"A Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry

The phrase "compulsory guests" is humorously used to describe prisoners. It is an oxymoron because guests choose to visit people and places, so the noun should not be modified by an adjective that suggests a lack of choice. It is also ironic because guests are usually treated with generosity and respect, while prisoners are there to be punished. However, Jimmy Valentine, through the support of powerful friends, might've done his time like a guest of the state.

An auger is a type of drill, so the two tools could be closer together in the descriptive list. They could also be grouped with "bits" which are parts of a drill. But this would change the rhythm of the sentence, and perhaps affect the impact of the pun on the main character's name (a jimmy is a short crowbar).

In the business world, a resume is "a summary of your academic and work history." At this point in the story, Jimmy would not have a resume, since he is not looking for an honest job. Instead, he had chosen to be self-employed as a burglar, and he resumes this business as soon as he's a free man, despite having learned new skills in the prison shoe-shop.

Compare with "pardon"--in both example sentences, the words refer to the early release of prisoner 9762. But clemency usually is a more general attitude, while a pardon is a more specific form of clemency. Here, the detective Ben Price expresses his belief that clemency is a reason that Jimmy Valentine goes back to his burgling ways.

The verb is used as a pun: Jimmy/Ralph engages the room, because he is looking to engage ("consume all of one's attention or time") a young lady and become engaged ("give to in marriage") to her.

The adjective is the first hint of the irony of the situation: a man who has eluded capture is now captivated. This irony is later strengthened when Jimmy, in order to save Annabel's niece, reveals his criminal skills in front of many witnesses (including the detective Ben Price).

The implements are queer ("beyond the usual or expected") because 1) they are in a suitcase that Jimmy had said was weighed down by nickel-plated shoe-horns; 2) some were invented by Jimmy; 3) the onlookers are not used to the sight of a burglar's tools. As a verb, "queer" means "prevent the desires of" and "put in a dangerous or difficult position." These meanings could apply to how revealing and using the implements could affect Jimmy's path to an honest, loving, and free life.