That's a new way of capturing criminals--ascertaining who didn't commit
the crime," frowned Manning. "Suppose you lock up an innocent party and
the guilty one doesn't come forward to confess?"

"Then the others who have knowledge of the crime will squeal," answered
Britz. "Persons of refinement may shield a murderer through selfish
motives. But they don't permit an innocent person, especially if he or
she be one of themselves, to perish."

"Well, have your own way," growled Manning, his sullen demeanor only
partly concealing the admiration and affection which he entertained for
his lieutenant. "What do you wish me to do?"

"Take charge of the case while I'm away."

"Shall I take any decisive steps if the facts warrant?"

"Chief, no one has ever disputed that you know your business," said
Britz in frank sincerity. "Our methods may differ, but in the end we
usually reach the same goal. So go right ahead as though I were out of
the case."

Before leaving Manning's office, Britz sent for Greig and inquired
whether it was Officer Muldoon who had taken Beard to the Tombs.

"Yes," replied Greig. "The Coroner turned the commitment papers over to
him."

"Did Beard make any statement on the way to jail?"

"Not to Muldoon. But he telephoned to a lawyer named Luckstone."

"Very well. Now come with me."

After leaving Manning's office, Britz and Greig proceeded to the Federal
Building. The Criminal Branch of the United States Circuit Court was in
session and they made their way to the clerk's desk immediately beneath
the judge's platform. Producing a photograph from his pocket, Britz
showed it to the clerk.

"Do you recognize it?" he inquired.

The clerk studied the picture a long while.

"The features are somewhat familiar, but I can't place them," he finally
said.

"Pass it up to the judge and see whether he recognizes it," requested
Britz.

The judge returned the photograph with a negative toss of his head.

"Do you recall Arthur Travis?" asked Britz of the clerk.

A wave of recollection instantly swept across the clerk's mind.

"Sure," he replied. "Pleaded guilty to attempted post office robbery.
Was sent away for two years and half. He's in the Federal prison at
Atlanta now. And, by George! that picture resembles him slightly. Only
Travis was the ordinary, shabby specimen we invariably get here."

"Who defended Travis?" inquired the detective.

"Tom Luckstone was his lawyer. But no defense was offered.