Page:The Mystery of Central Park.djvu/38

32 "They did in the old Morgue, but ever since we've been in this building we put them in the boxes. They keep better this way," explained the keeper, delighted to show the sights of the Morgue to persons of social prominence.

"Do you know the history of all these dead?" asked Penelope, counting the fifty and odd coffins which came one after the other.

"We know somethin' about most all 'cept those found in the river, and the river furnishes more bodies than the whole city do. We photograph every body and we pack their clothes away, with a description of 'em, and keep them six months. The photographs we always keep, so that years after people may find their lost here. Would you like to see them, miss?"

"You see," continued the man, lifting a lid, "we burn a cross on the coffins of the Catholics, and the Protestants get no mark.