The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-06-23

quer1ed, disappointed.
Stanton replied affirmatively. The
detective turned to the murdered boy
and removed the contents of his
pockets
He inspected them briefly, but
thoroughly enough to disclose nothing
pertinent, at least on the surface, to
his death. There was an expensive
watch, fountain pen and pencil;
costly black leather pocketbook, in
itialed IS. j. containing thirty dol
lars and Missouri automobile license;
creased program of formal dance
the Mu Beta Sigma fraternity had
evidently held on Saturday. three
nights before. A check book of the
Philadelphia Western bank indicated
Jordan's bank balance to be fully four
thousand dollars, immediate proof of
his affluence and position. His pants
pockets held a gymnasium disk, grant
ing the holder all the privileges of the
university's athletic facilities, loose
change and several keys; one belonged
to his letter box, one apparently to an
auto, and one was labeled "Croft 315"
His loose papers included a schedule
of his classes, roughly scrubbed notes
of course in European history, and
book of tickets to all of Philadelphia's
contests and games.
There were no letters to give RAN
kin any information about his family
or associates.
He looked up from his scrutiny.
"There's little enough to work on
here" he again addressed Stanton.
.What do you know about Jordan and
his people?"
"Ill tell you what I can, sir" the
president replied. But you mustn't
expect too much. After all, no one in
the house was acquainted with him for
more than month; only since the be-
ginning of February, when our rushing
season for new members started"
"Only a month"; The detective
raised his eyebrows inquiringly. Hes
a Junior, isn't he? thought Mr.. War
wick said this was his third year."
The supervisor nodded his verifica-
ton. $50 it is"
''That's right, sir" Stanton con-
CURED. "What 1 meant was that this
is his first year at the university. He
spent his freshman and sophomore
years at Aberdeen college, near his
home out west; he transferred east
lust this past September"
Aberdeen :? That's in Mis-
souri,, somewhere. Hannibal,
isn't it? Have you any idea why he
exchanged colleges as junior and
chose Philadelphia"
The president shook his head "No,
he never mentioned any reason. /
suppose because he wanted to go to n
better known school and get away
from home"
Rankin removed the dead boys auto
mobile license from among his other
belongings.
81 suppose this is Jordan's address,
if he went to college in the same gen.
eral locality. Hunter street,
Vandalia, Ill.," he read "That can't
be very far either from Hannibal or
st. Louis"
''Yes, Vandalia is his home" Stanton
informed him.
"How about his school address?" the
detective inquired. did he stay at
the fraternity house?"
"Oh, no, he has room in Croft
hall, in the upper classmen dormi-
tories"
"That explains the name on the key
he was carrying" Rankin put it to
one side with the license. sand now"
he went on, 'how much can you tell
me of his family and position? What
are his connections and situation at
home"
"As said, very little; our only in
formation on those matters was what
he gave us on the questionable he
had to fill out when we pledged him."
'Then you had better let me see the
QUESTIONABLE" the detective suggest
ed. II can get what facts there are
most accurately from his answers"
The form. when produced, dealt
with miscellaneous data mostly con-
corning the dead boys family. religion
and previous schooling. The most val
liable fact 1t revealed was that both
his parents were dead. His mother
had been Alice Merrick. before her
marriage, and his father, Edward Jor-
DAM after their names was written
the word deceased" Howard Mer-
rick, evidently a relative on his moth
er's side, who also lived on Hunter
street, in Vandalia, was mentioned as
his guardian. According to the rec
ord, he was banker.
"How old was Jordan?" was Ran
kin's next question.
Stanton hesitated moment. Twen-
ty-one think-going on twenty-five"
he said.
"And you were also aware that he
was extremely well-to-do? This check
book indicates that"
The president answered earnestly,
almost as though in justification; his
voice held tinge of regret.
Eyes, since money is unfortunately