, 1912-05-30

Q9u ever cOtIlA' lHlo COiidtt ut
ton. felt instantly the magnetism OF
his presence and manner Mr.. Gray
man unconsciously took the offered
hand. and i'ayton gave him a cordial
pressure of the fingers and smiled with
an increase of affability. showing his
beautiful teeth.
What o delightful morning we
have" he remarked. with the easy
grace of Il man used to the worlds
best things and CHANGING o him
with ooks of admiration. 80 cool,
30 fragrant with the breath of the
fields. But l think it will turn out a
hot day"
yves; think So Mr.. Grayman re-
piled. so completely surprised that he
hardly knew what he was saying.
.I"-
'Ah, doubtless you would wish to
hear from your daughter" Payton
went on. still smiling. 81 am happy
to tell you that she is enjoying excel
lent health and spirits in a most
charming locality. I left her only
this morning. and, knowing that ! was
to meet you. she sent her love to her
father. whom she hopes to see soon
as she will II he remains reasonable"
These last words Payton spoke with
q sharp emphasis.
I'VE must come to business, Mr..
Grayman." Payton continued in an in
%creasingly icy tone. You are used to
plain, quick talk. So am l. You have
promised me $1O,OOO.OO0. Your prom
Use is as good as a government bond.
When will you have the money ready?
When l get 1t you get Helen. But
you made me another promise, at least
by Implication. and implied promises
when the parties understand one an
other ARE as good as any. You prom
fsed not to try to betray me. That
promise you have not kept, and you
know what / told you"
Mr.. Grayman between surprise, an
ger and anxiety lost his self com
mand. Then the thought of the com
missioner and the aeros at hand fash
ed across his mind and restored his
confidence. He must carry out the
plan now. He was In for it.
81 did not he began, but Payton
interrupted him. laundering:
"wbo is your friend under the tree
there? What is he waving his hand
kerchief for?"
Mr.. Grayman glanced toward the
place where the commksioner stood
n saw a flash of white. All, the sig
nal at last! All his habitual GOODNESS
came back. The aeros would be here
in a minute! He must simply detain
Payton a little longer.
"Well, put with 1t, Mr.. Grayman-
who is your friend?" sneered the pi-
rate.
Without replying, Grayman turned
round on his heel, expecting to see he
police aeros swiftly approaching. But
he saw nothing except the commits
sioner frantically waving his handker-
chief.
They're not coming" said Payton
derisively. "The commissioner may
wave his arms off. but you'll never see
his aeros. l fixed them all -four this
morning. and now | guess l shall have
to fix your"
As he spoke he lifted his hand.
Immediately the Chameleon wore
round and swept down toward them in
a beautiful curve. As she grazed the
ground, two men sprang off. and, be.
fore he could have offered a show of
resistance, Mr.. Grayman was seized,
lifted from his feet and carried aboard.
Payton followed at his heels. and II
moment later they were circling up
ward.
That which Mr.. Grayman's good
sense had all the while been telling
him would happen had happened. 1t
may or may not appear strange that
his first impression was not of fear.
but Of shame because he had made an
ass of himself.
When the unhappy commissioner
from his post OF observation saw this
maneuver. which belied all his predic-
tons II promises to Mr.. Grayman,
he nearly went crazy. 1t was utterly
beyond his comprehension why the
aeros did not move. Then ne cursed
the marksmen. who also had done
nothing.
'Shoot. curse you. shoot! Pepper
that aero!" he now yelled. Come out
of cover and shoot"
The men came running from various
directions and began to fire wildly, II
they had been specially trained to
shoot birds on the wing with rifle bul-
lets they might have stood a chance
OF hitting the Chameleon. Payton
laughed loudly at them. and. to show
his contempt. circled around without
trying to get away
Take YOU time. boys!' he shouted
You'll improve with practice. Mean.
while I'll show you how"
As he spoke n thin blue flame leaped
from the Chameleon and one of the
LII