The Redwood gazette., 1909-12-01

sure or tnaC, aren't you, MT. MARSH
Take your time. Don't be in a hurry
with your answer. All we want is
the truth. Now, you know Mr.. Rhine
strom is the inventor of the gun. don't
your
There was so much satirical con.
tempt in the way the question was
put that the cold sweat broke out on
Marsh He looked helplessly at Pinck.
ney and in his hard eyes read despera.
tion, but not despair. Pinckney. crook.
ed though he might be. still had all
the courage Of the really big villain.
The sight of his courage helped Marsh
to falter out his answer.
"Yes, SIR"
The next question was entirely un-
expected
What royalty does Rhinestrom re-
ceive for the gun. Mr.. Marsh?"
There was a long pause. Marsh
looked about helplessly. Quite OBJ
viously he was going to pieces. Pinck-
ney knew that question must not be
answered. 1t meant everything. If
Marsh told what he thought the real
royalty might come out and the true
inventor, in desperation and anger,
would blurt the truth 1t must be
stopped. Pinckney sprang to his feet
This is ridiculous" be exclaimed
.These questions are all silly. What
Goes Marsh know about all this? How
can Marsh know anything about roy
alties?"
Bradley turned to the owner of the
works.
"Mr. Durant, will you kindly tell
Marsh what royalty you pay this
Rhinestromw
The steel man looked puzzled. angry.
He did not understand the drift of the
questioning. He had not the slightest
suspicion that Marsh was the real in
ventor Of the Rhinestrom gun, and so,
quite naturally. he looked Oh the ques-
tions regarding royalty as entirely un-
necessary prying into a business secret.
For moment he did not reply, and
Bradley repeated his question. Then
Pinckney broke in angrily.
Il thought Mr.. Bradley came here
to inquire into the Sommers gun," be
sneered.
The secret service man kept his tenn
per as he turned to Mr.. Durant. to
speak in tone of polite regret.
"You invited me here. Mr.. Durant.
to ask such questions as saw fit to
get at the facts concerning the de-
struction of a gun. Do | understand
you refuse to answer the first ques-
tion?'
Mr. Durant hesitated.
But this is a private business mat
ter" he protested at last. Il see no
bearing in that question on the matter
in hand"
Bradley shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm sorry" be said regretfully. 81
ask it only for Mr.. Marsh's informa
ton"
what has Marsh got to do with
what l pay for patents?" exclaimed
Durant angrily.
Bradley. still unruf1ied, turned tc
Marsh with smile.
Suppose you tell him, Marsh" be
suggested.
Nothing at all, sir" the inventor
muttered hastily.
Pinckney would have broken ir
again. but the detective stopped hin
sharply with a gesture.
wait. Marsh. can you tell me
straight to my face that it would NEAR
nothing TO you to know that Mr.. Du
rant pays royalty for the Rhinestron
gun of thousand dollars an inch?'
An expression of amazement swep
over the face of the badgered witness
"One thousand" he gasped; then ht
stopped short, looking at Pinckney
venomously. The chief conspiratol
caught the look and realized it's dan
ger.
'Marsh won't believe" he cried has
tily. But again Bradley cut in, step
ping between Pinckney and the wit
ness so that neither could see tn,
other
keep quiet, Mr.. Pinckney," he de
manded sternly. Il can prove what
say. Now, Marsh, what do you say t.
a royalty of a thousand dollars al
inch?"
The little man was past the stage O
fear now. He saw the whole trick
J He realized how he had been duped
He had only to tell the truth and ruiz
: both Pinckney and himself, but thel
he hesitated. To tell the truth-wha
, would that mean? 1t would meal
. state prison possibly and disgrace
, And Marsh was not big enough to TAX
great revenge. Finally he looked
down.
Nothing" he said at last.
Nothing" demanded Bradley.
Again Mr. Durant interfered.
"Mr. Bradley" he exclaimed sharp
ly, Il see no reason for your ques
tions or your attitude. l can't for th
| life Of me see what you are gettin
at"
81 can," supplemented Pinckney
J sneering. 1--WE had experience witt
Mr.. Bradley's style of bluff"