Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-20

| pher. peEging away in one corner AZ
her machine. II was looking for Mr.
! Pinckney"
Hes in the inner Office with Mr.
/ Marsh" responded the girl
Bradley nodded.
"Sure. Tie sent for Marsh as soon as
, he came. didn't heT'
YES" replied the girl curiously
/ ''How did you know thatT'
Bradley smiled.
Mind reader" he suggested. then
added with serious explanation. 81
4 have an engagement with him. so
! thought they'd be waiting for me-"
"Shal tell him YOU are here?"
/ asked the stenographer.
Bradley made hasty objection.
ooh. no: don't bother. TIL wait TIN
they get through. was Just going 10
see them on little business about the
Rhinestrom gun. And that reminds me.
Give me Mr. Rhinestrom's address.
won't your ! have to drop him a let
ter"
"Rhinestrom's address, she asked
curiously.
The man nodded.
"Sure. Rbinestrom. the inventor OF
the gun they're making here. Can't
you give me bis address? NJ you don't
remember Il look at the last letter you
sent him"
why. I've never sent him any let.
ters," Maize returned curiously. III
you want his address. why don't you
get Il from Mr.. PinckneyT'
Bradley smiled.
That's a good idea" he said. "I'u
just do that. You take all Mr.. Pinck.
ney's dictatlon. don't your"
The girl had begun 20 wonder al the
questioning. Bradley looked we'll and
was pleasant. But what did he want?
Eyes, take Mr.. Pinckney's diets.
ton" she agreed cautiously.
"And he's never writtcu 20 Rhine
stromT' demanded Bailey. with sud
den siernness.
For a moment the girl dared up.
"Say. who are you anyhowf What
do you want; Are you trying to pump
meT''
Her questioner smiled blandly.
"Oh. please don't suggest such a
thing" he said. I'm sSalng in the
works now 20 see a man banned O'I.ea.
~. When ME- Durant comes tell him
that Mr.. Bradley Of the secret service
Is In the works. then send for mo
GoOdby. Much obliged for what YOU
had TO tell me"
Maize O'Brien leaned back in her
chair. looking after Bradley with
curious expression on Der face
well. what do you think OF thatT-
she said 20 herself at last In astoniSh
ment. Him a detective! Well. he's n
pretty good looking fellow-for n de-
tective. ! wonder what's up. remem.
Der he was around here n mouth ago
Ten minutes later the detective was
back In the office in time 10 meet
Frances entering with Lieutenant
Sommers. .
I'm glad you're here. Miss Durant."
he declared earnestly. Would Won
mind II ask you some questions on
Investigations"
The girl smiled at the idea.
"Will | mindT' she exclaimed. lyon
know I'll do anything In the world
can to clear Mr.. Sommers OF any
blame. Have you found out anything
so far2"
Bradley shook hIs head.
eve got no positive proof. but
think I shall have before this investi
cation is over"
And Mr.. Sommers will be cleared
when he goes before the court or in.
quiry at Washington" pers.-.ed the
girl.
Bradley bowed.
u certainly hope so, Miss Durant.
You know how much I owe to Mr.
Sommers and 10 you. I feel sure he l.
innocent OF any neglect or wrongdoing.
and You can depend on me to work nv
head or TO clear him. Everything will
depend. however. on what I can ge,
from Marsh"
Frances looked surprised.
Il can't think Marsh is guilty" she
admitted anxiously. Hes been In the
works for years. and nothing's ever
been said against him"
Bradley nodded.
II know all that, Miss Durant. Ru,
may | tell you a secret? / believe
Marsh Is the inventor OF the Rhine
strom gun. and If / can prove that the
rest is easy"
"And il you can'tg" the girl asked
fearfully.
Bradley smiled with confidence.
81 never let myself look on that
side" he said. Now must leave you.
I'll be back IN a few minutes"
When the door had closed on Brad
ley the girl turned impulsively to Som
mers at her side.
What will you do 81 you find they
are against your she asked bluntly.
The man looked at her seriously.
There is nothing that can do then
frances III be dishonored, a disgraced
man"
lyon mean" she persisted, 'fr this
investigation discloses nothing and the
court Of inquiry at Washington finds
against you that you will not come
back to meY-
An expression Of pain crossed SOM
mers' face, but his answer came out
straight.