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

"a fever Of excitement. Ever since
the forging Of the Sommers
gun events OF Importance had
F. happened in such close succession that
about the works generally was the
feeling OF stunned amazement. The
Office force and even the hands when
they met would look at each other
fearfully. What would happen next
+ No one could tell. But all were sure
something dreadful might be expected
! First had come the fight In the fur.
mace room. when Sommers was nearly
/ killed; then the discharge OF Smith.
but with the rumor that be had gone
- work in another plant controlled by
/ Mr. Durant; next had followed a ter
| rible explosion OF the Sommers gun.
and now was the shipwreck. the won.
! derful rescue through the bravery OF
: Sommers and Frances Durant finally
/ to culminate In a rigid Investigation to
/ be held In the Durant works. So no
/ wonder the thousands connected di-
/ Tectly and indirectly with the Durant
works were In fever Of excitement.
The story OF the heroic rescue had
been told over and over again. All
/ knew how Frances voluntarily Ind
stayed behind on the wrecked yacht to
share apparently certain death with
the heroic young naval officer. II was
plain that she loved him and he loved
/ her. and all the gossips were straininc
their imaCinations TO conjure iuSi
what would be the result when the
girls lover was tried at the court mar.
tial FOR the loss OF his gun. forged in
her fathers works.
As soon as the Mongollan reached
New York the survivors OF the Irvessa
had landed. Pinckney hurried 10 Pitts
burg on the first train. but Sommers
stayed over n few hours TO make tho
trip with Frances and her mother
Mr.. Durant had met them there. and
all came on together The steel mar
was not given 10 many words. som.
mers was equally eSaustratlve
They had wrung each others hands
with mutual respect and esteem. bur
there had been no words OF the rela.
ton which all knew must exist be-
tween the young officer and Frances
The girl had said nothing. Even her
mother was not In her confidence.
burg Mrs. Durant had found time 10
take up the subject with her husband
Its no use. George" she said. Ed
ward hasn't a chance. That wreck
killed any feeling she ever had. We
were all I'm the wireless room. and
when he began 10 bungie and send
foolish messages Mr. Sommers Just
caught him by the collar. pulled him
away from the key and put him out
side. II you bad seen Frances face
then you would know Edward was
done You must give Mfr. Sommers ev-
cry opportunity 10 clear himself OF
blame"
George Durant nodded IN agreement
III give him every chance. my
dear" he said. give him a chance
that's all any man can ask"
Now the day OF Sommers' chance
was at hand. for Mr. Durant had put
his books and the entire force OF the
works in charge OF Bradley to ferret
out the truth
Pinckney. with a few hours start
hurried 20 the works as fast as posi-
bic. He wanted 10 meet Marsh before
the investigation began. He mus,
know what Marsh had told Bradley
Their stories must agree. But the FIRST
blurted question brought another sur.
prise to the chief conspirator.
II haven't seen any secret service
man. There hasn't been any around
here" protested Marsh.
Pinckney shook his head impatient
ly.
Don't be foolish. Marsh. You saw
him and talked to him. He questioned
yoe here nearly a month ago. His
name was Bradley"
Marsh. thoroughly frightened at the
Idea Of secret service men working on
a case. could only redouble his pro-
test.
81 haven't seen him. haven't talked
to anybody didn't know in a month"
Pinckney gave relieved sigh.
Then be biuffed me-" he said. "But
now listen. This investigation is com
ing or today. We're all right. II you
keep your head for half an hour you
can't go wrong. And we begin work
on a government contract for the
Rhinestrom tomorrow"
what must I say?" inquired the In
ventor OF the Rhinestrom gun weakly.
"Swear that Smith was drunk and
say that | and Sommers were in thu
furnace room when the gun went into
the tempering bath. Then Bradley
can't prove anything TO save his life
Don't let him brighten you. He'll try
TO, but keep your nerve II he asks
you about the Rhinestrom gun don't
know anything about H."
Marsh. naturally nervous. was now
trembling with fear.
"You know OF those killed and
wounded. Mr.. Pinckney. We both de-
serve states prison for t."
Pinckney grabbed the little man by
the shoulder TO shake some courage
into him
Don't get chicken hearted. you fool"
he cried angrily- IT feel as bad about
the accident as you do. but we can't
think OF that now. It's states prison
or a fortune for you. Marsh. Now
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