"You’re wrong there," cried I, hot and indignant. "Professor Quinn had nothing to do with my being here. I’ve had my eye on this castle for a long while, and I let myself in, just before you came, hoping to make a haul and get clear. You interrupted me, and I stowed myself away upstairs. From what I saw and heard, I must say that it is a pleasure for me to turn my back on Professor Quinn’s property and to give my entire attention to you four." "Mr. Munn," said Quinn, "how long have you been engaged in this business?" "For some years now, sir," I answered. "You were honest—once?" "Every man is born honest, if it comes to that. I used to work in an iron foundry, but the works were taken over by a combination and a lot of us were thrown out of employment. There was nothing for me to do but beg—and I’m above that. This came handiest, and I went into it. I like the business. Matching one’s wits against the law keeps one constantly in the midst of alarms, so to speak, and I like excitement. And I have ability, for never yet have I worn the stripes or learned the lock-step. I have written some on the subject of my vocation, in the hope of beguiling others into the work." "A dangerous man!" muttered Gilhooly. "What are we coming to?" clamored Popham. "Here is a thief who is actually proud of his profession, and who actually writes books about it!" "Merciful heavens!" gasped Meigs, in horror. "I feel sorry for my country when it produces such men." "We—we are tottering on the verge of chaos!" added Markham, in a stage whisper. I laughed at all this, for I enjoyed it hugely. "Spare yourselves any needless worry about me, gentlemen," said I. "Look to home, and you will probably find enough there to fret your consciences." Professor Quinn continued to take pleasure out of the queer situation. "I can honor a man like Munn," said he, "where I am tempted to despise men like you, Gilhooly, Meigs, Markham, and Popham. As Munn said, he has the courage of his convictions. He does not take from the poor, for in the very nature of things he cannot. His loot comes from those who are able to lose it, while you are vampires, and sapping the very lifeblood of the nation. You are all criminally deluded, although, perhaps, doing what you conscientiously believe to be exactly right. Would to Heaven," and here the professor grew suddenly sincere and intensely earnest, "that something would conspire to open your eyes to the exact truth. But I have despaired of that, and I am trying, in my own feeble way, to meet the present emergency." "You are either a fool or a madman!" cried Popham. "A rattle-brained zealot!" chimed in Meigs. "You are the one who should see things differently," said Markham. "You preach a doctrine which you fail to apply personally." "Enough of this talk, gentlemen," I interposed. "My situation is precarious and I must ask you to hurry a little."