Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-01-28
CHAPTER XIV.

fever of excitement Ever since
the forging of the Sommers
gun events of Importance had
happened In such close succession that
about the works generally was the
feeling of stunned Amusement. The
office force and even the hands when
they met would look at each other
~fearfully. What would happen next?
No n could tell. But all were sure
something dreadful might be expected
First had come the fight in the fur
mace room. when Sommers was nearly
killed; then the discharge of Smith
but with the rumor that he had gone
to work in another plant controlled by
Mr.. Durant: next had followed a 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 a rigid investigation to
be held in the Durant works. So no
wonder the thousands connected di-
yectly and indirectly with the Durant
works were In a 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. 1t was
plain that she loved him and he loved
her. and all the gossips were straining
their imaginations to c~onjure 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 Monaghan reached
New York the survivors of the Irvessa
had landed. P%inckney hurried TO Pitts.
burg on the first train. but Sommers
stayed owe a few hours TO make the
trip with Frances and her mother
Mr., Durant had met them there, and
all came on together. The steel man
was not given to many words. Som
mers was equally undemonstrative.
They had wrung each others hands
with mutual respect and esteem, but
there had beer no words of the rela-
ton which all knew must exist be
twCatr the young officer and Frances
The girl had said nothing. Even her
mother was not In her confidence.
On the trip from New York to Pitts
burg Mrs. Durant had found time to
take up the subject with her husband.
tits no use, George" she said ED
ward hasn't a 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 Mr.. 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 Mr.. Sommers e
cry opportunity to clear himself of
blame"
George Durant nodded In agreement,
"IIl give him every chance, my
dear" he said. "Give him a chance.
that's all any man a ask"
Now the day of Sommers' chance
was at hand, for Mr.. Durant had put
his books and the entire force of the
works in charge of Bradley to ferret
out the truth.
Pihckney. with a few hours start,
hurried to the works as fast as posi-
BILE. He wanted TO meet Marsh before
the investigation began. He must
know what Marsh had told Bradley.
Their stories must agree. But the first
blurted question brought another sur
prise to the chief conspirator.
II haven't seen any secret service
man. There hasn't been any around
here" protested Marsh.
Pinckney shook his head impatient
ly.
"Don't be foolish. Marsh. You saw
him and talked to him. He questioned
you here nearly a month ago. His
name was Bradley"
Marsh. thoroughly frightened at the
idea of secret service men working or
a case, could only redouble his pro
test.
81 haven't seer him. | haven't talked
TO anybody | didn't know In a month
Pinckney rave a relieved sigh.
"Then he bluffed me-" he said. "But
now listen. This Investigation Is com
ing off today. We're all right. If you
keep your head for half an hour you
can't go wrong. And we begin work
on a government contract for the
Rhinestrom tomorrow"
what must | say?' inquired the in
ventor of the Rhinestrom gun weakly.
'Swear that Smith was drunk and
say that l and Sommers were In the
furnace room when the gun went into
the tempering bath. Then Bradley
can't prove anything to save his life
Don't LET him brighten you. He'll try
to, but keep your nerve. II 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
wounded. Mr.. Pinekney. We both de
serve states prison for II"
ns..t--r -~.ohAoI tho lfffIo man nv