Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-08-31

Scarcely Twenty-Five.
"Do you think that whoever united
Jordan could have introduced the
poison at the same time without be-
ing observed?"
"Since we must face facts" Doctor
Thompson answered. II should say It
IL easily possible. 1t would be the
work of an instant; and the needle to
hold fatal dose is small enough to
conceal in the palm of the hand"
Rankin nodded How long was the
interval between the time Jordan was
unbound and his prostration?" he
asked Stanton.
mot more than five minutes, sir"
he returned. Long enough to get out
the wine and distribute the glasses,
and for me to explain the toast"
IF you could tell. Doctor" Rankin
unused, "hOw long after injection, the
poison would take effect, we could be
more positive about the time it was
given. don't suppose. however, I'M
til rs analysed that Hello,
th&is sstrange!"
H lstopped short and suddenly
stooped over to inspect the dead boys
shoes. IN both, in the hollow of the
soles, az inst the heel, he discovered
two wide-headed, fiat thumb-tacks.
Conspicuously. in the light of the
room, one tack lay embedded in the
side Of each heel. itself, and the other
in the arched leather beside it.
How do you explain that. Doctor"
the detective questioned. "What in
the world are those thumbtacks doing
In Jordan's shoes?"
For moment Doctor Thompson was
silent, his eyes puzzled and bordering.
1T almost looks as though the GRIM
inal put them there to aid in Identify
ing him." he responded at length.
"The guilty person would have taken
that precaution If he knew the room
would be dark. Otherwise he could
not differentiate one PLEDGE from an
other. They all looked alike in their
robes, covered by hoods; and kneeling
at the altar. only their wrists and feet
were visible. The entire crime seems
to have been ingeniously planned IN
advance with remarkable foresight"
The detective lifted one foot to
catch the light and scrutinized the
tacks closely.
"They were put in very recently"
he announced. "They are still bright
and new-not scratched or licked a
bit What do Won think, Doc
tori"
Doctor Thompson took m rment to
examine them. Eyes. you're quite
right, Rankin. He hasn't been carry.
ing them. should Judge. over day
or two at the most"
"Then 1t might be worth tracing
his movements of the last forty-eight
hours, to learn who had the oppor.
tunity to tamper with this pair. un-
known to him."
"Only last night, Jordan's shoes were
left here. at the fraternity house, with
the rest Of his Clothes" Stanton volun-
teered. "All the PLEDGES undressed
here before they were driven out in
the country in clothes other than their
own and deserted"
'Last night?" Rankin asked sharp
~. HE didn't wear his own clothesf
How was that?"
swell, we always haze the initiates
rather severely on the final evening be-
fore the ritual" Stanton explained.
TITS to er r. humble them
for the more solemn ceremonies. Usual.
~ we leave them in some lonely Sec
tion far out of town, without money
or means Of transportation. And to
guard against their hiding funds in
their clothing, they all strip and put
on other clothes that we give them.
instead; their own clothes they leave
here"
$50 that the boys outfit was in the
house until he. returned? Who pre-
pared the PLEDGES for this tripT
"All of us were present at some time
or other None of us cares to miss the
last sport we have at their expense I"
"Then anyone could have used the
chance to mark these shoes?" Rankin
queried. disappointed.
Stanton replied afirmatively. The
detective turned to the murdered how
and removed the contents Of hia
pockets.
ITO be OOdinuSd nsxt wssk)