Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-01-11

I'm not going to talk to you fur
ther, SIR" he declared angrily. "Youl
manner Is distasteful to me-"
Again there came that mocking, sa-
tirical apology.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. But, Mr.. Pinck-
ney, you don't mind admitting that the
man in charge Of forging the Sommers
gun was drunk"
Il do admit that" he said, but ne
did his work properly. was there
myself to watch him. Mr.. Sommers
was there too"
Instantly the secret service agen,
turned on Sommers.
Were you in the furnace room, Lieu
tenant Sommers, at the time the CUR
went into the bath?"
Yes, sir" admitted the naval OFF,
Ger, Il was"
Did it go in at the right tempera-
ture?"
1T was Sommers' time to hesitate.
Il don't know" he admitted. -
didn't see it."
You were in the furnace room,' ex-
claimed the secret service man, "and
you did not see your own gun go into
the tempering bath?'
There was a quarrel with the fore
man." said Sommers hesitatingly.
What were you quarreling about?'
asked Bradley.
1t was the one question that Som
mers could not answer. How could he
bring Frances into it? Bradley was
waiting impatiently for his reply.
Il can't explain the cause of that
quarrel" finally declared the naval Of
ficer firmly, and Pinckney permitted
himself his first smile Of satisfaction.
After all, there was a chance OF this
young fool, through insane chivalry,
permitting himself to overlook his only
means Of vindication.
Bradley was still looking at Sommers
with involuntary surprise when Pinck-
ney made his next move.
Mr.. Bradley, want you to UNDER
stand that I'm very sorry for Mr.. Som
mers about this whole affair. If 1 can
| be of any service to him or to you !
shall be only too glad"
The secret service man was not one
to be whimsical or chivalrous when ne
had started out to accomplish any
thing. Promptly he took Pinckney at
his word.
That's very good of you, sir, and
you can be Of the greatest service to
us. Lieutenant Sommers goes to face
the court Of inquiry at Washington,
and II Is his desire and mine to reach
there with as little delay as possible,
No steamer sails from this port to New
York for nearly a week,
Now, the gun that made this trou-
BILE was forged at your works, and
therefore, whether you wish 1t or not
YOU have a direct interest In the case,
Perhaps I'm going to ask you some-
thing unusual, but it will be great
favor II you will allow Mr.. Sommers
and myself to sail with you on the r.
vassa."
Pinckney and Sommers both stared
at the secret service man In amaze
ment. The cool audacity Of the pro-
posal took them both Off their feet.
Sommers was the first to recover.
Bradley! Mo-" he exclaimed impet-
uously.
Pinckney bowed coldly.
I'm sorry, SIR" he said, but you
are asking too much. That'll be i'm
possible"
He turned away just as Frances
tired Of the waiting, re-entered the
courtyard.
"Ah, Frances, you are ready?" he
| asked.
Without replying the girl came
straight to Sommers.
What are you going to do now"'
she asked directly.
81 have been ordered to report at
| Washington at once to face the court
of inquiry" returned the officer.
The girl smiled. There were both
sadness and JOY in it-sadness for MS
unfortunate situation, joy that they
had a chance still to be together.
I'VE are just starting" she suggest
ed Come with US on the yacht"
Sommers shook his head.
I'm sorry; I can't do that"
The girl stood looking at him, hurt
and uncertain. She had not expected
that rebuff. She could not understand
it. Again Bradley seized the situation.
Miss Durant, Mr.. Sommers goes to
Washington to endeavor to show why
| he should not be court martialed for
| neglect of duty the night his gun was
forged. It's most important that he
get there as soon as possible, and no
| ship sails from this port for week..
Pinckney stepped forward angrily.
Mr.. Bradley, your explanation is
most uncalled for" he exclaimed.
Then Frances began to see. Her
head came up, and her eyes lighted.
"On the contrary. Mr.. Bradley, I'm
very much obliged to you for your ex-
planation," she declared haughtily.
Would it not be possible for you and
Lieutenant Sommers to return with
u.s.?
1T would be the greatest favor, Miss
Durant," he said earnestly. Il had al
ready requested it, but Mr.. Pinckney
objects
The girl turned on Pinckney haugh-
tily.
when Mr.. Pinckney realizes that
the Irvessa is my fathers yacht and
that this gun was forged in my fathers
| works and that 1t Is NV desire that
| Lieutenant Sommers and Mr.. Bradley
sail with us at once am sure he will
| have no objections to Offer
Rebuked. Pinckney bowed with III
grace.
Since Miss Durant wishes it l am
only too happy to have you come with
us, of course" he said to Bradley.
| The secret service man bowed In
turn.
Then we'll go, Of course. with
thanks" he said simply. IF you Will
/ nj