Police, Burglar and Matron

A burglary took place in a house. Some articles were stolen while the inmates were asleep. The inmates called the police who arrived at the scene after two hours. The senior most member of the household was the matron. She was questioned by the police.

The police asked her several questions about who all came and left last night and whether she suspected anyone. The woman replied in the negaive.At last the police official in disgust remarked:

You Lady. You were hardly two feet away from the scene of occurrence. We are located five miles away from you. How do you expect us to detect and trace the thief when you so close to the scene are unable to say who he is?

Matron: Sir, I must say you are an intelligent cop. I doubt whether you have links with the thief. Tomorrow you will say," catch the thief, I will arrest him".
Police official: No .Not at all. I am trying to establish a link between you and the thief and trace the course of events in a sequential way. I only impress on you the duty of a citizen.