The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-17
THE THIRD DEGREE
When MT Klein Wrote 'The Lion and The Mouse," It Was Said He Had Reached the 87th Degree of Sue cess, But The Third Degree Carried Him Farther Up the Ladder of Fame and It Is Conceded that He Has Reached, at Last, the North
 Pole of Dramatics

horrible affair and reads of "a sui cide's last letter to the woman he loved" When Mrs. Jeffries hears that she will probably be arrested she gives way to a paroxysm of of grief. Annie tries to comfort her as best she can. Mrs. Jeffries hands her letter from Underwood. which reads:
 Dear. Mrs. Jeffries:-'This is the with my presence or bore you with my letters You have forbidden me to see you again. you have sent enced me to living death. but as I prefer death shall not be partial but full and complete oblivion. I take this means of letting you know that unless you revoke your cruel sentence I will make an end of it all. I shall be found dead to- know who is the real cause. Your devoted slave. Robert Underwood.
 This is great for Howard" An nie observes. then wants to know what they are going to do.
 Mrs. Jeffries-Howard must be cleared. of course: and must face it. alone.
 Annie-Yes. you'H be alone. all rish-- MT. Jeffries will do about as much for you as he did for his sor-just watch him.
 She can never go to prison. Mrs. Jeffries cries She will go to Europe. and she pleads for the let ter. She can mall 1t back. but An nie has promised MT. Brewster to clear the matter and she keeps the letter in her grasp. And now in the midst of this Captain Clinton reappears with a sheer on his face Is that your mysterious witness?' he asks of Annie. but when he Is introduced to Mrs. Howard Jef- fries. Sr.. he profusely apologizes. You've played a trick on us aH." he says. and launches into deduc- tions. You knew Underwood be- fore you knew young JeffrIes It was Underwood who aroused your husbands jealousy. You went to his rooms that night. Your hus- band followed you there and the shooting. took. place. False ..con- fession. eh2 Hypnotisrn. eh? Well. guess it's international law for yours after this. MT. Brewster" Y This last is addressed to Brewster as he enters the room.
 Mrs .Jefrries. who has been silent during this scene. at last speaks Annie. the truth must come out sooner. or later. Give Captain Ciin- ton the letter." As Annie Is about g to do her bidding Brewster steps in- Excuse me. che is my client" he interrupts; T will take care of this" and taking the letter he reads. partly aloud. partly to him. self Clinton gleans enough to know 1t is addressed to Mrs. Jeff fries and is from Underwood. and turning to Annie he invites her to go with him to headquarters. Brewster protests. but turning to Annie the Captain tells her he will wait for her downstairs and goes out Now it is that Brewster makes the discovery that the letter is addressed to Mrs. Jeffries. ST.. and as he sees Annie about to fol- low Clinton he asks If 1t Is her in tention to go on the witness stand and commit perjury and wishes to know of Mrs. Jeffries if she Intends to allow. it NO. nor the latter answers Then he turns again to Annie. asking if she expects him to become a participant in the pro- ceedines. if he is expected to build up false structure for her to swear to-
 Annie-+I hadn't thought of 1t. If it can be done. why not? It's a good idea-Tm glad you suggested 1t. Everybody says I'm the woman who called on Robert Underwood that nigh.-well. that's all right let them think so. What difference does it make as long as Howard -goes free7"
 'I wouldn't keep Captain Clinton waiting for the world?" Annie cries, as she rushes from the room. leaving Brewster and Mrs. Jeffries in a dared condition l.