The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-07-21

"But can't sir" Palmer responded
uncertainty. "That is just the trouble.
Like everything else last night, it is
all vague and indfstinct; was in a
fog the whole time. .. Maybe Ralph
wanted to know about our attend
ance. :"
For some moments, Rankin con-
tinued in the same strain to refresh
the boys memory of how much he had,
however inadvertently, impaired to
Buckley. But Palmer's impression Of
once telling his friend the fraternitys
rules on attendance was the only tan
gible item he elected. Nevertheless
in the end, Rankin was satisfied that
Buckley obtained from him the knowl-
edge he needed to enter the chapter
room and approach Jordan. The evil
dence was merely circumstantial, but
clearly pointed in that direction, re-
CARELESS.
But this accumulation of incriminat-
ing proof was worthless, he realized, If
Buckley could not have reached the
fraternity house by eight-forty-five the
night before. He must have arrived
then, the second late conner, according
to Lew Kurly, guarding the chamber
door, or not at all. Obviously, he was
not present at the roll-call at eight
fifteen and the first late arrival was
identified as Patterson. This all-im-
portant element of time had to be es-
tablished; Rankin dared not take it
for granted. Since the boy was ig-
norant of when Buckley deserted him,
the detective must seek that informa-
ton at the club, itself. The doorman
or the waiter who served the two stu
dents could surely supply it.
AS to Buckley himself, Rankin now
decided not to interview him imme-
diately. Instead, he would postpone
that Interrogation until he completed
the case against him.
The detective much preferred his
visit to the Morton club to be un0ffi-
cial. AS an officer, he might encounter
some difficulty in obtaining the re-
quired information; and he hesitated
to resort to his authority to compel
the clubs employees to speak. Where
as, as guest, introduced by Palmer
who already had an entree, he might
question them casually on one simple
pretext or another. Accordingly, on
concluding his inquiry, he requested
the boy to accompany him to the gam
bling house that night, both to gain
him admission and to point out the
waiter who served him. And Palmer,
on comprehending the need Of the visit,
agreed to cooperate with him. This
arrangement effected, Rankin eau
toned him against letting Buckley
learn what had transpired and depart
ed from the fraternity house.
When the detective reached the
central bureau, his first act was to
dispatch a lengthy telegram to the
authorities of Aberdeen college. He
asked for verification of Walter Ran
dall's account of Buckley's expulsion
from that school; also complete
summary Of the incident, such as he
had promised Randall he would Sc
cure from the West. In addition, he
requested Jordan's history at Aber-
deem, in relation to his class and school
activities, particularly as his freshman
class secretary. There was no telling
what was important; it occurred to
Rankin he might have to visit Hanni
bal himself if the secret Of the crime
were hidden there.
The message sent, he sought out De-
tective Sergeant Daniel Gilmore for
the first assistance he required in
handling the case. Due to its extraor-
binary nature, Gilmore was one of the
few men to whom he would dare en-
trust it. For the enterprise included
ton; it had more than slight tinge
of illegality. Openly at least, Ran
kin's superiors would have frowned on
his proposed method Of collecting
fresh evidence against Ralph Buckley.
I'm not sure you'll like my propo-
sition, Dan," Rankin said. 1T may not
agree with your principles; and if you
don't think you ought to take 1T up,
just say so. I'd tend to it myself, only
there's this trip to the Morton club
tonight, and tomorrow the boys guar
dian arrives. And this needs prompt
action"
"That sounds rather serious, Tom
N.Y." Gilmore commented curiously.
Il hardly suppose though, that I'm
more squeamish about resorting to a
subterfuge than anyone else. At any
, rate, I'm free to lend hand at the
moment"
Rankin nodded his head. "That is
one reason I brought this matter to
you. The other is that I'd hesitate to
propose it to most of the force. You
see, I want young Buckley's belong
ings and apartment searched thorough
ly without his knowing anything
about it."
Gilmore puckered his lips in sound
less whistle and eyed the other
shrewdly.
$50, l am. to inspect Buckley's
rooms secretly. What, exactly, do you
expect me to find?"
81 don't know, Dan. but am taking