Traffic in Souls: A Novel of Crime and Its CureBall, Eustace Hale
General
Traffic in Souls: A Novel of Crime and Its Cure
Ball, Eustace Hale
Crime -- Fiction
The big man looked at Burke and scowled ominously. It was evident that
Officer 4434 was well known to him, although Bobbie had never seen the
other in his life.
"Here's the fellow. Clubbing one of my district workers--straight
politics, that's what it is, or I should say crooked politics. I'm
going to take this up with the Mayor this very day. You know his
orders about policemen using their clubs."
"Yes, Alderman, I know that and several other things. I know that this
policeman did not use his club but his fist on one of your ward
heelers, and that was for cursing him in public. He should have
arrested him. I also know that you are the lawyer for this gangster,
Jimmie the Monk. And I know what we have on his friend. You can look
at the blotter if you want. I haven't finished writing it all yet."
The Captain turned the big record-book around on his desk, while the
politician angrily examined it.
"What's that? Carrying weapons, unlawfully? Carrying cocaine? Why,
this is a frame-up. This man Morgan is a law-abiding citizen. You're
trying to send him up to make a record for yourself. I'm going to take
this up with the Mayor as sure as my name is Kelly!"
"Take it up with the United States District Attorney, too, Mr.
Alderman, for I've got some other things on your man Morgan. This
political stuff is beginning to wear out," snapped Sawyer. "There are
too many big citizens getting interested in this dope trade and in the
gang work for you and your Boss to keep it hushed any longer."
He turned to Burke and waved his hand toward the stairway which led to
the dormitory above.
"Go on upstairs, my boy, and rest up a little bit. You're pale. This
has been a hard day, and I'm going to send out White to relieve you.
Take a little rest and then I'll send you up to Men's Night Court with
Morgan, for I want him held over for investigation by the United States
officers."
Alderman Kelly puffed and fumed with excitement. This was getting
beyond his depths. He was a competent artist in the criminal and lower
courts, but his talents for delaying the law of the Federal procedure
were rather slim.
"What do you mean? I'm going to represent Morgan, and I'll have
something to say about his case at Night Court. I know the magistrate."
Sawyer took out the memorandum book from the little parcel of
"exhibits" removed from the prisoner.
"Well, Alderman," Burke heard him say, as he started up the stairs,
"you ought to be pleased to have a long and profitable case. For I
think this is just starting the trail on a round-up of some young men
who have been making money by a little illegal traffic. There are
about four hundred girls' names in this book, and the Chief of
Detectives has a reputation for being able to figure out ciphers."
Alderman Kelly dropped his head, but gazed at Sawyer's grim face from
beneath his heavy brows with a baleful intensity. Then he left the
station house.
CHAPTER IV
WHAT THE DOCTOR SAID
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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