At the age of thirty, Mitchell decided to become a professional thief.

Before that, he lived a normal life. He is a soldier. He got married after leaving the army and has his own job. He is a watchmaker. At the age of thirty, two things changed his life: the sudden death of his wife and the subsequent unemployment.

Mitchell thinks he is very suitable for stealing. He has no criminal record before. No connection with the underground world. He clearly knows why most professional thieves are caught by mistake. This is mainly because: they have a fixed way of stealing; Selling stolen goods through the underworld; Have a criminal record.

Speaking of criminal records, Mitchell hasn't even received a traffic ticket in five years; As for selling stolen goods, he decided to steal only the currency in circulation, so that he would not have to rely on others to sell stolen goods.

He started the preparatory work.

First, he practiced the method of entering the room.

Although he was skilled in unlocking, he decided to enter the door in a faster way. He practiced cutting with glass cutter and tape, and used soap to reduce noise. He practiced very carefully until he could quickly and silently draw a six-inch hole in the glass, and then tapped it gently to remove the glass.

Then, he began to buy the tools he needed from various stores. He bought a small crowbar, a screwdriver, some mosaics and an expensive glass cutter with diamonds. As for clothes, he bought a pair of popular rubber-soled shoes, a navy coat and a pair of black trousers. He doesn't want to wear black, which is too conspicuous, but the effect of black is always better. He finally bought a small radio.

Then he started his adventure work.

His first target is the home of the chairman of a wealthy plastic company. That is a big house, located in the west of the city. After careful investigation, Mitchell found that they didn't have a dog and no servants slept in it at night. The only permanent residents are the chairman and his wife, and their two sons. They are currently in college and are usually absent on weekends.

Every three days, Mitchell calls the chairman's home between 10 and10 in the evening. The first time someone answered the phone, Mitchell hung up immediately. The second time, someone answered. He pretended to have dialed the wrong number and prevaricated. If someone answered the phone four times, Mitchell decided to give up, but when he called for the third time, he found that the chairman's wife was not there.

Mitchell immediately put on black clothes, put his tools in a brown canvas bag and got into his car. The brand and color of the car are the most common. It only takes a few minutes to drive from home to the shopping center. When I got there, Mitchell called again, but no one answered.

When he got to his home, he parked his car about two blocks away, and then took out glass cutter, tape and screwdriver from his canvas bag. He did a good investigation and knew that he could go in from a small window near the house, where there were trees and it was not easy to be found.

There was a light in the house, but there was no sign of a car, even though the garage door was closed. He had expected that the light would be on, in fact, it was more beneficial to him.

He pretended to be relaxed and walked towards the house. He hid in the bushes and looked around before going in. When he was sure that no one was paying attention to him, he put some soap on the glass cutter and tore off a piece of tape. In less than a minute, he took off the glass, put his gloved hand into the window, opened the window and got in.

The first thing he did was to take out the radio in his pocket and tune it to the wavelength called by the local police. Then he put the radio back in his pocket, put the earphone in his left ear and put on one of his wife's old socks as a mask, just in case he was not recognized. He began to look everywhere.

He only gave himself fifteen minutes to bend down to avoid being seen by people outside the window. He searched the desk drawers, chest of drawers, closets and all possible places to put money.

In the quiet room, his nerves were screaming, and he controlled himself with his whole will. Once, a car outside slowed down, and he was too scared to move. Then, he swallowed that fear and continued to look for it.

He found $290 in the desk drawer, $30 in the woman's jewelry box and $5 in a wallet in the closet.

He went back to his car, and the license plate was deliberately sprayed with mud. He opened the car door and drove away.

When he got home, he drank a glass of wine, sat at the table and stared at the money. Really, there is not much money, but he feels very excited. This is the feeling he hasn't felt for a long time. He succeeded. He knew that he had found a job that suited him best.

In the next few months, he was very successful. He avoids a fixed pattern, with different intervals, and steals twice a week on average. The more he does, the more skilled he becomes. Because he had no criminal record in the police, he decided to take a safer and more effective method. He threw away the heavy tools he bought, such as crowbars, and even socks used as masks. He only brought tape, glass cutter and radio. In this way, in an emergency, these things are easier to handle and less likely to arouse suspicion.

