The casket was one of the most beautiful of its kind made. It was white cloth-covered, and trimmed with cord and tassel. The handles were of burnished silver. In the center of the casket lid, on a silver plate, was the name "Pearl."
Inside the casket was full-satin-lined, and handsomely trimmed. The absence of the head was made scarcely noticeable the placing of a square satin pillow in the head on the casket down to the shoulders of the corpse.
THE HEADLESS BODY DISPLAYED TO THE MURDERERS.
The authorities resolved on a plan which they hoped might make the prisoners weaken. It was to have them look upon their murdered victim and have the crime recalled in all its hideousness.
Mayor Caldwell Chief Deitsch and Sheriff Plummer went to Epply's morgue, where the remains lay.
In a short time Detectives Crim and McDermott arrived with the prisoners. Crim had Walling in charge and McDermott Jackson. The latter was placed at the head of the coffin and Walling near the foot. Both faced the brother and sister of the murdered girl, who were on the other side of the casket.
Jackson was terribly excited and nervously clasped and unclasped his hands. His eyes roved from one end of the body to the other and he shook his head and sighed deeply. His face was terribly flushed, and he looked as though he might break down every second. On the other hand Walling was to all appearance the coolest man in the room. He gazed at the corpse without a shiver and looked around on the faces of those present. His only noticeable display of agitation was to tap his foot nervously on the floor.
Not a word was said until Chief Deitsch, at the other end asked:
"Walling do you recognize the corpse?"
"I do not."