Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-11

I'm sorry" he said indifferently.
The conspirator had begun to real
lie he was fencing strong, shrewd
antagonist and 1t would not do to lose
his temper. so he bastened to explain
I'VE had the KhinestrUn order be.
fore the Sommcrs gun was forged"
who IL RhinestromT commanded
Bradley, with Il sudden sternuess that
took the general manager completeiy
by surprise Pinckney had not antici.
pated that question. For Il moment
he hcsitated. repeating bankly after
the government agent:
WHO is hc!"
Bradleys manner had changed alb
ruptly from bland curiosity to stern
determination to know.
Yes" he said sharply, who IL
I,hinestrom: Where does he come
from: Where IS be nowy Whom Gid
you deal WITH"
Pinckney hesitatcd
why. | have no idea who his friends
are"
Docs Mr.. Durant know" asked the
detective
StiII fiHCkHcI IcDcPU.
IL couldn't say, really. Better ask
MIR. Durant."
II did retorted Bradley shortly.
Pinckney saw it was time to end
this cross questioning If he was to get
away safe. The government agent
was shrewder than he thought. and
this thin spot in his defense-the iden.
pIti, 4 all
! weak. The only thing to do was to
end 1t at once.
II haven't time to talk to you fur.
Their" lie said
Bradley ma restraining gesture.
Just moment more, Mr. pinckney,
Has Rhinestrom ever been ut yom
works.
mo. sir" returned the general man.
ager promptly.
Then how does Marsh know him."
demanded the government agent stern.
IL.
1t was pure bluff, but Piuckney bad
no idea Of that ana he took the b9it,
hook. sinker and all.
Marsh he exclaimed blankly.
why. Marsh doesn't know him"
For the first time Bradley permitted
iiinisplt II sneerlug smile.
81 can only 60 by what Marsh says
he declared DO you mean 70 tell
me. Mr.. Pinckney. that Marsh. the
lraughtsman of the Durant steel
works, does not know the inventor Of
the RhnestrOm gum"
Pincknpys face was brick rcd with
anger now. tut Inside there was Il
CULVER Of apprehension that Marsh had
talked. If 50. all was MP Anyway
This questioning must stop.
I'm not going to talk to you fur
Their. sir" he declared angrily. Your
manner is distasteful 70 ne"
Again there came that hooking, So
tirical apology.
Oh I'm so sorry. But. Nh pinck-
ney. you don't mind admitting that the
man in charge of forging the Sommcrs
gun was drunk
Pinckney hcstated.
~ do admit that" he said but he
did his work properly. .as there
myself to watch him. Mr. Sommers
was there too"
Instantly the secret service agent
turned on Sommers.
Were you in the furnace room Lieu
tenant Sommers at the time the gun
went into the bath?"
Yes. sir" admitted the naval OH.
Ger. II was"
Did it 60 in at the right tenpera
ture"
1t WIS SOmmers time TO hesitate
81 don't know" he admitted. ct"
didn't see It."
You were in rha furnace room
exclaimed the secret service man. and
Yen did not see your own gun 20 into
the tcmpcring bath?"
There was a quarrel with the fore
man" said SommerS hestatingly
What were you qUarrclng about"
asked Bradley.
II was the one question that som.
merS could not answer How could he
bring Frances into il: Bradley was
waiting impatiently for his reply.
II can't explain the cause OF that
quarrel finally declared the naval