The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-10-13


his badge Don't be too particular
about traffic regulations" he said.
This is official police business"
For all the speed the driver could
command, the ride consumed twenty
minutes. The first halt was at the
entrance of the great span over the
Delaware for the payment of tolls.
Then, crossing 1t, the cab sped along
Vine street, disregarding the num-
bered intersections; all the way to the
park, the horn gave out continuous
raucous warning. Twice, only the skill
Of the cabman narrowly averted dan
gerous collisions Circling the Gre
cian-like museum, he turned along the
Spring Garden street bridge over the
Schuylkill river into West Philadel-
phia. The detective gave him fresh
orders and he came out on Woodland
avenue.
At exactly ten-forty-five, he drew
up before the greensboro front of the
business school. Inside, he located the
main Office; and when he had revealed
his profession to somewhat flustered
secretary, he asked her only two ques-
lions. Upon her replies, though she
was ignorant of the fact, hung the ulti-
mate success or failure of his entire
investigation. They brought, however.
an enthusiastic exclamation to his lips
and gratified smile to his face.
Breathlessly, he re-entered the cab and
motioned the driver to continue.
"Now keep on going until we pick
up the first policeman we see," he in
structed. "Then let us both off at the
lower entrance Of the student dormi-
tories"
Five minutes later, he dismissed the
taxi outside the arch that opened into
the end of the quadrangle. where the
projecting dorms cut it in two. Hav-
ing already briefly explained the situa-
ton to the officer, the two men en-
tered the. campus; past the dead boys
quarters, Croft hall. they FASTENED
into the adjoining building in the line,
Pelham hail. They climbed the bare,
outer stone stairs to the third floor,
where Rankin borrowed the bluecoat's
whistle.
"You stay here in the corridor" he
told him. II don't expect I'll need
your help; can probably handle the
affair myself. But If it gets difficult,
I'll blow this whistle for you to come
in and lend hand"
Farther down the hall, he knocked
solemnly on a door and waited. There
was faint stirring within, then Wal
ter Randall, in his civilian clothes,
opened it. Obviously, he had just COM
pleted his preparations for leaving the
university permanently. The desk
was bare of books and papers; the
walls were empty and the room had
bleak disheveled appearance, as If 1t
were just stripped. Several bureau
drawers stood open, yawning blankly.
Two large black suitcases, both of
leather, rested beneath the washstand,
closed and strapped The student
himself wore a dark suit, fastidiously
tailored, and his overcoat lay upon the
bed from which the bedclothes had
been removed.
IT merely dropped in to bid you
good-by, Mr.. Randall I'm glad I'm
not too late; wasn't sure I would
still find you here. thought, per-
haps, you might have been able to get
away before Monday, after ALL"
Obviously unwelcome, he stepped in
side without waiting for an invitation.
mo, 1 couldn't" the student re-
turned with an effort at self-posses-
sion. II had to make arrangements
for closing my account here and drop
ping out of classes; and the office was
shut over the weekend. But it's very
good of you, Mr. Rankin"
"Classes?" The detective spoke
with deliberate incredulity. "You
came from the office of the business
school few minutes ago. didn't you?"
II yes, wanted copy of
my records in case should ever be
well enough to return to school,"
Abruptly. Rankin's tone grew harsh
with menace. "Then it wasn't the let
tiers your physician wrote that you re-
coveredY he demanded. ''They sup
ported your claim to being i'll to get
you away from school conveniently.
And are you sure you weren't afraid to
leave before today?"
Randall's involuntary gesture toward
his inner coat pocket gave him the in
formation he needed.
Letters p" the boy faltered.
Afraid to leave? don't know what
you mean by that"
"You didn't want to chance arous-
ing my suspicious" Rankin attacked
viciously. ut was wiser not to make
your appearance as Mrs. Laura Jordan
on Friday coincide too closely with
your final departure from the scene as
Walter Randall. might connect them
and discover what clever actress you
are!"
The stark terror that lit the stu
dents features brought his voice from
its former husky resonance to an alb.
normally high pitch for man.
"Oh, my Cd! You're crazy
don't know what you're talking
about!"
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