Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27

ana pacing tne uOOr III an hBltaIeu way.
az do, admitted the master Of the
house, because my business sense is
outraged by your stupidity"
Stupidity" echoed Graham sharply.
"That is the word" returned Mr.
Braithwait sternly. "Your profession
requires Rcuteness courage, skill, eau
ton and endurance. Gentlemen, these
are admirable traits, and with them
you might be anything but burglars.
The banking institutions, railways,
private and civic corporations are eager
for such men. They pay them large
wages and grant them great privileges.
The governments, state and national,
want such men, and are looking for
them, while they are skulking through
city alleys or walking miry roads at
midnight. Gentlemen, with all your
qualifications, you lack the one essential
to success-common sense.
Permit me, said Graham, leaning
over the table and speaking with much
force, ito call your attention to the fact
that we are bright enough to keep so.
ciety eternally on the defensive.
"Granted, said Mr.. Braithwait.
"Small in numbers though we are,
we necessitate the employment of po-
lice force in every village. town and
city in the Union, to say nothing Of
special constables and private watch
men. We force every bank and corpora
ton to sink thousands in costly safes,
locks and other safeguards, and no
householder is ever free from apprehen-
= ,,at
many, so to speak, but we make the
many trcmble Could we exercise this
power without brains?"
"Aye, could we?" supplemented
Montgomery, with flashing eyes.
Granted again" said Mr.. Braith-
wait cheerfully, "but quite foreign TO
the point at issue. Society is terrorlzed
through its inertness, and when society
enters ON an active warfare you gentle
men cannot make a show of resistance.
/ And even urder our present policy Of
passive resistance there is but one
thing that will save a criminal from the
eventful clutch Of the law, and that is
| death. "
The youngest burglar turned white,
and Baxter cursed softly.
"You cannot, with all your bright
ness. commit crime without leaving a
| trace" went on Mr.. Braithwait impas-
sively, land every modern appliance is
a stumbling block in your path. The
modern bank safe, equipped with time
locks, is impreRnable; the electric light
has made our streets as safe by night as
day, and the telegraph has heightened
the arm of justice until it encircles the
globe.
And YET, " retorted Graham, with a
slight sneer. you have been robbed. "
"And yet 1 have been robbed. " re-
peated Mr.. Braithwait calmly. with
out interfering sadly with my comfort
and ease, cannot make my house a
bank or surround myself with an army
of watchmen, and l don't like dogs
So / have been robbed. Yet" Mr.
Braithwait looked Mr.. Graham quietly
in the eye, yet l am not entirely de-
fenseless ~
"Hellor' said Baxter, breathing
hard. Have you been up TO somethinT'
"You shall judge whether l have
rightly accused you Of lack common
sense. Before attacking this house did
you make yourself acquainted with the
surroundings"
Il did," answered Graham conf
IDENTIFY.
do you know that am a railroad
mani"
Certainly"
did you notice a wire running
through the woods at the rear Of my
house?"
mol" cried Graham violently.
"a strange oversight on your part.
Very stupid. 1t is telephone wire, and
leads from my chamber above to my
Office in the city. Now for the aprlica-
ton of my remarks From the moment
of your entrance l was aware Of your
movements and instantly explained the
situation TO the night operator. He, of
course, notified the police
And while you kept us engaged in
conversation cried Graham, advano-
ing threateningly.
The police were coming on a special
train to my assistance, said Mr.. Brai-
thwait, taking Il second cigar.
On your' exclaimed Baxter
threateningly.
"Stopw cried Graham, interpreting
eve have no time for that. Let Us
rum"
"Don't" said the host warningly.
1.-THE house is surrounded, and you will
certainly be shot Accept the situation,
as did. You, gentlemen, have been my
guests this evening, and 1 have been
highly entertained. May hope that the
pleasure has been mutual?''
Before any one could answer, the door
leading to the woodshed was thrown
open, and four policemen appeared on
the threshold. Montgomery sank help
lessly into a chair. Baxter made a dash
for the door, while Graham remained
impassive, but all were alike handcuff-
ed expeditiously.
"Sir, said Graham, taking a cigar
from the box. "our misfortune is direct
ly due 20 the uncomfortable appetite of
our companion, but none the less con-
graduate you upon your ingenuity"
Thanks" said Mr.. Braithwait
"Did 1 not tell you that you were
stupidi''
Mr.. Graham bowed.
'You have taught us a lesson" he
said gravely. II think it is time to
abandon the business. "
"Well, IL be"-Baxter gasped, and
could say no more.
"We are disgracedP' exclaimed the