The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-05-13
A MATTER OF iNTU
How the Brundase Novelty
Robbery Was Uncove


ton for which official Diet
those employed by city. state
ton. exist. But in this day OF
business competition there has
TO startling proportions another
Tor the private detective agency;
the ways and means in which the D.
lie is learning to use and misuse the
service which any detective agency
places at their beck and call for So
I day, often have little or nothing in
with the original purposes
Of the detectives profession.
Probably one half the business that
comes to the private detective agency
is business, instead of crime. Firms
hire private detectives to spy on
competitor; employers hire them to
look up the conduct oil employees after
business lours. There are private d.
tecuve agencies SO INSCRIPTIONS that
you can engage their operatives 70"
almost any service. no mi tier how
low. Then, again, there is the Burns
Agency. OF which l was an operative,
which will not touch u piece of bust
hess that is not obviously and abso
lutely square. But even pursuing this
policy, without wavering. they are 81
times led into wierd and wonderful
paths OF business mazes; and tho
werf often Is no less thrilling than
the pursuit OF vicious criminals.
The Brundage Novelty Company
Sase was one of the most interesting
fobs OF any kind that ever tackled.
rf "a.
tgency received telephone call from
The Knickerbocker Hotel The sail
was: Phase pick o1t q man whom
'ou know you car trust in every way
nd send him Up here to room l. 9S''
The caller refused to II 10 his name
to mention the purpos, for which
wanted . detective.
I'll explain all thai satisfactorily 60
tou after ! have seen whether you
lave q mvl whom l consider capable
Df hasE@f r NJ Business" was his an.
over ~ tae osace managers requec.
hf pgze Information
cA's a queer one" muttered the
nanAai2r. and he took the call In to
Pa chief.
BETTER send Cornell up there to
10 what It is" said tho chief I'VE
A2nt touch II If IT doesn't look good"
i at once took the subway to Times
Square. and a few minutes later
Knocked at room l. IS The door was
spene, by an old man of patriarchal
appearance, one in whom the dreamer
and the man of efficiency seemed
strangely combined. He peered at
ne for possibly 30 seconds through
the six inches of opening he had
made.
Come in" he said. After he had
shut and locked the door he added:
You're from the Burns Agency, of
course. Sit down"
me with his hands on his hips Usual
ly 1t is the detective who stands and
scrutinizes and analyses his client,
out In this case the usual order was
reversed.
How ola are your" said the old
man presently.
"Thirty-six," / replied.
"MarI1ed?"
yes"
Children"
Three"
Got a picture of your wife or any
of the children with your"
looked at him and began to smile.
Now look here. sir" said so far
as | understand 1t. you sent for a de.
tective-"
Young man." said he, holding I'D
his hand In great dignity. do not be
impatient, please. Please answer my
questions. Call it humoring an old
man, II you will. There is a reason.
Now, again; have you a picture of
your wife or children with you? Do
you carry one?"
More out OF curiosity to see what
he was driving at than anything else.
/ replied that | did carry such a pic.
ture, and opening my watch showed
him the tiny picture OF my little fam.
lily that was pasted on the inside of
the case.
Good" said he. DO you carry any
life insurance?"
you old shark" I said, laughing.
80 that's what you got me up here
for? Well, that's certainly a new
dodge for an insurance agent"
Young man, young man-dont
please" said he Answer my ques-
ton. II you please"
Yes" said. II do"
Good" Then he drew a chair up
before me, and sat down, rubbing his
hands
Il must have a decent man, a fairly
good man, a man / can believe In to
handle this business" said he. THAT
Is why / asked those apparently aim
less questions. A married man Is more
dependable than a single one; a man
who thinks a lot OF his family is most
dependable OF all-for my purpose.
And man who thinks lot OF his
family will often carry a picture
around with him, and carry life In
surance for their benefit Now do
you understand me? That is my way
OF finding out II want TO trust q
man"
"Wen?" said I.
We'll" said he. u believe I have
been fortunate enough to find such
man at my first try believe / can
trust you. My name Is Ezra Brun.
dRge"
At first the name conveyed nothing
20 me.
Inventor of the Brundage novel
ties" he continued and president Of
the Brundage Novelty Company, OF
Hoboken."