In the first six months of his theft, he actually received unemployment benefits every week. He has an indescribable sense of satisfaction. At the same time, he got money from the state government, and he gradually became rich because he was engaged in dangerous work at night.

It suddenly occurred to him that he needed some clearly stated financial resources. After a little thinking, he came up with a good idea.

He opened a shop and bought second-hand goods and antiques. He can sell stolen goods at a high price without relying on others to sell them at all.

He has been very successful for several years. His small shop is very profitable. He felt that his stealing technique was perfect and had been sublimated into an art. Before acting, he carefully analyzed every detail and reduced the danger to the lowest point. Then he moved quickly and disappeared like a ghost.

Sometimes, after work at night, he lies in bed alone, always wondering what his wife would think if she were still alive. He believes that she will forgive herself. She may find out what he did and pretend not to know, but Mitchell believes she will never understand why he did this business.

Later, his luck was not so good.

One night, when Mitchell was working in a house on the edge of the city, he heard someone on the radio inform the patrol car that there was a thief at 333 Mike Street. He happened to be in the bedroom at 333 Mack Street. He stopped the action at once.

This is not the first time that he has set off the burglar alarm. He knows what to do. Unless the called patrol car happens to be nearby, he has enough time to go out, cross the next street and walk casually to where he parked. He can even drive past 333 Mack Street to see what happened, just like a curious driver.

It's just that he was unlucky that night. When he approached his car, he saw that the car was a little tilted and the left rear wheel was leaking! He was glad that he didn't steal anything. He wisely threw away glass cutter and stuffed his gloves into the bushes. He opened the luggage compartment and began to change tires quickly and methodically.

No sooner had he changed the tire than the patrol car stopped behind him.

"You're late," Mitchell joked to the two policemen who got off the bus. "I just changed the tire."

The two policemen didn't speak. Mitchell stood up and found the young policeman looking at the open luggage compartment.

"We think you need help." Another policeman said kindly.

Mitchell took out the jack from under the car, then lifted the flat tire and put it in the luggage compartment.

"Fortunately, I have a spare tire, but thank you for your kindness." Mitchell looked at them, bent down to put the jack and screws in the luggage compartment and slammed the lid. His heart was pounding. Then he smiled and nodded and walked to the driver-wiping his dirty hands with a handkerchief.

"Wait a minute, sir," the old policeman said when Mitchell's finger touched the door.

Mitchell turned and looked at them blankly.

"What's in your shirt pocket?" Asked the policeman, walking towards Mitchell.

Mitchell looked innocent, took out his radio and said sincerely, "I don't have a radio in my car." I always take it with me when I drive. "

"This radio can listen to short waves," the policeman examined the radio carefully. "It can receive the wavelength of police calls." Yes, "Mitchell said kindly." Many radios on sale now can be received. However, Mitchell noticed that the young policeman returned to the patrol car and spoke into the walkie-talkie.

The old policeman apologized to Mitchell, let him lean against the car and searched his whole body. Of course, nothing was found.

"Please wait a moment," the policeman said to Mitchell.

Half a minute later, the young policeman shouted by the police car, "The sheriff wants us to take him."

Mitchell was taken to a small office in the police station. There is a big table with a strong smell of paint. Officer Hunter is sitting behind the desk. He asked Mitchell to sit in the chair opposite him. Officer Hunter is short and thin, with a pair of slender eyes and always squinting, as if spying on something. He is a little bald and has a round nose. Except for his eyes, he looks ridiculous.

"Did they mention your rights to you?" Officer hunter asked.

"Sure," Mitchell said, "but I don't need a lawyer. I didn't break the law. I have no reason not to cooperate with you. "

"There was a theft and your tire blew out," Officer Hunter said dryly. "What are you doing with a radio that receives police calls?"

Mitchell smiled and said, "There are many better radios to listen to."

"A neighbor nearby said he saw a man in black leave the house.

