Dean accompanied him into the hall. "Do you know much of the gentleman who is staying at your house?" asked Dean. "No; why do you ask?" "Because I have reason to think that he is a professional thief." "Good Heavens! What do you mean!" Dean briefly recounted the robberies of which he was himself cognizant, adding that he gave this information in strict confidence. "I thought I ought to put you on your guard," he concluded. "Thank you, Mr. Dunham," said Dr. Thorp, warmly. "You have done me a great service. I happen to have a considerable sum in money and bonds at my house. I shall look out for Mr. Kirby," he added, with a grim nod. CHAPTER XXVI. DR. THORP'S CABINET. Dr. Thorp had been pleased with Peter Kirby, who had laid himself out to be agreeable, and the doctor was far from suspecting his real character. When this was revealed to him by Dean, he quickly decided to test it for himself. Some men, inclined to be nervous and timid, would have had their apprehensions excited, and dreaded an encounter with a professional criminal. But Dr. Thorp was cool, resolute and determined. He proposed to facilitate Kirby's designs, and catch him in a trap. When he reached home he found Kirby smoking on the piazza. "Have you been taking a walk, Doctor?" he asked. "Yes," answered Dr. Thorp. "I made a call on a neighbor. I hope you have not been lonesome." "Oh, no! Your daughter has enabled me to pass the time pleasantly. But I am glad to see you back." Had Kirby known that Dr. Thorp had had an interview with Dean Dunham, his anxiety would have been excited. "By the way, Doctor," said Kirby with apparent carelessness, "I have a little money to invest. Can you recommend any form of investment?" "You might buy a house in the village and settle down. I believe the next estate is for sale." "It would certainly be an inducement to become your neighbor," said Kirby politely, "but I am a rolling stone. I am always traveling. I couldn't content myself in any one place, not even in a large city." "I suspect your mode of life makes frequent removals necessary," thought Dr. Thorp, though he did not say so. "Well, if you don't care to invest in real estate," he said a moment later, "you might purchase government bonds or railroad securities." "To which do you give the preference?" asked Kirby. The doctor smiled inwardly. He saw that Kirby was trying to ascertain whether he had any negotiable securities in his possession, but he was ready to play into his hands. "Well," he said, "I think well of both." "I had some government bonds at one time," said Kirby, "but they were stolen. That has made me cautious." "Perhaps you were careless." "No doubt I was. I kept them in a trunk at my boarding-house. I presume you wouldn't venture, even in a quiet village like this, to keep bonds in your house?" "Oh, yes, we never receive visits from thieves or burglars. I don't consider trunks so safe as—that cabinet."