The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1910-05-18

ne coroner rose. He believed IN
doing things promptly.
Z congratulate you. captain. Quick
work like this ought to do your repu.
tAtion good. The community owes a
aebs 20 he officers OF the law II they
succeed In apprehending criminals
quickly. You've been getting some
pretty hard knocks lately. but guess
you know your business
The captain Ertunsd broadly.
4 guess DO. Don't We. Malouey!'
Yes. cap" said MRloney. quietly.
The coroner turned TO 90.
We'll, there's nothing moro for mo
to do here. The man is dead. Let
justice take It's course Addressing
the undertaken. he said:
You can remove the body"
The men set about the-.work I'm.
mediateiy. Carrying the corrse into
the Inner room. they commenced the
work Of laying 1t out.
! suppose" said the coroner. that
you'll take your prisoner Immediately
to the station house. and before the
magistrate tomorrow morning."
Not Just yet" grinned the captain.
y want to put few questions to him
first"
The coroner smiled.
You're going to put him through
the third degree Ell? Every ones
heard Of your star-chamber ordeals.
Are they really so DREADFUL"
Nonsense" laughed the captain.
We wouldn't harm baby, would We,
Maloney?"
The sergeant quickly Endorsed his
chiefs opinion.
NO. cap"
Turning to go. the coroner said:
We'll. goodnight, captain"
Goodnight, Mr.. Coroner"
Howard listened to all this like ono
transhxed. They seemed to be talk.
Ing about him. They were discussing
some frightful ordeal OF which he was
TO be a victim What was this third
degree they were talking about? Now
he remembered. He had heard OF in
nocent men being bullied, maltreated,
deprived OF food and sleep for days,
in order to force them TO tell what
the police were anxious to find out.
He had heard OF secret assaults. OF
midnight clubbings. OF prisoners being
choked and brutally kicked by 4 gang
OF rufianly policemen. in order to
force them into some damaging ad.
mission. A chill ran down his spine
as he realized his utter helplessness.
If he could only get word TO u lawyer.
Just as the coroner was disappearing
through the door. he darted forward
and laid hand on his arm.
Mr.. Coroner. won't you listen to
me?" he exclaimed.
The coroner startled. drew back.
81 cannot Interfere" he said coldly.
"Mr. Underwood was a friend OF
NINE" explained Howard. 81 came
here to borrow money. fell asleep
on that sofa. When woke up he
was dead. l was frightened. tried
to get away. That's the truth. so
help me Cod"
The coroner looked at him sternly
and made no reply. No one could
ever reproach him with sympathizing
with criminals. Waving his hand at
Capt Clinton. he said:
Goodnight. captain"
Goodnight, Mr.. Coroner"
The door slammed and Capt. Gin
ton, with twist OF his powerful arm.
yanked his prisoner back into his
seat. Howard protested
You've got no right to treat me
like this. You exceed your powers.
l demand to be taken before a magis-
trate at once"
The captain grinned. and pointed to
the clock.
Say. young feller. see what time It
is? Two-thirty a. m. Our good mag
lstrates are all comfy in their virtu-
Gus beds. Wen have to walt till
morning"
But what's the good OF sitting here
in this death house," protested How.
ard. Take me TO the station If I
must go. It's intolerable to sit any
longer here"
The captain beckoned to Maloney.
Not so fast. young man. Before
We go to the station we want TO ask
you few questions. Don't We, Ma
loney?"
The sergeant came over. and the
captain whispered something In his
ear. Howard shivered. Suddenly
turning to his prisoner. the captain
shouted in the stern tone OF com
mand:
Get up"
Howard did as he was ordered. He
felt he must. There was no resisting
that powerful brute's tone Of authori-
ty. Pointing to the other side of the
table. the captain went on:
Stand over there where can look
at you!"
The two men now faced each other.
the small table alone seDaratinR