“This is a peculiar neighborhood for him to be in. What is his business here?”
“Why, he’s begging here, I suppose.”
“Oh,” said Nick quietly.
It certainly was a peculiar location for a beggar to choose. Few people passed there, and those who did were not of the class who had money to give away, even to a poor old beggar, reasoned Nick to himself.
“The murders were committed right near this spot, were they not?” Nick asked, pointing to a place about ten feet from where the aged tramp sat.
“Precisely; the bodies were found right there.”
“What is the name of that old fellow?”
“They call him Benny the Bum.”
“He seems to be blind.”
“I believe he is, and deaf, too; at least that’s what they all say around here.”