Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-09-07
MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL

without being aloof. he had not min
gled much in the merriment of the
affair. Yet, when he danced, his evil
dent enjoyment indicated that he was
quite at ease In the company of
women. There was no girl with whom
he had seemed especially well ac-
quainted or toward whom he displayed
a preference.
At the conclusion of the sketch,
Rankin expressed his qualification.
"Excellently done. Mr.. Stanton! But
can you give me no further facts about
the boy than you have already? What
about the other pledgees?" the detec-
tive suggested. "Their interests and
his were mutual; he might have made
one of them a confidant."
But Stanton shook his head. Hard
~, sir. after less than a months ac-
quaintanceship. Besides. the rest are
all freshmen and he's a junior-the
only upper classman we initiated this
year. They've nothing in common to
cause any close friendship. there"
would the records" Rankin asked,
"add anything valuable to what I've
learned? Those Jordan filed on en-
tering the university. Even a little
light on the case should be important.
When can see his papers?"
The supervisor pursed his lips. mot
until morning. I'm afraid" he said
doubtfully. "The Office of admissions
is closed; and the clerks are more
familiar with the files than I. Still.
If you must have them now they can
probably be located. ~
"No, guess they can wait till TO-
morrow" Rankin returned agreeably
II have enough to occupy me here, as
It Is" He paused and looked alb
stracted with these records" he
then went on, you might also send
me the names and addresses Of anyone
now studying here, who formerly came
either from Aberdeen college or the
boys home town, Vandalia. I don't
want to disregard any possible source
Of information"
When Mr.. Warwick promised RAN
kin he would receive all the requisite
documents early in he'day, the latter
faced Stanton.
1T might be helpful II I saw Jor-
dams sponsor" he proposed. "Mr.
Patterson. isn't TT Did he know him
before your rushing season?
"No, he was assigned to take charge
Of him quite by accident" the presi-
dent answered. college fraterni-
ties differ from civic societies, where
the sponsor proposing the candidate
is usually a close friend. Here, we
don't even meet our prospects before
our first smoker. unless It happens
casually in classes"
"Still, I'd like to put few questions
to Mr.. Patterson. VIII you please
have him brought here?'
Stanton dispatched his roommate.
who returned with tall and striking
young man. whose angular face, dark
to the point Of swarthiness, had I'M.
usually heavy and coarse bristles.
Both complexion and looks revealed a
nervous. dissipated condition. Above
a weak chin, his heavy mouth held
lines that could only come from irreg-
ular living.
He was obviously Ill at ease. and
Rankin began without offering him
chair.
I'm dreadful affair like this I must
rely on all the assistance can OBJ
tain. believe you stood beside Jor-
dan in the chapter room when the
poison took effect?"
Patterson replied abruptly. mo, I
wasn't near him nowhere near.
when he FELL" he contradicted Ran
kin. His lips twitched nervously. 81
was at the Initiation, but not in the
line with the rest of the sponsors"
mot with him?" Rankin's startled
demand disclosed his surprise. Then
where were your?
The president was even more as
tonished. II could have sworn that
was you with Stuart" he declared.
"Who took your place as sponsor,
Ned"
For an instant, Patterson CROPPED un-
certainly. II hadn't been we'll
all day." he explained, II had a. +.
splitting headache since class this
morning and I didn't feel much like
attending the ceremony. l didn't want
to make fuss about 1t, so l asked
Paul Whitaker to substitute for me