Rochester with a subpoena; he's wanted at the Turnbull inquest
as a material witness."
CHAPTER VIII
THE INQUEST
Coroner Penfield adjusted his eyeglasses and scanned the spectators
gathered for the Turnbull inquest. The room was crowded with both
men and women, the latter predominating, and the coroner decided
that, while some had come from a personal interest in the dead man,
the majority had been attracted by morbid curiosity. There was a
stir among the spectators as an inner door opened and the jury,
led by the morgue master filed into the room and took their places.
Coroner Penfield rose and addressed the foreman.
"Have you viewed the body?" he inquired.
"Yes, doctor," and the man sat down.
Coroner Penfield then concisely stated the reason for the inquest
and summoned Officer O'Ryan to the witness stand. The policeman
stood, cap in hand, while being sworn by the morgue master, and
then took his place on the platform in the chair reserved for the
witnesses.
His answer to Coroner Penfield's questions relative to his name,
residence in Washington, and length of service in the city Police
Force were given with brevity and a rich Irish brogue.
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