The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-10-11


 strom is the inventor of the gun, don't you?"
 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 ob- viousIy he was going to pieces. Finck- ney knew that question must not be answered. It 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. It must be stopped. Pinckney sprang to his feet.
 '"rhis is ridiculous" he 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.
 MT. Durant, will you kindly tell Marsh what royalty you pay this Rhinestrom?"
 
 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 on the ques- tions regarding royalty as entirely un- necessary prying into business secret. For a moment he did not reply, and Bradley repeated his question. Then Pinckney broke in angrily.
 T thought MT. Bradley came here to inquire into the Sommers gun." he sneered.
 The secret service man kept his tenn per as he turned to MT. Durant. to speak in a tone of polite regret.
 You invited me here. MT. Durant, to ask such questions as I saw fit to get at the facts concerning the de struction of a gun. Do I understand you refuse to answer the first ques- tionY'
 Mir. Durant hesitated.
 "But this is private business mat ter" he protested at last. '1 see no bearing in that question on the matter in hand"
 Bradley shrugged his shoulders!
 "1'm sorry.'' he said respectfully. '1 ask it only for MT. Marsh's informa tion''
 What has Marsh got to do with what I pay for patents?' exclaimed Durant angrily.
 Bradley. still unrufaed, turned to Marsh with smile.
 Suppose you tell him, Marsh,' he suggested.
 .sNothing at all, sir" the inventor muttered hastily.
 Pinckney would have broken in again. but the detective stopped him sharply with a gesture.
 Wait. Marsh. can you tell me straight to my face that it would mean nothing to you to know that MT. Du- rant pays a royalty for the Rhinestrom gun of thousand dollars an inch?"
 An expression of amazement swept over the face of the badgered witness.
 "One thousandr' he gasped; then he stopped short. looking at Pinckney venomously. The chief conspirator caught the look and realized its 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 the other.
 Keep quiet, MT. Pinckney," he de handed sternly. T can prove what I say. Now. Marsh, what do you say to a royalty of thousand dollars an inch?'
 The little man was past the stage of fear now He saw the whole trick. He realized how he had been duped. He had only to tell the truth and ruin both Pinckney and himself, but then he hesitated. To tell the truth-what would that mean? It would mean state prison possibly and disgrace. And Marsh was not big enough to take great revenge. Finally he looked down.
 1Nothing,' he said at last.
 Nothing" demanded Bradley.
 Again MT. Durant interfered-
 ''Mr. Bradley" he exclaimed sharp ly, T see no reason for your ques- tions or your attitude. I can't for the life of me see what you are getting at"
 'T can," supplemented Pinckney, sneering. 'T've had experience with MT. Bradley's style of bluff"
 Bradley paid no attention to the gen eral manager. but turned, speaking to MT. Durant. but looking at Marsh.
 "1 will explain, MT. Durant. Lieu tenant Sommers is an honest man. It is to him and the girl he loves that MT. Pinckney and your wife and I and score of others owe our lives. Tomor- row he is to answer in Washington for an accident in which two men were killed and others maimed and crippled for life. One man is totally blind.'' A sharp intake of breath and a gasp of horror from Marsh made him pause. then repeat over solemnly with en-