The Coolidge examiner., 1933-08-25

ously. ~ was at the initiation, but
not In the line with the rest Of the
sponsors"
Not with him?' Rankin's startled
demand disclosed his surprise.
Then where were your?
For an instant, Patterson groped
uncertainty. Il hadn't been 4.
J well all day." he explained. Il had
Ia splitting headache since
class this morning and l didn't feel
much like attending the ceremony.
/ didn't want to make fuss about
1t. so I asked Paul Whitaker to
substitute for me at the ritual. He
dressed In my room; and just be-
fore the PLEDGES marched down to
the chapter room, he fell into file
to guide Stuart"
But you Joined US later" The
presidents words held an inquiry.
81 remember you helped George
Patten carry him upstairs, after his
collapse"
Yes, ! did slip in about eight
thirty" The sponsor paused. AT
the last moment, the . pain dis
appeared and ! decided to watch
the initiation anyhow, even IL l
didn't take part. So I put on my
robe and took an empty chair be-
hind the PLEDGES with the other
brothers; saw most of the ritual"
Then 1t was you who stepped
up 10 unite Jordan's hands before
the final toast?" Rankin's query
was penetrating and unexpected, to
catch him off his guard.
Though still perturbed, as if at
his surroundings, Patterson dis
played no alarm.
mo, stayed in my place" he
answered. Il had no idea where
he stood In the line. Anyhow,
enough OF the other boys got up
ahead of me to free all the
PLEDGES"
Rankin accepted this assurance
with a nod. And now, Mr.. Patter-
son." he said, "as to what you may
have learned through knowing
Stuart so well. -
For the following fifteen minutes,
he questioned the sponsor search
ingly about his contacts with the
dead boy and their various conver-
sations together. But as Stanton
had intimated, he could tell no more
about the boy than any other mem
Der of the fraternity
When the detective dismissed
Patterson, he had discovered moth
ing to forward his investigation.
Before he went below to view the
chapter room itself. Doctor Sackett,
the coroner's physician, arrived and
Immediately began his examination
OF the body. At the same time, a
headquarters photographer ap-
peared; and though his service had
little value, because Jordan had
been moved since his seizure, he set
his camera without waiting for di-
rections The detective arranged
with Doctor Sackett for having
the remains shipped to the morgue,
when his diagnosis was completed
with regard to the autopsy, Doc
tor he then said, 'see that 1t is
begun Immediately. 1t is absolute
ly essential to have the poison that
killed him identified early tomor-
row. Can you arrange to find that
out by the first thing in the morn
ing?"
"Vell, I'll do what | can," the
physician grumbled. But you
mustn't expect miracles. With any
luck, we might strike the poison on
our first or second analysis; on the
other hand, it might take more than
dozen eliminating tests to clear
the ground"
Doctor Thompson remained up
stairs to assist him, SO that only
Ted Stanton, the supervisor, and
Mr.. Fletcher accompanied Rankin
below. AS yet he did not under
stand the lawyers connection with
the fraternity; but the problems
presented by the crime occupied
him at the moment TO the exclusion
of that question.
The scene of the initiation offered
eloquent proof of the confusion fol-
lowing Jordan's collapse. The line
of chairs barely suggested the semi
circle they previously formed, so
many were overturned or out of
place. On the dais lay glasses of
wine, the bottle itself on the tray.
Other wine goblets bad been care
fully placed on the food amid the
shattered pieces of those dropped
and broken in the Uproar
Rankin's first act was to send the
officer on guard at the door to Doc
tor Sackett, to procure from his
kit several empty medicine vials.
He returned shortly with three,
which the detective took. These,
he carefully filled with wine the
first from the contents Of the bot.
tie, and the other two from glasses
chosen at random among those on
the floor. When be had corked
Il. =.