The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-07-14

At the negative reply, Rankin rose
and thanked the boy for his assist
ance; 1t was evident that he could
give him no further information at the
moment.
The detective did not make the mis-
take of placing too great a value as
yet upon his account. True, it repre-
scented his first progress in the case
and revealed motive for Jordan's
death. While it might seem rather
weak to the adult point of view, col
lege man would be apt to consider it
serious and exaggerate it's gravity.
And in Buckley, who was evidently
something of a rogue, it would rankle
and excite bitterness more malignant
than a worse injury. Particularly if,
since coming to the university, the
murdered boy should have again
clashed with him or interfered with
his pursuits. But to prove that Buck
ley had reason to commit the crime
was not enough, If he lacked the op-
portunity. That problem Rankin could
not deal with until he learned where
the two missing brothers had been dur
ing the initiation. 1t seemed impos-
sible that Buckley, presumably a
stranger to the ritual, was neverthe-
less present at the ceremony.
Rankin went to the dormitory post
office; and introducing himself to Mr..
Thorne, in charge Of sorting and dis
tributing incoming mails, questioned
him as to letters Jordan might have
got. But the postmaster never had
occasion to notice his particular mail.
Still, he said, as the boy owned let
ter box, number 397, and a correspond
ing key, he probably received great
deal of it. He promised faithfully to
watch for further communications and
apprise Rankin of them.
1t was three-fifteen when the detec-
tive reached the Mu Beta Sigma house.
Anthony Graham opened the door for
him, and Stanton, looking more
harassed than ever. Joined them in the
hall. Before leaving headquarters,
Rankin had phoned the fraternity, re-
questing that Larry Palmer and Ben
Crawford await his arrival; the presi-
dent said that they had been there
since two o'clock.
Rankin apologized for his hardness.
SIT took me longer than expected to
settle other details of the case.
Now, Mr.. Stanton if you will allow
me to have the living room alone for
a short while, I'll speak to them in
there. Separately, Of course; it is i'm
material which you send in first"
Benjamin Crawford presented him
self first-the only member of the
chapter he had not yet met A dapper
youth, with well-rounded features, art
less eyes and blond hair, his efforts
to look more mature were amusing.
He seated himself nonchalantly on the
sofa, adopting psuedo-sophistfcated
attitude to foster that impression. But
neither poise nor the fine mustache he
sported could conceal the fact that he
was only nineteen.
"You know what want from you,
Mr.. Crawford" Rankin said. II don't
have to explain, after last night, the
Importance of checking the movements
of every one in the house. You were
absent and I couldn't do it in your
case. The question is, where did you
spend your time yesterday EVENING""
"It's an awful business, isn't it, sir?"
Crawford replied without hesitation.
poor Stuart. ] had date with
a girl and missed the whole thing"
weren't you at the initiation at
all? You didn't stay while and leave
before the ceremony was over?"
The boy shook his head. "No,
went out at least fifteen minutes be-
fore the meeting started. My date
was for nine o'clock, way up in Oak
lane; as it takes almost an hour to
get there, left the house at eight"
THAT'S all that really matters"
Rankin said "Let me have your
friends name and address; as a mat
ter of form. she will have to confirm
your statement"
But can't" Ben Crawford re-
turned. 'That's just the trouble.
don't know where to find her or what
her name is. You see, it was blind
date in the first place pickup,
in fact. / was never introduced to the
girl. And then, when reached the
place l was to meet her. she wasn't
there" His injured tone showed he
considered himself lily used. "She
stood me up"
Rankin's voice was suddenly sharp.
But although she failed to keep her
appointment at only nine o'clock. you
had not returned to the house here by
three-thirty this morning. How do
you explain the delay. Mr.. Crawford"
The students blase poise remained