Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-11-27

strOmT'
mo. sir" be faltered.
Bradley merely smiled.
You've never seen him here, Mr.
MarshY"
NO. sir" reiterated Marsh more
firmly.
Bradley's next question was still
hurled at the same point.
Has be ever been at the works. Rfr.
MarshT
Marsh looked about again wildly.
Il don't know" be blurted at last.
"Ah, very interesting" smiled Brad
ley. You don't know Mr.. Rhine
strom? You've never seen him7 You
don't know whether OF not he's ever
been at the works. You've never in
vented a gun yourself. Of course. And
the one thing you do know is that Mr.
Rhinestrom is the inventor OF the gun
you are in charge Of forging. You are
sure OF that. aren't you. Mr.. Marsh2
Take your time. Don't be in a hurry
the truth. Now. you know SIr. 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 aud in his hard eyes read despera-
ton. but not despair. Pinckney. crook
ed though be might be. still had all
the courage Of the really big villain.
The sight OF his courage helped Marsh
10 falter out his answer.
ayes. sir"
The next question was entirely I'M
expected
What royalty does Rhlnestrom re-
ceive FOR The gun. Mr.. Marshs"
There was a long pause Marsh
looked about helplessly. Quite OBJ
viously be was going to pieces. Pinck-
ney knew that question must not be
answered. II meant everything. II
Marsh told what be thought the real
royalty might come out aud the true
inventor, I'm desperation and anger.
would blurt the truth. II must be
stopped. Pinckney sprang 20 his feet.
This is ridiculous" be exclaimed
These questions are all silly. What
does Marsh know about all this? How
can Marsh know anything about roy
altiesg"
Bradley turned to the owner Of the
works
MIR. DuFant will you kindly tell
Marsh what royalty you pay this
Rhinestromy"
The steel man Locked puzzled. angry.
lie did not understand TIE drift OF the
questioning. lie had not the slightest
suspicion that Marsh was the real in.
ventor OF the Rhinestrom gun. and so
quite naturally. ne looked on the cues
tons regarding royalty as entirely un-
necessary prylng into business secret
For a moment ne 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" he
sneered.
The secret service man kept his tenn
per as be turned 10 Mfr. Durant to
speak in tone OF polite regret.
You invited me here. Mr.. Durant.
20 ask such questions as l saw ct to
get at the facts concerning the de-
structiOD OF a gun. DO / understand
you refuse 10 answer the first ques-
tlony'
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" he said regretfuIly. 81
ask II only for Mr.. Marsh's Informa.
ton"
what has Marsh got to do with
what ] pay for patents?" exclaimed
Durant angrily.
Bradley still unrufied. turned to
Marsh with a smile.
Suppose you tell him. Marsh" he |
suggested.
Nothing 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 thar IL would mean
nothing 20 you 10 know that Mr.. Du. |
rant pays a royalty for the Rhinestrom !
gun Of a thousand dollars an inchY'
An expression OF amazement swept
over the face OF the badgered witness.
zone thousandI' he gasped: then be
stopped short. looking at Pinckney
enormously The chief conspirator
caught the look and realized its dan.
ger.
Marsh won't believe" be 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, Mr. Pinckney," he de
manded sternly. 81 can prove what
say. Now. Marsh. what do you say TO
q royalty OF a thousand dollars an
inchT'
The little man was past the stage Of
fear now. He saw the whole trick
He realized how be had been duped
He had only TO tell the truth and ruin
both Pinckney and himself. bur then
be hesitated. To tell the truth-wha,
would that mean? IL would. mean
state prison possibly and disgrace
And Marsh was not big enough 10 take