The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-01-13


the anxious fearfulness Of Frances,
and. lastly, the cold. calm. deadly smil-
ing man who questioned him. With a
gasp and gulp he managed to collect
himself.
mo. sir be said firmly.
-whal: You mean to tell me you
never invented gunw demanded
Bradley stefnly.
Marsh thought he caught hint OF
disappointment In the tone. and IL gave
hI.n courage.
But the disappointment. If there was
any. was hidden promptly by the
sneering smile Of the secret service
man us he said:
why. you surprise me. Mr.. Marsh
Then you don't know MIR. Rhine
str0m:'
no. sir" he faltcred.
Bradley merely smiled.
you've never seen him here. Mr..
Marsh?"
No. sir" reiterated Marsh more
firmly.
Bradley's next question was still
hurled at the same polnt.
HAS be ever been at the works. Mr.
Marshf'
Marsh looked about again wildly.
II don't know be blurted at last.
-Ah. very interesting" smiled Brad
ley. You don't know Mr.. Rhine
strom? You've never seen him? yot
don't know whether or not he's evel
been ut the works? You've never In
vented gun yourself. OF course. AND
the one thing you do know Is that MFR
Rhinestrom is the inventor Of the guI
you are in charge Of forging. You arr
sure of that. aren't you. Mr.. Marsh
Take your time. Don't be In hurr,
with your answer All we want !
the truth. Now. you know AIr. Rhine
strora is the inventor Of the gun. don
your"
There was so much satirical con
tempt in the way the question wa
put that the cold sweat broke ont o.
Marsh. lie looked helplessly at pinck
ney aud In ais hard eyes read despera
tirn. but not despair. Plnckney. croos
cd though be might be. stiIl had a
The courage Of the really big villain
The sight CT his courage helped Mars
70 falier out his answer.
-Ycs. sir"
TIE next question was entirely un
expected.
-what royalty does Rhlnestrom re
ceive for The gun. Mr.. MarshF-
There was a long pause. Mars
looked about helplessly. Quite oh
viousIy be was going to pieces. Pinck
ney knew that question must not b
answered Ii meant everything.
Marsh told what he thought the rea
royalty might come out and the tru
inventor. In desperation and angel
would blurt the truth. II must b
stopped. Pinckney sprang TO bis fee
This Is Ridiculous be exclaimed
These questions are all silly. wha
does Marsh know about all thisf Hot
can Marsh know anything about 70,
i aitiesT-
BradIey turned to the ownsr Of III
works.
mir Durant. will you kindly te
Marsh what royalty you pay th
RhiDestromT
The steel man looked puzzled. angr.
He did not understand the drift OF II
questioning. lie had not the sIIghtei
suspicion that Marsh was the real d
ventor Of the Rhinestrom gun. and .
quite naturally. be looked 90 the que
tons regarding royalty as entirely n
necessary psying Into a business secre
For a moment be did not reply. an
J, Bradley repeated his question. Tho
Pinckney broke In angriIy.
i Il thought Mr.. Bradley came be-
4 10 inquire into the sommers gun"
, sDeered.
The secret service man kept bis ter
per as be turned to Mr.. Durant.
speak 10 tobe Of polite regret.
"you invited me here. Mr. Durar
/. to ask such questions rs saw at
Q get Of the facts concerning the d
struction Of gun. 10 upderstai
CT you refuse 10 answer the nrst que
tour
4 Ar. Durant hcsitafed.
But this Is a private business ms
ter be protested at last. Il see
? bearing In that question on the matt
IN hand"
, Bradley shrugged bis shoulders.
q I'm sorry" be said refretfuIIy.
ask n only fcs Mr. Marsh's inform
VI ton
what has Marsh got to DO vi
D what pay for pstenisY' ercIsim
d Durant ansrily.
J, Bradley. still unruf1ed. turned
81 Marsh with a smile.
b Suppose you tell him. Marsh"
4 Suggested.
vi "NofhIng at all. sir" the invent
. rDuiiered hastily.
. PinckDey would have broken
again. but the desecfive stopped b
u sharply with gesture.
Wait. Marsh. can ron tell /
q s'rsight 70 my face that 4 would me
nothing 20 you 10 know that Mr. q
rant rays . royalty for the Rhinesfr,
! gun VI thousand dollars N inchr