Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-01-28
CHAPTER XVI.
GETTING AT THE TRUTH.

" cSldDllon lcSpOnoAOAlllJ 1Ot
the failure of the Sommers gun
was simply organized. Mr.. Du-
rant put the entire matter in the hands
of Bradley. giving him authority to
question everybody connected with the
work and II possible to bring out the
entire truth. Besides Bradley and Mr..
Durant. Pinckney, Sommers, Frances
and the stenographer, Maize O'Brien,
were the only ones allowed at the ex-
animation.
II want you to understand, Mr.. Brad
ley" declared the steel man Sefore
they began, that I and my plant are
entirely at your service. l am as anx
ious as you to find just where the
blame lies, and If any men in my en-
ploy are responsible l can assure you
they will be punished"
Bradley bowed.
II am convinced of your sincerity.
SIR" he said. land | shall take full ad-
vantage of your offer"
Whom do you wish to question
first? ?" asked Durant.
Marsh replied the secret service
promptly.
The owner of the plant Immediately
sent a boy to call the head draughts-
man.
"And after Marsh?" he suggested.
1--WE might as well have the names of
all the witnesses, SO we can call them
Quickly.
Bradley smiled.
1.-THE second witness will also be
Marsh"
"And the third?' suggested the puz-
zled steel man.
Marsh again." came the grim reply.
Mr.. Durant looked up surprised. a
little startled.
"You have settled on Marsh, then, as
the guilty man?'
Bradley shook his head.
"Oh, by no means, MIR. Durant. I an
merely getting at the truth"
Pinckney had beer sitting grimly.
his brows drawn down. listening to the
talk Of Durant and the secret service
man. Now he broke in with some i'm
patience:
81 don't think this is treating Marsh
fair. Mr.. Durant. This detectives atti-
tude is apt to prejudice you against a
capable and proved faithful workman
Mr.. Durant turned on Pinckney, sur
prised.
81 don't think, Edward" he said,
shat / am apt to be prejudiced against
a good workman merely because he's
asked a few questions. Mr.. Bradley
may want to ask you some questions.
but / I don't think that can prejudice me
against you"
Before Pinckney could reply Marsh
entered. He was in his shirt sleeves,
having just come from his desk, and
he stood beside the door. looking about
the room furtiyely. suspiciously. fear
fully. Mr.. Durant smiled in friendly
fashion, for Marsh had worked many
years at the plant, and he liked him
immensely.
Marsh began the steel man. this
is Mr.. Bradley of the United States
secret service. He wants to ask you
some questions about forging the Som
mers gun. l want you to tell him
everything you know in connection
with that affair"
Eyes, sir" replied the head draughts-
man, but his tone was SO weak that
Pinckney. fearful of his fellow conspir-
ator's strength and courage, broke in
almost angrily:
Marsh was not in charge of that
job. and consequently he Bradley
turned quickly. His smile was just as
bland. but In his voice there was a
steely touch that showed that he would
mo- brook interference.
I'll do the talking. If you please.
Mr.. Pinckney.'
but. / tell you, he had nothing to
do with it." insisted the general man.
ager angrily.
Bradley turned to Mr.. Durant.
81 understood that l was to have full
swing here, Mr.. Durant? ?"
The owner Of the works nodded.
Nov, Marsh. who was in charge of
that job?"
Smith" replied the witness.
"Was he drunk"
Marsh hesitated. looking weakly
from Sommers to Pinckney.
"Yes, sir. he was" INT the admis-
sion at last frankly.
Bradley's smile did not change as be
asked his next question in the same