Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-27
The owner Of he works nodded.

WAS be drunk"
Marsh hesitated. looking weakly
/ from Sommers 20 Pinckney.
Yes. sir. he was" came the admis-
sion at last frankly.
Bradley's smile did not change as he
asked his next question in the same
pleasant tone
why. then. was he allowed 90 be in
charger"
well. we were all there 70 keep
watch OF him. be fsltered at last.
I The Questioner looked puzzled.
Whom do you mean by weT be
! asked.
"Mr. Pinckncy and me and The
witness faltered, and Pinckney ended
FOR him sharply:
And Mr.. Sommers"
''Yes. and Mr. Sommers." agreed
Marsh eagerly.
The smile had left Bradley's face
when he tuned coldly TO Pinckney.
i am not questioning you. Mr.
! Pinckney. may question you short
/ ~. and hope when do you'll be as
| eager 20 answer Then be turned
back TO the ratified witness. was
Smith disc harged?"
IL think so" faltered the head
! draughtsman. HE was drunk. and be
was discharged. because Mr.. Durant
never allows that"
When was he dlschar red p
Il don't remember exactly"
But he's working IN Meadgile In
your new plant now. isn't heT" came
the next sharp question that brought
startled surprise 20 Mr.. Durant. be-
cause one OF the cardinal rules OF the
Durant works was never 20 take back
a man discharged for inefiiciency or
drunkenness.
The steel man turned IN his chair to
look sharply at Pinckney. for Pinckney
was also acting manager OF the Mend
Vile plant. The question had thrown
Pinckney into a secret panic. while
Marsh was openly clustered. IL this
detective had found Smith carefully
hidden away under an assumed name
In the Meadville plant. what might be
not know?
II heard he was In Meadville."
faltered the conSpirator under fire.
lie looked appealingly at Pinckney.
but Bradley. the imperturbable. gave
him no rest.
What time OF day did that gun 60
into the furnace. Mr.. MarshY"
Again Marsh looked hopelessly for
the help that could not be given.
Il don't know. sir" be said at last
Bradley lifted his eyebrows. sur
prised
But you told Lieutenant Sommers
IL was going In az c O'clock" he said
sternly. Didn't you tell him thatY'
The witness was In a panic now. He
did not know which way to turn.
Mr.. Durant was looking at him
sharply The shrewd steel man was
beginning 10 realize that there was
something back OF all this, something
discreditable. and he sat there. his
face getting grimmer and grimmer and
his Jaws setting harder with each sharp
question and faltering reply-sat there
sternly waiting 10 administer justice
so soon as guilt could be proved.
Il think | did" admitted Marsh at
last
But you don't knowY" persisted
Bradley.
Not rorSure." the witness faltered. /
The detective said nothing to that.
but his smile spoke volumes. Pinck-
ney saw IL and moved uneasny.
Marsh caught IL. and cold chill be- +
gan TO race up aud down his spine.
But apparently Bradley was satisfied
along that line. for the next question
branched &c another side. (
IF the gun had gone In the furnace
at 6. when was IL TO come out, MarshT' /
About ."
And ii came out at a quarter past
u. so il must have gone in between
and 4. mustn't itg'
Yes. sir. | suppose; believe II
must sir" faltered the witness pain
fully.
The next question was put like a
shot.
Did you ever invent a gun?'
Marsh's mouth dropped open. His
face became chalky. His eyes rolled
about the room piteously, seeking for
aid, but none was there. He saw only
the grim. stern face Of Mr.. Durant. the
hard eyes of Pinckney. with terrible
contempt and fear IN back Of them; the
eager, determined look OF Sommers,
the anxious fearfulness of Frances,
and. lastly. the cold. calm. deadly smI-
ing man who questioned him. With
gasp and gulp he managed to collect
himself
"No. sir" he said firmly.
what? You mean to tell me you
never invented a gunY' demanded
Bradley sternly.
Marsh thought he caught a bint OF
in the tone. and 1t gave
him courage.
But the disappointment. IL there was
any, was hidden promptly By the
sneering smile OF the secret service
man as he said: