The flooring flies into position again when the weight of the
intruder is removed, and there he must bide, while I can always take a
peep at him by this simple little optical arrangement. I thought it
might amuse you to have a look at my prisoners before I handed them over
to the head-constable, who I see is now coming up the avenue."
"The poor burglars!" cried Laura. "It is no wonder that they look
bewildered, for I suppose, Mr. Haw, that they neither know where they
are, nor how they came there. I am so glad to know that you guard
yourself in this way, for I have often thought that you ran a danger."
"Have you so?" said he, smiling round at her. "I think that my house
is fairly burglar-proof. I have one window which may be used as an
entrance, the centre one of the three of my laboratory. I keep it so
because, to tell the truth, I am somewhat of a night prowler myself,
and when I treat myself to a ramble under the stars I like to slip in
and out without ceremony. It would, however, be a fortunate rogue who
picked the only safe entrance out of a hundred, and even then he might
find pitfalls. Here is the constable, but you must not go, for Miss
McIntyre has still something to see in my little place. If you will
step into the billiard-room I shall be with you in a very few moments.
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