, 1912-05-30
@s
SkY
PIRATE
bY GARRETT P
- ~ SERvISS.
PROLOGUE.
oOeSeschr az fan"~ A r'ONser coreaNx

PROLOGUE.
The sea pirate has long been a
fascinating figure of romance,
but the march of progress has
driven hin, into we'll deserved re.
tiren1enf, and he has NOW been
replaced. in fiction at least, bv
the sky pirate. who is even more
mysterious, more daring and more
romantic than his predecessor.
Read and there will unfold before
you the extraordinary story of
Captain Alfonso Poyton and his
airship. the Chameleon; of VIII
liam Grayman, the richest mar in
the world; of his beautiful daugh-
ter, for whose ransom $40, OOO,-
900 was demanded; of Lieuten.
ant Allen of the revenue service,
of wonders by wireless and of
fierce battles above the clouds.
ever succeeded IN running nIm uuwn,
and he had the most excellent reasons
for his belief that nobody ever would.
The only question in his mind was
whether Grayman would 60 to the rem
devious at all.
Any other man than Payton would
have assumed without arguing the
matter that Grayman would not 20.
But Payton was a master reader of hu.
man nature. BE knew that Graymen
could not leave things as they were.
he must rescue his daughter.
So he set out in the Chameleon for
Tribes Hill. very confident that Mr..
Grayman. would be there-whatever
company he might have. In regard to
this Payton had of knowledge.
the nature OF which will appear later.
Tribes Hill. a place famous in In
dian tradition. lies in the old Hoha wk
territory in Montgomery county. N. Y.
The distance between this place and
Payton's lodge was great. but Payton
had plenty of time at his disposal
and. indeed. time to spare-for the
Chameleon was one Of the swifest
cracks afly and could under pressure
make 40 miles an hour. There were
few aeros at that time which could
keep within sight Of her.
So he set out at a leisurely gait, put
ing the fier In trim for either fighting
or running away. as occasion might re-
quire.
Nor was Payton mistaken in his rea-
soning about what Mr.. Grayman would
do. The New York commissioner had
gone to work with great energy upon
his problem. and here Is the result of
his cogitatiou as he reported 1t to Mr..
Grayman twenty-four hours after their
first conference. mir. Grayman." he
said. wearing a satisfied smile as he
entered the billionaire's sanctum. 81
think that the Sky Pirate has carried
bis pitcher once too often to the foun-
tain In venturihg into New York. !
believe that we shall get him."
We'll. wellr' exclaimed Grayman
testify. you seem to have changed
your mind. What's your plan?"
IT'S just this" said the commission
er. II have been with four of my men
to Tribes Hill to look over the ground.
Payton has been cunning. ! must al
low. but he has not hitherto had to
deal with the metropolitan police. The
blum where he has promised to meet
you is bare and unapproachable except
under Payton's eyes. But there are
woods not FAR off,
Wait a moment" said the billion
aire. You seem to be assuming that
am fool enough to put myself into
his grasp. You speak of his meeting
me. 1t IL you that he must meet"
Tn commissioner sat down and as.
sumed a more confidential tone.
mt. Grayman." he said. "if you do
not go. nothing can be done No make
up to represent you would deceive this
Fellow. All Of these k%idnapers are too
sharp for that. and he above all. II
you are not willing to go | shall have
TO throw up the job"
Mr.. Grayman made no immediate re-
ply, but sat meditating. ut is true"
ne said at last. that I have never al
lowed an affair of this Importance to
De conducted without my personal
presence. But could l not be concealed
somewhere nearT"
Impossible! You must be there
openly or not at all. But let me assure
you that You have nothing to Fear.
we can protect you"
suppose he should attempt to u
away with me also! Do you know
what that means9"
! Know perfectly well. Mr.. Gray.
man the Importance OF your person.
nut In this case you would have moth
lug TO fear payton would never
aream of running away with you.
Wnat wOuId no pain nv that auDDO9