The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-01
CHAPTER Il-Continued
a

velope TO Doctor Sackett," he in
structed. "In case he leaves be
fore am finished here. tell him tC
have them thoroughly analyZed by
the departmental chemist. War;
him to pay particular attention tC
the moisture on some of the larger
particles of glass"
lie shut the door after the de,
parting officer. and proceeded TO dis
cover from Stanton the relative
positions, at the moment of the
tragedy, OF the officers on the dals
the PLEDGES and sponsors at its
foot, and the spectators seated be
hind them. When the scene was
fully described to him, he indicated
the door.
How about that? | gather II
isn't locked during the ceremony. II
Patterson could enter the room after
IL started"
mo. there's no need for IT," the
president replied, because an Off
Ger of the fraternity is posted
there. We call him the sergeant at
arms; his duty is to keep order in
meeting and evict unruly brothers
at the command of the chair. He
opens the door only to those who
have right to be present"
1T is improbable. then, that any
one could get in secretly. unknown
TO himy'
Stanton nodded emphatically.
mo one could pass him, Mr.. RAN
kin, without giving the signals by
which he recognizes a brother"
Il suppose only fraternity broth
ers are familiar with these sig.
nals?" Rankin inquired.
Yes, though you must remember
sir, that every chapter of Mu Beta
Sigma has exactly the same ritual
and ceremonies. So members all
over the country know them; but
no loyal frater would ever divulge
them"
That's what | thought" the de-
tective remarked. what about the
front door OF the house, Mr.. Stan
ton? Could an intruder steal in,
undiscovered"
Not unless some one on the in
side unfastened IL for him." Stan
ton replied. It's always kept
locked; and only brothers and
PLEDGES have keys"
"You realize what that means" "
Rankin pointed out soberly. "Only
members and candidates for initia-
tion could have been present at the
ritual tonight"
Mr. Warwick looked grave, and as
he comprehended the dreadful I'M
plication of the statement. Stanton
blanched and swallowed hard.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Yes, | suppose that's inevitable. ="
he admitted
And now, what about your at
tendance at meetings?" the detec-
tive carried on briskly. rs it com.
puls0ry or notr'
The president recovered his poise
with difficulty. 1T isn't. because
we have to make allowances for
other engagements or for sickness.
That's why Ned was able To stay
away tonight"
Il should like, to find out. MIR.
stanton. how many were present
at the ceremony. this evening. Also.
who was missing and where they
were al the time"
The rOll-booS will give you most
of thai information" Stanton vol.
Unteered. He produced from shelf
In a hollow section. behind the al.
tar. a hrowa ieather-hound volume
of white ruled sheets
This Is fhe recorders book and
here is the registry at attendance" "
He ran his index finger along one
Of the columns. 1T was exception
ally good tonight, You ]see-almosi
100 per cent. OF onr thirty-three
active brothers. only. three were
away: besides Ned. Fen Crawford.
a sophomore. and Larry Palmer. 1t
may he that Ben or Larry also
came in during the ceremony, Just
ss Ned did. But yon'll have to ask
the sergeant at arms about that:
was too busy with the ritual to no
tice' He shut the book and re-
turned il TO the altar THAT makes
thirty members i'm the room." he
summarized. 'or, counting Ned Pat
terson. thirty-one as far as know
In addition. there were the initi-
ates. ten of them If you count Mr..
Fletcher.
Rankin's sharp question halted
the boy "Mr. Fletcher?" he de-
ERnded. mystied. do you mean