Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-12
but his first query bluntly.

as to the cause of this unfortunate action?"
 My beief?" said the general man. ager bankly. Yes. Do you think the gun was killed in the tempering bath at your arsenal?"
 Pinckney's face flushed "I do not" he retorted angrily. "I think the gun was constructed on | theory, and the theory was unsound."
 Sommers. standing by. made quick, angry movement, but sharp look from Bradley restrained him. The secret service man was apparently very much interested and thoroughly willing to accept Pinckney's idea. In fact, agreeing with people was | part of Bradley's stock in trade, and, ! in fact, in Washington it was generally admitted that this particular star of | 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.
 "Mm-very interesting" he said. Now, what do you think of the Rbine- strom gun. MT. PlnckneyY
 Pinckney looked at his questloner ] sharply. hut the face before him showed only bland agreement and l casual interest.
 "I consider the Rhinestrom gun the l 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 gun?'
 "The Durant steel works control | them," corrected the general manager.
 And you have large government order for the Rhlnestrom gun now ! that the Sommers gun is out of the way:" persisted the unrufled ques- tiOner
 Pinckney had been losing more and ! more of his self control as each sue, | ceeding home thrust struck him. Il dout like what that question im- plies, sir" he exclaimed angrily. 1 DIduitS hidue u SiiSht NV"'NniN""i l nod.
 'Pm sorry" he said indifferently,
 The conspirator had begun to real ize he was fencing a strong. shrewd antagonist and it would not do to lose 1 his temper so he hastened tO explain.
 "We had the Rhincstrou order be- fore the Sommers gun was forged
 "Who is RhinestromY commanded Bradley, with n sudden sternness that took the general manager completely by surprise. rinckney had not antici- I pated that question. For a moment he hesItatcd, repeating blankly after the government agent:
 Who Is he:' Bradley'S manner had chaDged ab- ruptiy from bland curiosity to stern determination to know.
 Yes" he said sharply, "whO is Rhinestrom? Where does he come from? Where is be now? Whom did you deal with:'
 Pinckney hesitated.
 "Why. l have no idea who his friends ! are"
 Docs Mir Durant know:" asked the i detective.
 i Still pinckney fenced.
 "I-I couldn't say. really. Better ask 1 Mr Durant" "l did" retorted Bradley shortly. ! Plnckney saw 1t was time to end | this cross questioning if he was to get away safe The government agent l was shrewder than he thought. and 1 this thin spot in his defense-the iden- 1 tity of Rhiuestron-Scemed perilously weak. The only thing to do was to end it at once.
 "I haven't time to talk to you fur ther," he said. 1 Bradley made a restraining gesture.
 Just q moment more, Mir Pinckney. Has Rhinestrom ever been at your ] works"
 No. sir" returned the general man. ager promptly.
 Then how does Marsh know him?" demanded the government agent stern ly.
 It was pure bluff, but Pinckney had no idea of that, and he took the bait. | hook. siuker and all. Marsh he exclaimed blankly. "Why, Marsh doesn't know him.
 For the first time Bradley permitted himself q sncerng smile.
 Fl can only go by what Marsh says" he declared Do you mean to tell me. Mir Pinckney. that Marsh. the draughtsman of the Durant steel works. does not know the inventor of the Rhinestrom gum
 Pinckney's face was brick red with anger now, but inside there was a quiver of apprehension that Marsh had talked. If so, all was up. Anyway this questioning must stop.
 I'm not going to talk 10 you fur ther, sir" he declared angrily. Your monnnp ie diGtactnful tn mo v