Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-02-03

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Warden Handler was disturbed.
He fingered glistening letter opener
impatiently. and his lips seemed to
move.
Serves me right for maxim t usty'
out Of bloomin' yegs." he muttered.
Might have known one Of them
wouldn't stay put in one place any
length Of time. not even in coffin"
The door at Handlers right opened.
He half turned and glowered at q
trusty who shutfled in. carrying bot
tie OF drinking wafer.
ITS pretty scft for you around here.
eh?" grunted the warden.
Thr convict FASTENED to place the
bottle III the holder at the sound of the
officials voice. He then hurried to-
ward the door. mumbling Il faint Yes.
sir." rs lie went.
Suppose ke'U lie tryin' the west wall
next" commented Handler, pounding
his H.; Oh rhe desk But III trim 'en
all YET. I'll =
~ visitor for YOU" announced his
secretary. Smith. entering. His name
is like Il roll call il the German navy"
lle handed Handler Il card.
The warden tcck the pasteboard.
"Rlick ,em-dol BACH" he read slow
IT, a mar with name like that has
no right Oil Tie outside Of prison,
Whats his Graft:''
Ill has letter from the state board
If prisons. SIe has invented a lock,
believe. that
Lets have him."
The secretary ushered in IN earnest
looking man with long. wavy black
hair He was short and thin.
Il am Gustave Blickendolfenbach,
the great inventor" said the visitor to
the warden. Il have Il lock for you to
inkeep the prisoners nit" He bowed
to the warden and rubbed his hands
compiacently.
500 hear. Your lock can't be
picked, eh?'
The inventor raised his hands in hor-
ror at the suggestion.
Picked. Pickedv' he calculated.
my lock picked? The whole world it
half tried it-Germany. France, Eng
land-and even the cieverest thieves In
Naples. The whole vide world it all 1t
half not open without they the key
half"
$50 I've heard. but still it might be
picked at that"
at Is maybe I don't understand
picked-you mean open NIT not my
key"
Eyes; with wire orr
"a virer exclaimed the inventor.
"My lock open-that half spend four
teen years TO perfect? Nein. 1t is
laughter. vas, but
Handler was growing impatient.
'It will be accepted only on the con-
dition that it cannot be opened with
out 4 key" he pronounced.
The inventor drew himself up proud
ly. "Yaw, und l challenge the world"
he cried confidently.
well, all the worlds champions are
in America, you know" answered the
warden. land when it comes to genius
in mechanics most Of them are in jail.
Well have it tried before noon"
The visitor took his precious lock
from his pocket and laid 1t on the
table in front of the warden, saying:
Il keep the key. Now the world can
not my lock Open"
at looks good" commented Han
der. IF you care to wait I'll have it
| tested"
81 Wait. l lofe to see the expert
frown und smile und give it up. 1t is
my JOY"
AS the inventor went out to await
the test George Doyle, a detective
credited with a long list of important
ed Handler.
isn't Bill Avery to be let loose to-
day." queried the newcomer.
Don't know. Is he?" returned the
warden indiferently.
Doyle gazed at the other signifl-
cantly.
EYES," he said. 81 hear he's very
friendly with Jimmy Valentine. The
way Valentines lawyer is going after
new trial makes things look danger
GUS"
what about the man you had make
| friends with Valentine in order to get
him to talk about himself-to give
himself away" the warden asked
shrewdly.
Doyle shrugged.
Nothing to it. Valentine wouldn't
get confidential with him. but II l
could get Avery on my staff to work
for me and squeal on Valentine I'd
get him. I'd be able to keep him from
getting a new trial"
Thus did the detective describe In
his conversation a small part Of the
system which his fellow man hunters
find of utility in serving their partic-
ular ends, whatever they may be-the
stool pigeon" system, which consists
of forcing or persuading released Grim
inals to spy on their companions and
to convey to the police the information
they procure.
Sometimes the detective uses the
knowledge so gained for the purpose
Of arresting a fugitive. again for Sc
curing a division Of i'll gotten spoils.
again for the purpose Of obtaining
witnesses who will find it policy to