“I hope it will convince Mr. Cutler that I can recognize voices over the wire,” went on the central operator. “It ought to be easy to do that,” sneered Mr. Cutler. “You know that only we three are here.” “You may bring in any other persons you choose,” said Miss Renfield readily, “and, though I may not be able to tell who they are, by name, I will be able to distinguish their voices from yours.” “That will do,” assented Mr. Boise. “We are ready for the test; eh, Tom?” “Certainly,” replied our hero, grateful to the girl who had, so opportunely, come to his aid. Miss Renfield went out, and, in order to make the experiment more certain, a couple of clerks from a neighboring office, who happened to be staying late, were called in. The real reason for the experiment, however, was not explained to them. Presently Miss Renfield called up. As there were several branch telephones in the law office, at Mr. Boise’s suggestion himself, his partner, Tom, and the two clerks each took one, and Tom connected them all on one central wire. “Now we are ready,” said Mr. Boise, over the wire. “Oh, you are Mr. Boise,” exclaimed the girl. “I would know your voice anywhere.” “That was easy enough to do,” spoke Mr. Cutler, and he talked right into the telephone which was before him, on his desk. Those engaged in the experiment were in rooms opening from the main one, where the switchboard was, and could see each other. “That was Mr. Cutler,” came back Miss Renfield’s tones, calmly. “Ah! She had you that time!” exclaimed Mr. Boise. He motioned for one of the clerks to speak, and the girl at once announced that a stranger was talking. Then the senior partner nodded to Tom. “That’s the switchboard boy!” exclaimed the girl, so that all heard her. “I know his name is Tom, but I don’t know his last name.” “Baldwin,” answered our hero, blushing the least bit. “I am much obliged to you.” The experiment was tried for some time longer, but each time Miss Renfield was able to tell whether one of the strange clerks, or Mr. Boise, Tom, or Mr. Cutler was speaking. “I think that is proof enough,” remarked Mr. Boise to her over the wire. “Come in, please.” The two clerks left, Mr. Boise thanking them for their assistance, and Miss Renfield came back to the office. “I am fully satisfied,” said the senior partner, “that this young lady is right.” “Then you think Tom did not send that message?” asked Elias Cutler. “I do not believe he did.” “Well, who is guilty, then?” “I can not say. I suppose you would not be able to tell, if you heard the voice of every one in my employ, which voice it was that talked the second time to the law office of Mr. Kittridge?” he asked the girl. “Of course, she wouldn’t!” exclaimed Mr. Cutler hastily. “That would be impossible. If she could, it would be no evidence.” He seemed alarmed over something.