"Not at all," I returned, "if there is any good reason for it."
"At twelve o'clock to-night a gentleman will enter this house. If you will note him from your window I will be obliged."
"To see whether he is the same one I saw last night? Certainly I will take a look, but——"
"To-morrow night," he went on, imperturbably, "the test will be repeated, and I should like to have you take another look; without prejudice, madam; remember, without prejudice."
"I have no prejudices——" I began.
"The test may not be concluded in two nights," he proceeded, without any notice of my words. "So do not be in haste to spot your man, as the vulgar expression is. And now good-night—we shall meet again to-morrow."
"Wait!" I called peremptorily, for he was on the point of closing the door. "I saw the man but faintly; it is an impression only that I received. I would not wish a man to hang through any identification I could make."
"No man hangs on simple identification. We shall have to prove the crime, madam, but identification is important; even such as you can make."
There was no more to be said; I uttered a calm good-night and hastened away. By a judicious use of my opportunities I had become much less ignorant on the all-important topic than when I entered the house.
It was half past eleven when I returned home, a late hour for me to enter my respectable front door alone. But circumstances had warranted my escapade, and it was with quite an easy conscience and a cheerful sense of accomplishment that I went up to my room and prepared to sit out the half hour before midnight.