Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-29

antagonist and 1t would not do TO lose
his temper, so he FASTENED to explain.
I'VE had the Rhlnestrom order be-
fore the Sommers gun was forged"
WHO is RhinestromT commanded
Bradley, with a sudden sternness that
took the general manager completely
by surprise. Pinckney had not antici-
pated that question. For moment
he hesitated. repeating blankly after
the government agent:
who is hep
Bradley's manner had changed abb
ruptly from bland curiosity to stern
determination to know.
Eyes" he said sharply, who is
Ehinestrom? Where does he come
from? Where is he now? Whom did
you deal with?'
Pinckney hesitated.
why, 1 have no idea who his friends
are"
"Does Mr.. Durant known asked the
detective.
Still Pinckney fenced.
IL couldn't say, really. Better ask
Mr.. Durant."
Il did," retorted Bradley shortly.
PinckDey saw it was time to end
this cross questioning If he was to get
away safe. The government agent
was shrewder than he thought, and
this thin spot in his defense-the iden-
THY Of Rhinestrom-seemed perilously
weak The only thing to do was to
end it at once.
Il haven't time to talk to you fur
ther," he said.
Bradley made a restraining gesture.
Just a moment more, Mr.. Pinckney.
Has Rhinestrom ever been at your
works?"
mo. sir returned the general man
ager promptly.
Then how does Marsh know himP'
demanded the government agent stern
ly.
1t was pure bluff, but Pinckney had
no idea of that. and he took the bait.
hook, sinker and all.
"Marsh!" he exclaimed blankly.
'Why, Marsh doesn't know him."
For the first time Bradley permitted
himself a sneering smile.
II can only so h. what Marsh says
he declared. do you mean to tell
me, Mr.. Pinckney, that Marsh, the
draughtsman CT the Durant steel
works. does not know the inventor of
the Rhinestrom gun?''
Pinckney's face was brick red with
anger now, but inside there was
CULVER of apprehension that Marsh had
talked. If so, all was up. Anyway
this questioning must stop.
I'm not going to talk to you fur
Their, sir" he declared angrily. Your
manner is distasteful to me-"
Again there came that mocking, sa-
tirical apology.
"Oh. I'm so sorry. But. Mr.. Pinck-
ney. you don't mind admitting that the
map in charge Of forging the Sommers
cr1n was drunk"
Einckner hesitated.
'I do admit that" he said. ''but he
did his work properly. I was there
myself to watch him. Mr.. Sommcrs
was there too"
Instantly the secret service agent
turned on Sommers.
''Were You in the furnace room, Lieu
tenant Sommers. at the time the gun
went into the bath?"
Eyes. sir" admitted the naval OFF,
Ger, II was"
did it go in at the right tempera-
tureY'
1t was Sommers' time to hesitate.
IL don't know" he admitted. Il
didn't see it."
you were in the furnace ROOM IS
exclaimed the secret service man. land
you did not see your own gun go into
the tempering bath?"
There was q quarrel with the fore
man." said Sommers hesitatingly.
what were you quarreling aboutT'
asked Bradley.
1t was the one question that Som
mers could not answer. How could he
bring Frances into it? Bradley was
waiting impatiently for his reply.
II can't explain the cause OF that
quarrel" finally declared the naval
officer firmly, and Pinckney permitted
himself his first smile of satisfaction.
After all, there was chance of
this young fool, through insane chiv'
airy, permitting himself to overlook
his only means of yindication.
Bradley was still looking at Sommers
with involuntary surprise when Plnck
ney made his next move.
Mr. Bradley. | want you to under
stand that I'm very sorry for Mr.. Som
mers about this whole affair. If can
be of any service to him or to you
shall be only too glad"
The secret service man was not one
| to be whimsical or chivalrous when he
had started out TO accomplish any.
thing Promptly he took Pinckney al
his word.
That's very good Of you, sir. and
you can be of the greatest service tC
us. Lieutenant Sominers goes to face
the court of inquiry at Washington
| and it is his desire and mine to rescL