the sec
Rotary, being in New York. called in
cognito at Mr.. Grayman's Office. The
business that he had been thinking Of
was driven from his mind as soon a
his friend began to speak
"Grantham," said 0rayman. II am
In terrible trouble. Ny daughter Helen
has been carried OF by the sky pirate
Alfonso Payton, who has her conceal.
ed somewhere and demands $1,000.
600 ransom"
Good Godr' cried the secretary.
Are you In earnest7'
Terribly in earnest, Grantham, and
I want you to help me. The police
tried to trap him ana made a misera.
bic fasco. nearly getting me into the
same box. In fact, the fellow did car
~ me or In his aero, but released me
on my promise to meet him again"
Mr.. Grayman proceeded to relate, de.
tail after detail, all that had happened
In conclusion he said: "You have ask.
ed me what you can do. You have all
the government aeros engaged in the
revenue service under your control,
and l suppose that they are the best
in the world. You also have an army
Of trained men and the best detectives,
What can you not do to run this fel.
low DOWN.
The secretary reflected.
"WeIl," he said finally, II am sony,
Grayman, that you didn't ten me OF
this at the beginning. But think
that can help you and. Of course,
WILL Luckily, there comes to my
memory q young man in our servicG
who. I believe. Is just the person va
need He has proved himself extra.
ordinary capable. has been reported fol
promotion several times and has only
been held back BY absurd rules Of
precedence. made to favor mediocrity.
I think III put him In charge Of this
AFFAIR and give him the chance Of biz
life."
The reader must not accuse me Of
lmmodesty when I tell him that It wa
to me a. the sequel win show that
Mr.. Grantham referred In such natteri
ing terms, although at the time wa
far from dreaming that I had Z friend
and admirer in a high place.
do a. you think best" said Gray.
man. ''but. for Gods sake. act quicki''
$50 l will III think Of nothing else.
Now. tell me. have you no Information
as to the location Of the pirates lairr'
"Not the slightest As told you. be
communicated with me from In ths
Air. which you know may mean any.
where on the round world"
Exactly 50. But his letter Ii post
marked Wheeling. W. Va and your
daughters Cha, :otte. N. c. and be
promised that be would communicate
again"
"Yes. and I don't know at what mo.
ment ring on my bell here may come
from him. 1t makes me Jump In my
chair every time hear It"
Now don't be nervous. my dear fel.
low" said the secretary. "Of course
he will have to communicate again,
and, II | am not greatly mistaken in
my young lieutenant, he will find him.
self In box when he does. I'll take
the Washington special. which leaves
in an hour. and send for my man to
come at once to my Office If you hear
from Payton communicate immediate
~ with me. Make him any kind of
promise, only don't so to meet him.
Put him OF and try to fix a day
when he shall communicate again. Tell
him that that viii be final. and reck.
On that 1t viii be. Now keep up a
good heart, Grayman. and we'll get the
girl and save you ten million in the
bargain Just depend upon me and
my young man."
In the afternoon of the same day on
which Mr.. Grayman had his interview
with the secretary Of the treasury the
expected telephone call came from
Payton. This time the Millionaire was
primed and nerved for the interview.
As on the first occasion. Payton gave
his address ''in the air. and required
''undirected" answers.
my compliments to you, Mr.. Gray.
man. suppose you have received my
letterT
YES" said Grayman in far better
humor than he had answered his mys.
ferrous interlocutor the first time, II
have received it. and 1t has duly i'm
pressed me-"
HAS 1t, thoughT replied Payton.
"I'm glad to hear that you are so req
sonable and SO open to conviction.
knew you would not like to run the
fisk Of misalliance for your daugh-
tel. It's a great pity. too. but I see
] have no chance against all those
counts and dukes"
mo more personalities, II you
please" said Grayman. II prefer to
talk business"