“Yes. I was to stay at the hotel till train time.”

“Is this your grip?”

Weir jerked a thumb towards a worn canvas “telescope” fastened with a single shawl strap, resting in the corner of the booth.

“It’s mine. Yes, sir.”

“How old is Ed Sorenson,” he asked, after a pause.

“About thirty, maybe.”

“How old are you?”

“Seventeen next month.”

“But sixteen yet this month.”

“Yes, sir.”