The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-08-25
b Niltor,
Proper
Copyright. 1882. By Milton Proper
WNU Service
Copyright. 1882. By Milton Proper
wNII Service

They never even met before rushing
season; then, as his sponsor, they
were on the best Of terms"
Barely ten minutes before, this
problem of motive was as mystifying
to Rankin as when he first started
to suspect Patterson. On the surface
at least, his crime lacked incentive.
Now, however, Ben Crawford's infor-
nation had suggested an answer.
1T Is my conviction" he addressed
both students, that his motive devel-
oped only last Monday night. Just
when your watch was taken, Mr..
Crawford. You say that happened be-
tween two-thirty in the morning and
seven-thirty, though probably some
time before daylight. When you re-
tired, Jordan had not yet returned to
the house for his clothes. But he did
get back somewhere around three
o'clock; I've ascertained from other
sources he drove in from Gladwyne
at half-past two. Suppose he arrived
while Patterson burglarized you, enter
ing so carefully you didn't hear him.
Suppose he went upstairs. What more
likely than that he either caught Ned
in your room or saw him softly sneak
out of it? Especially as it is almost
at the head of the stairs"
"Then why didn't he mention the
incident to us on Tuesday," Ben Craw-
ford queried. 'Tf he could clear up
the robberies, he'd scarcely be quiet
about it. Unless" he added as an
afterthought, she tried to shield Ned
because they were friends"
"Or because he failed to realize at
the moment, the significance of what
he had witnessed" Rankin suggested.
Remember, as Mr.. Stanton stated, the
PLEDGES were ignorant Of the thefts;
so the mere sight Of Patterson in an
other boys room, even SO late, would
hardly arouse Jordan's suspicious.
But If he became fraternity brother,
he would be entitled to all the rituals
and secrets; naturally, he would hear
of the thefts. Then, when he put two
and two together, he would realize
his sponsor was guilty."
With great reluctance, Stanton con-
ceded the validity of the deductions.
After moment, the detective himself
raised their single possible flaw.
"My only misgiving." he admitted,
sis with regard to your use Of the
blackball box. Could Patterson have
prevented Stuart's initiation through
that-or any other normal measure?
If so, he wouldn't need to resort to
numbering him to remove what he
dreaded-the danger Of exposure"
mo, he couldn't have stopped him
from going through at the last mo-
ment, even by the blackball box. The
final vote ON the PLEDGES took place
at a special meeting called on Mon
day afternoon. Tuesday was too late;
once hell night is over, their member
ship is assured. Anyhow, 1t takes
three blackballs to remove a pledge
pin. So Ned's change of front would
not have helped him but only looked
very strange"
Rankin's tone held no pleasure.
"You see, that settles it, Mr.. Stanton"
he said. ut all fits in to complete
his motive. I've sent for him; want
to give him every chance to clear him
self. But unless he can do that, I
shall have to charge him with murder,
unpleasant as that may be-"
He pressed the buzzer on Captain
Thomas desk, summoning Simpson.
Patterson had just come in, the officer
informed him; and he ordered that the
student be ushered into the Office
Deliberately, he set the watch in
full view on the desk-top, to note the
sponsors reaction when he saw it. In
the door, Patterson hesitated; he
glanced from the detective to his
schoolmates. perplexed anxious
frown ON his swarthy features. Sud-
denly, his eyes on the timepiece, he
stiffened; tell-tale recognition drained
the blood from his hollow cheeks. He
clenched his fingers and swal-
lowed hard. Then, as If robbed of
all power to dissimulate, he dropped
into an empty chair by the door and
buried his head hopelessly in his out
stretched arms. It was a wordless
scene, which his two friends watched
in silent concern and commiseration.
At length Patterson raised despair
ing face, it's haggard lines accentuat-
ing a new wanness.
"Well, you've caught the thief ut
last Ted" His words were grim and
bitter, but without defiance. "What
do you intend to do about it? Make
an example of me, suppose"
Stanton spoke roughly, to cloak his
emotions. "Don't be a d-n fool,
Nedr' he replied. "Of course, Wen
see you through this. What good are
fraternity brothers if they don't stand
by you ut a time like this?"
The detective swiftly took charge
of the situation. ''The money Mr..
Savoulos gave you for the property
you stole went to pay your gambling
debts at the Morton club" he stated.
isn't that so, Mr.. Patterson"
"Yes, Walton's debt and Others"
Wisely the boy tried to conceal moth