The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-01

that he was being initiated into the
fraternity"
"As an honorary member, sir, ;"
Stanton stated quickly. I'VE do
that sometimes, to honor some one
outside of school and prominent in
the community"
~ see" Rankin bit his lip med
itatively. 81 had assumed that Mr..
Fletcher was already a member of
Mu Beta Sigma, attending tonight
as an alumnus."
For the first time. the lawyer
spoke, his features austere and his
tone deliberate.
perhaps | should have explained
earlier my reason for being here"
he said, but | thought you under
stood. Now. after this unfortunate
tragedy. would prefer to have my
connection with the fraternity kept
in the background. Undue public
Ity might embarrass me in my pro-
feSSion: at any rate. the associa-
tiOn would be most unpleasant.
Though not a fraternity man, |
heard a great deal about this chap
ter from two nephews of mine who
used to belong to 1t. They have
since graduated from the business
school. Last year, they broached
the subject of my becoming an hon
orary member. AS a possible means
of renewing my youth. the idea at
tracted me; though beyond visiting
the house once or twice, ! was too
busy TO consider it adequately, at
the time. This autumn. my nephew
and young George Patten, whose
people are close friends, renewed
the matter. | was literally rushed
by smokers and social events: at
the dance last Saturday, my wife
and | acted as chaperons. She add
ed her persuasion to theirs, so that
finally agreed to join, If only be-
cause | regarded the group highly"
"Y0u witnessed what took place
in this room tonight?" Rankin in
Quired.
'Yes-that is, what / could, un-
der the circumstances. Remember,
was blindfolded and kneeling in
line with the other PLEDGES. listen
ing TO the ceremony"
How far away, Mr.. Fletcher"
the detective asked. "were you from
young Jordan when he collapsed?"
Il knelt on his left. facing the
altar" the lawyer replied. that is,
next 10 his sponsor or who
ever took Patterson's place; he was
the only one between US. George
Patten was my sponsor and stood
on my left"
DO you know anything about
young Jordan that so far has not
been brought out?"
Barely perceptibly. MIR. Fletcher
hesitated; but he answered in the
negative. Rankin's forehead fur
rowed in thought as he once more
addressed the president.
please have your sergeant at
arms called in. Mr.. Stanton" he re-
quested. Before | question any of
the other boys, want to find out
about the exact attendance"
When the officer arrived. he
proved to be young man of medi-
um height and stocky build. with
broad shoulders and long muscular
arms. Even before he was intro
duced, Rankin, an ardent football
fan, recognized Lew Kurly, ace
halfback of the university eleven.
He waited until Kurly closed the
door of the chapter room behind
him.
Il am making inquiries. Mr.. Kur-
ly." he then explained. about the
members present at the initiation
and who they were. Your presi-
dent informs me that. as sergeant
at arms, you guard the door at
meetings and after ii has begun. let
in only those who can give the
proper signals and passwords.
have already consulted the roll
book. and ascertained that when
the roll was taken, thirty men an
swered. Now. can you tell me who
arrived after this check-up and
when they came in?"
Il lei in two fellows during the
ceremony. Mr.. Rankin. The first
one came in only ten minutes or so
after it started; that was half-past
eight"
According TO his account, that
would be MIR. Patterson" the de
tective observed. what about the
second chap?"
But Kurly shook his head. 81
don't know who he was" he an
swered. I'm fact, | couldn't tell
Patterson, either. They were both
completely masked by their robes
and hoods Anyhow. they knocked
on the door correctly and ex-
changed the password with me, so
opened the door for them both"
Didn't you recognize their voices
at allT" Rankin's manner revealed
his disappointment.
No. never had a chance to-"
the sergeant at arms returned. The
password is just a single word; not
ta Lot