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

yVu iAc hucW WHY i'InCKnev nuu DPcU
80 solicitous. lie realized why. finally
he himself Ind been assaulted in the
last desperate effort to keep him from
witnessing the transfer Of the gun to
the temperIng bath.
Finally he understood why Frances
had come there that night She mus,
have suspected. and she had come tc
save him. The thought Of the dastard
~ trick enrnged him.
ut was killed in the tempering bath
l swear It wns!" Sommcrs exclaimed
1ercely. "Pinckney was IN the room
that night Mt the Durnnt works. He's
here-hcre at this hotel III settle
with him.
He had taken q step when the secret
service man caught him by the arm.
Easy. lad. easy" he cautioned
Don't lose your head. I've made in
vestigations III Pittsburg. and I'm 70
Ing to question Mr. Pinckney myself"
With desperate effort under the re-
strainlng hand Sommers regaincd bis
self control. Ills mind began to work
again logically. shrewdly. He saw
W Ddt Uul w w UIlu IIOW III MUS
help this friendly officer
May ask whcnr you wer. 20 Pitts
burg did yon question man named
Marsh?'
You mean the dranghtsman? No.
replied Bradley. 40 you think he
knew anything of it,"
SOminers shook his head In puzzled
fashion.
"IIc may have known something. He
ought to. He was there"
Ibid yon ever sec n Mr. Rhinestrom
about there asked Bradley next.
Sommers still looked puzzled.
NO; didn't see him. but | heard q
great deal of him Marsh was greatly
interested in the gun Rhincstrom had
invented"
Bradley looked keenly at the naval
officer
"Oh. Marsh was interested in that
gun? But yon never saw Rhnestronl
about there he said significantly.
Again there came that startling flash
to Sonmcrs. He began to suspect just
how blind he had been. but before he
could say another word Pinckney came
out quickly from the hotel. The gen.
eral manager stopped. surprised at
sight Of the naval lieutenant.
How are you. Sommers:" he said
! colby.
Sommers bowed with equal GOODNESS
as Bradley stepped In between the two
men.
i've been most anxious to see you,
Mr.. Pinckney." the secret service agent
began.
plnckney looked at him. surprised.
"Who are you:" he asked.
United States secret service tnan
detailed on the Sommers gun case"
came the quick reply.
Pinckney suppressed an involuntary
start
"Oh. see" he said. I'm down.
right sorry. Most unfortunate affair,
indeed. But what can | do?"
Bradley smiled pleasantly.
why. answer Il few questions. II
you WILL" he suggested.
The general manager could not keep
down all expression Of annoyance. but
he knew 1t would never do to COM
pletely antagonize the secret service
man on the case. SO he forced an apol
ogy for smile.
"Of course. with pleasure. But I'm
rather pushed for time. We sail al
most Immediately"
I'm that case, III begin at once"
He turned to the government agent
undlsturbed
Mr.. Durant has kindly consented
that I should make thorough In
vestigation at the works in pittsburg
when l return. He is anxious to do
all IN his power to help mo find upon
whom the blame rests"
The general manager drew himself
up.
Blame" he said sternly.
Yes, blame" was the pointed reply.
Again Pinckney made Il move for
delay. He wanted to get to Pittsburs
as quickly as he could to see Marsh
and cover up all tracks before he an
swered any questions
Cant You defer all questions until
the investigation in Pittsburgh" he
suggested. I'm IN great hurry, and
In Pittsburg ! will have all facts be
Sore me and can answer fully"
But Bradley was man not to be
denied.
u should prefer asking one or two
now" he said and without waiting for
response put his first query bluntIy
What Is your belief, Mr.. Pinckney,
us to the cause of thl, unfortunate
action!"
my belief?" said the general man
ager blankly.
Yes. Do you think the gun was
killed in the temperng bath at your
mrsenal?"
Plnckney's face flushed
II do not" he retorted angrily. Il
think the gun WAS constructed on
theory. and the theory was unsound."
Sommers, standing by. made a quick.
angry movement. but II 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 il WIS 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.