Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-09-21

'What Gets Me Is That Everybody
Tells Me I Was Dragged"
ing you last night, Mr.. Rankin" Pal
mer said frankly, "or talking to Mr..
Warwick, either. Gosh, 1 must have
been pretty bad" He paused and his
smile faded. "What gets me is that
everybody tells me I was drugged-
and with knockout drops" he added
wonderingly. Il can't see how that's
possible. The only fellow with me or
anywhere near me last night is
friend of mine; it's ridiculous to think
he'd do something like that" He
turned to the president for support
"Ted knows him too-it was Ralph
Buckley. He attended our first smok
er and has visited me since several
times in my room"
"Ralph Buckley" The detectives
even Unconditional question did not in
dictate his thrill on hearing the name.
or that he recognized it at ALL
"Yes," Palmer answered, ''he's q
freshman in the college department
with whom I'm rather chummy. He
lives in the Harrowgate apartments at
2S9 Fortieth street. He comes from
Illinois . let me see, he men,
toned the place once"-he wrinkled
his brow in deep thought-"oh, yes.
Vandalia, ILL.,"
Stanton opened his eyes widely IN
surprise. "Why. that's Stuart's home.
too, Mr.. RanlSinv' he exclaimed ex-
citedly. 81 told you that last plight,
sir"
"Yes. so you did" Rankin's tone
was still calm. "And that is why I'd
like to learn something about Buck
ley" He addressed Palmer again.
"What do you know of him? How did
you two happen to become friendsf'
he asked.
By few questions, he discoveries
the extent and duration of the boys
association with Buckley. He had met
Palmer at the social club directed by
the university for it's students, and en-
gagged him in game of pool. Previous
to that, they had merely a nodding &C.
quaintance in two English classes in
which both studied under the same
professors. Subsequently, the two
boys began to study together outside,
spending an evening now and then at
cards, usually in Buckley's apartment.
And in February, when the fraternity
Do
posed him as a candidate-though I'M
successfully. Somewhat sportily in
clined himself, he admired Buckley's
example in sophistication and fast iv-
ing. Otherwise, he knew nothing
about him except that he spent great
deal and appeared to have funds.
"No doubt you supplied him with q
large part Of them, Mr.. Palmer?" Ran
kin observed shrewdly. you lost
quite an amount, didn't you, in these
card sessions?"
The youth looked uncomfortable at
the question. "Well, yes, did," ne
acknowledged with obvious reluctance.
"How could you guess that? But 1t
was just that Ralph had phenomena
luck at cards; / never managed to
hold them. Anyhow" he added almost
defiantly, someone has to come OUT
on the short end. And I'm as willing
to take a chance as the next One."
"Of course" Tactfully, the detec-
tive shifted the subject. ''You say
that Buckley came to a smoker at the
opening of. your rushing season, this
winter?"
eyes, but that was as far it went.
I acted as his sponsor and wanted him
pledged and eventually initiated. But
one Of the other brothers didn't care
for him and so he was dropped before
the final selection was made. don't
know why; he's a id decent fei-
low" The point was evidently sore
one with the boy. II still can't see
what Ned Patterson had against him..
Patterson Rankin's question hello
a fresh note of interest. "Was tnat
who objected to him? What was Fat
terson's particular reason for oppos-
ing Buckley"
Stanton shrugged. II couldn't say
because we don't require an explana-
ton for rejecting mere prospect. by
our rules, that objection can be purely
arbitrary. Or for that matter, to dis
miss Pledge who has proved unsatis-
factory. Only it takes three dissenting
voices to remove a pledge pin; anu
they are recorded by passing arounu
the hlackhall box"
ITO be continued next week.