The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-18
CHAPTER VI.
The Third Degree.

Police HeadQuarters-the old head.
quarters of Mulberry Street-wes 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. Its
rear walls faced Mott Street, harmon
iEing with the squalid tenements OF
that narrow, ill!smelling thoroughfare.
It was type of public building now
happily obsolete, which an awakened
artistic sense is rapidly RELOCATING to
tthe scrah heap. It's rigid lines were
a -monotony OF, ugliness. nnrelieved by
iScoinmb otsItapital.B One Viewed its
hideous bulk with shuddering sense
of apprehension, almost expecting to
fsee II crumble on the unfortunates
penned within.
Visitors to the Detective Bureau
entered dingy room. approached by
q narrow hall. on the Mott Street side
of the building. Its most conspicuous
furnishings We're several brass rails
which crossed one another in be-
wilderlng fashion. Half-open doors
led boldly into other Offices, as II to
dispel the atmosphere of secrecy that
lowered perpetually over, the place.
Two uniformed lleutenants 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 or
documents scattered on their desks.
Guess it's time for the lineup" re-
marked one Of the lieutenants.
He entered the adjoining room, a
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 n
listless attitudes were nifty or sixty
detectives, their faces covered by
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 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-
nted 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
yey. His eyes. OF hawk.like penetra-
tion. swept the room while the desk
lieutenant called the roll. The abb
sentees having been entered on the
blotter, the process of lining up the
prisoners began without further cere-
nony.
A line of bedraggled, disheveled
men and women. their eyes bleary
from night Of wakefulness In mar
row, ill-ventilated cells. shufied into
the room.
Michael Noonan." droned the lieu
tenant
An .emaciated woak-faced man, the
wretchedness of his lot emphasized
by the frayed clothing that hung in
loose, broken lines from his form,
stepped forward A 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 good look at this crook"
sommanded sthe qbiet- Never, was