The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-12-22
MILTON PROPER
Copyright. 1899, by Milton Proper
wNU Service
CHAPTER VIII-Continued


Rankin lost patience at his fencing.
~Mr. Warwick has warned you, Buck
ley," he broke in sternly. 1T is a
waste of time to pretend you have no
idea why am here. II is only in de-
ference TO him that give you this op-
portunity TO exonerate yourself If you
can and refrain from arresting you at
once"
ARREST me for what?" the student
protested Il haven't done anything
wrong"
For the murder of Stuart Jordan
last Tuesday night during the initia-
ton at the Mu Beta Sigma houseT'
If il was Rankin's intention TO re-
move the last vestige of Buckley's as
surance, he succeeded Stark terror
replaced his boldness; he started spas
medically, his features suddenly pallid.
But his CONSERVATION was leayened by
amazement and perplexity, written 10
his dropping jaw. that the detective
found disturbing.
'Jordan's murderT he cried in hor-
TOR. "Oh. my Cd! l had nothing 90
do with that don't know anything
about it I"
But you didn't like him. did your
Rankin continued in charge of the
situation. in fact, you hated him be-
cause you considered him responsible
for your dismissal from Aberdeen. You
believed he had reported your gam
bling TO the college authorities. Be
sides. he denounced you as cheat"
THAT was a id lie! I always
played a straight camel" Momen-
tarily, Buckley's resentment oyercame
his apprehension and his eyes flashed.
Disregarding his outburst, Rankin
pressed his attack, aggressively.
"And when you discovered Jordan
at Philadelphia, Buckley, you had even
more cause TO fear him." he accused
He was acquainted with your trouble
at Aberdeen, which you hoped to sup
press; and he might have guessed the
artifce by which you enrolled here.
But whether he did or not, there was
danger that he would report your past
TO Mr.. Warwick or some other official
and again get you dismissed. Espe-
cially knowing Larry Palmer, If he
supposed your friendship with him was
for some dishonest purpose. You
heard from Palmer that any chance of
your joining the fraternity was blasted
by Ned Patterson, who was Jordan's
sponsor. Naturally you attributed his
opposition TO your enemy's interfer-
ence and he threatened you still fur
Their"
As the detective paused. Buckley's
silence and twitching features were
sufficient reply; and he pursued his
Indictment with telling effect.
Immediately after that, you pumped
young Palmer in his unguarded mo-
ments about Mu Beta Signals secret
codes and ritual. You learned its
passwords and customs; the kind of
robes members of the fraternity wore
at their initiation ceremonies. About
nine days ago, he told you this years
installation would be held on Tuesday
night at eight-thirty. You questioned
him about the average attendance at
them. And during your drinking bouts,
he let slip enough of the proper signs
of recognition to enable you to enter
the chapters private chamber past the
sergeant at arms"
MY interest was harmless" Buck
ley insisted fearfully. II was just
curious about frats., like others who
don't belong to them. Mr. Rankin
Yes, so you gave Palmer to under
stand Rankin met the evasion almost
exultantly. "Yet you made every
preparation for getting into the cere-
mony yourself on Tuesday night. You
see, I know all about that, too-how
you persuaded young Palmer to visit
the Morton club that evening, and
drugged him to insure his absence
from the house and place for you to
fill" He stilled the boys attempt to
speak with a harsh gesture. you
stole his keys to enter the house after