Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-09-28


Buckley took them from you. He
could never have got into the fra
ternity house without them. later"
Bit by bit, Palmer's story inevitably
indicated that his friend was involved
in Stuart Jordan's murder. 1t revealed
Buckley as INSCRIPTIONS. hesitating
at nothing to gain his ends. And to
his already potent motive for hating
Jordan that Walter Randall had dis
closed, it showed how the bow had
crossed him three times more. tanning
the fuel of his long cherished grudge.
The murder, then, during the initia-
ton, was actuated by desire for re-
venge. And to take advantage of the
genuine protection supplied by the
setting. After Palmer's account, Ran
kin no longer considered the scene Of
the crime an insurmountable obstacle
to the presence Of q stranger. In
stead, it partly removed the barrier
against such an intrusion. Students
do not 60 about Unfortunately drug
ging one another; 1t followed that
Buckley's deliberate act on the eve
ming Of Jordan's death had two direct
connections with the crime. First, to
insure that at least one fraternity
brother would be absent from the cere-
mOny, into whose place he could slip
unnoticed. Otherwise, If there should
be a quorum Of 100 per cent, the In
terloper would be speedily discovered.
And he had to secure Palmer's keys, to
enter the house after the ritual began.
OF course, there were still gaps in
the evidence that stamped Buckley
murderer. Palmer's story failed to
suggest where he might have obtained
the poison for the crime; nor was it
likely to explain this point. OF more
direct Importance, Rankin could not
figure out when Buckley might have
had the opportunity to tamper with
his intended victims shoes, to identity
him at the ceremonies. And how had
he learned enough about the fra
ternity's secret ritual to know what
kind Of robes the majority Of the
brothers wore, or the fact that he
would have access to Jordan's wrists,
at certain moment during it? Also,
where had he, a stranger, found out
the secret code Of knocks and pass
words, necessary to getting past the
sergeant at arms, at the chapter meet
ing?
The source Of this information was
q mystery, unless Palmer had been
more indiscreet than he already ad-
mitted and talked freely to Buckley
about fraternal rites.
you mentioned several occasions,
Mr.. Palmer" the detective said, ION
which Buckley inquired about the af-
fairs Of the fraternity. No doubt, you
also discussed this subject at other
times in your conversations"
The boy looked at him warily.
swell. naturally, Ralph was interested
in our doings," he agreed slowly, land
we talked about them now and then. I"
"Of course" Rankin chose his
words carefully. "What want to
know is whether he ever asked about
your private business those
secrets known only to the chapter.
Your signs Of recognition at meetings,
for instance-was he curious about
them?"
Palmer's hesitation and sidelong
glance at Stanton gave him the answer
before he spoke. Too innately honest
to dissemble, his vehemence failed to
ring true.
"If you mean," he began, whether
Intentionally told him fraternity
secrets. :"
"Go ahead, Larry" Stanton urged.
'"Tell Mr.. Rankin how much you spilled
to him." &
ut was nothing that isn't general
information and common to all fra
ternities," the boy asserted fervently.
II did chat with him, it's true; and
about three weeks ago, described
how our officers dressed like monks at
the limitations, in yellow robes and
hoods. But where's the harm in that
statement Practically every secret
society in the country uses some sort
Of costume, so 1t wasn't anything he
didn't know before"
"Then he did question you about
your ritual and ceremony" Rankin
concluded, nodding.
II yes, he must have" Palmer
confessed reluctantly, though never
directly, and l took it for just ordi-
nary inquisitiveness. When / wasn't
under the weather, / was pretty care
full; but every SO often, we got to
discussing the boys after a couple of
drinks"
"Was that what you talked of at the
Morton club" Rankin demanded
shrewdly, while you drank and before
you felt the effects Of the drug in the
liquor?
The boy frowned in his effort to
concentrate. II believe it was, since
you mention 1t. Something about how
we ran our limitations"
"Try to recall exactly what facts
Buckley asked you about, Mr.. Palmer"
"But can't sir" Palmer responded
uncertainty. THAT is just the trouble.
Like everything else last night, it is
all vague and indistinct; I was In a
fog the whole time. Maybe Ralph
wanted to know about our attend