Mr Mitchell, you happen to be dressed in black. "

"Your policemen are dressed in black, too," Mitchell said. "That neighbor may have seen your policeman."

Officer Hunter pursed his mouth, nodded and said, "Maybe." He reached into his pocket, took out my glass cutter and gloves and put them on the table. "We found these in the bushes near the house."

Mitchell picked up glass cutter and looked at him curiously. "Is this a tool?"

"For cutting glass," Officer Hunter said patiently. "These are gloves. Please try it on, Mr Mitchell. "

Mitchell put on gloves and bent his fingers, which seemed unaccustomed.

"It seems appropriate," said Officer Hunter.

"It's not surprising," Mitchell said. "These are cheap cotton work gloves, which are divided into three sizes: large, medium and small. I am medium. " Officer Hunter watched intently as Mitchell took off his gloves. "What are you doing driving to that area? You live on the other side of the city. "

"Yes," Mitchell said quietly, "I am in the antique business. There are some ancestral furniture in those old houses. I often drive there-show them around to see if there are any houses for sale and ask who is moving and what furniture to sell, so that I can contact them before they advertise. "

"Very clever," said Officer Hunter, without blinking.

"I think so." Mitchell said, without blinking.

The police officer leaned back, took out a crumpled cigarette case from his pocket, pulled out a bent cigarette, lit it, and then asked Mitchell for one. Mitchell politely refused.

"You know," Officer Hunter said, "there have been many thefts in Mike Street, and the modus operandi is the same. There was no one in the house and cash and valuables were stolen. This is done by a real professional thief and one of the most sophisticated thieves we have ever met. "

"You'll catch him, officer."

Officer hunter pursed his thick lips and said in confusion, "but this man is very cunning." How can we catch him? "

"I don't know," Mitchell shrugged. "That's your business."

"He is not an ordinary thief," Officer Hunter mused. "He is a real expert."

"You make me envy that man, officer."

"The man himself ... I don't know," said Officer Hunter. "You must admit that he is clever."

"I think this kind of case is similar." Mitchell said with a smile.

Officer Hunter blew a cigarette at the ceiling. "We won't keep you, Mr. Mitchell. There is no reason to bother you any more. "

Mitchell stood up with a smile and said sincerely, "I wish I could help you a little."

"I hope so too." Officer hunter said, and spat at the ceiling.

When Mitchell came home, he saw at a glance that his home had been searched. But it doesn't matter. He had expected this, so he put the stolen money in several safes in the city.

He went to bed very late that night and kept thinking. Now, he has attracted the attention of the police, and they will watch him quietly. He must hide for a period of time before committing a crime.

Mitchell thinks the safest way is to move to another big city. Of course, he can't move out at once, which will arouse suspicion. He will stay for at least half a year before handling four or five cases, which proves that the theft has not stopped because of his trial.

He committed another crime two months later. The house he chose is remote and easy to enter, and his purpose is not money. However, he was happy to get 200 yuan cash, some small diamonds and some precious coins.

A few days later, Officer Hunter met him in the shop and asked him about the theft. Mitchell told the police officer that he knew nothing and explained that he was in bed when it happened. Before the police officer left, Mitchell sold him a rare coin of 1928.

A week later, Mitchell did another case, which was the last time. He decided not to commit any more crimes before leaving the city.

Officer Hunter came to see him again.

"You may be glad to know," said the police officer. "The man we are talking about has committed another crime."

"Oh," Mitchell said in surprise, "the police haven't caught this smart guy yet?"

Officer Hunter put his hands in his pockets, shook his head and said, "People like him are hard to catch." He raised his eyebrows. "I think you must have slept at home last Thursday night."

"Well, yes, I went to bed at ten o'clock. When did the theft happen? "

"Early in the morning," Officer Hunter said, "By the way, after I left here last time, I checked the list of stolen items. You'll think it sounds interesting. Some items here happen to be on the list. "

"That's normal, officer," Mitchell said. "Many things in our store are mass-produced. I don't question those who sell me second-hand goods. You are welcome to check everything in our store, but I don't think it will work. "

"You're right," Officer Hunter said with a smile. "Nothing will come of it." He handed Mitchell a card. "If anyone sells anything suspicious, please call this person in the General Administration."

