The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-06-30

requested. "And when you've learned,
report to me-"
AS his investigation progressed,
eliciting various new facts, he grad
ually modified his impression of the
murderers unusual rashness and dar-
ing. Actually, he realized, the initia-
ton made the crime comparatively
safe, provided the criminal managed
to reach his intended victim, osten-
sibly to unite him, before anyone else
Though one of limited group of
thirty-two, that group, by it's very num-
bers, was his chief protection. If no
one had observed him the previous
night, tampering with Jordan's shoes,
there was nothing to single him out
from any other member.
Rankin considered it futile to search
the chamber for finger-prints, and rea-
sonably expect those he might find to
forward his quest in any way.
AS he previously suggested, the main
danger to the criminals otherwise per-
feet plot lay in the boys reaction to
the jab of the needle. But he also
perceived the situation on which the
plotter relied to make even that risk
negligible. A quick stab was not very
painful; if Jordan jumped or gave
vent to a grunt, neither act would at
tract much attention. But he would
make no sound at all if he supposed
that the prick he felt was part and
parcel of the ritual. And therein was
his slayer's assurance of safety.
Fifteen minutes elapsed before Lew
Kurly returned to the chapter room
with the information after which
Rankin had sent him. His eyes blazed
in excitement and he looked troubled
and perplexed.
"Its darned funny" he burst out;
the words tumbled over one another
"but the second chap who came to the
meeting late wasn't either Larry OF
Ben. / don't know who he could have
been. They aren't in the house at all
I've asked the other fellows but no
body remembers seeing them around
tonight"
The presidents surprise at the news
verged on alarm. "But that is impos
siblei No one left and thirty-two mem
bers were in this room when the ritua'
ended"
Though Immediately alert, Rankin
was more composed. probably one
of them attended the ceremony" he
suggested, land has gone out since. fol
oIo bod "a
what has happened; it would explain
everything"
mo, no one could have done that"
Kurly asserted positively. That's
what makes it so peculiar. If either
Larry or Ben was in the house this
evening, some of the boys would have
seen him go out afterward. But they'll
all swear that not soul did that since
Jordan collapsed, and only thirty-one
brothers are in the house."
Its certain no one tried to leave
after 1 arrived" the detective agreed,
"or the officers would have prevented
it and reported to me- But how can
you be so positive he hadn't slipped
away before that timer"
Because as soon as Chuck Saun-
ders went to phone Doctor Thompson,
someone was always at the door,
watching for him." the half-back re-
lated. Il waited there myself for
while and am Cure no one got out
then. And while the doctor made his
examination, several of us stood in the
downstairs hallway, discussing what
had happened. They all say the same
thing"
Rankin frowned and took out his
watch Its two o'clock already" he
said. "If Mr.. Palmer and Mr.. Craw-
ford didn't attend the initiation, it's
strange they haven't returned yet.
Let me know the minute they do"
II suppose you appreciate what that
indicates, Mr.. Rankin" the supervisor
declared solemnly "a stranger, not
belonging to the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
with no right-was present in this
room. That completely changes the
scope of your investigation"
'Yes, that seems to be the alterna-
tive" Rankin agreed, equally grave.
But it would be wise to verify Mr..
Kurly's report before we accept that
conclusion. I'll have to check up the
evidence of every boy, anyhow; there
are a number of other points must
settle"
He spent the following fOrty-five
minutes in meeting and quickly inter-
viewing one young man after another
in the chapter room. OF each member
and each candidate, his inquiries were
the same, first as to his knowledge of
the dead boy, his antecedents and
those of his family. He obtained no
facts, however, besides those Stanton
had already supplied. One and all, as
was to be expected if the criminal was
among them, denied untying Jordan's
wrists; and none could say who had
freed him. Nor did the detective learn
ANYTHING new about the lacks in his
shoes; no one had been seen tamper-
ing with them the previous night. But
Kurly's statement about the two alb