The detective nodded.
“Yes, professor. That is pretty well understood by most persons, I think. Well, we’ll say it is only one particular burglar who favors you with his company in this way. What I asked is whether he steals anything.”
“He never has yet. But I think that is because I never leave valuables lying about the room. I never carry much cash in my pockets—have no use for it unless I am going away somewhere—and my watch is always under my pillow.”
“And why have you never got up to argue matters with him?”
“Because I can’t. He seems to hypnotize me.”
“Then there is a psychological influence?” smiled Nick.
“To that extent, yes. But I do not believe it is that that awakens me.[Pg 4]”
Nick Carter took his cigar from his mouth, and, with a careless gesture, knocked off the ash into a silver tray on the table.
“Well, that is of not much consequence, after all,” he said. “What is the fellow after? He must have some purpose in coming three separate times, only a night or two apart. You say you don’t know how he gets in?”
“Haven’t an idea. The doors and windows are all locked at night before we retire, and we find them the same way in the morning.”