"Silence!"
To the coroner, the captain explained:
"He's the scapegrace son of Howard Jeffries, the banker. No good—bad egg. His father turned him out of doors. There is no question about his guilt. Look at his hands. We caught him trying to get away."
The coroner rose. He believed in doing things promptly.
"I congratulate you, captain. Quick work like this ought to do your reputation 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 I guess you know your business."
The captain grinned broadly.
"I guess I do. Don't we, Maloney?"
"Yes, cap.," said Maloney quietly.
The coroner turned to go.
"Well, there's nothing more for me to do here. The man is dead. Let justice take its course." Addressing the undertaker, he said: