The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-11-17


with more people and get more in
formation without offense than any
man in the service. Now, apparently.
he was Pinckney's friend.
"M'm-very interesting" he said.
Nov, what do you think of the Rhine
strom gun, Mr.. Pinckney? n
Pinckney looked at his questioner
sharply. but the face before him
showed only bland agreement and
casual interest.
II consider the Rhinestrom gun the
best gun that has been invented" said
the general manager firmly.
The face of the government agent
continued to show bland interest only.
And have you controlled the patents
! of the Rhinestrom gum"
'"The Durant steel works control
them" corrected the general manager.
"And you have large government
order for the Rhinestrom gun now
that the Sommers gun is out of the
way?' persisted the unruffled ques-
TONER
Pinckney had been losing more and
! ulOIc VI Ills Sell COulFCl DIS each SsxS-
ceeding home thrust struck him.
Il don't like what that question i'm
| plies, sir" he exclaimed angrily.
| Bradley made slight conventional
nod.
| Sim sorry" he said indiffere0tly.
The coaspirator had begun to real
ize he was fencing. a strong, shrewd
antagonist and it would not do to lose
his temper. so he fastened 10 explain.
! I'VE had the Rhinestrom order be-
fore the Sommers gun was forged"
Who is Rhinestromg" commanded
Bradley. with a sudden sternness that
took the general manager completely
by surprise. Pinckney had not antici-
pated that question For a moment
he hesitated. repeating blankly after
the government agent:
"Who is hep
| Bradley's manner had changed ab-
Tuptly from bland curiosity to stern
Esdeternlinat ton to know.
Yes" he said sharply, who is
.Rhinestrom? Where does he ceme
froms Where is he now? Whom did
you deal WITH"
Pinckney hesitated.
~Nhy. have NO idea who his friends
] are
~Does Mr.. DGrant knows" asked the
detective.
SELL Pinckney fenced.
al couldntssay. really Bets,er ask
MIR. Durant-"
Il did retorted Bradley shortly
Pinckney saw it was time TO end
this cross questioning if ne Was to get
away safe. The government agent
! was shreUder than he Thought. and
| this thin SOM in his defense--the iden-
! THY Of Rhlnsstron-see FerilQnsly
weak The only thing to do was to-
end it at once.
| Il haven't time to talk TO you fur
tber," he said.
Bradley made restraining gesture.
Just moment more, Mr. Pinckney,
Eas Rhines1rom ever been at your
works"
mo. sir returned the general man
laager promptly.
''Then how does Marsh know. him r
/ demanded tSse government agent stern
!, Jig.
1t was pure bluff. but Pinckney had
nd idea of that. and he took the bait.
hook, sinker and ALL
Marsh he exclaimed blankly
AfENhy, Marsh doesn't know him.
For the first time Bradley permitted
himself sReering smile.
Il can only go by what Marsh says
Ae declared do you mean to tell
me. Mr. Pinckney. that Marsh. the
draushtsman of the Duranf steel
works. does mot know the inventor of
the Rhinestram gum?
Rinckney-s face was brick red with
anger now, but inside there was a
qlxTer of apprehension that Marsh hai
talked. Ii Sc. all WAS up. Anyway
this questioning must stop.
Elm not going to talk to you fur
then, sir he declared angrily Your
manner is distzsteful' to me-
Again there came that hooking, sa-
tiricai apology.
''Oh, I'm SO s2rry. But. Mr. Pinck-
ney, you don't mind admitting that the |
man in charge OF forging the Sonmers
gun was drunk
Pinckrey hesitsted.
II do admit that" he said. "but he |
Sid his work properly was there
myself to watch tlim. Mr. Sommers
was there too"
Instantly the secret service agent
turned on Eommers.
'saNere ycel in the furnace room. Lieu
tenant Sommers. at the time tie gun
went into the bath?''
Yes. SIR" admitted the naval Off
Ger, Il was
did it go In at the right tempera-
fnre?''
1t was Semn,ers' time to hesitate.
Il don't know" he admitted 81
didn't see it,
You were in the furnace ROOM"
exclaimed the secret service man. land
you did not see your own gun go into