Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-16
CHAPTER xv.
EXCITEMENT AT THE DuRANT WORK

gun events of importance had l 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 Sommcrs was nearly killed; then the dischar.,c of Smith,
 but with the rumor that he had gone
 to work in another plant controlled by
 Mir. Durant; next had followed 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 eliminate in n rigid investigation to
 be held in the Durant works. So no wonder the thousands connected di. rectly 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 had 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 straining their imaglnatlons to conjure just 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 Mongolian reached New York the survivors of the Irvcssa had landed. Pinckney hurried to Pitts burg on the first train. but Sommers stayed over few hours to make the trip with Frances and her mother. Mir. Durant had met them there. and all came on together. The steel man was not given 10 many words. Som mers was equally undemonstrative They had wr1ing each others hands with mutual respect and esteem. but there had been no words of the rela- ton which sali knew must exist be- tween the young officer and Frances. The girl had said nothing. Even her mother was not in her confidence.
 On the trip from New York 10 Pitts burg Mrs. Duraut had found lime to take up the subject with her husband
 "lt's no use. George" she said. "Ed- ward hasn't q chance. That wreck killed any feeling she ever had. We were all in the wireless room. and when he began to bungle and send foolish messages Mir. Sommers just caught him by the collar. pulled him away from the key and put him out. side. If you had seen Frances face then you would know Edward was done. You must give Mir. Sommers ev- cry opportunity to clear himself of blame"
 George Durant nodded in agreement
 I'll give him every chance. my dear" he said. Give him a chance, that's all any man can ask"
 Now the day of Somrners' chance was at hand, for Mir. Durant had put his books and the entire force of the works in charge of Bradley to ferret out the truth.
 Pinckney. with few hours start | hurried 10 the works as fast as possi- 1 ble. He wanted to meet Marsh before l the investigation began. He must 1 know what Marsh had told Bradley. | Their stories must agree But the first l blurted question brought another sur prise to the chief conspirator.
 q haven't seen any secret service | man. There hasn't been any around | here" protested Marsh.
 Pinckney shook his head inpatient ly.
 "Don't be foolish. Marsh. You saw him and talked 10 him. He questioned | you here nearly a month ago. His l name was Bradley"
 Marsh. thoroughly frightened at the idea of secret service men working on a case, could only redouble his pro- test
 'l haven't seen him. l haven't talked fo anybody I didn't know in a month"
 Pinckney gave q relieved sigh.
 ''Then he bluffed me" he said, But now listen. This Investigation is com lug OH -lOuaN. We re aii rlGnI. IT you | keep your head for half an hour you can't go wrong. And we begin work on a government contract for the Rhinestrom tomorrowr
 What must say?" inquired the in- ventor of the Rhnestrom gun weakly.
 'Swear that Smith was drunk and say tha l and Sommers were in the furnace room when the gun went into the tempering bath. Then Bradley cant prove anything to- save his life Don't let him frighteD you. He'll try to, but keep your nerve. If he asks you about the Rhinestrom gun don't know anything about it."
 Marsh. naturally nervous, was now trembling with fear
 You know of those killed and Mir. Pinckney. We both de- serve states prison for it." Pinckney grabbed the little man by l the shoulder 10 shake some courage nto him.
 (To be continued) Il Tickets for the Catholic choir dance r1io nIa oA a1r l