The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-02-19

There was 90 much satirical con-
tempt In the way the question was
put that the cold sweat broke out on
Marsh. He looked helplessly at Pinck-
ney and in his hard eyes read despera-
ton, but not despair. Pinckney, crook
ed though he might be, still had all
the courage OF the really big villain.
The sight Of his courage helped Marsh
to falter out his answer.
Eyes, SIR"
The next question was entirely I'M
expected.
"What royalty does Rhinestrom re-
ceive for the gun. Mr.. Marshr
There was a. long pause. Marsh
looked about helplessly. Quite OBJ
v1ously ne was gong TO pieces. r1nck-
ney knew that question must not be
answered. 1t meant everything. If
Marsh told what be thought the real.
royalty might come out and the true
inventor, IN desperation and anger,
would blurt the truth. 1t must be
stopped. Pinckney sprang to his feet.
'"Th1s is Ridiculous" he exclaimed.
'These questions are all silly. What
does Marsh know about all this? how
can Marsh know anything about roy
altfes?"
Bradley turned to the owner Of the
works. ~<
''Mr. Durant will you kindly tell
Marsh what royalty you pay this
Rhinestrom?"
The steel man looked puzzled, angry.
questioning. He had not the slightest
| suspicion that Marsh was the real in
ventor of the. Rhinestrom gun. and so,
quite naturally, he looked on the ques-
tons regarding royalty as entirely un-
necessary prying into business secret.
For a moment he did not reply, and
Bradley repeated his question. Then
Pinckney broke in angrily.
II thought Mr.. Bradley came here
to inquire into the Sommers gum" he
sneered.
The secret service man kept his tenn
per as he turned to Mr.. Durant, to
speak In a tone Of polite regret.
| "You invited me here, Mr.. Durant,
to ask such questions as saw At to
get at the facts concerning the de-
struction Of gun. Do understand
you refuse to answer the first ques-
tion?'
Mr.. Durant hesitated.
"But this is q private business mat
ter" he protested at last. Il see no
bearing in that question on the matter
In hand"
Bradley shrugged his shoulders.
"1'm sorry," he said regretfully. 81
ask it only for Mr.. Marsh's informa.
ton"
''What has Marsh got to do with
what I pay for patents7" exclaimed
Durant angrily.
/ Bradley, still unruf1ed, turned to
Marsh with a smile.
Suppose you tell him, Marsh," be
suggested.
Nothing at all, SIR" the inventor
muttered hastily.
Pinckney would have broken il
again, but the detective stopped him
sharply with a gesture. *: az -.
=" oAs. AoAous SoA yOU Le41 uue
straight to my face that it would mean
nothing to you to know that Mr.. Du
rant pays a royalty for the Rhinestrom
gun Of a thousand dollars an 1nch?''
An expression of amazement swept
over the face Of the badgered witness
Zone thousandv' he gasped; then be
stopped short, looking at Pinckney
venomously. The chief conspiratol
caught the look and realized its dan
ger.
"Marsh won't believe" he cried has
tily. But again Bradley cut in, step
ping between Pinckney and the wit
ness so that neither could see the
+ other.
keep quiet Mr.. Pincney," be de
manded sternly. II can prove what
say. Now, Marsh, what do you say tt
a royalty Of thousand dollars ar
inch?"
The little man was past the stage oil
fear now. He saw the whole trick
he realized how he had been duped
He had only to tell the truth, and ruin
both Pinckney and himself, but then
! Ae ueSAldleu. 10 Tell Tue CruCQ-WQal
would that mean? It would near
state prison possibly and disgrace
And Marsh was not big enough to take
great revenge. Finally he looked
down.
"Nothfng,'' he said at last.
Nothing" demanded Bradley.
Again Mr. Durant interfered.
mr.: Bradley" he exclaimed sharp.
ly, II see no reason for your ques.
tons or your attitude. can't for the
life of me see what you are getting
at"
II can," supplemented Pinckney,
sneering. 1--WE had experience with
Mr.: .Bradley's style of bluff"
Bradley paid no attention to the gen.
eral manager. but turned, speaking to
Mr.. Durant, but looking at Marsh.
II will explain, Mr. Durant. Lieu
tenant Sommers is an honest man. It
Is to him and the girl he loves that Mr.
Pinckney and your wife and l and a