The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-22
CHAPTER ~
ne Case Against Buckley.

ternity president Joined him, TAX
ing his stand by the fireplace. Pal
mer seated himself on the sofa.
Though still unruly, his red hair
was no longer unkempt; sober and
alert. an intelligent smile on his
pleasant face made him a different
lad from the wreck of the previous
night.
I'm afraid | don't remember
meeting you last night, Mr.. Ran
kin" Palmer said frankly. "or talk
ing to Mr.. Warwick. either. Gosh.
! must have been pretty bad" lie
paused and his smile faded. what
gets me is that everybody tells me
/ was drugged-and with knockout
drops" he added wonderingly. 81
can't see how that's possible The
only fellow with me or anywhere
near me last night Is q friend of
mine; it's ridiculous to think he'd
do something like that" he turned
20 the president for support. Ted
knows him toO-it was Ralph Buck
ley. lie attended our first smok.
e. and has visited me since several
times In my room"
Ralph Buckley" The detectives
even Unconditional question did not
indicate his thrill on hearing the
name. or that he recognized It Mt
all.
Yes" Palmer answered. hes a
freshman in the college department
with whom I'm rather chummy. lie
lives in the Harrowgate apartments
az 2S9 Fortieth street. lie comes
from Illinois let me see, he
mentioned the place on.e" he wrin
kled his brow In deep thought-"oh.
yes. Nandalia. ILL.,"
Stanton opened his eyes widely In
surprise. "Why. that's Stuart's
home. too. Mr.. Rankin" he ex-
claimed excitedly. Il told you that
last night. sir"
y es. SO you did" Rankln's tone
was stiu calm. And that Is why
I'd Ike to learn something about
Buckley" He addressed Palmer
again. "WhaI do you know of him?
How did you two happen to be-
come friendsf" he asked.
BY few questions, he discov-
cred the extent and duration OF the
boys association with Buckley. He
had met Palmer al the social club
directed by the university for Its
stucents. and engaged him In
game of pool. Previous TO that, they
had merely a nOdding acquaintance
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. usu.
ally In Buckley's apartment. And
in February, when the fraternity
rushing season began, Palmer pro-
sOsed him as candidate-though
unsuccessfully. Somewhat sportily
inclined himself. he admired Buck
iey's example in sophisticatlon and
fast living. Otherwise. he knew
nothing about him except that he
spent great deal and appeared to
have funds.
No doubt you supplied him with
a large part of them, Mr.. Palmer"
Rankin observed shrewdly. "You
lost quite an amount. didn't you, In
these card sessions?"
The youth looked uncomfortable
at the question. "Well. yes, did"
he acknowledged with obvious re-
luctance. How could you guess
that? But Il was Just that Ralph
had phenomenal luck at cards;
never managed to hold them. Any.
how" he added almost defiantly,
someone has TO come out on the
short end. And I'm as willing to
take chance as the next one"
"Of course" Tactfully, the de-
sective shifted the subject. "You
say that Buckley came to a smoker
NJ the opening of your rushing sea-
son. this winterT
Yes. but that was as far as II
went. acted as his sponsor and
wanted him pledged and eventually
initiated But one of the other
brothers didn't care for him aud so
he was dropped before the final Sc
lection was made. | don't know
Why: he's a Id decent fellow"
The point was evidently sore one
with the boy. Il still can't see
what Ned Patterson had against
him"
Patterson" Rankins question
held fresh note of interest. WAS
IL be who objected to him? What
was Pattersnn's particular reason
tor opposing BuckIeyT
stanton shrugged. 81 couldn't
say because we don't require an
explanation for rejecting a mere
prospect. BY our rules. that objec
tinn can he purely arbitrary. Only
II takes three dissenting voices TO
retnoNe pledge pin; and they are
recorded by passing around the
'ackhaII box"
'Do you KNOW Rankin asked Of