Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1911-09-29

shivcr through the hillionaire's nerves.
He wiped the cold sweat from his
brow with one hand. while with the
other he chung to the receiver and
pressed it to his ear. The strange voice
went on. for he was incapable fer the
moment of interruption or reply:
IF you meet my demand she will
be restored to you without publicity
and without injury. You are the rich
est man In the world. they say. You
best know how you have acquired
your riches. but that Is no affair Of
mine. | have. however. pressing need
of a part of your plumber. My terms
are $10.00O,OOOw
what Internal trick are you trying
on meT exclaimed Mr.. Grayman. los
ing his temper and at the same time
recovering his nerve and the incre-
dulity natural to a man In such circum
stances. who are you anyway? I'll
hear no more of this!
ut must be that some crank has
found out my number" said the bill
lionaire to himself. Il must see the
company about this
He was about to drop the receiver
when the voice began again:
IF you want to see your daughter
again, Mr.. Grayman. you'll not try to
cut of this conversation. If you still
don't know me ask any newspaper
man or almost any man In the street
who Alfonso Payton Is and what he
does when he makes n good capture
and gets no response to fair offer.
I repeat that ! have your daughter.
I took her from the window of her
room with my aero last night. I will
release her for the sum that l have
named Ten million dollars will leave
hardly a perceptible vacancy in your
pocket. but that which will happen to
your daughter II you fail 10 pay will
pickle your heart in vitrlol. l know
you have heart-for her"
Mr. Grayman's anger vanished again,
and a cold fear began to take its
place. His incredulity vanished also.
His daughter was gone. and this
might really be the explanation Of her
disappearance. He suddenly remem-
bered 10 have heard OF Payton and
his evil doings. He recalled the name
Of the Cha meleOn also.
The voice began. again. and Mr..
Gray man could but listen:
Il beg you. for your own and your
daughters sake. not 10 make the mis-
take of thinking that this Is trick.
What l am telling you is the exact
truth. I hold the girl. and ] have all
the trumps In my hand. Don't think
Of the police. They can't help you.
No one ever succeeded In running me
down. ard no one ever will. Now give
me your answer. VIII you deal with
me for the life and honor of your
daughter or will you not? Yes or no.
II yes. l will tell you how to proceed.
IL 10, shall lose no time In making
Helen wish that she had had father
who loved her"
During all Of this extraordinary con-
Chameleon. with Helen only few feet
away. was sending his messages "di-
rected." and consequently his words
were heard only by Mr.. Grayman. but
the latter's replies were "undirected"
and might have been heard by hun.
dred persons in hundred different
places. although. Of course. they would
have possessed no significance.
AS Grnyman recalled what he had
heard and read Of Payton a horrible
sensation came over him. Helen must
be rescued at once. He must tempo
rize with this villain and get the better
Of him when he could. What harm to
promise the ten millions? In his heart he
felt that he would willingly give them
! to have his daughter once more In his
arms. In the turmoil Of his spirit he
lost whole minute. Suddenly sharp
ring came. and the voice. very grave.
said:
'Come!' No fooling. MIR Grayman. !
have your daughter right here In my
hands. No power under God can save
her IL you do not answer me instantly"
| II dare not say no." thought the
Millionaire. for all this may he true.
I'll answer yes and then we shall
i see"
| Accordingly he spoke the word
| II congratulate you on your good
sense. Mr.. Grayman." came the instant
response. land on your fatrerly affec-
ton. Have no fear now Helen shall
not be harmed unless you attempt
treachery. Remember that! Now III
tell you how to proceed In two days
| go to the bluff overlooking the Mo-
| hawk river. at Tribes Hill. New York.
I'll be there. and we will arrange for
the payment Of the money and the
simultaneous delivery of the girl at an
other place You may come armed
II you Ike. but you must have no
friends on the ground. and you must
| not come In an aero We will meet
alone. man to man. and I pledge you
| my word. which I have never broken.
that no personal injury will be offered
to you. have your daughter. which
is all ] need. ] 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 a 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 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.