The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-03-01

his guilt. Look at his hands. We
caught him trying to get away"
The coroner rose. He believed in
doing things promptly.
Il congratulate you, captain. Quick
work like this ought to do your repu
tation good. The community owes a
debt to the officers of the law If they
succeed in apprehending criminals
quickly. You've been getting some
pretty hard knocks lately, but | guess
you know your business"
The captain grinned broadly.
I guess do. Don't we, Maloney ?"
Yes, cap" said Maloney, quietly.
The coroner turned to 60.
We'll. there's nothing more for me
to do here. The man Is dead. Let
justice take its course" Addressing
the undertaken, he said:
You can remove the body"
The men set about the work i'm
mediately. Carrying the corpse into
the inner room. they commenced the
work of laying it out.
Il 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.
I 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?"
"Nonsensel" laughed the captain.
We wouldn't harm baby, would we,
Maloney?"
The sergeant quickly Endorsed his
chiefs opinion.
mo. cap"
Turning to CO. the coroner said:
We'll. goodnight, captain"
Goodnight. MIR. Coroner"
Howard listened to all this like one
transfixed. They seemed to be talk
Ing about him. They were discussing
| some frightful ordeal of which he wal
to be victim What was this 'thirt
degree they were talking about? Nov
he remembered. He had heard of in
nocent men being buIlied, 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 a gang
Of ruffianly 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 a 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.
Il cannot interfere" he said coldly
Mr.. Underwood was a friend OF
mine." explained Howard. Il came
here to borrow money. l fell ASLEEP
on that sofa. When l woke up he
was dead. l was frightened. l tried
to get aaway. That's the truth, sc
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 al
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
demand to be taken before a magis
trate at once"
The captain grinned, and pointed tc
the clock
Say, young Teller. see what time II
is? Two-thirty a. m. Our good mag
istrates are all comfy in their virtu
GUS beds. Wen have to wait till
morning"
CTO BE CONTINUEDD