The Redwood gazette., 1909-11-17

/ the secret service bureau could agree
with more people and get more in
formation without offense than any
man in the service. Now, apparently.
| he was Pinckney's friend.
IN M'm-very interesting" he said.
Now, what do you think of the Rhine
strom gun, Mr.. Pinckney?"
Pinckney looked at his questioner
sharply. but the face before him
showed only bland agreement and
casual interest.
Il 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 unruff1ed Ques-
toner.
Pinckney had been losing more and
more of his self control as each sue
ceeding home thrust struck him.
Il don't like what that question i'm
plies, sir he exclaimed angrily.
/ Bradley made a slight conventional
nod.
TTm sorry" he said indifferently.
The coaspirator had begun to real
ize he was fencing, strong, shrewd
antagonist and it would not do to lose
his temper. SO he FASTENED 10 explain.
We had the Rhinestrom order be-
fore the Sommers gun was forged
Who is Rhinestromg' commanded
Bradley. with sudden sternness that
took the general manager completely
by surprise. Pinckney had not antici-
pased that question. For a moment
he hesitated. repeating blankly after
the government agent:
who is he?"
Bradley's manner had changed at-
Tuptiy from bland curiosity to stern
determination to know.
Yes" he said sharply, who is
Rhinestrom? Where does he ceme
froms Where is he now? Whom did
/ you deal with:"
Pinckney besitated
+Why. have ne idea who MS friends
are"
~Does Mr. Durant knows' asked the
detective
Sell Pincaney fenced
I'll coulln'trsay. really Betsser ask
MIR. Durant
Il did. retoned Bradley shortly
! Tinckney saw it was time TO end
! this cross questioning if he was to get
away safe. The government agent
! was shre@deT- than he Thought. and
this thin S.M in his defense-thp idpn-
tfty OF RhllSG5trom-seein FerilQusy
weak. The only thing to do was to
end it at once
Il haven't time to talk TO you fur
t6er." he said
Bradley made a restraining gesture
Just moment more. Mr. Pinckney.
Eas Rhineszrom ever been at your
works.
mo, sir returned the general man
ager promptly.
W,
demanded tlse government agent stern
ty.
1t was pure bluff. but Pinckney had
no idea of that. and he took the bait.
hook, sinker and all.
Marsh" he exclaimed blanklr.
~fEVhy, MARSH doesn't know him.
For the first time Bradley permitted
himself sReering smile
Il can only go by what Marsh says
8a declared DO you mean to tell
me-. Mr. Pinckney. that Marsh. the
Jtra uShtsmaG of the nuranf steel
works. does fTot know the inventor of
the Rhinestram gun?
Finckney-s face was brick red with
anger now. but inside there was a
qu1Ter of apprehension that Marsh has
talked. II Sc. all was up Anyway
this questioning must stop.
I'm not going to talk to you fur
ther- sir he declared angrily Your
n1aTp3er is dist2stefur to me-
Again there came that mocking. sa-
tiric@i apology.
'Oh, I'm SO sorry But. Mr. Pinck-
ney, you don't mind admitting that the
man in charge OF forging the Sommers
gun WAS drunk
Pinckmey hesitSted.
II do admit that" he said. .but he
Sid his work properly | was there
myself TO watch dim. Mr.. Sommers
was there too"
Instantly the secret service agent
turned on Gommers.
''ANere ycea in the furnace room. Lieu
tenant Sommers, at the time tie gun
went into the bath?''
Yes. SIR" admitted the naval Off
,er, Il was''
Did it go ia at the right tempera-
Mre?'' ,
1t was Somnlers' time to hesitate.
IL don't know" he admitted. 81 ,
1i1n't see it,
You were in the furnace room" {
exclaimed the secret service man. land
7ou did not see your own gun go into