The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-15
CHAPTER Ill-continued

work. Naturally, in my condition. II
was much easier"
Rankin reverted TO the object of
his visit. what / wanted to ask
you. Mr.. Randall, is whether you
were acquainted with Stuart Jor-
dan at Aberdeen. | am seeking for
fact about his past life in hopes
of learning something that will help
clarity the problem of his death.
Anything you know of him might be
valuable"
"As a matter OF fact, did know
him" the student replied. "Only cas-
ually, though; he was sophomore.
a class ahead of me. For one term.
he happened to serve as proctor of
the freshman dormitory in which
lived at Aberdeen. But that was
my only contact with him and |
don't suppose there would be any
thing in that which you could pos
sibly use"
Didn't anything ever occur that
might throw some light on the
crimeT Though reasonably Rankin
could hardly have expected more. he
was disappointed.
Nothing that / remember" Ran
dali spoke slowly. Jordan had some
difficulty with a classmate of his.
Ralph Buckley; | heard OF that be-
cause il took place in my dormitory.
But that couldn't have anything to
do with ="
The detectives recognition of the
name startled him.
Ralph Buckley. did you say?"
Rankin demanded sharply. do
you mean that he was also at Aber-
deenf"
'Certainly-at the same time as
Jordan. during the past two years.
AS said. they were both sopho-
mores just when | entered The
trouble between them broke out in
the middle of last year." The boy
paused. How is ii you were famil-
lar with Buckley's name when
mentioned it," he inquired Gu
riously.
II had heard he came from Jor-
dams home town. Vandalia, and in
tended looking him up. Besides that,
he is a freshman right here in the
university"
IL was Walter Randalrs turn to
be surprised and he raised his eye
brows expressively.
"Here at Philadelphia? That's
news TO me. sir"
Had you known that Stuart Jor-
dan was here before you got news
of his death today?"
"0nly for the past few weeks"
the student replied. 81 caught sight
OF him one day going into the col
lege hookship on Woodland avenue
| didn't speak TO him then; meant
to look him up later. but haven't got
around 10 IT,"
Rankin shook his head in obvious
perplexity. II don't see how Buck
ley could possibly have studied at
Aberdeen for two years." he rumi-
mated. His record from the office
of admissions says nothing about
any college education before he
came to Philadelphia. In fact. II
distinctly states that since gradu-
ating from high school. two years
before. he worked at home"
II think | can explain that" RAN
dali declared. HE simply gave
false information in the application
lie filed out for admission here
You see. because of his run-in with
Jordan. he was dismissed dishonOr
ably from Aberdeen. With such
blot on his record. no other school
in the country would accept him
TO get in another college. he would
have to begin all over. as If he came
Directly from high school. And
then he'd have 70 lie about how he
spent the two intervening years. If
the university didn't suspect any
thing. it would believe his story
about working"
The scheme Randall outlined
probably explained the deception
correctly. but Rankin made mental
note to inquire of Mr.. Warwick as
TO Its feasibility.
Now. Mr.. Randall" he asked,
what was the cause of this trouble
between him and young JordanT'
IF | tell you that" the boy said
reluctantly. II don't want you to
use me 10 prove anything against
Buckley. 1t can't have any cOnnec-
tion with Stuart's death and
wouldn't care to get him into a
JAM"
His entirely natural attitude
moved the detective to set his mind
at ease.
"You will have no responsibility
at ALL" he promised persnasively,
Il can learn the facts from fhe
Aberdeen authorities; and they will
have to confirm them. anyhow. So
II won't be necessary for you ever
TO appear in the case"
With this assurance. Randall be.
gan an account of the dead boys
seud with Buckley. Though a small
Institution. Aberdeen maintained
ra,,orofa cloop;pp ouor.o-e g. ;..