The blackmailer first obtains some information about the early life of
the person he intends to approach, and there are very few men who have
not, in their youthful days, committed some indiscretion which might
be brought against them after reaching maturer years. An escapade with
a woman, or a mischievous boyish prank which proved more serious than
was intended, are the usual indiscretions selected, and there can
always be found plenty of gossips who are only too willing to relate
full particulars. The information thus obtained is written up in a
sensational style, and is taken to a cheap printing office, where it
is put in type for a trifling cost.
A slip, or what is known in a printing office as a "proof," is then
printed, and armed with this the blackmailer pays a visit to the
person he intends to fleece. He represents himself as being connected
with a reputable newspaper, and says that he has been sent to get
the "other side of the story," at the same time producing the slip
on which is printed the startling tale, which, if made public, would
in all probability seriously effect the social standing and the
commercial integrity of the intended victim. In the majority of cases
the person approached will at once inquire how much the newspaper
would pay for such an article, and the reply usually is, "From twenty
to twenty-five dollars." "Suppose I pay for the article instead of the
newspaper?" says the victim, "and I give you fifty dollars, wouldn't
that repay you for your trouble in writing the article?" This is
just what the blackmailer has been waiting for. He hems and haws for
awhile, so as not to appear too anxious, or for the purpose of getting
a higher bid, but the interview usually winds up in his securing a sum
of money to suppress the information.
As he is leaving the house it may occur to the victim that as long
as the story is known to the editor of the paper there may be a
publication anyhow, and on this point he makes inquiry. "Oh," says
the blackmailer, "there will be no danger of that. I will report that
I have fully investigated the story, and that there is not a word of
truth in it, and, of course, they will not dare to run the risk of
being sued for heavy damages for printing it."