The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-08-04
CHAPTER v-Continued

B.
Rankin grunted in accord; according
to Ted Stanton, it was in October that
the physician had written the Phila-
delphia chapter about young Jordan.
After a pause, he abruptly focused his
inquiry on another subject.
"What caused Stuart to change
schools this year? Had he any spe-
cial reason for wishing to leave Aber-
deem at the end of his sophomore
year?"
"None that I know Of" the banker
replied, beyond an understandable
preference to go to school with
more complete college life. Probably,
too, he figured on more freedom far
Their from home" he finished with an
austere effort at lightness. SIN the
beginning, opposed the idea of shift
ing. but finally 1 agreed to let him
have his way"
"Was Stuart ever guilty of serious
misconduct" Rankin Queried. ANY
thing gross or unprincipled enough to
! JUSTLY LAC CACIClOO VI. JOuA oothOAAey
to deprive him of his inheritance?"
mo, he never caused me the least
difficulty-even allowing for youthful
follies. He had good training and, If
not impeccable, he was decent and
honorable"
"Still appearances are often decep-
tive" Rankin pursued "You see, Mr..
Merrick, l made peculiar discovery
yesterday, while searching his rooms
at the dormitories. I found certain
stubs of his check books indicating
that he was paying regularly to some
unknown person, the sum of four hun
dred dollars a month. Do you know
of anything that might explain them?"
Unless Mr.. Merrick was a skillful
actor. his startled, puzzled expression
betokened his ignorance.
'sFour hundred dollars a month?
And there is no record of what these
expenditures were fOr?"
SIT almost looks as though there was
some secret in his life," Mr.. Warwick
contributed gravely. Some incident
he wanted concealed. And he was
paying someone to keep quiet about it,
The guardian shook his head sol
EMMY. "These expenditures are a
total mystery to me-" he. confessed
@As 1 said, Stuart's income was ninety
five hundred year, more than enough
to meet even this great drain. So that
he never had occasion to approach
me for additional funds"
'sWhat about an ENHANCEMENT with
a woman"
At the suggestion, Mr.. Merrick's fea-
lures grew dark and his eyes fiinty.
''If he was, it never reached my ears.
And If he had, it would sustain any
measures chose to take under his
fathers will" A harsh note crept into
his voice "Stuart was we'll aware
that sexual improperly was the one
misstep would not countenance."
"Do you know of any reason why
anyone might have had animosity
against him?"
But here again, the banker respond
ed negatively. He could not conceive
of how his nephew could have excited
a hatred so virulent as to be a mo-
tive for murder. The name of Buckley
was familiar to Mr.. Merrick, only be-
cause people of that name resided in
Vandalia; but he was not acquainted
with the family or Ralph. All he
could tell of them was that they were
X middle-class folks, small merchants
In the outskirts. He could not say
whether the boy had ever displayed
Interest in any particular girl at school
or in the town.
On concluding his inquiries about
Jordan's past, the detective ended the
Interview. Though disappointed at his
meager information on a few points,
he was satisfied he had covered all
the important ground.
Before Mr.. Warwick and the banker
departed, Rankin also questioned the
supervisor-about the feasibility of
Buckley's having gained admission to
the university by the fraud Walter
Randall had outlined. He did not,
however, name the boy about whom he
inquired. Mr.. Warwick, looking per-
turbed, conceded that the imposition
was possible.
Rankin did not consider he was be-
Ing unduly distrustful in suspecting
Howard Merrick. The situation Gre
ated by Mr.. Jordan's will was too sig.
nificant to be disregarded, the tempta-
ton it produced perhaps too strong
for the guardians probity. In the cold
light of reason, 1t furnished an all
powerful motive for the boys murder
For all the detective was aware, Mer.
rick had some urgent desperate need
for the estate. And under these
equfvocal circumstances, the nephew
had actually died less than two months
before his birthday.
Immediately, however, Rankin was
confronted by the problem of Mr.. Mer.
rick's opportunity to commit the crime
Each suspect in turn, who was moi
a member of Mu Beta Sigma, present
ed the same problem. If, as Merrick
claimed. he had left vandalia al
eleven o'clock the previous morning tc