The record-union., 1891-09-17
BURGLARY BY TELEPHONE.
Extraordinary Adventure of a
Wealthy Bridegroom.
Ie Is Told by Chicago Newspaper of
wen-Known Man of That City.
but Is Tough Story to Believe.

section of the population avail themselves
more readily and speedily of the latest
tTiumphS of science than the crlmlnal
Glass;" said the detective.
1.-The we'll informed criminal" he con-
tinued, ''skims the cream from every
new invention, if he can make use of it.
No iron safe has yet been constructed
that keeps out the shrewd and determined
burglar, and that's the way in everything
But l don't recall a case in which this
truth was more thoroughly demonstrated
than the Maxwell case"
"What case was that?'' asked.
''It was at the time when the telephone
had just been introduced into business
and private use. George Maxwell was at
that time most successful speculator on
the Board of Trade at Chicago, and was
currently reported to have tipped the
scale which marked Sl,000,000. lie was
young and handsome man, and had just
married a lady of remarkable beauty. 1t
was decided love match. A score or so
OF messages We're dispatched every day
during business hours. They contained
such important queries as P. NJ. how
are you now, darling?' And replies like
this-2.35 p. NJ. / sigh for you. How is
my sweetest?' Well, to save outlay and
Mr.. Maxwell connected his office with
his home in Ashland avenue, two miles
off, by private telephone wire. He was
one of the first men in Chicago to do So
About two out OF six business hours
were now spent by him at the instru-
ment.
''One day, lust before the close of bust
ness, there was ring at the telephone.
The devoted husband, with leap, was
there. What does my darling wish?' he
murmured.
"I'm no darling. You mistake me,
sirp came the reply, in masculine
voice-a voice rough and rasping, but
very distinct.
IT WAS a MANS VOICE.
"'Who are you, then?' asked the aston
ished millionaire.
Pm Thomas Jefferson Odell, the ac-
complished burglar, if you want to knOwn
"'Repeat, please gasped the other.
"'Odell, the burglar came the answer.
But. now listen, L cannot waste time. L
and two of my gang have gained access
TO your house. The cook, the chamber
maid and your wife are lying here bound
and gagged. The black coachman has
been disposed of. Some bundles of rags
soaked In petroleum have been judici-
ously distributed about the house ready
To be ignited.'
"'You scoundrelp shouted the ago
Don't excite yourself. Now, sir,
here is my proposal. II you disappear
from the telephone without acceding to it
! shall set fire to the house. It's no use
applying to the police, for we'd be too
quick for them. You will see, Mr.. Max
Well, that you are utterly III my power.
The only sensible thing you can do is TO
listen to my proposal and to agree to it.
'''Oh, wish L had my hand at your
throat, you villain! shouted the million
aire, shaking with rage.
''But you know you haven't; so what's
the use of your talking that way! Let US
talk business instead. need loan OF
$4,000 cash. | need it at once. If you
are inclined to lend me that sum without
guarantee L shall leave your house with
my men in exactly the same condition in
which | found it,
"'You are running me- groaned Max
well; and l don't think l have that much
money in cash in the Office safe.'
You'll force me to commit an atroci-
GUS deed came the remorSeleSS reply.
"'All right then-yes, Ill pay, but to
whom!'
THE ACCOMPLICE APPEARS.
"'It is now 5:I5 exactly. At this very
moment my confederate has entered your
Office to receive the money, You will
pay him and he will tell you the watch
word agreed to between US, which you
Will telephone to me at once
'Mr. Maxwell turned around. A
stranger of pleasant mien, dressed in the
hight of fashion, stood before him. Said
the visitor:
81 have called to collect little matter
of $4,000 for friend of mine, Thomas
Jefferson OdelI.'
81 understand replied Mr.. Maxwell,
who went to the safe. took from it two
packages containing $4,000, and handed
the money to the stranger.
THE latter ascertained that the amount
was correct and placed it inside his breast
pockets.
land the watchword?' demanded Mr..
Maxwell.
"'Do right and interfere notr replied
the burglars confederate, with an as
sumption of dignity, and strobe out of
the office with all the grandeur of Span
ish hidalgo.
"'Do right and interfere notr joyfully
shouted Mr. Maxwell through the tele-
phone. And now you'll leave my prem
ses, Mr.. Odell, won't you? And as for
my wife
''Have no fear, Mr.. Maxwell replied
the man at the other end, you have to
deal with burglar and gentleman
"Mr. Maxwell locked his office, en-
tered his carriage and galloped to his res
idence. The more closely he approached
the keener his fear of catastrophe be-
came. But as he stopped at the gate he
noticed nothing out of the way. He
sprang up the stairs and entered the
pretty boudoir of his prettier wife. She
was quietly reading.
THE wIFE's STORY
"'How you must have suffered. my
angelp he cried, and a sob shook his
voice.