Semi-weekly herald., 1911-09-18
The Third Degree.

@No" vi n. luiUtIIy otTttls
its faded brick walls presented for
bidding aspect to the ancient, tum-
bledown rookeries across the way Its
rear walls faced Mott Street, harmon
izing with the squalid tenements or
lat narrow. ill-smelling thoroughfare.
1t was type of public building now
happily obsolete. which an awakened
artistic sense is rapidly relegating TO
the scrap heap. Its rigid lines were
a monotony Of ugliness, unrelieved by
column or capital. One viewed its
hideous bulk with a shuddering sense
of apprehension. almost expecting to
see 1t crumble on the unfortunates
penned within.
Visitors to the Detective Bureau
entered dingy room. approached by
a narrow hall, on the Mott Street side
of the building. Its 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 to
dispel the atmosphere of secrecy that
hovered perpetually over the place.
Two uniformed lieutenants of police
were constantly on guard at oaken
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,
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 a bundle of documents to
him
3 Massed against the opposite wall in
Hstless attitudes were nfty or sixty
detectives, their faces covered by
long masks. They shifted about un-
easily while waiting for the hapless
prisoners captured the night before to
be lined up for inspection. This daily
spectacle. terrifying to the innocent
suspects. amusing to the old-time 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
a necessary one. For the opportunity
must be provided for the detectives to
become familiar with the counten-
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 the
Chief made his way behind the long
desk that ran half the length of the
room, and took up position of sur
vey. His eyes, of hawk-like penetra-
ton, swept the room while the desk
lieutenant called the roll. The ab-
sentees having been entered on the
blotter. the process of lining up the
prisoners began without further cere-
mony.
A line of bedraggled. disheveled
men and women. their eyes bleary
from a night of wakefulness In mar
row, ill-ventilated cells, shufiled into
the room.
Michael Noonan," droned the lieu
tenant.
An emaciated, weak-faced man, the
wretchedness of ais lot emphasized
by the frayed clothing that hung in
loose, broken lines from his form,
stepped forward look OF dull mis-
cry was stamped on his countenance,
a hopeless disregard of the fate in
store for him showed In his manner.
Take a good look at this crook"
commanded the Chief. Never was
pinched before. Caught with the goods
on, however. by Virgins and Wolf.
Swipin' lead pipe from half-fnished
house"
The eyes of the detectives bent on
the human wreck as he shrank back
into line.
Philip Pratt" called the lieuten-
ant.
A young man. not more than thirty,
whose sullen mein and restless eyes
betrayed his occupation even before
the Chief announced II, faced the
massed 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
of the detective force commented.
Philip Pratt, alias Morse. alias
Charlie Dodge. alias Toledo Phil Con
fidencc gent Did term in Elmira.
two short stretches up the river. and
a long leg In Joliet"
The particular offense for which
the prisoner was in the tolls again
was again described. and he, too. re-
tired to temporary obscurity In the
lines OF unfortunAtes.
- Carrie Chase" came from the lieu
tenant.
Member OF that frail sisterhood
whose shame is no deeper than that
Of the civilization from which II
springs. she carried herself with an
easy dignity born Of familiarity with
her surroundings. The heavy lines OF
her face were drawn into an express
sion of grim defiance. but her eyes,