Ch--those two
persons without their knowing about it at all. Of course that's
impossible, isn't it?"
"Well, it was a few years ago, but we can do wonders nowadays.
There's the little dictagraph. We could string one up for you and
give you the usual stenographic report--or you could go and listen
in yourself."
"Could I really?" Charity gasped, and she began to shiver with
the frightfulness of the opportunity.
"Surest thing you know," said Hodshon.
"But how could you install a dictagraph without their finding
it out?"
"Easiest thing you know. We'll probably have to rent an apartment
in the same building or another one near-by, and--one of the
hall-boys there may be workin' for us now. If not, we can usually
bring him in. There's a hundred ways to get into a house and put
the little dictor behind a picture or somewheres and lead the wire
out to us."
"But can you really hear--if they talk low?" Charity mumbled,
with dread.
"Let 'em whisper!" said Hodshon. "The little fellow just eats
a whisper. Leave it to us, madam, and we'll surprise you."
The compact was made. Charity suggested an advance payment as a
retainer, and Hodshon permitted her to write a check and hand it
to him before he assured her that it wasn't necessary.
He went away and left Charity in a state of nerves. Her curiosity
was a mania, but she feared that assuaging it might leave her in a
worse plight. She hated herself for her enterprise and was tempted
to cancel it.
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