“I recollect the circumstance,” said Guy.
“Well,” continued Mr. Jones, “that convinced me that business men ought to take more precautions to guard their property from the assaults of outlaws, so I set my wits at work, and I finally succeeded in perfecting a burglar-proof lock—an arrangement which is at once simple and convenient, but which can neither be cut with a cold-chisel, blown open with gunpowder, or even unlocked by any one who does not understand its construction. I gave away a good many models while I was in Washington, but I think I have one or two left.”
So saying, Mr. Jones begun to overhaul his pockets, and finally produced a small brass padlock, similar in size and shape to those sometimes used on dog-collars.
“Ah! yes, here is one,” said he, “and I defy any man in the world to open it without breaking it. This model, you will, of course, understand, Mr. Whitney, is intended merely to illustrate the principles of the invention. The locks, when ready for use, will be made of the best of steel and be large and heavy. I have one attached to the safe at my store, and to-morrow you will have an opportunity to see how it looks and operates. I will give it to you on easy terms, and will warrant—by the way, there’s my partner, Mr. Benton. I want to see him on particular business, so I beg that you will excuse me. I will return in one moment.”
As Mr. Jones said this he jumped to his feet, and disappeared through the door, evidently in pursuit of a gentleman who had just gone out. He left his invention on the table, and Whitney picked it up and examined it. The key was tied to it by a piece of ribbon, and this Whitney inserted in the lock, when, behold! it opened like any other common padlock. He was astonished at his success. He closed the lock again, and opened it with all ease. Then he handed it to Guy, and he did the same, and appeared to be as much surprised thereat as was Mr. Whitney.
At this moment, Mr. Jones came back.
“Well, gentlemen,” said he, hurrying to the table and picking up the lock. “I have just made an appointment with my partner, and it is necessary that I should run down to the store for a few minutes. Will you accompany me?”
“No,” replied Guy; “we’ll stay here. I am too tired to run around any more to-night.”
“Very well,” said Mr. Jones, without giving Whitney time to say whether he would go or not. “I’ll return in a quarter of an hour with a carriage, and then we’ll go round to the hotel after your luggage. In the meantime, enjoy yourselves to the best of your ability. I will leave my invention with you, and you can examine it at your leisure.”
“We have already inspected it to our satisfaction,” replied Whitney with a smile. “I couldn’t make a fortune by selling an arrangement like that. We opened it very easily.”