"What had the police got to say about it?" Colin inquired. "I suppose you called them in?"
"I did nothing of the sort," returned the Professor abruptly. "I have only a very limited amount of time remaining to me, and there are plenty of excellent ways in which I can occupy it. Because some lunatic chooses to break open my desk and rummage through my papers I fail to see why I should waste several valuable hours standing in a witness box answering superfluous and probably impertinent questions. All the same, these sorts of experiences are extremely upsetting to a man of my age. They alarm the household and they distract me from my work. In case of a similar experience, I should be glad to feel that there was someone on the premises who could be trusted to act with promptness and efficiency."
"You can depend on me for that," said Colin, "as long as I'm not asleep."
There was a brief pause while the Professor took off his spectacles and polished them with a red silk handkerchief.
"Well, now that we understand each other," he continued, "I think it would be as well to discuss one or two practical details. With regard to your remuneration, for instance. I don't know what you are getting at St. Christopher's, but I propose to give you four hundred a year. You will have no expenses living in the house, so unless you are foolishly extravagant that ought to be quite an adequate salary."
"It will do me very nicely," said Colin. "As a matter of fact, I've got a little money of my own, and the only extravagant habit I've developed so far is keeping a car."
The Professor grunted. "When I was your age," he remarked, "young men either walked or rode. Still, as long as you are capable of amusing yourself it doesn't matter to me how you spend your leisure time." He replaced his spectacles and returned the handkerchief to his breast pocket "I shall give instructions that you are to be properly looked after, but whether they will be carried out is another matter. Since my man Kennedy left me I have had no one in the house except Mrs. Ramsay and the cook. They are both old, like myself, and my own wants are so simple that their ideas of catering are probably a little on the Spartan side. If you find you are uncomfortable, or that you are not getting enough to eat and drink, you must let me know." He paused. "As for recreation or entertainment—well, if you are expecting anything of that nature you are coming to the wrong place. The only visitor I ever have is my solicitor, Mr. Medwin, whom, by the way, I am expecting this afternoon. I warn you frankly that unless you can throw yourself into your work you will find life here intolerably dull."
Colin shook his head. "I don't think we need discuss that, sir," he said cheerfully. "Anyway, as far as my present feelings are concerned I wouldn't change places with any one in England."
With another and rather more approving grunt the Professor hoisted himself slowly out of his chair.
"You seem to have some sense, my young friend," he observed. "How would you like to come along and look at the laboratory? I don't suppose Medwin will be here for another twenty minutes."