Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-09-21

tacKe0 MIN, partly In hatred and part
ly in dismay at being caught; violent
blows were exchanged and a battle
royal might have ensued had not other
occupants on the same floor been at
tracted by the uproar and separated
the antagonists.
Randall had no idea how informa-
ton of the alteration and it's causes
reached the college authorities. In all
probability. one of the disgruntled vic
tins of Buckley's fraud carried the
tale to the executive committee At
any rate. Randall knew definitely that
several days later that body began an
investigation. Jordan, the two fresh
men and others were summoned before
1t and perforce testified against Buck
ley; as result, he was expelled from
Aberdeen.
"Did It ever come to your ears"
Rankin asked when the student con-
cluded his recital. "that Buckley
threatened Jordan? He must have
considered him to blame for his dis
grace"
Randall shook his head. IT suppose
he did, but l couldn't say about that"
he answered. "You see, AS far as I'm
concerned. the whole affair is hearsay:
wasn't in the dorm at the time of
the argument. | got it all from other
fellows afterward and can only tell
you what they told me-
DO you know what became of
Buckley between the time he left Aber-
deem and turned up here?"
At the negative reply, Rankin rose
and thanked the boy for his assist
ance; it was evident that he could
give him no further information at the
moment.
The detective did not make the mis-
take Of placing too great value as
yet upon his account. True, it repre-
sented his first progress in the case
and revealed a motive for Jordan's
death. While it might seem rather
weak to the adult point of view. a col
lege man would he apt to consider It
serious and exaggerate its gravity.
And in Buckley. who was evidently
something of rogue. 1t would rankle
and excite a bitterness more malignant
than worse injury. Particularly If,
since coming to the university, the
murdered boy should have again
clashed with him or interfered with
his pursuits. But to prove that Buck
ley had reason to commit the crime
was not enough, If he lacked the op-
portunity. That problem Rankin could
not deal with until he learned where
the two missing brothers had been dur
ing the initiation. 1t seemed impos.
sible that Buckley, presumably a
stranger to the ritual, was neverthe-
less present at the ceremony.
Rankin went to the dormitory post
office; and introducing himself to Mr..
Thorne, in charge of sorting and dis
tributing incoming mails, questioned
him as to letters Jordan might have
got But the postmaster never had
occasion to notice his particular mail.
Still, he said, as the boy owned a let.
ter box. number 397. and correspond
ing key. he probably received great
deal of it. He promised faithfully to
watch for further communications and
apprise Rankin of them.
1t was three-fifteen when the detec-
tive reached the Mu Beta Sigma house.
Anthony Graham opened the door for
him, and Stanton. looking more
harassed than ever. joined them in the
hall. Before leaving headquarters.
Rankin had phoned the fraternity, re-
questing that Larry Palmer and Ben
Crawford await his arrival; the presi-
dent said that they had been there
since two o'clock.
Rankin apologized for his hardness
at took me longer than l expected to
settle other details of the case.
Now. Mr.. Stanton, If you will allow
me to have the living room alone for
short while. I'll speak to them in
there. Separately. of course; it is i'm
material which you send in first"
Benjamin Crawford presented him
self first-the only member of the
chapter he had not yet met tiapper
youth, with well-rnunded features, art
less eyes and blond hair, his efforts
to look more mature were amusing.
He seated himself nnnchaantly on the
sofa, adopting a psnedo sophisticated
attitude to foster that impression. But
neither poise nor the fine mustache he
sported could conceal the fact that he
was only nineteen.
You know what l want from you.
Mr.. Crawford" Rankin said. 81 don't
have to explain. after last night, the
Importance of checking the movements
of every one in the house. You were
absent and couldn't do it in your
case. The question is, where did you
spend your time yesterday evening?'
ats an awful business, isn't it, sir?"
Crawford replied without hesitation.
"POor Stuart. had date with
a girl and missed the whole thing"
Weren't you at the initiation at
all? You didn't stay while and leave
before the ceremony was overT
The boy shook his head. mo,
went out at least fifteen minutes be-
fore the meeting started. My date
was for nine o'clock. way up in Oak
lane; as it takes almost an hour to
get there, l left the house at eight"