, 1912-06-06

q . Wdut only the money"
MI Grayma saw that he must tenn
porize somehow The first thing was
10 get himself out OF this fix He
would try promises. and II worst came
10 worst he would even pay the ran.
som. trusting to get II back again
when Payton should finally be caught.
What do you want me to dor' he
asked
Il want you to promise me on your
nonor as a gentleman and a banker to
meet me with the money at a place
which I snail designate later. and
where Helen shall be surrendered to
you If o faithfully keep your en-
gagement- Will you do thatY'
Suppose | refuseY
Payton's lip curled. Then You will
not return TO New York;
Suppose l say 'YesY"
Then | will carry you home myseir
with the Cha meIeou."
Mr. Grayman reflected What harm
In promising he asked himself "A
promise extOrted under compulsion ia
null. 1t will simply give me another
chance Once at liberty III not be
rool enough to put myself In mis- power
again Some way will open up"
Well" ha said aloud, then IN say
Yes.
"Good!' responded Payton "Spien-
did good sense m give the order to
u New forkward at once"
Payton had read the b%iIIionaire's
thoughts as If they mad been printed
He knew that at present Mr. Grayman
had no intertioD of meeting him on the
terms he mad prescribed. but would
once more try to entrap him. Yet un
less be released him now he could new
er hope for the money
He rose and left Grayman alone in
the cabin nut within a few minutes
returned. saving. Come out. Mr. Gray
man, and convince yourself that you
are homeward bound"
Rather unwillingly the Millionaire
ventured upon the deck. They were
still very high. but were flying south
ward at great speed.
Those are rhe Catskills away over
youder," said Payton. pointing. 81
could land you In New York in a little
over an hour but | prefer to visit the
metropolis after nightfall It is now
only l O'Clock Well lake lunch and
then circle about a bit and see the
country. If o like we can run out
to Niagara and see how the great cata-
ract looks to- a bird"
But my daughter cried the billion
aire eagerly. Since you will have the
mnnau ANYWAY and tho SraaA 90 u4rr
craft is so great take me to her."
She is in no danger. She doesn't
even know she Is a prisoner" replied
the sky pirate lightly. why alarm
her nowT"
Lat that evening passersby in Fifth
avenue were startled by seeing a huge
aero glide silently over their heads.
Shortly afterward the Chameleon set.
tied gently upon the grass in a park
glade. and Payton. without any sign
of nervousness OF hurry. tremendously
dismissed his guest in the very face of
a policeman.
"Goodby and au revoir." said Pay
ton. wringing Mr.. Grayman's unwilling
hand You'll hear from me in a few
days. Don't forget your promise or
the need that your daughter has of
the aid which you alone can give her
Without replying Mr. Grayman turn
ed on his nee and walked rapidly
away. Payton remained on the ground
regarding his retreating form with a
dtsdainfui smile The policeman was
rapidly approaching. but Paytop a
no move.
Here, Your' said the officer. Selling
Payton by the arm. II arrest you
What are you doing with an aero in
the parkT"
Looking for squirrels" said Payton.
Looking for See here. young fel-
low. come with me"
Aren't you going to arrest the
aero?" asked Payton
The question upset the policeman for
a moment. Then. thinking OF no bet
ter answer. he raised his club. In
the fraction of a second he was spsiwl-
ing on the grass and Payton had leap
ed aboard the aero. AS the policeman
jumped to his feet and blew his whis
tie the Chameleon whirled up into the
darkness and disappeared.
The reader will perhaps remember
that when Payton carried OF Miss
Grayman he re-entered her room on
the pretense of extinguishtng the light.
What he really did was TO tumble in
her writing desk n take possession
of a bundle of letters, which he thrust
into his pocket. Among the letters
was one written to Helen by her IA
thar durinp one of his tnfreQuent abb
sences. How he employed this will
appear presently.
Payton had no ooner performed his
characteristic exploit of landing Mr..
Grayman ip the heart Of New York
with the Chameleon than he set out
-i.h Full snood for his Indpe In the