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

added, with a serious explanation. u
have an engagement with him. so
thought they'd be waiting for me"
"ShalI | tell him you are here r
asked the stenographer.
Bradley made a hasty objection.
ooh. no; don't bother. I'll wait till
they get through. ! was just going r.
see them on a little business about the
Rhinestron gun. And that reminds me
Give me Mr.. Rhinestrom's address
won't you? | have to drop him a let
ter"
"Rhinestrom's address, she asked
%curiously.
The man nodded.
"Snre. Rhinestrom. the inventor nj
the gun they're making here. Cans
you give me his address? If you don't
remember 1t look at the last letter you
sent him."
why, I've never sent him any let
ters," Maize returned curiously. IF
you want his address, why don't you
get it from Mr.. PinckneyY
Bradley smiled.
That's a good idea" he said. "I'll
just do that. You take all Mr.. Pinck-
ney's dictation. don't your"
The girl had begun TO wonder at the
questioning. Bradley looked we'll and
was pleasant. But what did he want?
Eyes, l take Mr.. Pinckney's dicta-
tion.' she agreed cautiously.
"And he's never written to Rhine
strom?" demanded Bradley, with sud-
den %sternness.
Fol- a moment the girl fared up.
Say. who are you anyhow? What
do you want? Are you trying to pump
me p
Her questioner smiled blandly.
"Oh. please don't suggest such a
thing" he said. I'm going In the
works now to see a man named O'Lea-
ry. When Mr.. Durant comes tell him
that Mr.. Bradley of the secret service
is in the works, Then send for me.
Goodby. Much obliged for what you
had to tell me-"
Maize O'Brien leaned back in her
chair, looking after Bradley with a
curious expression on her face.
1sNelh. what do yeu think Of thats'a
she said to herself at last in astonish-
ment. Him a detective, Well, he's a
pretty good looking fellow-for a de-
tective. I wonder what's up. ! remem-
Der he was around here a month ago"
Ten minutes later the detective was
back In the Office In time to meet
Frances entering with Lieutenant
Sommers.
''I'm glad you're here. Miss Durant."
he declared earnestly. would you
mind If | ask you some questions on
investigation?
The girl smiled at the idea.
Twill | mind% she exclaimed. you
know Ill do anything in the world |
can to clear Mr.. Sommers of any
blame. Have you found out anything
so far?"
Bradley shook his head.
1--WE got no positive proof. but 1
think | shall have before this inyesti-
cation is over"
"And Mr.. Sommers will be cleared
when he goes before the court of in
quiry at Washington" persisted the
girl.
Bradley bowed.
81 certainly hope so, Miss Durant.
You know how much I W to Mr..
Sommers and to you. l feel SUR he is
innocent of any neglect or wrongdoing.
and you can depend Oh me to work my
head off to clear him. Everything will
depend. however. on what l can get
from Marsh"
Frances looked surprised.
81 can't think Marsh is guilty" she
admitted anxiously. Hes been In the
works for years. and %nothing's ever
been said against him."
Bradley nodded.
~ know all that. Miss Durant. But
may l tell you a secret? l believe
Marsh is the inventor of the Rhine
strom gun, and If | can prove that the
rest is easy"
sand if you can'tY the girl asked
%fearfully.
Bradley smiled with confidence.
81 never let myself look on that
side" he said. Nov | must leave you.
I'll be back in a few minutes"
When the door had closed on Brad
ley the girl turned impulsively to Som
mers at her side.
What will you do If you find they
are against your" she asked bluntly.
The man looked at her seriously.
"There is nothing that | can do then,
Frances. III be ~dishonored. a disgraced
man."
you mean" she persisted, "if this
investigation discloses nothing and the
court of inquiry at Washington finds
against you that you will not come
back to me?"
An expression of pain crossed Som
mers' face, but his answer came out
straight:
"How could | come back to you,
dear? A cashiered naval officer, dis
graced for life. couldn't come to you
/ couldn't ask that sacrifice of you"
ImnulsivaIv the girl had laid her