Mitchell took the card and put it in his shirt pocket. "I will, officer."

Just a week later, another policeman came to Mitchell's shop. That's a young policeman. When he left, he deliberately broke a 20 yuan glass vase. Mitchell began to wonder if this was an invasion. Officer Hunter didn't treat him so rudely. Of course, Mitchell thinks that Officer Hunter is a very weak person.

Mitchell decided to call headquarters and talk to Officer Hunter.

He didn't find Officer Hunter, but a police officer named Booker answered the phone.

Officer Booker was very uncooperative on the phone. He refused to help Mitchell find Officer Hunter or tell Mitchell where to find him. When Mitchell made a claim for compensation, Officer Booker told Mitchell that he would send someone to the store to investigate, and Mitchell could write a claim report if necessary. Mitchell was depressed and said there was no need for compensation. And then I hung up.

The next morning, Mitchell called the police station again, but Officer Hunter was still out. Mitchell opened the phone book and found the phone number of Officer Hunter's home. But he called and no one answered. Mitchell looked up his address in the phone book again, which is only half an hour away from Mitchell's apartment. So Mitchell decided to drive over that night and talk to Officer Hunter himself.

Officer Hunter lives in a small white house surrounded by manicured bushes. When Mitchell walked onto the concrete porch, he saw a beautiful garden beside him. He rang the doorbell, but no one answered.

He pressed it again, and then banged on the door. At this moment, he saw two rolls of newspapers at his feet. It seems that the police officer is not at home, and Mitchell left disappointed.

When he crossed the gate, a postman came by bike. He kindly told Mitchell, "No one is at home. The hunters told me not to deliver letters for two weeks. He went to Florida. "

Mitchell nodded to him, and the postman continued riding, turned a corner and disappeared.

So, the police officer went to the south for a holiday, Mitchell thought, and got into his car.

After driving a few blocks, he suddenly had a brainwave.

What a coincidence! What a perfect and unexpected action! What a beautiful ending!

He quickly turned the car around and drove back to observe the house of Officer Hunter's house more carefully.

At half past ten that night, Mitchell parked his car in the street not far from Hunter's house. He got out of the car and swaggered over, putting his finger in his pocket and fiddling with a coin of 1928.

Walking to the porch, Mitchell looked around and slipped into the trees by the window. He took the tape and glass cutter out of his pocket, and in less than a minute, he was already in the room.

Yes

It was dark in the room, so he turned on the flashlight and looked around carefully. He is in a small bedroom with a single bed and a chest of drawers.

He quickly rummaged through every drawer. There are some men's clothes, sheets, an empty briefcase and a watch without lettering. He likes watches very much and keeps them in his pocket.

He walked into the aisle and saw a small table in the corner of the dining room. He opened the drawer and found it full of unpaid bills. A policeman's home is not as rich as a rich man's home. In the bottom drawer, he saw a small tape recorder and put it in his pocket. He bent down to avoid being seen by outsiders and began to walk towards the big bedroom.

Suddenly, all the lights are on!

His heart was pounding and he instinctively rushed to open the back door.

When he rushed outside, the yard lit up. He suddenly stopped his foot and almost slipped, while raising his hand to cover the dazzling light.

"It's him!" A voice shouted. Mitchell saw a familiar face by the light. It was the postman who stopped to talk to him in the afternoon, but this time he was dressed differently.

Uniforms. Mitchell was caught and handcuffed. At this moment, Officer Hunter appeared, and his face turned white under the strong light. She has a crooked cigarette in her mouth. Mitchell stared at the police officer without fear.

"You're bound to be caught," Officer Hunter said in an almost benevolent tone, "because I know why people like you steal."

When Mitchell was pushed into the police car, Officer Hunter stood there with his hands in his pockets and looked at Mitchell.

In fact, Hitchcock's suspense stories have long been in electronic version. Let me post it for you: