The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-09-01

giving 1t to himi If the worst came to
the worst, / was going to use it my
selfw
The confession, rung from Ned Pat
terson by sheer desperation, caused
a suspended silence OF pure horror.
The students CHASTITY hue rivaled only
that of his schoolmates as they re-
garded him in shocked awe.
"You took it for yourself. 2" Ran
kin began, breaking the tension.
But Stanton snatched at his mean
ing more swiftly and note of pain
filed his voice. Med, my Cd, you
weren't going to commit suicide? You
wouldn't have done it, old man"
Patterson shrugged his shoulders
despairingly. II don't know. Ted" he
returned. II can't tell whether I'd
have had the nerve to go through
with it. l was beside myself, brood
ing over it; decided 1 couldn't bear
disc0very-the shame Of it, the loss Of
peoples respect, perhaps even a prison
term. And I wasn't going to involve
my family in my degradation. At any
rate, / was ready If finally got up
against 1t. That's why I didn't take
part in the ritual on Tuesday; the day
was too much of strain for me-"
Trembling, he buried his face in his
hands again.
No acting could have been as con-
vincing as his genuine wretchedness.
It was too Overwhelming to be as
sumed; his avowal sounded too SOL
emn to be merely a cleverly concocted
fabrication. Its very sordidness guar
anteed its authenticity. Viewing the
sponsors conduct in this new light,
Rankin understood the reasonable
cause Of his distress after the tragedy.
AS in the present interview, he was
chiefly alarmed lest the intention he
had harbored, now that he could aban-
don it, would be disclosed. And If his
theft Of the toxins was related to his
design of suicide only, the detective
was satisfied to overlook it completely.
He could almost sympathize with Pat
terson's predicament; it was circum-
stances, he felt, and weak character
rather than any real viciousness, that
had driven him to thieving. Even his
determination to take his life rather
than be caught and punished suggest
ed an innate sense of decency.
One particular needed explanation,
however, before Rankin was ready to
dismiss the possibility that he was
implicated in the PLEDGES death.
"Can you swear, Mr.. Patterson" he
asked sharply, "that no use was made
of either poison you selected? Either
for your own purpose, or by anyone
else in connection with the murder"
The student looked up listlessly.
"No one except myself touched them
since took them, SIR"
"Then what happened to almost half
Of the CONNIE? Mr.. Hayward reported
the loss Of two grains Of atropine and
six drops Of CONNIE; and all the miss
ing atropine was in one vial in your
dresser. But the other contained only
three drops Of CONNIE"
II spilled a bit in pouring it out"
Patterson responded unhesitatingly. IT
was nervous anyhow, and hurried for
fear Ken might return and interrupt
me. And with the liquid, my hand
shook little and some fell outside the
test-tube." He spoke earnestly, study
ing Rankin intently. SIN telling the
truth, sir" he added, whether you be.
lieve me or not"
The detective definitely reached a
decision. II do believe you," he said
more kindly. I'm fact, there is Just
one more point I'd like settled before
you go; then you can leave with Mr..
Stanton and Mr.. Crawford, and forget
about the thefts. AS far as I am in
terested, they are closed book"
Patterson's eyes lighted with relief
and Stanton expressed his apprecia-
ton.
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
US in saying how grateful we are"
'My question Is about a student
named Ralph Buckley" Rankin pur-
sued, disregarding his thanks. "He
is a freshman and a good friend of
Larry Palmer. You recall him, Pat
terson, I'm sure; during rushing sea-
son, Palmer sponsored him as can
didate. Only he failed to make the
grade and was not pledged"
"Ralph Buckley" The boy nodded.
"Yes, remember him." he said bluntly.
Il expected you would, because
understand it was you who voted
against accepting him. That's ex-
actly what I'm after-why you didn't
approve Of him. Was 1t some infor-
nation Jordan had given you that re-
suited in your veto?'
Information from Stuart, sir7" A
puzzled look crept into Patterson's
face, echoed by his query. That's
news to me; I didn't even know he
was acquainted with the fellow. He
never once mentioned his name to me-"