jury or judge.
Maybe this is boring you?"

"No, no--go on!"

"Well, when dictagraphs are used for the discovery of criminals it has
been necessary to keep expert stenographers, and at least one other
witness at the end of the wire to put down the record. Frequently the
stenographer cannot take the words spoken as fast as he should to make
the record. Sometimes it is impossible to get the stenographer and the
witness on the wire at the exact time. Of course, this is only a crazy
idea. But it seems to me that by a little additional appliance which I
have planned, the record machine could be put into a room nearby, or
even another house. If a certain place were under suspicion the
machine could rest with more ease, less food and on smaller wages than
a detective and stenographer on salary. When any one started to talk
in this suspected room the vibrations of the voices would start a
certain connection going through this additional wire, which would set
the phonograph into action. As long as the conversation continued the
records would be running continuously. No matter how rapidly words are
uttered the phonograph would get them, and could be run, for further
investigation, as slowly and as many times as desired. When the
conversation stopped the machine would automatically blow its own
dinner whistle and adjourn the meeting until the talk began again.
This would take the record of at least an hour's conversation: another
attachment would send in a still-alarm to the detective agency or
police station, so that within that hour a man could be on the job with
a new supply of records and bait the trap again."

"Wonderful!"

"Yes, and the most important part is that this is the only way of
keeping a record which cannot be called a 'frame-up'--for it is a
photograph of the sound waves. A grafter, a murderer, or any other
criminal could be made to speak the same words in court as were put on
the phonographic record, and his voice identified beyond the shadow of
a doubt!"

Bobbie clapped his hand on the old man's shoulder.

"Why, Mr. Barton, that is the greatest invention ever made for
capturing and convicting criminals. It's wonderful! The Police
Departments of the big cities should buy enough machines to make you
rich, for you could demand your own price."

Barton looked dreamily toward the window, through which twinkled the
distant lights of the city streets.

"I want money, Burke, as every sane man does