"Small in numbers though we are, we necessitate the employment of a police force in every village, town, and city in the Union, to say nothing of special constables and private watchmen. We force every bank and corporation to sink thousands in costly safes, locks, and other safeguards, and no householder is ever free from apprehension on our account. We are one against many, so to speak, but we make the many tremble! Could we exercise this power without brains?" "Ay! could we?" supplemented Montgomery, with flashing eyes. "Granted again," said Mr. Braithwait, cheerfully, "but quite foreign to the point at issue. Society is terrorized through its inertness, and when society enters on an active warfare you gentlemen cannot make a show of resistance. And even under our present policy of passive resistance there is but one thing that will save a criminal from the eventual clutch of the law, and that is--death." The youngest burglar turned white and Baxter cursed softly. "You cannot, with all your brightness, commit a crime without leaving a trace," went on Mr. Braithwait, impassively, "and every modern appliance is a stumbling-block in your path. The modern bank safe, equipped with time-locks, is impregnable; the electric light has made our streets as safe by night as day; and the telegraph has lengthened the arm of justice until it encircles the globe." "And yet," retorted Graham, with a slight sneer, "_you_ have been robbed." "And yet I have been robbed," repeated Mr. Braithwait, calmly. "Without interfering sadly with my comfort and ease, I cannot make my house a bank or surround myself with an army of watchmen. And I don't like dogs. So I have been robbed. Yet"--Mr. Braithwait looked Mr. Graham quietly in the eye--"yet I am not entirely defenceless." "Hello!" said Baxter, breathing hard. "Have you been up to somethin'?" "You shall judge whether I have rightly accused you of lack of common sense. Before attacking this house, did you make yourself acquainted with the surroundings?" "I did," answered Graham, confidently. "Do you know that I am a railroad man?" "Certainly." "Did you notice a wire running through the woods at the rear of my house?" "No!" cried Graham, violently. "A strange oversight on your part. Very stupid. It is a telephone wire, and leads from my chamber above to my office in the city. Now for the application of my remarks. From the moment of your entrance I 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, advancing threateningly. "The police were coming on a special train to my assistance," said Mr. Braithwait, taking a second cigar. "Damn you!" exclaimed Baxter, threateningly. "Stop!" cried Graham, interposing. "We have no time for that. Let us run!"