The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-11-24
(coNrINUED.l
CHAPTER TX.
AN oBLroINo SECRETARY.

u LfONSO FAITON mao playe(
~ his master card, and II ht
IA could Judge by Mr.. Gray
y mans conduct hitherto II hat
an excellent chance Of winning. Blu
In William Grayman be had an an
tagonist who. like himself. had never
known fnai defeat and whose recen,
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 scandal
from time to time about their associa
tons and had accused the complaisani
secretary of sharing In the proceeds
Of the billionaire's combinations. Moth.
ing. however. was ever proved against
Mr.. Grantham. and be 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 as
his friend began to speak.
"GranthSm." said Grayman, II am
in terrible trouble. My daughter Helen
has been carried Off by the sky pirate
Alfonso Payton. who has her conceal.
ed somewhere and demands $4,000.
600 ransom"
Good Godv' cried the secretary
Are you in earnestly"
TERRIBLY in earnest, Grantham, and
] want you to help me- The police
tried TO trap him and made a misera.
Bile fiasco, nearly getting me into the
same box. In fact. the fellow did car.
~ me of 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 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
WELL" he said finally. II am sorry.
Grayman. that you didn't tell me of
this at the beginning. But think
that ! can help you and. of course. |
will. Luckily. there comes to my
memory a young man in our service
who. believe. is just the person we
need. He has proved himself extra
ordinary capable. has been reported for
promotion several times and has only
been held back by absurd rules of
precedence, made to favor mediocrity.
think I'll put him In charge of this
affair and give him the chance Of his
life" 4E
The reader must not accuse me of
when tell him that it was
to me as the sequel will show that
Mr.. Grantham referred In such flatter-
Ing terms. although at the time l was
far from dreaming that had friend
and admirer in high place.
do as you think BEST" said Gray
man. "but. for Gods sake. act quick!
$50 will. I'll think Of nothing else.
Now. tell me. have you no information
Is to the location of the pirates lairT
mot the slightest. AS told you, he
communicated with me from In the
Air. which you know may mean any
where on the round world"
Exactly so. But his letter is post
marked Wheeling. w. Va and your
daughters Cha, otte. N. c. and he
promised that be- would communicate
lgain."
"Yes, and I don't know at what mo-
nent ring on my bell here may come
rom him. 1t makes me jump in my
hair every time hear It,"
Now don't be nervous. my dear fell
ow." said the secretary. "Of course
lie will have to communicate again.
md. IL ! am not greatly mistaken liz
ny young lieutenant. he will find him.
elf in box when he does. I'll take
he Washington special. which leaves
n an hour. and send for my man to
ONE at once to my Office. If you hear |
rom Payton communicate immediate
y with me. Make him any kind Of |
promise. only don't go to meet him.
"Put him Off and try to fix a day |
when he shall communicate again. Tell
lin that that will be final. and reck-
N that 1t will be. Now keep up
'ood heart. Grayman. and we'll get the
'irl and save you ten million in the
'argain. Just depend upon me and
ny 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
layton. This time the Millionaire was
'rimed and nerved for the interview.
As on the first occasion. Payton gave
ifs address ''in the air. and required
answers.
my compliments to you. Mr.. Gray
nan. suppose you have received my
etterT
''Yes." said Grayman in far better
.umor than be had answered his mysr