Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-09-28

ACnp huOW Tic place., hduhlu Au-
terrupted sternly and critically. "How
the devil do you come to be frequent
ing joint like the Morton clubT'
The boy recognized the reprimand
implicit in his biting inquiry.
"Oh, 1t wasn't my idea, sir" he ex-
planned quickly. II never even heard
Of 1t until Ralph told me about It He
first mentioned 1t early In February
and suggested that we ought to take 1t
in some night 1t was different, he
said, from anything I'd seen before.
And when he spoke Of 1t several times
after that my curiosity was aroused
and wanted to 60; I had been to all
the speakies nearer the campus. But
somehow, things always turned up to
prevent Ralph from making It until
last night"
Well acquainted with the under
world, Rankin easily identified the es-
tablishment to which Palmer referred,
from Its location. The Morton club
was generally known to the city author
tiles: actually, It was more than
speakeasy -an elaborate gambling
house where faro. roulette and dozen
other games Of chance were played
nightly for high stakes.
1T was Buckley, then, who chose
yesterday for the excursion to Nor
ton'sf" Rankin asked next.
Il suppose 1t was" Larry Palmer
replied. HE happened to ask me
last Wednesday when our initiation
would be held; and when told him
the coming Tuesday, he seemed pretty
disappointed. He said he intended
visiting this dive Of his that evening.
At first, wanted him to postpone 60
ing there; I felt ! ought to be at the
initiation. But, as was quite anxious
to see the place, finally agreed to 60
along with him yesterday"
You'd have done much better to
keep entirely away from it." Rankin
commented bruskly. "What time did
you get there?"
"A little before eight, sir. Ralph
seemed to know the man at the door
and had no trouble getting past him.
He vouched for me and then we went
into the barroom and sat down at q
table for q few drinks. It was a
large room at the end Of q long
hall. :"
"Yes, I'm acquainted with the lay
out" Rankin informed the boy. "And
after that?"
For a moment, Palmer collected his
thoughts. II started to feel strange
when took my second drink" he re-
lated. II had a funny sinking sensa-
ton in the pit Of my stomach and a
ringing in my ears. 1 tried not to let
on to Ralph about it, not wanting to
spoil his fun. So kept talking to him
real fast, while the ringing got louder
and louder and the room began to turn
around dizzily, until :. well, / just
thought the lights went out"
"There isn't the slightest doubt your
drink was drugged," the detective de-
clared positively. "Or that Buckley
slipped knockout drops into 1t when
you weren't looking" He raised his
hand to silence a question. "But
finish your statement for me, Mr.. Pal
mer. At what time did you leave the
club?"
Greatly upset by the direct ACCUSE
ton, the boy shook his head unhap-
PLY.
II can't remember that, sir, any
more than / remember speaking to
you, later. My last recollection till l
found myself in bed this morning, was
Of talking to Ralph. For while, II
il all blank; must have been out
completely. In fact, 1 don't recall ever
quitting the speakeasy and working
my way back to the house."
"You couldn't tell me then, when
Buckley also departed from the club p
mo, lost complete track Of him,
Mr.. Rankin. Only this morning, l
thought Of him again and wondered
what had become of him. But ]
couldn't even remember whether he
had returned here with me last night
or not"
Rankin made no effort to conceal his
disappointment. "And that is all the
information you can give me as to
what happenedT'
eyes. sir" The boy spoke with con-
viction. Everything else has slipped
my mind altogether"
Except about your keys, Larry"
Ted Stanton prompted him. "You
ought to mention you couldn't find
them when you got up today"
"What keys are theser the detec-
tive asked quickly. when did they
disappear?"
my regular keyring," Palmer re-
piled, 'holding my mail box key, the
house key to the front door and others.
But don't see that their loss means
anything. l distinctly remember hav.
ing them on reaching the speakeasy :
they were In the same pocket as nv
loose change and l jlngled them when
/ took out the taxi fare. And this
morning. my money was still there
but not them. I suppose they must
have dropped out of my pocket while
was wandering around"
Rankin shook his head in contradlic-