Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-08-02
The Private Telephone.

1T is q well-kn0Wn TACT That no
other section of the population
avails itself more readily and speedi-
ly of the latest triumps of science
than the criminal class" said In
spector Bonfeld. THE educated
criminal skins the cream from every
new invention, if he can make use
of it. No safe has yet been con-
structed that keeps out the shrewd
and determined burglar, and that's
the way in everything. But can
not recall case in which this truth
was more brilliantly illustrated than
in Maxwell's case"
"What case was that?" queried
one of his auditors. II can't recol-
lect hearing of it before"
mo, suppose you DON'T" said
Mr.. Bonfield, musingly. "The
fact of the matter is, it never was
case that properly belonged to the
department, but | can speak of it
now. You see it was at the time
when the telephone had just been
introduced into business and private
use. George Maxwell-that's not
the real name, but it will do as
well-was at til at time the most
successful speculator on Change.
He was young and handsome, and
he had just married a charming
woman. 1t was a love match. A
score or so OF messages were des-
patched every day during business
hours. They contained such i'm
portant queries as '2:l0 P. NJ. How
are you, lovey?' And replies like
this: '2:35 P. NJ. | sigh for you.
How is my sweetest?' Well to
save expenses and to increase the
facility of communication, Mr..
Maxwell connected his office with
his home by private telephone wire.
He was one Of the first men in the
town to do so.
zone day just before the close of
business, there was a ring at the
telephone. The devoted husband,
with jump, was there. What
does my sweet pet want?' he mur-
INJURED.
I'm no pet. You mistake me,
SIR came the reply, in an mmis-
takably masculine voice, a voice
gruff and rasping, but very distinct.
"'Who are you, then?' asked the
astonished millionaire.
"'Tm Thomas Jefferson Odell, the
accomplished burglar, if you want
to know
"'Repeat, please gasped the
other.
"'Odell, the burglar came the
answer over the wire. Listen. II
have no time to waste. | and two
of my pals have gained access to
your private house. The cook, the
housemaid and your wife are lying
here bound and gagged. The foot
man has been judiciously disposed
of. Some bundles of oily rags have
been judiciously distributed about
the house ready to be ignited.'
"'You atrocious rascal! shouted
the agonized husband, as soon as he
could recover his voice.
Don't excite yourself. Now,
sir, here is my proposal. If you
should disappear from the telephone
without acceding to it, I shall set
fire to the house. It's no use ap-
plying to the police, for we should
be too quick for them. You will
see, Mr.. Maxwell, that you are
completely in my power. The only
sensible thing you can do is to lis
ten to my proposal and to agree to
| it
"'Oh, | wish | had my hand at
your throat! shouted Mr.. Maxwell,
mad with rage.
But you know you haven't; so
what's the use of talking in this
way? Let us talk business instead.
! need loan Of five thousand pounds
in cash. | need it at once. lf you
are inclined to lend me that sum
without guarantee, / shall leave
your house, with my pals, in exact
ly the same condition in which |
found it,
"'You are running me- groaned
Maxwell. And ] don't think |
have as much money in cash in the
safe
"'You'll force me to commit an
atrocious deed, came the remorse-
less reply.
"'All right, then. Yes, III pay;
but to whomp'
1T is now 2.15 exactly. At
this very moment my pal has en-
tered your Office to receive the
money. You will pay him, and he