Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-13
CHAPTER VI.
The Third Deurec.

Police Headquarters-the old heao-
quarters of Mulberry Street-was one
Of the architectural monstrosities or
New York. Fronting Mulberry Street,
it's faded brick walls presented for
bidding aspect to the ancient, tu!n-
bledown rookeries across the way. It's
rear walls faced Mott Street, harmon
izing with the squalid tenements oil
that narrow, ill-smeling thoroughfare.
1t was type of public building now
happily obsolete, which an awakened
| artistic sense is rapidly RELOCATING to
the scrap heap. It's rigid lines were
a monotony of uglness. unrelieved by
column or capital. One viewed It's
hideous bulk with a shuddering sense
of apprehension, almost expecting TO
see 1t Crumble on the unfortunates
penncd within.
Visitors to the Detective Bureau
entered dingy room, approached by
a narrow hall, on the Mott Street side
of the building It's most conspicuous
! furnishings were several brass rails
which crossed one another In be-
wildering fashion. Half-open doors
led boldly into other offices, as if 10
! dispel the atmosphere of secrecy that
lowered perpetually over the place.
| Two uniformed lieutenants OF police
were constantly on guard at oakcn
desks backed against opposite walls
! On the morning following the Mis-
sioner diamond robbery, the two
guardians were busy sorting piles OF
documents scattered ON their desks
Guess it's time for the lineup re-
marked one of the lieutenants.
He entered the adjoining room, n
large, square chamber, in which the
rays from clusters of electric bulbs
mingled with the pale, shivery light Of
the sun.
Here's the list he called to the
desk lieutenant, at the same time
throwing bundle of documents to
him.
Massed against the opposite wall in
listless attitudes were nifty or sixty
detectives, their faces covered by
long masks. They shifted about un-
easily while waiting for the haplcss
| prisoners captured the night before 10
be lined up for inspection. This daily
spectacle, terrifying to the innocent
suspects, amusing TO the Oldtime law
breakers, marks the beginning Of the
| mornings routine of the men detailed
to prevent crime and hunt down GRIM
inals. Not a pleasing exhibition, but
necessary one. For the opportunity
must be provided for the detectives to
become familiar with the counter
ances of the lawbreakers. And by the
simple device of the masks, the hunt
ers are shielded from becoming equal
ly familiar to the hunted.
The opening of the door at the
rear of the room brought the waiting
detectives to attention. Their forms
stiffened to military erectness. their
manner became watchfully alert.
"Good-morning." greeted Chief OF
Detectives Manning. The men sa
luted in return.
With quick, nervous strides thf
Chief made his way behind the lon
desk that ran half the length OF the
room. and took up position of sur
vey. His eyes, of hawk-lilIe penetra
ton, swept the room while the desl
lieutenant called the roll. The ab
scntees having been entered on The
blotter, the process of lining up tn,
prisoners began without further cere
mony.
A line CT bedraggled, dishevelet
men and women, their eyes blear!
from night OF wakefulness in mar
row, ill-ventilated cells, shufled into
the room.
Michael Noonan," droned the lieu
tenant.
An emaciated, weakfaced man, tht
wretchedness Of his lot emphasized
by the frayed clothing that hung i!
loose, broken lines from his form
stepped forward. A look of dull mis-
hopeless disregard OF the fate IL
store for him showed in his manner,
Take n good look at this crook,
commanded the Chief. Never wa
pinched before. Caught with the goods
on, however, by Virgins and Wolf
| SWlpiH lSdu pipC iiOIH d nan HIi1iAS'
house"
The eyes of the detectives. bent OF
the human wreck as he shrank bacl
into line
philip Pratt" called the lieutcn
ant.
A young man, not more than thirty
whose sullen mein and restless eye
betrayed his occupation even befor
the Chief announced 1t, faced thu
nassed battery of eyes. His thin lips
curled into disdainful smile as the
chief read his record from a slip OF
, paper.
, Another old friend back" the head
u the detective force commented
, Philip Pratt, alias Morse, alias
, Charlie Dodge, alias Toledo Phil. Con
idence gent Did term in Elmlra
, ,wo short stretches up the river, ano
long leg in Joliet"
The particular offense for which
. the prisoner was in the tolls agar
was again described, and he, too, re
tired to temporary obscurity In th'
lines of unforturates
Carrie Chase" came from the lieu
tenant.
Member of that frail sisterhoot
whose shame IS no deeper than tina
OF the civilization from which /
springs, she carried herself with al
easy dignity born of familiarity Will