g tone.

The three boys held their silence, taking their cue from their leader,
Garry.

"Won't talk, eh, well we'll make you open your mouth in a hurry," and
the officer advanced on the boys.

Just what steps he would have taken will never be known, for the
physician, who was the city coroner, interposed.

"That will do, Murphy. You have just told these boys they were under
arrest, and you have failed to give them warning that anything they may
say can be used against them. You are barking up the wrong tree anyway.
These are no runaways nor young desperadoes. My advice is that you let
them go immediately, or else take them to the station and let the chief
talk to them. He was still there when we left the house. And, boys, I'll
see that you get a lawyer as soon as you get there unless the captain
shows more sense than the lieutenant has."

The lieutenant glowered at the coroner. Evidently there was bad blood
between them, but he realized that he had overstepped his authority, and
was in the wrong, so he ordered everyone present to repair to the
station.

The walk to the headquarters of the city police consumed only a few
minutes, and soon the boys were standing in the office of the Chief.

"What's all this, Lieutenant Murphy?" he asked.

"There's been foul play of some sort down in that old shack that's used
in the wintertime for a lumberjack boarding house. These three boys were
there at the time the man died and don't seem to be able to give a
satisfactory account of themselves. They have been put under arrest,"
answered the officer sulkily.

"Well, boys, what have you to say to this," asked the Chief as he swung
around on his chair and surveyed the three.

By this time Garry was boiling mad.

"I first want to ask that we get a lawyer. I don't propose to have a
continuation of the bullying that the lieutenant started down at the old
shack continued, nor do I propose to let my companions be questioned
without competent advice," he said respectfully but decidedly.

The Chief's face darkened.

"Have you been up to your old tricks again, Murphy?"

"I've just been doing my duty," said Murphy sullenly.

"I am afraid you exaggerate your duty at times, then, lieutenant. Now,
boys, what have you to say? This is only an informal questioning and you
are under no obligations to answer. I think, however, that there has
been nothing more here than the stirring up of a mare's nest, and I
think the best thing to do