Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-11-02

oais that. Fletcher bias been suspicious
yordan's attention to her. On the
% PLEDGES, according to custom, were
ken to an isolated spot and aben-
to get home ram ss best est thsy sosi1
. found In Patterson's room.
CHAPTER vII.-Tracing Jordan's
sakin nnds that, on his abandon
esnt. he tsiephoned from q farmhouse
Mrs. Fletcher, who came for him In
auto. Hidden in Flstsher,s roadster ;
viAence, seemingly conclusive, involv-
- Ralph Buckley, 10 secured. Ned
PATTERSON pawns watch. obviously
The detective definitely reached a
decision. " do believe you" he said
'ssore kindly. 'In fact, there is Just
ssAe more point I'd like settled before
iy0u go; then you can leave with Mr..
stanton and Mr.. Crawford, and forget
S0Aout the thefts. As far as I am in
arrested, they are closed book"
Patterson's eyes lighted with relief
and Stanton expressed his apprecla-
iAlen.
that's mighty fine Of you, Mr.. RAN
.kin; It helps the fraternity out Of a
very bad hole. I'm speaking for all Of
iWs in saying how grateful we are"
my question Is about a student
!aAmed Ralph Buckley" Rankin pur-
sgued, disregarding his thanks. "He
- a freshman and a good friend of
larry Palmer. You recall him, Pat
i4erson, I'm sure; during rushing sea-
ison, Palmer sponsored him as a can
1idate. Only he failed to make the
iGrade and was not pledged"
Ralph Buckley7" The boy nodded.
i~Yes. remember him." he said bluntly.
! Il expected you would. because
understand 1t was you who voted
iagainst accepting him. That's ex-
iactly what I'm after-why you didn't
.@pprove Of him. Was II some infor-
lnation Jordan had given you that re-
igaited in your veto?"
Information from Stuart, sir?" A
ipuzzled look crept into Patterson's
face, echoed by his query. THAT'S
lmews to me; didn't even know he
iWas acquainted with the fellow. He
lAever once mentioned his name to me-"
II was the detectives turn to be sur
.prised. do you mean he had nothing
20 do with your rejecting Buckley?
Then why did you object to him?"
Because he happened to know /
sganbled at the Morton club" the spon-
:sor returned "As told you, wasn't
sanxious to have my fraternity brothers
,And that out; call it a guilty con-
science. And If he was a prospective
hrother. it would have been just as
uncomfortable. He had visited the
iciub several times and seen me there
though / didn't learn who he was I'M
tl the first smoker. Still, he couldn't
help guessing my business He
paused with a touch Of bitterness.
Besides, If he frequented place like
that. figured he wasn't desirable ma
rterial for the chapter"
"And you were correct" Rankin
agreed. THANK you, Mr.. Patterson,
that is all I wanted"
He rose to close the interview. "But
word Of advice before you CO." he
said. suddenly severe again. Nov
that you've finished with the Morton
club, you had better stay away in the
future. This should be a lesson to
you. mlngling with a bunch of swim
0ers and card-sharps will get You
nothing but trouble. And you may not
be lucky enough to get Off so easily
the next time"
When Rankin returned to headquar-
ters after a belated lunch, he found
the long expected reply to his inquiries
Ct Aberdeen awaiting him. 1t was
Just telegram, verifying Walter Ran
dall's tale of the gambling episode in
the dormitories, Buckley's run-in with
Jordan and his subsequent expulsion
from the college,; the complete report
was following by mail. But as soon
as he read 1t, the detective swore out
warrant for Buckleys arrest. Unlike
Patterson's case, he felt confident of
ais grounds; the freshman's incrim.
mating activities could only mean that
he had hand In the crime. And, too.
unlike the sponsor, his conduct proved
fhat he was an unprincipled and incor-
Rigible rascal, for whom there could
Be no excuses or extenuating con-
alterations. The only disQuieting ele-
ment in Rankin's assurance was the
contradictory evidence of the lawyers
guilt.
In Difference to Mr.. Warwick, he
decided to consult him before execut-
ing his warrant. The supervisor had
eo-0perated with him whole-heartedly,
when 1t would have been more ad-
xantageous to obstruct his inquiry and
hash up unnecessary publicity. In re-
turn, now that even more unpleasant
nOtoriety impended. Rankin felt he
ewed him some warning of his move.
Accordingly he phoned Mr.. Warwick's
efsice and informed him that he would
call on him. He requested him to
eend for Buckley at the same time to
INTERVIEW him In the supervisors pres.
ence.
That done. II. lro,, "r war