Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-03-15
1.-THE THIRD DEGREE
Interesting Sketch of Great Play
Coming to DEBORAH This
Month.
SERIAL STORY OF THE PLAY.
Continuation of Condensed Serial
Brings New Complications
of Interest.
Continued from last week)

| oS OIu anu DIS CIucl DIS Tic Spanish
Inquisition. In those days they ex-
torted confessions from poor unfor-
tunate suspects by means of physi-
cal torture, but your third degree
is worse. It's mental torture, but
certainly explains. these other cases,
doesn't it?''
Il don't know that it does
don't acknowledge-"
Captain Clinton, whether you
acknowledge it or not, l can prove
that you obtained these confessions
by means of hypnotic suggestion,
and that is a greater crime against
society than any the state Furnishes
or pays you to prevent"
Il didn't come here to hear about
that" Clinton snaps. You were
going to produce the woman who
called on Underwood the night of
the murder. That was what l came
here for-not to have my methods
criticized. Where is she?"
Annie joins them. She refuses to
disclose the name of the woman
they seek, until she comes and
speaks herself. Clinton threatens
to arrest the woman the moment
she arrives. But when Mrs. Jeffries
does come, and still hesitates to tell
the truth, not even Brewster is keen
enough to see that it is she whom
they are waiting for.
Il shall be torn into little bits
of shreds," she cries, clinging to
Annie, when the men have left in
disgust They won't leave anything
unsaid, but it's not that / care for
myself so much, it's the injustice of
it all, of the power of evil. This
man Underwood never did a good ac-
ton in all his life, and now even
after he is dead he has the power
to go on ng-destroying."
She sinks into chair dismayed and
stunned, when Annie informs her
that Clinton is waiting to arrest
her. Her agitation is painful.
Il can't can't, oh, that's too
much,' she cries. I've done moth
ing-nothing-look.' She drags out
Underwood's letter. You can see
for yourself she goes on, 1.-The
wretch wrote me-wrote me
frightened me into such state of
mind that l hardly knew what | was
doing. And l went to try and pre-
vent him, that's all, Annie, that's
all, but do you suppose that any
one will believe it," She breaks
down completely, weeping hysteric-
ally. Annie goes to her, fascinated
by that letter, and lifts it from her
hand to look at it.
This is great for Howard"
whispers the girl, staring at the in
eliminating letter. But what a
mean hound to write things like
that! His kind of fellows breed
trouble, don't they? Alive or dead,
they breed trouble I'm
heart-broken. I'd do anything to
save you from this-this public dis
grace. But this has got to come out
now, hasn't it?"
Il can't, Annie, / can't go to pri-
son." the other woman sobs. Then
she rises and reaches for the letter,
but Annie withholds it. Give me
back that letter. Don't ask me to
make this sacrifice now" She
clings terror-stricken to Annie, beg
ging for the letter, when Clinton
returns. At once strange impulse
VI NOul d5C CClLCS hCi anu ohS bido
Annie give the letter to the detec-
tive.
At that moment Brewster also re-
turns.
Excuse me-" he says, stepping
beside Clinton and snatching the let
ter from him, "she is my client. I'll
take care of this" But Clinton has
seen enough to understand that it
was addressed to Mrs. Jeffries, and
he at once leaps to the conclusion
that it was addressed to Annie JEFF
fries, instead of to Mrs. Jeffries,
Sr. He has no sooner left with the
admonition that he will arrest An
ME the moment she leaves the
house, when Brewster discovers the
truth.
"You are not the woman to whom
this letter was addressed" the at
torney fairly shouts, as he faces
Annie. 1t is evident, now, to him
that the girl, imbued with false
sympathy, means to protect the
older woman from exposure. She
has nothing to. lose. us it your
intention to go on the witness stand
and commit perjury? Answer mel"
demands Brewster. do you expect
me as your counsel to become
particeps criminis to this tissue of
lies?" The girl stares at him calm
ly, eye to eye.
IF it can be done, why not?"
she answers quietly. tits good
idea. I'm glad you suggested it.
Everybody says I'm the woman who
called on Robert Underwood that
night; well, that's all right. Let
them think so. What difference does
it make as long as Howard goes
free?"
ooh no, don't go, the Captains
waiting for you outside" and
Brewster attempts to detain her.
81 wouldn't keep Captain Clinton
waiting for the world Goodnight,
Mr.. Brewster, and God bless you!"
And as Annie leaves Mrs. Jeffries
sinks fainting to the floor.
Howard is acquitted, but Annie is
publicly viewed as the woman who
drove Underwood to his death.
Though she has assumed the guilt
and protected the reputation of Mrs.
Jeffries, the family of her young
husband try to force her to a di-