The Coolidge examiner., 1933-09-01

ready supplied. One and all, as was
to be expected if the criminal was
among them, denied untying Jor-
dams wrists; and none could say
who had freed him. Nor did the
detective learn anything new about
the tacks in his shoes; no one had
been seen tampering with them the
previous night But Kurly's state
ment about the two absent brothers
received unanimous confirmation.
Neither boy had gone out since
Doctor Thompson was summoned.
While Rankin continued his in
terrogations, Ted Stanton quit the
room. The detective had ques-
toned about two-thirds of the fra
ternity, when he returned.
He approached him, speaking in
a low voice. Larry Palmer has
just come in, Mr. Rankin" he said.
-. l just wanted to inform you,
sir; but don't think he'll be
able to help you in clearing up
Stuart's death; you see, he
isn't very well. and perhaps you
could postpone seeing him, until
say morning. when he. ="
mot well, Mr.. Stanton?" Rankin
thrust in quickly. "Why, what's
the matter with himT'
ITO tell the truth, he's had a
little too much to drink, sir. He
isn't exactly under the weather, but
| doubt if he could make much
sense of what is said to him. 1t
will wear off, though. after he's
rested a while"
To his relief, Mr.. Warwick looked
more annoyed and impatient than
4 censorious.
THAT is nonsense; he'll have to
pull himself together sufficiently to
! talk to u.s." he decreed unyielding-
ly. This question of his where
abouts is much too important to
brook any delay"
"Yes, | think we had better deal
with him now, just the same" the
detective agreed. "All | want to
learn is how he occupied these last
few hours"
Perforce. Stanton ushered him,
with the supervisor and Mr.. Fletch-
err to a bedroom in the third floor
hall. He had not, Rankin saw as
ba ap4ara1 nvo vuarotal 7 orru MI
mer's condition. An attractive look
ing young man, with an eager. in
genuous face and unruly red hair,
he appeared, at the moment. decid-
edly the worse for wear. His
t0usled hair was unkempt and his
eyes red-rimmed and bleary, star
Ing into space; sagging jaw aug
mented the vacuity of his gaze.
Despite his discomfort, Palmer
welcomed his visitors with sheepish
joviality and little thickness of
speech.
You're a fine one, Larry" Stan
ton returned in a scolding tone,
ito miss the initiation; and then
to come back In this state"
The boy answered plaintively.
Don't yell at me. Ted" he plead
ed, Il feel rotten enough, as 1t is
Wen have you In bed In no
time" the president said but first
you must talk to Mr.. Rankin and
tell him where you've been. Just
answer his questions; It is rather
urgent and won't take more than a
minute"
Palmer's mood changed to one OF
bewilderment Questions? What
abouti" Then his features cleared.
/ "All right, anything to oblige a
friend. Ted. How are you, Mr.. :"
"You appear to have enjoyed
yourself, Mr.. Palmer" Soothingly,
Rankin took charge OF the situa-
ton you've been out tonight,
haven't you? We're you alone or
| with someone else?"
The student made a genuine eff
| fort to recollect. II can't remem-
Der who IL was. II was somebody
somebody. :" He raised his
! right hand to his temples. Cd,
my head hurts, Ted" he exclaimed.
I'm dizzy, too; everything is go
/ ing around in circles. And I've
got classes tomorrow: ought to
get some sleep right away, or I'll
/ never make Ii in time"
He struggled to rise. pushing aside
/ the restraining arm of the young
man nearest him. Anthony Ora
/ ham.
you had better compose yourself.
Mr.. Palmer" The supervisors man
ner was ominous and quite harsh.
This is disgraceful exhibition for
a student of the University of Phil
adelphia. Coming In at this hour
and in such a. ="
He had gone so far, when Larry
Palmer collapsed. Silently and with
out warning. he grew completely
limp. For a brief instant. there
flashed through Rankin's usually or
derly mind, an alarming vision of
another murder. and a second vic
tim of the criminals. poison.
He bent over Palmer. Il believe
he has only tainted" he said. ASK