"For deaf and dumb kids—yes."
"Of course some of the people from there ride in and out with you at times."
"I don't get many of the youngsters. But the folks that run the place often come to the city."
"You are acquainted with them, of course. I mean in the way that local conductors come to be acquainted with their regular riders."
Purvis grinned.
"Say," said he. "It's hard to get acquainted with some of them asylum people. There's only a couple of them that can talk!"
"I see." Pendleton noted Ashton-Kirk's dark eyes fixed steadfastly upon the man's face as though he desired to read the remainder from his expression. "There is one of them," continued the investigator, "whom perhaps you have noticed. He's rather a small man, and wears thick glasses. He also dresses very carefully, and he wears a silk hat."
"Oh, yes," said the conductor, "I know him. He goes in and out quite often. Very polite too. Always says good day with his fingers; if the train is crowded, he's a great little fellow for getting up and giving his seat to the ladies."
"Have you ever heard his name?"
"Yes. It's Locke. He's some kind of a teacher."