, 1912-05-16

down, I'M no one ever will. NOV 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. ! will tell you how to proceed
II no. ! shall los no time in making
Helen wish that she had had a father
who loved her"
During all Of this extraordinary con
versation Payton. In the cabin of the
Chameleon, with Helen only a few feet
away. was sending his messages ID
rected." and consequently his words
were heard only by Mr.. Grayman, but
the latter's replies were ''u~ndirected"
and might hav e been heard by a hun.
dred persons in a hundred different
places. although. of course. they would
have possessed nc Significance.
As Grayman recalled what he had
heard and ead 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 a whole minute. Suddenly a sharp
ring came. and the voice, very grave.
said:
Come! No fooling. Mr.. Grayman. I
have your daughter right here In my
hands. No power under God can ave
her If you do not answer me instantly"
u dare not say no." thought the
Millionaire. for all this may be true.
I'll answer yes and then we shall
see."
Accordingly he spoke the word.
II congratulate you OF your good
sense, Mr.. Grayman." came the instant
response. and on your fatherly affec-
ton. Have no fear now. Helen shall
not be harmed unless you attempt
treachery. Remember that, Now IN
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 like. 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 l 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 ! shall not gain. put
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
ed.
The Millionaire a 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 10 false steps b scoundrel had
apparently placed himself in his hands
by giving him II 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
dc you know Alfonso PaytonT' 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.
Eyes; l fear that hat Is the situa
ton. have just had a talk with the
outlaw. who called me up by wireless
from nowhere and demanded $4,000.
900 ransom"
"Ten million dollarsr" cried the com
missioner.
Eyes, s10.O0O.OOO." Mr.. Grayman re-
sponded testify. do you think that
that would break me. or do you think
that my daughter Is not worth It'll"
Mr.. Grayman's irritation arose from
the remembrance of Payton's insolent
tones 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 he
story Of the conversation by wireless.
And now I think we've got him."
he wound up.
I'm not 80 sure" replied the com
missioner, who had recovered his
aplomb. alfonso Payton is h skill
fullest crook alive. he gave you in
| the air for location and told you to re-
spond '~undirected. didn't her"
He did"
"Well. he always does. You see, this
wireless telegraph and telephone bust
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 of in a swift aero that nobody
has ever been able to follows pegfect