Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-09-06


go to the bluff overlooking the Mo-
| hawk river. at Tribes Hill. New York
I'll be there. and we viii arrange for
the payment Of the money and the
simultaneous delivery Of the girl at an
other place. You may come armed
| If you like, but you must have no
friends on the ground. and you must
not come In an aero. We VIII meet
alone. man to man. and / pledge you
| my word, which l have never broken,
! that no personal injury will be offered
to you. / have your daughter, which
| is all / need l shall not gain. but
lose by offering any violence to you.
! Simply remember that there must be
no treachery. Goodby."
Mr.. Grayman called out, Where are
| your But this time there was no
response. The conversation was end
| ed.
The Millionaire sank back into his
| chair. his thoughts still in whirl But
he could not get away from the con-
viction that his daughter was really
The pirates prisoner. The question
| was how to rescue her. There must
be no false steps. The scoundrel had
apparently placed himself in his hands
by giving him a rendezvous. But there
might be danger both to himself and
to his daughter in trying TO outwit
him. He must consult the chief OF
police.
"Do you know Alfonso Paytonr Mr..
Grayman asked as soon as the COM
missioner entered The latter stared
dumfounded-
'Payton hasn't got her. has he? Then
God help your he blurted out
Yes; 1 fear that that is the situa
ton. / have just had talk with the
outlaw. who called me up by wireless
from nowhere and demanded $4,000
600 ransom"
"Ten million dollars| cried the com
missioner.
Eyes. s1o,ooo.Ooo." Mr.. Grayman re-
sponded testify. "Do you think that
rnat would break me. or do you think
that my daughter is not worth it?'
Mr.. Grayman's irritation arose from
the remembrance of Payton's insolent
torres as he had made the demand. and
the commissioner WINGED at his angry
glance. Then he begged pardon. ex-
planning that such sums were unusual
in his arithmetic. Mr.. Grayman was
Modified and proceeded to tell the
story of the conversation by wireless.
And now l think we've got him."
he wound up.
I'm not so sure" replied the COM
missioner, who had recovered his
aplomb. Alfonso Payton is the skill
fullest crook alive. He gave you in
the air for location and told you to re-
spond 'undirected.' didn't ne2"
"He did"
'Well, be always does. You see, this
wireless telegraph and telephone busi-
ness is an enormously powerful lever
in his hands. In former times kid
napers had to write letters. and letters
can be traced. but Payton carries his
victims off in a swift aero that nobody
has ever been able to follow-a perfect
witch of thing. according to all re-
ports-and then he talks ransom with
their friends from heaven knows
where. He leaves no track and no
clews in the air. I've never had to
deal with him myself. for this is the
first time that he has ventured into
New York. but I've heard all about
him from different parts of the coun-
try
HE gave me a precise address where
to meet him." said Grayman.
"And do you think you'll catch him
tbere7'
How can he hope to get the money
If he doesn't meet me-"
"Ah, l see that you are not up to the
tricks of these crooks. Payton will
watch the place from his aero like a
hawk. If he sees any signs of trap
you might as well try to catch a bird
by putting salt on its tail"
What then? Would you have me
tamely pay over S1O,000,000 and not
try to catch the wretch?"
Il don't say that" the commissioner
responded thoughtfully. But If it
were an ordinary sum I might
'Humphr' exclaimed Mr.. Grayman.
Then you won't try to help me?" |
ION the contrary. 1 will. But we
have got to go to work with extreme
caution"
Tell me your plan. then"
1--we got no plan yet 1t needs think |
ing over"
Think quick. then. and you can |
name your price II you show me way |
to get this infamous reprobate into my |
power. But before and above all I |
must have my daughter safe in my |
hands"
That's just the difficulty. You have |
two days. you say. Tribes Hill is .
within four hours journey by rail from /
New York Give me until tomorrow to
arrange my plan"
Mr.. Grayman curbed his Impotence
and assented.
Remember, absolute secrecy" he
said
II shall remember" the commission
ct replied Expect me tomorrow at
noon. and If human ingenuity can trap
Alfonso Payton / shall have him IN
der lock and key within forty-eight
hours
CTo be Conflnued.l