The Huttig news. (Huttig, Ark.) 1907-1955, 1912-01-06
CHAPTER vi.
The Third Decree.

Police Headquarters-the old head
quarters of Mu berry Street-was one
of the architectural monstrosities of
New York Fronting Mulberry Street,
its faded brick walls presented for
bidding aspect to the ancient, tum-
bledown rookeries across the way. It's
rear walls faced Mott Street, harmon
izing with the squald teHements of
that narrow, ill-smelling thoroughfare.
1t was type of pubic buliolhg low
happily obsolete, which al awakened
artistic sense is rapidly relegating 10
the scrap heap. Its rigid lines were
a monotony OF ugliness, unre we'd by
column or capital. One viewed its
hideous bulk with a shud6ering sense
Of apprehension, almost expecting to
see 1t crunble on the unfortunates
penned within.
Visitors to the Detective Bureau
entered a diRgy room. approached by
d narrow hail, on the Mott Street side
of the building. Its most conspicuous
iurnis Kings were several brass rails
which crossed one another in be-
widering fashion Halt-open doors
ed boldly into other Offices, as if to
dispel the atmosphere of secrecy that
lowered perpetual y 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, shiveIy 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.
Massed against the opposite wall in
listless attitudes Were fifty or sixty
detectives. their faces covered by
long masks. They shifted about I'M
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-
anees 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
stifened 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 alb
sentees having been entered on the
blotter. the process Of lining up the
prisoners began without further cere-
mcny
A line of bedraggled. disheveled
men ana women their eyes bleary
from a night of wakefulness In mar
row, ill,ventilated cells. shuflied into
the room.
Michael Noonan." drored the lieu.
tenant
An emaciated weakfaced man. the
wretehedness of his lot emphasiz d
by the fra.ed elethi~ that HING in