Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-12
by Frederic Thompson. All Rights Reserved.

alone until her lover could see her When she had gone Sommers turned quickly to Bradley.
 The secret service man had been standing there, his face expression less, but his shrewd eyes taking in and his keen brain analysing all that had transpired.
 "NNhy was l not informed of this before?" asked Sommers, still partly daZed
 "They decided to keep it from you until you came ashore" replied the secret service man. How it all hap pened will be decided at the court of inquiry. have been on thc case since the accident occurred Your gun stood inc test at the proving ground It's my opinion that it was Killed in the temperlng bath" A wave Of light swept over Sommers. He saw everything now lt was all plain. He understood why drunken foreman had been left in charge of the job He knew why pinckuey had been SO Solicitous He realized why, tlnally. he himself had been assaulted in the last desperate effort to keep him from witnessing the transfer of the gun to the temperinS bath.
 Finally he understood why Frances had come there that night She must have suspected. and she had come to save him. The thought of the dastard- " trick cnraged him.
 Tt was killed in the temperinG bath. l swear it was." Sommers exclaimed flercely. "Piuckney was In the room that night at the DuraDt works He's here-here at this hotel I'll settle with him.
 He had taken n step when the secret service man caught him by the arm
 Easy. lad. easy" he cautioned Don't lose your head, I've made in vestigations in Pittsburg and I'm 90 ing to question Mir. Pinckney myself"
 With desperate effort under the re straining hand Sommers regained his self control. His mind began to work again logically, shrewdly. He saw what he had to do and how he must help this friendly officer.
 May l ask when you were in Pitts burg did you question man named Marshf'
 You mean the draughtsman? No" replied Bradley. Do you think he knew anything of it?"
 Sommers shook his head in puzzled fashion.
 He may have known something. He ought to. He was there
 Did you ever see a Mir. Rhinestrom about there?" asked Bradley next
 Sommers still looked puzzled.
 No: didn't see him, but heard a great deal of him Marsh was greatly interested in the gun Rhinestrom had invented"
 Bradley looked keenly at the naval officer.
 "Oh, Marsh was interested In that gun? But you never saw Rhinestrom. about thereT" he said significantly. Again there came that startling flash to SOmmers. He began to suspect just how blind he had been, but before he could say another word Pinckney came out quickly from the hotel The gen. eral manager stopped, surprised at sight of the naval lieutenant How are you, Sommers?' he said coldly.
 Sommers bowed with equal colduess as Bradley stepped in between the two men.
 Eve been most anxious 10 see you, NIT. Pinckney," the secret service agent began.
 Pinckney looked at him. surprised.
 Who are youE" he asked.
 United States secret service man detailed on the sommers gun case" came the quick reply.
 Plnckney suppressed an involuntary start
 "oh, see" he said. I'm down right sorry. Most unfortunate affair indeed. But what can doI"
 Bradley smiled pleasantly.
 "Why, answer few questions. if you will" he suggested.
 The general manager could not keep down all expression of annoyance, but hN hhN' iN "Ouiu shNNNi tip tO NOiu- pletely antagonize the secret service man on the case, so he forced an apol ogy for smile
 "Of course, with pleasure. But I'm rather pushed for time. We sail al- most immediately"
 ''In that case, I'll begin at once"
 He turned to the government agent undisturbed.
 ''Mr Durant has kindly consented that l should make a thorough in- vestigation at the works in Pittsburg when l return. He is anxious to do all in his power to help me find upon whom the blame rests"
 The general manager drew himself 1p.
 Blame" he said sternly