Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-01-14

I he himself had been assaulted III the
last desperate effort to keep him from
| Witnessing the transfer of the gun TO
tie t"mpcrin@ bath.
FINALLY he understood why Frances
had come there that night She must
have suspected. and she had come TO
save him. The thought Of the bastard
~ trick enraged him.
III WAS killed In the tempcring bath.
! swear It was" Sommers exclaimed
ticrcely. "Pinckney was in the room
that night at the Durant works. He's
here-here Mt this hotel. I'll settle
with him.
He had taken a step when the secret
service man caught him by the arm.
Easy. lad, easy" he cautioned.
Don't lose your head! I've made in
vestigations In Pittsburg. and I'm go
tng TO question Mr.. chkney myself. 4"
With q desperate effort under the re-
straining hand Sommers regaiDcd his
again logically. shrewdly. He saw
what he had TO do and how he must
help this friendly officer.
May l ask when you were in Pitts
burg did you question a man named
Marsh?'
You mean the draughtsman? No."
replied Bradley. DO you think he
knew anything Of IT."
Sommers shook his head In puzzled
fashion.
He may have known something. He
ought to. He was there"
Did you ever see Mr.. Rhinestrom
! about there" asked Bradley next
Sommers Still! looked puzzled.
NO; ] didn't see him. but | heard
great deal of him Marsh was greatly
interested in the gun Rhinestrom had
invented"
Bradley looked keenly at the naval
officer.
"Oh. Marsh was interested In that
gun? But you never saw Rhinestrom
about there:' lie said significantly.
Again there came that startling fash
to Sommers. lie began to suspect just
how blind he had been, but before he
could say another word Pinckney came
Jul IoNhiy hC SSh-
eral manager stopped. surprised at
sight Of the naval lieutenant
''IIow are you. SommersY" he said
coldly.
SOmmers bowed with equal GOODNESS
as Bradley stepped In between the two
men.
1--WE been most anxious to see you,
Mr. Pinckney," the secret service agent
began.
Pinckney looked ut him. surprised.
"WhO are you?" he asked.
| United States secret service man
detailed on the. Sommers gun case"
, came the quick reply.
Pinckney suppressed an Involuntary
start.
"Oh, see" he said. I'm down
right sorry. Most unfortunate affair.
indeed. But what can | do!"
Bradley smiled pleasantly.
"Why. answer few questions. II
you WILL" he suggested
The general manager could not keep
down all expression Of annoyance. but
he knew it would never do to COM
pletely antagoniZe the secret service
ogy for Il smile.
"Of course. with pleasure But I'm
rather pushed for time We sail al
most Immediately"
In that case. III begin at once"
He turned to the government agent
undsturbcI
"Mr. Hurant has kindly consented
that | should make thorough in
veSti1atinn ut the works In Pittsburg
when | return. He is anxious to do
all in his power to help ne find upon
whom the lame rests"
The general manager drew himself
up.
Blame" he said sternly.
"Yes. blame" WAS the pointed reply
Again rinckney made move for
delay. He wanted to get to Pittsburg
as quickly as he could to see Marsh
and cover up all tracks before he an
swered any questions.
Cant you defer all questions until
suggested. I'm in Il great hurry. aud
In I'ittsburg will have all facts be-
fore me and can answer fully"
But Bradley was man not TO be
denied.
Il should prefer asking one or two
now" he said and without waiting for
response put his first query bluntly.
What Is your belief, Mr. Pinckney,
as to the cause Of this unfortunate
action"
"My belief" said the general man.
ager blankly.
Yes. DO you think the gun was
killed in the tempering bath at your
arsenal:"
Pinckney's face flushed.
81 do not" he rctOrted angrily. IL
think the gun was constructed on
theory. and the theory was unsound"
SOmmers. standing by. made a quick,
angry movement. but sharp look
from Bradley restrained him. The
secret service man was apparently
very much Interested and thoroughly
willing to accept Pinckney's idea.
In fact. agreeing with people was
part Of Bradlcy's stock In trade, and,
In fact. in Washington 1t was generally
admitted that this particular star Of
the secret service bureau could agree
with more people and get more In
formation without offense than any
man In the service. Now. apparently,
be was Pinckney's friend.
"M'm-very interesting" he said.
Now. what do you think Of the Rhine
strom gun, Mr. IinckiIey?'
Pinckney looked at his questiOner
sharply. but the face before him
showed only bland agreement and
casual interest.
II consider the Rhinestrom gun the
best gun that has been invented" said
the general manager firmly.
The face Of the government agent
continued to show bland interest only.
"And have you controlled the patents