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

rived, aIreaQy.
The secretary shook her head. mo,
that wasn't the name," she replied.
tits some student, who wanted to
consult Mr.. Warwick about dropping
out Of school. He ought to take it up
with the dean of his own department,
really, told him; but I guess Mr..
Warwick will tend to 1t for him."
At that moment, the door to the
inner office opened and Unexpectedly
enough Walter Randall appeared. He
was as surprised at meeting Rankin
as the latter was to see him. Now
in civilian clothes, they accentuated
his dapper slight stature, and the
pallor of his small symmetrical fea-
lures; they had an almost sickly hue.
He greeted the detective with a quiet
pleasant smile.
The coincidence Of encountering the
boy responsible for his own errand
made Rankin ask quietly:
did you speak to Mr.. Warwick
about the matter we discussed in your
room? The trouble between Ralph
Buckley and Jordan at Aberdeen last
year"
Randall responded soberly. "No,
Mr.. Rankin, I've been too busy with
my own troubles. I believe said the
other day. couldn't last out the year
at school with these lungs Of mine.
Well, it looks as if I was right"
"Pm sorry to hear that" Rankin
was sympathetic. II didn't realize
your condition was that serious"
Eyes, I've just been talking over
when 1 can leave" the student re-
turned. "rm checking out Monday
morning or afternoon at the latest. I
brought Mr.. Warwick letter from
my doctor at home. advising me
against continuing this term; and he
has been mighty decent about arrang-
ing for another leave of absence. The
letter was all needed. But I'm afraid"
he added quietly, cit means my stop
ping school for good"
'Well, I wish you the best of luck,
Mr.. Randall" the detective said. 1.-The
university has your address in case I
should have to get in touch with
you"
Mr.. Warwick appeared in the door
of his private office. "You can con-
suit Dean Stone of the business
school," he informed the student, sand
complete your arrangements for GO
ing in your own department Your
records will be sent there and filed.
Come in, Mr.. Rankin; how are you"
He shook hands with Rankin and
led him into his room, similarly disor-
dered and filled with book-shelves.
Closing the door, he motioned him to
a chair beside his desk. Scattered
on top lay the records of Randall's
transfer to Philadelphia, his tilled-out
matriculation blanks and the doctors
certificates.
The supervisor gathered these up;
and as he seated himself, offered Ran
kin cigarette.
"Pve followed your Instructions
he lighted cigarette himself-"and
Mr.. Buckley will be here shortly. He's
from Jordan's home town. Vandalia,
isn't he? 1 suppose you think ne
might know something about him that
Mr.. Merrick couldn't tell you"
The detective spoke gravely. mo,
Mr.. Warwick, my business with Buck
ley is more unpleasant than that. /
am here to make an arrest for young
Jordan's murder; and regret to in
T ho a NOV oTf fn 70 10 him
into custody"
Sudden anxiety clouded the super
visor's features and his gaze reflected
his surprise and concern. He pushed
back his chair to regard Rankin.
ARREST Buckley" he exclaimed.
"Why he isn't a member of Mu Beta
Sigma at all! Surely you don't con-
slider him guilty of the crime, Mr..
Rankin"
,"Some student did it," Rankin re-
turned bluntly. "And I've ascertained
how he entered the chapter room dur
ing the initiation. I had Buckley In
mind when asked you whether stu
dent expelled from one college could
get admitted to another by a false
high school record. He also went to
Aberdeen last year; and because of
Jordan, he was disgracefully dismissed
for gambling. Besides, he had other
reasons for hating him."
Increasingly perturbed, Mr.. War
wick pursed his lips. "Where did you
hear about thiS?"
"In the first place from the young
man who just left your office, Walter
Randall. He too attended Aberdeen.
where he heard Of the incident though
he didn't know either boy we'll"
"He can vouch for that?" Momen-
tarily, this new charge appeared to
disturb the supervisor more than that
Of murder. "If that is true, I must
take immediate steps to have Buck
ley's matriculation stricken from the
rolls"