The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-24

kH his master card, and 1T he "A could judge by Mr. Cray
 mans conduct hitherto it 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, SC new to him.
 The secretary of the treasury, NIT. Grantham, was his intimate friend. Ths newspapers had raised e scandal from time to time about their associa- tions and had accused the ccmplaisant secretary of sharing in the proceeds of the billionaire's combinations. NOth- ing, however, was ever proved against MT. Grantham, and he paid no atten- ton to the attacks or. the gossip.
 Or the very morning Of the receipt of Payton's letter and after the bil- lionaire had made his decision the sec retary, being in New York, called in cognito at MT. Grayman's office. The business that he had been thinking of was driven from his mind as soon as his friend began to speak.
 
 in terrible trouble. My daughter Helen has been carried of by the sky pirate Alfonso Payton, who has her conceal ed somewhere and demands $1O,OOO,- GOO ransom"
 Good Godr' cried the secretary. Are you in eanest?''
 Terribly in earnest, Grantham, and want you to help me. The police tried to trap him and made a misera- ble fiasco, nearly getting me into the same box. In fact, the fellow did car ry me off in his aero, but released me on my promise to meet him again."
 MT. Grayman proceeded to relate, de tail after detail, all that had happened. In conclusion he. said: l"You have ask ed me what you can do. You have all the government aeros engaged in the revenue service under your control, and I 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 50 run ttis fel- low downW
 The secretary reflected.
 "Well," he said finally, "I am sorry, Grayman, that you didn't tell me of this at the beginning. But I think that I can help you and, of course. I will. Luckily, there comes to my memory young man tn our service who, believe, is just the person we need. lie 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''
 The reader must not accuse me of immodesty when I tell him that it was to me as the sequel will show that MT. Grantham referred in such fatter- ing terms, although at the time 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" "So will I'll think of nothing else Now, tell me, have you 20 information as to the location of the pirates lair? ?"
 l.. I J communicated. with me from Tn 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. e. and he promised that he would communicate again.
 Ixo& ment ring on my bell here may come from him. It 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, if I am not greatly mistaken in my young lieutenant. he will find him. self in box when he toes. I'll take the Washington special, which leaves fa an hour, and send for my nan to cone at once to my office. If you near from Paytcn communicate immediate. ly with me Make hirl any kind of promise. only don't go 70 meet him.
 'Put him off and try to fix day when be shall communicate again. Tel him that thzt Sill be final, and I reck. on that 1t vii. 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 ths afternoon of the same day on which MT. 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, MT. Gray man. I suppose you have received my lettarr'
 "Yes," said Grayman in far better humor than he had answered his mys- teriOus interlocutor the first time, "I have received it, and it has duly i'm pressed me-"
 ''Has it, though?' replied Payton. "Pm glad to hear that you are so req sonable and so open to conviction. l knew you would not like to run the risk of a nisalliance for your daugh- ter. It's a great pity, too. but l see I have no chance against all those counts and dukes"